The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store Chapters 3 & 4 Summary & Analysis

Summary: Chapters 3 & 4

Chapter 3: Twelve

The next day, Moshe asks Nate if he heard the explosion but Nate says no. Moshe tries to give Nate a little extra money but Nare declines, saying he'd like to continue working for Moshe and that won't be possible if Moshe keeps giving his money away. Nate changes the subject to dancing and briefly reflects that there are no dance halls for Black people in town, prompting Moshe to go home to Chona and contemplate whether he should open the theater to Pottstown's Black community. Though they know that others will object, they decide to integrate the theater. Four weeks later, he books the Black musician, Chick Webb. Pottstown's African American community seems hesitant, knowing they have previously been unwelcome in downtown Pottstown. However, once Chick begins to play, the crowd erupts with joy and merriment. Moshe notices that Chick has a hunchback and therefore, like Chona, is disabled. Moshe describes Chick as a "joymaker" and reflects on the immense joy that the three “cripples”—Chona, Moses, and Chick—have brought him.

Soon after, Moshe begins to have a series of dreams about Moses, all relating to the number twelve, and he begins to see the number twelve in everything he does. The dreams even prompt him to invest in twelve stocks and bring in twelve more Black performers. Meanwhile, local Jews are unhappy with how many Black people have been coming to their part of town. As a result, multiple people try to sabotage Moshe with things like fines and city inspections. However, Moshe stays firm and deals with the backlash, seeking help from his wealthy cousin Isaac Moskowitz to help Moshe pay the fines. As profits grow, Moshe buys the theater, then another, and over the next five years, gradually expands his business, beginning to see a steady profit. He is even able to buy the Heaven & Earth Grocery Store from Yakov along with the apartment above the store for Moshe and Chona.

Most Jews have left Chicken Hill and Moshe wants to demolish the store and move to another neighborhood but Chona refuses, remaining adamant that she wants to stay in the area and continue to run the store. Chona has developed into a strong-willed woman, largely beloved by all, with worldly ideas and more knowledge of Hebrew than almost any other Jew in town. She even takes over much of the cantoring at the temple instead of sitting in the balconies with the other women. Chona is adamant that the explosion that Moshe witnessed is superstition, not a bad omen, and refuses to change her mind about the store. Moshe continues to book both Jewish and Black musicians, along with a few other groups to appease the white Presbyterian crowd. Meanwhile, Chona writes letters about Jewish causes and against Ku Klux Klan parades, threatening to expose one of the members of the Klan whom she recognizes due to his limp.

Eleven years later, Chona still adamantly refuses to move downtown with the rest of the Jews, and the married couple remains. In 1936, the twelfth year of their marriage, Chona falls ill and begins having frequent fainting spells. The doctors cannot identify the cause and Moshe fears the bad omen of the number twelve. Chona refuses to see local physician Doc Earl Roberts due to his association with the KKK. Her condition worsens and Chicken Hill's Black population flocks to her aid, bringing food, merriment, and good company. Addie Timblin, Nate Timblin's wife, is hired to help run the grocery store and look after Chona. Addie regularly sits by Chona's bedside and Moshe reads Chona the Talmud in Hebrew every night. However, Chona's health continues to deteriorate. Moshe's cousin Isaac comes to town, suggesting Chona move to a Jewish sick home in Philadelphia. Angered, Moshe declares that Chona will live and Isaac is shocked by Moshe's harsh words.

Chapter 4: Dodo

Addie waits for her husband Nate to return home while Chicken Hill's Association of Negro Men, comprised of Rusty, Rusty's uncle Bags, and Reverend Ed “Snooks” Spriggs, meets at her kitchen table. They discuss Chona's imminent death and Addie is displeased with their thoughtless tone, coming to Chona's defense and arguing with the men before slipping outside to wait for Nate. Nate finally arrives, bringing no news of Chona other than Isaac's arrival in town and insistence that Chona be moved to a sick home. Though Snooks is technically the leader of the community, Nate's opinion matters more than any other on Chicken Hill and he is respected by all, even slightly feared by some.

Addie reports that her nephew, Dodo, a small Black deaf boy who lost his hearing in a kitchen accident, has gone missing. Nate leaves in search of a car to aid his search. Fabicelli's bakery has a truck but the business was recently sold to Malachi, a Jewish newcomer in town. Nate leaves to obtain the truck, but finds Dodo playing with rocks in a nearby stream. Nate approaches the boy who produces a piece of paper. Though Nate cannot read, Dodo explains that the letter says that his mother has died and that Dodo has to leave town. Nate tears up the letter.

Read an analysis of a quote about what Nate values.