The Books of Jacob

From her elevated position, Yente understands “the workings of the messianic machine” (314). She knows that the Messiah must endure great suffering to change the world. A badly-beaten and bruised Jacob is escorted to a monastery by a group of soldiers. He has been sentenced to “internment” (311) in the monastery, where he is examined by the monastery’s recently appointed prior, Ksawery Rotter.

Jacob is placed in a chamber; he is accompanied by his valet and cook, Kazimierz, who exchanges tobacco for supplies. Once a week, Jacob is permitted to walk along the monastery ramparts and all the inhabitants gather to stare at the “Jewish prophet” (308). He observes the devoted visitors to the monastery who flagellate themselves with whips. Jacob is allowed to mingle in the crowd of penitent believers. Later, he explains his experience to Kazimierz and insists that the Messiah and salvation will arrive via a Virgin and “that Virgin has been dedicated to [him] alone” (303).

Hana receives a letter from Jacob, written in Polish. Nahman translates it for her, and soon the news has spread throughout the community of Contra-Talmudists: Jacob is alive. Shlomo goes to the monastery to visit Jacob and meets Kazimierz outside, who complains about Jacob’s erratic behavior and the unfairness of his own imprisonment.