Chapter 2, Zemyock, Part 4 Summary

Mordecai is invited to join the rabbi for dinner and is persuaded to accept. Mordecai postures as a Levy from Zemyock and makes one profound proclamation. The village believes him to be a Just Man. Mordecai does not correct their mistake and stays the winter to recover from a fever. Judith cannot deny that she is attracted to Mordecai, but feels that God is playing a fine joke on her that she should fall in love with a Lamed-Vovnik when there are only thirty-six in the entire world. Mordecai tells Judith at their betrothal that he is required to return to Zemyock to write his family history. Judith refuses to accompany him. Mordecai arrives in Zemyock with food and luxuries from his future family and finds them still starving. His family condemns him because Judith refused to come with...