A botanist, he is a scholar who never makes a decision of faith, though he continues to tell his Christian friends that he is near that decision. He seems to relish his hold over his friends, as seen in his insisting that Buck attend the event staged by Carpathia. Chaim seems to have received some sort of divine instruction, though he continues to refuse to fully accept Christ as his savior. He purchases an electric wheelchair and makes certain that he can maneuver it, though he is healthy and fully able to walk around on his own. He talks at length about strokes long before he has one. He also spends a great deal of time honing a special length of steel to a razor-sharp edge. He tells Buck that he has the need to do this with his own hands, though he has been a scientist and tools such as steel and files have never been part of his trade. As the week of festivities planned by Carpathia draws to a close, Chaim insists that he attend the final day of the event. When Buck objects, Chaim manages to draw support from elsewhere so that he does attend. It's not revealed that Chaim is really the person who carries out the assassin until the following book, "The Mark."