Book 2, Chapters 4-5 Summary

Over 1,000 Cossacks led by Andreev attack the Jewish seminary crying, "Kill the Jews!" Yakov and Jossi race home, defending themselves when cornered. Simon dies defending the Sefer Torah, calling out as his last words, "Hear, O Israel." Saying Kaddish makes Jossi thoughtful but inspires Yakov to kill Andreev. Word spreads, and the rabbi warns them to disguise themselves as goyim and flee. The fugitives walk by night and hide by day, heading eastward. Notoriety precedes them, so Jews are afraid to let them rest but keep them provisioned. Yakov decides to head for Palestine via Odessa, joking that it should not take forty years as it did Moses. Trusting in God, the brothers trudge into waist-deep snowdrifts and howling winds. Yakov keeps Jossi's spirits up, and mighty Jossi often bears his brother's physical weight when his strength fails. Entering...