Chapter 5 Summary

In their first learning session together, Batsheva and Yosef decide to learn about the reasons why the Jews do the things that they do. Yosef confesses to Batsheva that he is not entirely comfortable with the idea of learning with her, he holds the belief that learning with a female will distract him from his lessons. Helen happens to run into Batsheva as she is returning from her time at the shul with Yosef. She is disturbed by how happy Batsheva is with her learning arrangements. While Helen learned from her mother how to run a Jewish house, she has not delved much into the theology behind Judaism. She wonders if it is too late for her to start learning.

During their next session, Yosef and Batsheva learn about repentance. In another session they discuss the laws of Shabbos. Although Batsheva wants to...