Chapter 4, The Just Man of the Flies, Part 4 Summary

Ernie's family is puzzled about the burned hand, but Ernie remains silent. Mordecai confronts Ernie privately and learns that Ernie is hardening his body. Mordecai realizes Ernie misunderstands the purpose of the Just Man. Ernie is devastated to realize that the Jews are not like other men and that God must be angry at the Jews to allow them to suffer so. Ernie promises that his training as a Lamed-Vovnik will cease and that he will take on suffering for Mordacai. Ernie realizes he must be insignificant to be a Lamed-Vovnik, which causes Ernie to be humbled and to find compassion. Ernie begins to act strangely, kissing his grandmother's hand, staring at his mother as if seeing her truly for the first time, and also scrutinizing Herr Half Man...