Book Three, Chapter Sixteen Summary

Reuven travels to see Michael. The Gordons are there, as are Danny and Michael. Michael is catatonic. Before entering the room, Danny tells Reuven to say whatever is on his mind. And so Reuven does. He tells Michael that he resented having to make a choice between two worlds and hated the people who made him choose.

Reuven said that he understood the man, Rav Kalman, who made him choose because of his own suffering, and says that he must learn to fight back without hurting men like Rav Kalman too much. Reuven was "inside a small room too", fighting against those who hurt him. You have to fight back even when it hurts those you respect and love, Reuven claims. He then says that he received smicha from Kalman.

Michael erupts, furious with Reuven for accepting...