Summary

In Chapter 6, "Not Worth Fighting For," Deborah begins marriage classes. She learns about niddah. The term refers to menstruation, during which women are considered impure, and are forbidden to be around their husbands. After menstruation, women must visit mikvah, where they clean cloths and take a ritual bath, to prove their restored purity. Her teacher explains how important the separation and reunion between husband and wife is for the husband. In preparation for her pre-wedding mikvah visit, Deborah begins birth control to regulate her cycle. She also takes classes on the legalities of marriage. Women must compromise and submit. Deborah silently rejects all of these lessons, convinced she and Eli will have a more equal marriage.

Chaya begins helping Deborah make further preparations. They secure an apartment, where Deborah spends afternoons alone. She pretends to be preparing the space, but is secretly reading...