“No one in my family was happy with me when I left home and went to the university to study physics instead of to the yeshiva to study Torah. But Torah and physics are perfectly compatible in my mind. The Almighty is a God of order and laws, and I wanted to study how He had created and ordered the universe.” He looked down at the table. “My family and I became even more estranged when I married your mother —a woman from a nonreligious family.”

Miriam knew the story. “You heard her performing at a piano recital and fell in love with her.”

“With her and with the exquisite music she created.” His eyes glistened in the candlelight. “How could I explain that her music drew me closer to God? My family didn’t understand.”

“I understand, Professor. Miriam’s music does the same for me.”

“I didn’t tell your mother, Miriam, but since losing my position at the university, I have returned to Torah study. I am asking God why we are being persecuted. What have we done? And what He wants to teach us in this dark trial.”

“That’s why I began reading it too,” Avi said. “Have you found any answers, Professor?”

“No. But I think God likes it when we ask questions. My best university students were the ones who asked questions. I think God is pleased when we engage in a dialogue with Him. I regret that I’ve ignored Him for much of my life, but at least we are talking again. I was raised to study the Torah with a chavrutah —a study partner. Would you do me the honor of being my chavrutah, Avraham?”

“I’m the one who would be honored, Professor Jacobs.”

Later, after the evening ended and Miriam and Abba had returned to their stark barracks, Abba turned to her and said, “I like your young man very much, Miriam.”

“Why do you call him my young man? We’re just friends —”

“Yes, I can see that you’re friends. And I see much more. I saw your faces when I mentioned the possibility of moving to Leiden. I heard how quick you were to invite him to join us if God sees fit to move us there. It’s probably too soon to call it love, but I already see great affection between the two of you. I wouldn’t mind if you and young Avraham grew closer, dear one.” He laid his hand on her head as he had when he’d blessed her. “No, I wouldn’t mind in the least.”