Physically, he was as awkward as a clown. His waiflike shyness made people smile. As for me, I liked his wide, dreamy eyes, gazing off into the distance. He spoke little. He sang, or rather he chanted, and the few snatches I caught here and
there spoke of divine suffering, of the Shekhinah in Exile, where, according to Kabbalah, it awaits its redemption linked
to that of man.
I met him in 1941. I was almost thirteen and deeply observant.
By day I studied Talmud and by night I would run to the synagogue to weep over the destruction of the Temple.
5. This passage is Elie's description of
1. Meir Katz
2. His father
3. Idek
4. Franek
5. Moishe the Beadle
6. In the context of the passage, the word "dreamy" suggests which meaning:
1. confused
2. fantastic
3. beautiful
4. faraway
7. The description of this character is meant to imply that he was
1. different from others in an intimidating way
2. different from others in a humble way
3. ridiculed for his appearance
4. admired for his difference