The Books of Jacob

Jacob, his family, and his followers arrive in Offenbach in a caravan of coaches, headed by a cadre of soldiers dressed in “gaudy uniforms” (107). The local people are fascinated by the arrival of this Polish baron and his beautiful daughter. They spread rumors about Jacob, who moves into a recently-renovated castle which has a history of flooding. Jacob is in poor health, but he writes many letters to his followers, telling them to join him in Offenbach. Thomas visits frequently as he has secured lines of credit for Jacob. Jacob becomes enraged whenever his ideas or plans are criticized; he lambasts the “simpletons” (100) who do not trust or follow his guidance. His old age is becoming more physically apparent and he must be treated with care.

A woman named Zwierzchowska runs Jacob’s household. She is still guilty for telling a lie which instigated a pogrom against the Jewish people who threatened Jacob’s followers. Jacob’s house guard is trained and overseen by Prince Jerzy Marcin Lubomirski, a disgraced, broke nobleman who “cannot shake his reputation as a traitor and a rabble-rouser” (96). He met Jacob during the monastery siege and, after a lifetime of disgracing himself, believes that Jacob is fated to help him recover his good name. Sophie von La Roche lives in Offenbach and invites Eva to social events. They listen to recently-composed music by Mozart, and Eva strives to remember every detail about Sophie’s home, though she cries in bed at night.

Nahman transcribes his dreams but is interrupted by an emergency: Jacob has “passed out” (89). As the doctors treat Jacob, everyone waits anxiously for news. Antoni Czerniawski is one of Jacob’s most trusted followers and he is in charge of all the Contra-Talmudists’ accounts. Along with Nahman, he begins to compose a history of the Contra-Talmudists and of Jacob’s life. He takes on an increased amount of authority in the group as Jacob recovers, even though he has no interest in ruling or leadership. As he recovers, Jacob explains that he has “taken upon himself all the anguish on the road to Daat—sacred knowledge, the sole road to salvation” (85). Czerniawski is tasked with bringing young girls to Jacob to have sex with him. In his old age, “he likes his girls to be extremely young” (84).

Thomas returns with big plans and ambitions. However, Jacob’s advisors warn him that Thomas is an indebted womanizer with a bad reputation who cannot be trusted. He is accused of being “a profligate and a pettifogger” (83). When Jacob discovers that Thomas has unilaterally announced himself as Jacob’s spiritual successor, he beats Thomas and orders him to be thrown in prison. Thomas accuses Jacob of being a pathetic hypocrite who will die soon.

Recovering enough of his health, Jacob delivers long, mystical sermons about the future. The older followers remain as enraptured as ever but the younger followers seem bored and disinterested. On more than one occasion, Jacob’s son Roch fathers a child out of wedlock. These children “cost quite a bit” (77). Eva criticizes his lack of morals and reduces him to tears. Jacob becomes even sicker, and his slight recovery astounds the doctors. He continues to issue orders until, eventually, he dies. Eva feels a strange mix of grief and joy.

News spreads quickly. In Offenbach, people debate whether Jacob was a true religious leader, a conman, or someone who was planning “an uprising in Poland” (71). In the wake of Jacob’s death, King Frederick Wilhelm issues an order against cults and secret societies such as the Contra-Talmudists and the Freemasons. Such groups are accused of being “cover for political and revolutionary intentions” (70).