As Thomas arrives at the Mendelson home, he’s met with the sound of Veronica’s excited voice.

  Veronica (calling out): Mr. and Mrs. Mendelson, you have to come here!

  Ruth: What’s going on?

  Sholomoh: What’s got you so excited?

  Veronica: Thomas, you have to show them.

  Thomas: There’s nothing to show.

  Veronica: Yes, there is! There was a vote this past week—he was chosen to receive the brass ring. Show them!

  Thomas, a little shy, raises his left hand, revealing a brass ring.

  Sholomoh: Congratulations. It’s something to be recognized by your peers.

  Ruth: That is an honor.

  Veronica: I tried to tell him, but I don’t think he really understands what it means.

  Sholomoh: The brass ring is an honor given by our youth group. It recognizes those who’ve fulfilled the service requirements to be considered for the adult group. It’s actually a big deal. Have you heard the word exemplar?

  Thomas: I’ve heard it, but I don’t understand how I fit that idea.

  Sholomoh: It means you’ve become someone others look to as a model. It’s the youth group’s way of saying, “He’s shown us what’s possible.” And, fair warning—they might start following you around now, hoping to find opportunities for service.

  Ruth: Veronica, are you staying for dinner?

  Veronica: I wish I could—my mom has plans. But I couldn’t let Thomas hide this from you. I’ll be back tomorrow. I think he can help me with a class.

  Veronica waves and leaves.

  Ruth: So—it’s Friday. We haven’t talked about this yet, but we’re Jewish. There are a lot of things we’re pretty liberal about, but we do take Shabbat seriously. Once a month, and on holidays, we go to shul in Houston. But here at home, we always light candles Friday evening.

  She smiles warmly.

  Ruth (continued): There’s still time. I’ve laid out an outfit for you on your bed. I’d like you to take a bath and change into it, if you don’t mind.

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  Thomas: Yes, ma’am. I’ll go right now.

  Thomas heads upstairs. After a while, he returns, freshly bathed and dressed in the outfit Ruth laid out. He settles on the couch with Summa Theologica and his scriptures.

  Sholomoh: While I don’t agree with everything Augustine argues, he does make strong cases for his faith. Take your time with it—and don’t neglect your scripture study. We’ll talk more later.

  Thomas nods and begins reading. Ruth prepares dinner in the kitchen while Sholomoh goes to get ready for Shabbat. After several chapters, the light in the room grows softer. Ruth calls out:

  Ruth: Dinner’s ready!

  Thomas enters the dining room and sees a table beautifully set with a white cloth, three formal place settings, two candles, and a loaf of bread under a cloth.

  Thomas: I could have helped set the table.

  Ruth: That’s kind of you, but tonight, you were doing exactly what you needed to do. We’ll help each other when it’s needed—but tonight is your first Shabbat here. You don’t need to worry about the details yet.

  Thomas: The table looks beautiful.

  Ruth (smiling): Thank you.

  Sholomoh: Thomas, thank you for joining us.

  Ruth: We begin Shabbat by lighting candles to separate it from the rest of the week. I’ll say the blessing now.

  She lights the candles and recites the blessing. Then Sholomoh uncovers the bread, breaks a piece, and says the blessing over it in Hebrew. He gestures to a small cup in front of Thomas.

  Sholomoh: Before you is a cup of grape juice. Would you pick it up?

  Thomas picks up the cup. Sholomoh says the blessing over the wine in Hebrew, then turns to Thomas.

  Sholomoh: Will you do me a favor and stand in the place of my son and receive a blessing?

  Thomas: Yes.

  Sholomoh stands behind Thomas, placing his hands gently on his shoulders.

  Sholomoh: May you be like Ephraim and Manasseh.

  Then, turning to his wife, Sholomoh recites Eshet Chayil—the “Woman of Valor”—from memory. With that, they begin to eat. After the meal, he leads a closing blessing.

  Sholomoh: So, what did you learn?

  Thomas: It’s a deep text. I’m not sure I’m ready to really talk about it. But I think I’m starting to understand Augustine’s idea of Ordo Amoris—the order of love. He argues that there are different levels of understanding. One is the natural sciences, and another—higher one—is the science that relates to understanding God.

  Sholomoh: That’s not a bad summary of the beginning. Do you have any questions?

  Thomas: I’m curious—why was this book chosen?

  Sholomoh: Good question. The main reason is its structure. Summa Theologica is written in a format of questions and arguments. If you want to grow in reasoning and service, it’s not enough to copy good behavior—you have to understand the reasoning behind it. That’s what this book can teach you. It’s not about answers. It’s about learning to ask the right questions. Does that make sense?

  Thomas: I think so… but it feels like there’s a lot more to understand.

  Sholomoh: There is. If you want, you can ask Veronica’s dad for a guide to the book—but I’d wait until you’ve read it through on your own. He will have strong opinions.

  Thomas smiles and nods.

  Sholomoh: Do you have any questions about the Shabbat service this evening?

  Thomas: I do… but I’m not sure I know how to ask them yet.

  Sholomoh and Ruth burst into gentle laughter.

  Thomas (grinning): What did I say?

  Ruth (smiling): We’ll explain that in the spring.

  Thomas shakes his head with a smile as Ruth and Sholomoh chuckle again.

  Ruth: Thank you for joining us this evening.

  Thomas: Thank you for having me.