In the middle is Asher's mother, Rivkeh, who in Asher's early childhood was severely traumatized by the death of her brother, and was killed while traveling for the Rebbe. Rivkeh is only able to emerge from her depression when she decides to continue her brother's work and obtains the Rebbe's permission to return to college to study Russian affairs. Throughout the novel she suffers anxiety for her husband's safety during his almost constant traveling, and frequently is seen waiting at the large window of their apartment for her husband or son to return home.