Summary
The story "Perfection" begins by plunging us into the vibrant world of the Hasidic Jewish community nestled in Brooklyn, June 1956. But almost immediately, time rewinds to March 1955, the pivotal moment that ignites the unfolding tale. It all begins when "the Saromsker Rebbe, reaching for sealing wax, inadvertently opens the wrong drawer." (A Rebbe, revered within the Hasidic tradition, serves as both rabbi and spiritual guide, and "Saromsker" denotes the esteemed Hasidic dynasty from which the Rebbe descends.) This family, the Saromskers, is known for their compassion, having welcomed numerous child survivors of the Holocaust, whose parents were not as fortunate.
The Incident Unfolds
Before the wrong drawer is opened, we delve into the scene. The Saromsker Rebbe intends to discuss a theological nuance with another rabbi. However, a snowstorm has wreaked havoc, snapping telephone lines, prompting the Rebbe to pen his thoughts instead. He seeks out a student trustworthy enough to deliver this missive. A devoted pupil suggests young Roger Reveshze, a 14-year-old who escaped the horrors of the Majdanek concentration camp in Poland. Known for his remarkable speed and spiritual purity, Roger is often found praying for his lost parents. When summoned, the Rebbe asks Roger to describe what he envisions with closed eyes. Roger speaks of a poignant scene in Eastern Europe—an elderly figure, likely his father, stands beneath a gentle snowfall.
The Forbidden Drawer
As the Saromsker Rebbe hunts for sealing wax, his hand mistakenly opens a forbidden drawer. Shocked by its contents, he hastily shuts it, but not before Roger glimpses inside. The discovery: a box branded "Lindt," a Swiss chocolate not adhering to kosher laws.
Roger's Revelation
This moment becomes a catalyst for Roger. He contemplates the Rebbe's deceit, his consumption of non-kosher food, hidden from his devoted followers. To Roger, this imperfection is a grave betrayal. Lying erodes character, leaving one vulnerable to greater malevolence, a lesson Roger learned from the atrocities of the Holocaust. He vows to relentlessly pursue truth, believing it will reunite him with his parents in the afterlife. The Rebbe's dishonesty convinces Roger of the need to stay informed about world events, wary of history repeating itself. Driven by this resolve, Roger decides to listen to the radio, aided by his classmate Luba, who works for the butcher, Schnaiper. In Schnaiper's shop, a radio plays incessantly, and Roger volunteers to take over Luba's duties for the chance to listen.
Discovering "The House That Ruth Built"
Through the radio's crackling voice, Roger encounters an enthralling tale. Schnaiper explains it is a baseball game at "The House That Ruth Built," the iconic Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, named after the legendary Babe Ruth. Unfamiliar with American culture, Roger mistakenly associates "Ruth" with the biblical figure, celebrated for her conversion to Judaism and as King David's great-grandmother, from whose lineage the Messiah is prophesied.
A Fantasy Takes Flight
Roger is electrified by the notion of a sacred link within the Bronx. When he shares his thoughts with Luba, she humors his fantasy, painting a scene of divine splendor—a grand temple illuminated by holy light, filled with alluring women descending from Ruth. Rabbis chant ancient texts, Jewish melodies fill the air, and an abundance of traditional food is spread before them. Luba adds that entry is restricted, allowed only posthumously or to those who rise as champions in dire straits. Though Roger's Western rationale dismisses the tale, his Eastern faith embraces the mystical possibility of defying gravity.
The Yankee Dilemma
From his time in the butcher's shop, the radio delivers a jumbled message: the "Yenkiss" (Yankees) endure a losing streak, even with...
(This entire section contains 1888 words.)
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the famed Mickey Mental (Mickey Mantle) on their side, facing peril from the Kansas City team.
A Mission of Salvation
Through solitary prayer, Roger discerns his mission: to rescue the Yankees. Clad in his traditional black robes and fur hat, despite the scorching June heat, he embarks on a journey via subway to "The House of Ruth," certain a miracle awaits. Once there, lacking funds for entry, he gains access by assisting a peanut vendor. In the stands, Roger watches Mantle and teammate Yogi Berra (Lawrence "Yogi" Berra) practice. His enthusiastic cries of "Mickey Mental!" catch Mantle's ear, who approaches, questioning his intention. Roger declares he is sent by God "To lift you from the darkness of defeat," yet lacks precise directives. When asked where to hit the ball, Mantle points "over the clock and out of the stadium." Roger offers guidance, sparking a curious dialogue between Mantle and Berra. Berra, mispronouncing "Hasid" as "hayseed," suggests Roger's attempt might be worth a try, a decision that paves the way for an extraordinary encounter.
Berra emerges from the dugout, rallying the rest of the team to join him. Roger, gripping his bat as if wielding a gleaming sword, spins and twirls with graceful precision. The sun's rays kiss the bat, making it shimmer with an otherworldly glow. His heart swells with love and purpose. Unbeknownst to the Yankees, Roger stands before them to probe the divine balance of justice, echoing a verse from the book of Ruth, “May the Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead.” Skeptical coach Wylie, doubting Roger's prowess, dares him to knock the minute hand off the clock with a swing. The ball is pitched, and Roger strikes it with such force that it bursts into a cloud of shimmering fragments. Apologetic but undeterred, Roger readies himself once more. This time, the ball blazes a fiery trail through the air, connecting with the clock's minute hand, which plummets to the earth below. As Roger prevails over each test set by the players, even piercing the clock itself, Stengel (the legendary Casey Stengel, real-life manager of the Yankees from 1890–1975) steps forward with a bold promise. If Roger consistently sends the ball soaring out of the stadium, Stengel vows to double the players' salaries and offer Roger a million-dollar annual contract. But should Roger falter, Stengel warns, an opposite fate awaits: no contract for Roger and a halved salary for each player. Roger, untempted by monetary gain, protests: his goal is to teach the team to strike "these objects, these... balls, with perfection."
Awestruck Yankees and the Transformation
The Yankees watch in awe as Roger sends ball after ball soaring beyond the stadium's boundaries, his athletic prowess rivaled only by his ability to snatch brilliant catches out of thin air. Determined to keep Roger's astounding abilities a secret, Stengel discreetly offers bribes to witnesses, safeguarding the team's tactical edge. Yet, a new concern haunts him: the looming World Series, scheduled perilously close to Rosh Hashanah—the Jewish New Year—a solemn period Roger is resolute in observing.
In the weeks that follow, both the sporting and Jewish communities marvel at the Yankees' transformation. Kosher hot dogs replace traditional fare at the stadium, while Hebrew prayers reverberate through the stands. Hasidic rabbis stand sentinel behind umpires, and the team steadfastly refuses to play on Saturdays—the sacred Jewish Sabbath. As an emblem of newfound faith, some players don traditional Jewish head coverings.
Mystical Prowess on the Field
The Yankees' losses gradually shrink as players strive to emulate Roger's extraordinary performance. Unbeknownst to them, Roger closes his eyes at each pitch, sensing an angel's gentle embrace guiding his swing. In these mystical moments, the baseball appears vividly in his mind's eye, halting before him as if beseeching to be struck. The angel's power propels the ball beyond the stadium, its slow arc mesmerizing the enraptured spectators.
Roger's Impact and Teachings
In his debut game, Roger's spellbinding prowess leads the Yankees to a magnificent victory over Kansas City. In the jubilant locker room, the team hoists Roger high, chanting his name in celebration. Yet, Roger humbly insists they cease, attributing his success not to himself, but to a higher power—God. He even stops them from venerating his bat. When the press storms the locker room demanding an audience with Roger, Mantle cleverly conceals him in a laundry cart, while Berra claims Roger has returned to his hometown of Milledgeville. Thus begins a media whirlwind of speculation about Roger's mysterious origins and identity. Oblivious to the growing fame, Roger is lost in the profound experience of angelic grace.
In Roger's second game, he secures another dramatic victory, this time against the White Sox. Stengel, now eager for his team to learn from Roger, requests a special clinic. Roger cautions that he knows little about baseball but offers to share the wisdom he possesses. The clandestine seminar unfolds at the Yankees' hidden training grounds, where Roger imparts a philosophical lesson: locks—whether securing doors or canals—embody creation's intricate mechanism. God's perfection permeates all, ensuring that life's fears and sufferings are counterbalanced, just as each pin in a lock must align perfectly for it to turn. Though lives are varied and suffering unevenly distributed, all are elevated by God's invisible hand, maintaining creation's harmony. Likewise, canal locks, powered by water's natural inclination towards equilibrium, are metaphors for God's compensation, a state more tangible than the world itself. Roger explains that his strength and skill on the field are gifts from God, resulting in perfect execution. The Yankees can access this divine energy, but only if their aim transcends mere victory, which narrows God's boundless universe. Mantle inquires about Roger's motivation. "Because of the imperfection I have seen," Roger responds, "I live for the hope of restoration."
Roger's Story of Survival
Roger unfolds a tale wrapped in shadows and resilience. Born amidst the horrors of Majdanek, where death seemed routine, he survived by the lifeline of his parents' unwavering love. As the fires of liberation drew near, fate took a cruel twist. At the tender age of three, Roger and his parents were driven to the brink of a mass grave. Death claimed them all but Roger, who evaded its grasp due to his small stature. Cast into a pit atop the lifeless, gasoline soon drenched the scene, sparking flames that would consume all but him. Roger's heart now aches for a sign that justice, somewhere beyond the confines of time, might resurrect the loved ones cruelly taken from him.
The Yankees' Unyielding Pursuit
The Yankees storm back from a seminar with the precision and resolve of a vengeful legion. For a fortnight, they leave no room for defeat, conquering every match with relentless zeal. Salaries and league positions become trivial; their singular focus is the pursuit of flawless excellence.
As Roger steps onto the field for his final game, the city erupts in cheers for him. The stadium, swelling beyond its limits, witnesses Roger's astonishing display as he launches ball after ball beyond its confines. The audience watches, captivated, as if “the world were ablaze with the light of perfection.”
Returning Home to Brooklyn
Embraced by the familiarity of his modest Brooklyn abode, Roger feels no longing for the opulence of luxury hotels. He appreciates the Hasidic rituals and attire, valuing how they ground worldly possessions in their rightful place. As the subway weaves its way back to his neighborhood, Roger closes his eyes. Memories of his parents dance vividly in his mind. He opens them, pondering how the spectacle at the House That Ruth Built mirrors a song he's been taught to sing, a melody of defiance against mortality and in celebration of divine love.