Chapter five focuses on Rabbi Köves, one of the three religious representatives Edmund Kirsch met with in the very first chapter. He is at the largest synagogue in Budapest. It's built in the Moorish style with twine spires, and seating for over three thousand people. Outside in the gardens is the Tree of Life, a monument shaped like a tree with metal leaves that have the names of the Hungarian Jews who died during the Nazi occupation.
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Rabbi Köves leaves with the setting sun, making his way past boutiques and mysterious "ruin bars". He thinks to himself how he wished he hadn't attended the Parliament of World Religions. If he hadn't, he would be oblivious to Edmund Kirsch's announcement.
His mind is still plagued by Kirsch's presentation when he arrives home to his small cottage. It's a single room with large bookshelves that sagged with the weight of all his religious tomes. He thinks that if anyone were to see his desk, they would think he was a mad man.
Köves has been researching everything about Genesis and the creation ever since the meeting. He went thru the Torah, Holy Bible, and even instructional texts of the Talmud. He find comfort in the fact that humankind was not meant to understand all things of God. The Rabbi had finally began to accept the fact that Kirsch's announcement would have devastating repercussions, for every human being not just those of faith.
He remembers the conversation two days prior with Valdespino and al-Fadl. Valdespino wanted Kirsch to call and discuss the announcement further. Syed al-Fadl said he had made his decision. He is going to make it public, so they can take control and frame it in a way to minimize the damage.
Valdespino knows they discussed going public, but can think of no way of minimizing repercussions. He is also concerned about breaking the vow to Mr. Kirsch. Syed agrees about being torn about breaking the vow, but sees it as the lesser of two evils. The allamah sees it as an attack on all religions. Valdespino fears the only way to succeed is to discredit Kirsch and his discovery.
Syed points out the great Edmund Kirsch has never been wrong before, to which Valdespino points out his discovery and presentation are no better than those of Galileo, Bruno, and Copernicus. Religion has been up against odds like this before. Valdespino puts his desires bluntly, stating he wish Kirsch never made the discovery and that he hopes it never sees the light of day.
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Valdespino says that with prayer, hopefully Edmund will hear the voice of God, and change his mind. Al-Fadl doesn't think Kirsch is capable of hearing the voice of God, but Valdespino tells him miracles do happen. Finally, Köves interrupts and reminds them both that they have time to make a decision. Kirsch has told them it would be a month before he makes his announcement. Both men agree this is wise council. They decide to speak again in two days.
Finally Köves' phone rang. He was greeted by Bishop Valdespino. The Bishop tells Köves al-Fadl would not be joining them tonight. He tells the rabbi of his disappearance. Then tells him he has more bad news, Kirsch is going public that night, not in a month like he told them originally. This is how the chapter ends.
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There are a few things we can draw from this chapter. First, whatever Kirsch is announcing seems to have the religious leaders truly concerned so it's something major. Whatever it is, they are shaken by it.
Second, we see have motivation for something to happen. Knowing the structure of other Dan Brown books, something will happen and Robert Langdon will he drug into the middle of it all.
Thank you all for your time, it's always appreciated
-Bran the Builder
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