"The Conversion of the Jews" and "Angel Levine"

I think that the adults in “Conversion of the Jews” represented a more traditional mode of handling Ozzie’s questioning of God, and how Jesus came to be. They seemed to look at it from a perspective of unquestionable acceptance without concrete explanation. Ozzie, on the other hand represents a less traditional stance. He seems to want an explanation, at least from the Rabbi. I don’t think he was out of line to ask so many questions - he is only thirteen and curious. However, I think that he could have laced his inquiries with more respect. He reminded me of a young child that constantly asks, “why?” to everything.

I think that Manischevitz demonstrated a level of curiosity that Ozzie did not. Less demanding, he was able to convey his uncertainty in a more respectable fashion - he did not lash out at Levine, and he certainly did not threaten to take his own life to get the answers he yearned for. However, here again an age gap is represented. Being much older than Ozzie, he at least remained respectable in his hesitation about Levine’s character. 

From what I know of the story of Job: he lived a fulfilled life, and both believed and feared in the Lord. However, as a test to his loyalty, the Lord allows Satan to take away from Job. Job suffers immensely, but and blames the Lord for injustice. However, in the end, his faith in, and loyalty to, God is only strengthened. He realizes that all that he possesses is due to God’s hand. This is similar to Malamud’s “Angel” in several ways. Manischevtiz was a successful tailor with a loving family, and then tragedy struck. His wife fell ill, his son died in the war, and his daughter abandoned him for a husband. Furthermore, Manishevtiz’s store was burned down, and he suffered aches and pains when he attempted to work. He constantly prays and wonders why God does not answer his prayers, but these prayers are out of selfishness. It is only until he becomes desperate enough to truly believe in the power of faith (belief in Levine, that is) that he is once again blessed.  At the end of the story, he remarks about the presence of Jews (angels), and how they are everywhere.