Havruta for Chapter 5

Havruta/Chavruta (transliteration is tricky) is a collaborative paired reading practice from the Jewish tradition. There are some links about it on the HPST website I found the longer article from Brandeis University which includes a transcript of a Havruta discussion really interesting. Obviously I am not Jewish and i am probably missing a lot of nuances about how the practice works (sorry) but my understanding of the basic idea is that Havruta partners work together to build a shared understanding of the text - it's not really a teacher/pupil relationship or about trying to convince your partner that your opinion is right but about being open to each other's ideas and to help each other gain understanding. Havruta partners may disagree with each other but the focus is collaborating and working with each other's ideas rather than being adversarial.
The way that Havruta is practiced on the HPST podcast is for one of the presenters to ask a question about something that genuinely puzzles them in the chapter they are studying. Then they have to come up with a possible answer before the second partner can comment and build on that. So what O am going to do here is pose a question and come up with my own answer first and hopefully you will comment and add to that.

So my question is about the Orphanage - why do the Porteress and the Cook seem to have such different attitudes and outlooks? When Gobbolino moves into the Orphanage Kitchen we read
It would suit him very well, he thoughy, to become an orphanage cat, and although the cook was very sour-faced and bad tempered, the porteress was very kind.
The Porteress seems to have seniority so why has she not found someone with a similar outlook to her to work in the Kitchen? And why hasn't her kindness and caring attitude set the standard for how all of the orphanage staff behave?

I'll put my thoughts in the comments and hope you will share yours

Blessings for Chapter 5

These ones are both obvious - a blessing for the brothers and for everyone who is vulnerable and in need. And for everyone who is facing painful changes in their lives. Obviously right now in these pandemic times that is all of us to some extents but there are some people facing particularly extreme losses: those who have been bereaved and any one who has had to leave a home where they are no longer safe. May they be comforted, supported and protected. May they be given everything that they need to survive and thrive.
And a blessing for the Porteress and for everyone who welcomes in and supports people in need. May their trust be rewarded and their welcome respected. May they be supported in their work (whether it’s formal and informal and have all they need to look after themselves as well as to share