Toward the end of the novel, Rabbi Eliahu enters the shed where the narrator and his father are staying. The rabbi is a kind, respected man who radiates peace, and he's searching earnestly for his son, who was separated from him in a crowd. Eliezer mentally acknowledges that the rabbi's situation is devastating, since the two of them had managed to stick together for three years through the suffering and the herding from place to place. The rabbi was feeling weak and was falling behind his son in the crowd, and the son didn't notice. At least, that's what the rabbi reported.
Eliezer's horrible realization, which he didn't share with the poor rabbi, is that he did see the rabbi's son in the crowd--and the son did notice that his father was falling behind...and the son just let it happen.
Eliezer muses sadly:
"What if he had wanted to be rid of his father? He had felt his father growing weaker and, believing that the end was near, had thought by this separation to free himself of a burden that could diminish his own chance for survival."
How does Eliezer respond to all this?
First, he's grateful that such a horrible remembrance had easily slipped from his mind. He's glad that he's forgotten--and presumably, eager to forget again after having pondered the situation for a few moments.
Second, he's glad that the rabbi doesn't know the truth. He probably thinks it's better that the rabbi is protected from the sad knowledge that his son left him behind on purpose. Searching for his son will give the rabbi hope, Eliezer probably believes.
Finally, despite no longer believing in God, Eliezer prays anyway. He asks for the strength to never abandon his own father.
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