How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
Mount Lebanon's Turkish overlords had long made a game of pitting its Christian and Jewish populations against each other, forcing them to compete for Muslim favor. The disagreements had at times turned bloody and edged into riot. (12.68)
Arbeely fears these religious and cultural differences will bleed over into New York City, especially when the two strangest citizens—the Golem and the Jinni—start associating with one another. New York City isn't exactly the melting pot many think it is, and people are still divided along many lines, including religious ones.
Quote #8
May God comfort you among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem. […] Why "among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem"? Why not "among the mourners of the world"? So parochial, so small-minded. (12.97)
This is one of the reasons that Michael has stepped away from his religion: He feels that it's exclusive, not inclusive. And this is at a funeral that women aren't allowed to attend, so yeah, he has a point.