Answer: The roles of the elders often involve responsibilities that require specialized knowledge, skills or the wisdom that is acquired with experience. Sometimes the elder can mentor a younger person to assume the responsibility. But a younger person may not have the interest, the aptitude, or willingness to learn. Elders often have leadership roles in a community which will require them to listen, communicate, settle disputes, or offer guidance to solve problems. They must be able to earn the respect of the community.
People have different intelligence, talents and interests. Some are capable and willing to fulfill roles as teachers, healers, protectors and leaders. Others should just be content to follow, contribute as they are able, and respect their elders.
The Relative Clause is “who are five in number”. It is a type of dependant clause (it need the main clause in order to convey its meaning properly) that has the same function of an adjective; that is to say, it modifies a noun “friends”.
The author of "Zlateh the Goat", Isaac Bashevis Singer, was a Polish Jewish author. In the story, not only are the main characters Jewish, but also the story is set around Hanukkah (and contains references to specific Hanukkah traditions and preparations), an important Jewish holiday. You should also note that the text was initially written in Yiddish, which is a dialect central to Jewish (especially Ashkenazi Jewish) culture.
