Chaim Pottok In The Beginning Sparknotes

Chaim Potok’s In the Beginning captures the tale of David Lurie, a young Jewish boy with a restless mind but weak body which confine him to a mainly sedentary youth with only an active imagination to entertain him, that is until he learns how to read. A bright and inquisitive young boy, David yearns to understand the text that gazes up at him from books, newspapers, and the Bible and to be able to read from the Torah like his father and men in their synagogue. Despite this initial inclination towards reading, the introduction of Mrs. Horowitz’s book collection is the catalyst which propels David into the world of literature and the desire to learn quickly. A connection between the older David and the younger strengthens after the introduction

of the books. David’s interest in the books and their contents also affect his interpersonal relationships; those affected most greatly are the individual members of his family and his teachers.
Mrs. Horowitz, David’s once antagonist quickly becomes his biggest ally on the quest to analyze text and inadvertently learn more about his family connections. She stops David in the hall and mentions a book collection which contains charms and ways to keep away from the “evil eye”, or Eddie Kulanski, their anti Semitic neighbor. She impresses upon David her desire that he learn to read faster so that she can finally understand the books she was left by her father: the ones that contain her charms. In exchange for his help, she tells David, “we will be partners”, demonstrating the shift in their relationship and the move towards him learning more about his family’s past (96). Her introduction of those books begins David’s fast-paced journey towards reading and the beginning of a relationship between the two characters. Although David never grows to be particularly fond of Mrs. Horowitz he learns quite a bit about her, the origins of her books, and several of her superstitions. The books serve as a way to bring the neighbors closer together in addition to families.
David agrees to read the books to Mrs. Horowitz as soon as he can, but he is incapable of fulfilling his promise due to her untimely death. It seems that her death meant the end of his contact with the holy books, but this was not true. Despite her son’s quick removal of material items and resale of her apartment, David receives three large boxes of books which she left to him in her will (183). The books are stored away, kept out of sight but later resurface. During the Lurie’s first move, David’s Uncle Meyer tells him that the books contain sermons written in German or are books explaining customs, not of charms or prayers to protect someone from the evil eye, ailments, or the Angel of Death as David has been led to believe (226). Once again, the books are stored away, out of sight, out of mind. Over time David continues to grow in his studies but his quest for knowledge never ceases. Even when it comes to the Torah and his lessons with Mr. Bader, David questions those who have written on it: Rashi, Rambam, Ramban, etc. because he yearns to understand everything that he can. In fact, if anything his desire for topics that would stimulate his brain only grew and he returns to the German language. He picks up books that once belonged to his Uncle David and begins trying to decipher the meaning held within the text. He even approaches Mrs. Bader after one of his Torah lessons with Mr. Bader to ask if she will translate a passage or help him when he has questions because his mother is not always able to explain the information to him (253).
The idea of learning how to read and not delving deeper into the author’s intentions and choices does not interest David he wants to understand more deeply, he asks well-developed questions about a variety of issues within a given text in order to interpret and retain the most he can from any given work, even those he does not particularly enjoy (232). David is searching for truth (399). His desire for learning and comprehending at a higher level than his peers has a great impact on his ability to form friendships and create relationships with children his own age. From early childhood, David converses better with adults and his mentality towards companionship is atypical for an elementary school student. On an intellectual level David pursues David’s interest in Bible fosters a relationship with Rav Sharfman, his distant and intimidating Talmud teacher. Ultimately, through the rabbi’s guidance, David decides to study Bible at a university despite the difficulty of the road ahead of him (390).

Although David is not particularly interested in a partnership with Mrs. Horowitz, the prospect of reading intrigues him, and the ability to interpret the books of “special charms”, takes a primary role in his life. David makes progress in reading but eventually seeks help from his mother when he learns that she can read German, the primary language of Mrs. Horowitz’s books. He proceeds to question how his mother could understand the language, through which he discovers the initial link between his mother, Ruth, and his deceased Uncle David: their shared experience of studying in Vienna (137). This piece of information, her knowledge of German, enables David to start questioning the origins and nature of their connection and how it affects the family’s life. Although David is young he is empathetic towards his mother and uses this revelation as a way to understand why she seems pained by the memory of his uncle and he eventually does find that David was his mother’s husband and after his death she married Max, Davey’s father. Mrs. Horowitz’s books are a path by which David learns more about his familial history and discovers a greater story within it.
When David finally opens the boxes of books to read, he becomes engrossed them and they serve as springboard with which David dives into his intense focus on higher criticism of the Bible which ultimately causes a rift in many of his relationships.

David does not understand why people are offended by his reading choices because he is not reading to throw anything away, rather he reads to learn how to defend the Torah, to understand what the arguments made against the Hebrew Bible are and because he wants to fight, not with his fists, but with his words (400). David’s parents do not agree with his decisions, his father even says, “I could forgive you anything, but I cannot forgive you going to the goyim to study the Torah (401).” Although David feels the separation from his family, he does not relent in his desire to study the Bible at a university. He puts his pursuit of knowledge above his feelings of obligation towards his family members and he only questions that decision for a brief

moment.
Ultimately, David’s decision to study Bible, based off of his interest in books similar to those found in the collection of Mrs.

Horowitz, links him even more to his deceased uncle. He is in pursuit of knowledge and eventually teaching the Bible, similar to his uncle’s desire to teach history (281). The younger David is frequently compared to his older counterpart physically, but when his father says “You are searching for truth… my brother David used to tell me he was searching for truth. He was gentle in everything except the use of his mind.”, it compounds on the fact that the two have more in common than just appearance (399). The weight of David’s name is heavy on his shoulders and he questions his identity often because of it (297). David reads books similar to those his uncle read, he too is gentle but becomes less so when he is trying to learn, he in all areas seems more closely related to his uncle than to his father and because of this David frequently finds himself questioning his identity. David searches for someone who understands his mind or can answer his questions without challenging them, that person typically enters David’s life as a teacher: Mr. Bader or Rav Sharfman. The resemblance David has to his uncle is much more than just a physical one, but one of the entire person: body, mind, and soul; it consumes his

life.
Mrs. Horowitz may not have been the first or the last person who requests David to read for them, but the books he is provided are the ones who truly kick-started his journey for knowledge and understanding and are responsible for the course his journey took. Books that sat on shelves and in boxes for years untouched, ultimately pushed David into the main events of his life: the development of his mind, the unceasing deluge of books and information, his inability to quiet his curiosity, the course of his relationship with his family and friends, and the continual revelation of his similarities to his deceased uncle.