The award winning novel, “The Chosen” by Chaim Potok, is a very cosmopolitan book featuring the Jewish life of Reuven Malter and his relationship with Danny Saunders with fascinating portrayals. Judaism and it’s traditions play a rather important role in the book. Judaism affects how the characters commune. Without it there would hardly even be a story here at all, but how are they portrayed and what kind of impression do you get from these sects? There are around two million Orthodox Jews in the world (Elazar). Only about 7% of Jews are strictly Orthodox, according to a 1990 survey, and the believe that the Torah in its entirety was received by Moses from God at Sinai (“Jewish…”). They also believe that the Torah still remains to be a reliable guide to modern life. In “The Chosen”, the narrator, Reuven Malter, and his father are Orthodox. Hasidic Judaism was originally conceived in the 12th century emphasizing asceticism, or practicing self-denial or self-mortification to achieve a high spiritual state. Modern Hasidism came about from the Baal Shem Tov, or the Besht and they believed in tzaddikim (“Jewish…”). The tzaddikim were people who were special leaders who were …show more content…
Danny and his teammates would sneer at Reuven’s team and call them “apikorsim”, a rude term to call them unbelievers of the Jewish faith. Danny’s father is the most religious Hasid in the story and later in the the story Reuven is angry at him and is basically at the point of pure resentment for the man. He forbid any kind of communication with him and Danny. This was because Reb found out that Reuven’s father was all for the Zionist movement while Reb was strictly against such thinking. A reason like this kind of gives the impression that Hasidics are more conservative and possibly even close-minded with their strong traditions and Reb’s prohibition with
In the matter where they are the same, both Danny and Reuven learn lots from their father and have their religious viewpoints learned from their father. For Danny, he comes from a long line of Hassidic rabbis which most likely led to his upbringing as a Hassidic Jew too. Danny learned his religious stance from his father just as how Reuven learned about his religious viewpoint as a Zionist from his father. When Reuven is excommunicated from speaking with Danny and their family, Reuven grows even more closely to his father and truly takes the initiative to push for the Jewish homeland, just like how Danny obeys his father’s commands and stays out from helping the creation. While Danny and Reuven are similar in the sense that they learn of their Jewish traditions from their father, they are also different in the sense that they were brought up differently. Danny is brought up in silence, as Reb Saunders believes in “speaking through silence.” Danny’s father doesn’t talk to Danny four years. Reb speaks through his wife and Reuven or other people too. Reb Saunders explains why he decided to do this when he is speaking to Reuven and Danny towards the end of the
The basis of all the conflicts in the entire novel stem from the differences in family life, which are brought on by the discrepancies of religious beliefs. Rueven, who is an Orthodox Jew, goes to a parochial school where Hebrew is taught instead of Yiddish (which would be considered the first Jewish language). Rueven's school is also very integrated with many English-speaking classes. But on the other hand, Danny, who attends a yeshiva (also a Jewish school), considers himself a true Jew because he (unlike Rueven) wears the traditional side curls and is educated in Yiddish. At first the two boys cannot stand each other, many times Danny refers to Rueven as "apikorsim," (32) which basically translates to... someone who is not true to their religion. These differences between the two soon become obsolete with one unfortunate accident, and make them realize they could use each other to get through some hard times. "Silence is all we dread. There's ransom in a voice--But Silence is infinity."-Emily Dickinson
Danny’s religion insulting response to his genuine compliment sparked a stronger hatred in Reuven. From this point on the game became more than a competition between rival neighborhood teams. It was a sort of holy war between the two boys and their Jewish
In his novel The Chosen, Chaim Potok writes about a boy, Reuven Malter, from Brooklyn who is going through his coming-of-age period and experiences as a Jewish student. Throughout The Chosen, themes of friendships, reaching maturity, and understanding unravel and seep into Reuven Malter’s life. In this period of maturing, some pivotal moments occur, changing Reuven’s view of others and understanding of relationships.
Throughout the book, 'The Chosen', Chaim Potok used the way of the Jewish lifestyle to teach his readers of the Jewish people. Potok used a variety of techniques including diction where he introduced Jewish terms, the theme of silence, and conflict between father and son to make the novel appealing. Furthermore, this novel tells us of the life of Jews and their commitment to religion; "We are commanded to study His Torah! We are commanded to sit in the light of the Presence! It is for this that we were created!
Oxtoby, Willard Gurdon. "Jewish Traditions." World religions: western traditions. 1996. Reprint. Toronto: Oxford University Press, 2011. 127-157. Print.
At that time director-general Peter Stuyvesant wanted to keep the Jews out of his diverse town. Stuyvesant described the Jews as “deceitful, very repugnant” and “hateful enemies and blasphemers of the name of Christ” which led to most of the original group leaving (Stavans, 2005, p. 2). This reaction to Jews has been a common occurrence throughout history, both in the United States and abroad. Stuyvesant, seeing the economic growth the Jews brought with them, eventually allowed them to stay and eventually embraced their intellectual stamina (Stavans, 2005, p. 2).
The Jewish Community. Publication Society, 1996. http://www. Wiesel, Elie. A.
Orthodox Judaism considers itself the authentic bearer of the religious Jewish tradition and believes highly in the preservation of tradition. It is also the oldest form of Judaism. In the United States it is estimated that today approximately 21% of Jews identify themselves as Orthodox (United Jewish Communities, 2003). The essential principle of Orthodox Judaism is Torah min Hashamayim, which mens that the Torah and all its commentaries and interpretations are divinely revealed (Einstein& Kukoff, 1989, p. 151). According to Orthodox Judaism because all the laws and traditions of Judaism are of direct and divine origin, they must be followed by all Jews.
Hasidic Judaism is a branch of Orthodox Judaism established in Eastern Europe during the 1800’s that put spirituality and a connection with God through mysticism at the forefront of its beliefs. In order to understand Hasidic Judaism, one must understand that Judaism is not only a religion; it is also a philosophy and a way of life for the Jewish people. One of the oldest monotheistic religions, Judaism has evolved over the years since the time of the founding fathers. Like any culture or religion, however, Jews have never been without conflict or disagreement amongst its people. Schisms amongst Jews over long periods of time have led to a branching out of sects and Jewish institutions. What led to the separation of denominations within was a fundamental disagreement on the interpretation and implementation of Halakah (Jewish religious law). Before the 18th century there was little differentiation between sects of Judaism; Jewry was based on Talmudic and Halakhic study and knowledge. Constructed as an overly legalistic religion before the 18th century, the Hasidic movement popularized by Rabbi Israel Ben Eliezer sought to spread Judaism through the common man’s love of and devotion to God.
New York: William Morrow. Lipsett, S. M. & Co., P.A. and Ladd, E. C. (1971) The 'Secondary' of the 'Secondary' of the 'Secon "Jewish Academics in the United States: Their Achievements, Culture and Politics." American Jewish Yearbook -. Cited for Zuckerman, Harriet (1977).
Judaism, the religion of the Jews, is one of the oldest religions in the world. Judaism, in fact, is the oldest of the three major religions that believe in a single God. The other two, Christianity and Islam, have been strongly influenced by Judaism, which is a big part of western civilization today. In the beginning, Jews were a tribe, a band of nomads, more than likely shepherds that may have died out if they would have remained merely shepherds. Jews were one of many “nations” to be found in the ancient Near East.
There are thousands of religions in this world, and of those, Hasidic Judaism is the most conservative. Throughout history Hasidism has not drifted from the rules and rituals of the 18th century. From the clothing, to the food, everything involved in Hasidic daily life is geared towards becoming closer to God. Around the world there are numerous Hasidic groups, and the largest population is in New York. Hasidic people live in small towns filled with members of the same group, and they all look towards their rebbe for guidance. The rebbe or the rabbi is the teacher of his followers and is responsible for inspiring his people. For Hasidic people everyday they must live by the 613 commandments of the Torah. Hasidic history, study, clothing, food, and communities prove that Hasidic Judaism is the most conservative and orthodox branch of religion for its time.
My Jewish learning. Web. 10 Sep. 2011. Jewish_Family.shtml.>.
Religion remains everywhere. Especially during 1944 in Brooklyn, New York, where two friends have the same religion, but different view points. Reuven Malter remains a Modern Orthodox Jew who has the free will to choose his career. Unlike Reuven, Danny follows his father into becoming a Hasidic Jew, although he does not wish to become a rabbi. The two boys experience one anthers beliefs and practices throughout the whole novel.