Hasidim Potok's The Chosen: An Analysis
How does Judaism contain such drastically contrasting Jews? Just as many religions include people who sincerely follow their religion along with those who slack a bit, Judaism contributes in both these ways. Reb Saunders, the praiseworthy, tziddik, or leader of his Jewish community, comes from a Hasidic background. Hasidim reflects extremely legalistic Jews. Clever and unique Danny, the eldest son of Reb owns a photographic memory and because of tradition he inherits his father position as tzaddik when Reb wants to hand it off to Danny. Contrarily, Mr. Malter, the father of Danny's friend, Reuven, comes from a laid back sect of Judaism. Despite his liberalism in comparison to Hasidism, Mr. Malter exhibits a quality of insightful and scholarly understanding which makes him looked up to especially by his son. Possessing remarkable intellect, Reb Saunders, his son Danny, and Mr. Malter display their various kinds of knowledge in The Chosen by Chaim Potok.
(respected, admirable, appreciated, honored, valued)
By family inheritance, Reb Saunders acquires the position of tzaddik in his community, a righteous one, and obtains …show more content…
abundant knowledge. An excerpt from The Chosen describes only a taste of how many books Reb owns and reads through periodically, “There were books everywhere---on the two wooden chairs near the desk, on the desk itself...on cardboard boxes piled in a corner, on the small, wooden step ladder, even on the window seat” (154). These books occupy interpretations for the Talmud – the Jew's principle book which guides their lives. Because of his studiousness, his community honors him, asking for his help in their everyday circumstances. Significantly admirable, Reb Saunders stands as the tzaddik of his community.
Mr. Malter, although a non-Orthodox Jew, displays notable wisdom and understanding. Teaching at a Jewish yeshiva – school – Mr. Malter can give educated answers. Furthermore, as a father, he pours out intuitive advice to his son, Reuven who highly respects him. Before an explanation of the Hasidic Jewish history in reply to a question Reuven asks, Reuven has this thought process before Mr. Malter replies, “He sat silent for a while, and I knew his answer would take a long time. Whenever he did not respond immediately to one of my questions, the answer was always a lengthy one” (97). To make the most sense for Reuven, Mr. Malter takes him through a tour of their people's history. This answer redeems Reuven's original question through explaining historical events as well as tying those events in to give insight to Reuven in his current situation. Though un-Orthodox, Mr. Malter holds educated and wise information.
Danny Saunders carries the curse and the blessing of a brilliant mind.
Born with a photographic memory, he cannot help but consume information he finds particularly in books, because of his prodigious brain capacity. Yet, the issue that lies involves how Danny's religion – Hasidic Judism – denies the right to access some of the world's particular material because Reb Saunders explains it to contain contamination. Instead, reading and studying the Talmud is the major book he should have knowledge of. His mind like an abating fire, craving to be stoked. In fact, Danny states how he feeds his intense desire for knowledge by telling Mr. Malter's son, “I read a lot,” he said. “I read about seven or eight books a week outside of my schoolwork” (79). Through secret escapades, Danny ingests incredible doses of information because of his extraordinary
mind.
Just as many religions exhibit various kinds of people, so with Judaism does there contain different sects. In The Chosen, several different characters, Reb Saunders, Mr. Malter and Danny Saunders, show the differences in Judaism through their different types of knowledge. By contrast, Reb holds position as tzaddik in the Jewish Orthodox community and Mr. Malter is a teacher with both historical understanding and wisdom. Danny, although a part of the Orthodox Jews, possesses a brilliant mind which urges his fascinated desire to break the traditional laws to read content from the world outside his religion. Informed Reb Saunders, prudent Mr. Malter and curious Danny Saunders all obtain the gift of knowledge by different means. Because each character feels strongly about his knowledge, all three people use their gift to the fullest.
(respected, admirable, appreciated, honored, valued)
By family inheritance, Reb Saunders acquires the position of tzaddik in his community, a righteous one, and obtains …show more content…
abundant knowledge. An excerpt from The Chosen describes only a taste of how many books Reb owns and reads through periodically, “There were books everywhere---on the two wooden chairs near the desk, on the desk itself...on cardboard boxes piled in a corner, on the small, wooden step ladder, even on the window seat” (154). These books occupy interpretations for the Talmud – the Jew's principle book which guides their lives. Because of his studiousness, his community honors him, asking for his help in their everyday circumstances. Significantly admirable, Reb Saunders stands as the tzaddik of his community.
Mr. Malter, although a non-Orthodox Jew, displays notable wisdom and understanding. Teaching at a Jewish yeshiva – school – Mr. Malter can give educated answers. Furthermore, as a father, he pours out intuitive advice to his son, Reuven who highly respects him. Before an explanation of the Hasidic Jewish history in reply to a question Reuven asks, Reuven has this thought process before Mr. Malter replies, “He sat silent for a while, and I knew his answer would take a long time. Whenever he did not respond immediately to one of my questions, the answer was always a lengthy one” (97). To make the most sense for Reuven, Mr. Malter takes him through a tour of their people's history. This answer redeems Reuven's original question through explaining historical events as well as tying those events in to give insight to Reuven in his current situation. Though un-Orthodox, Mr. Malter holds educated and wise information.
Danny Saunders carries the curse and the blessing of a brilliant mind.
Born with a photographic memory, he cannot help but consume information he finds particularly in books, because of his prodigious brain capacity. Yet, the issue that lies involves how Danny's religion – Hasidic Judism – denies the right to access some of the world's particular material because Reb Saunders explains it to contain contamination. Instead, reading and studying the Talmud is the major book he should have knowledge of. His mind like an abating fire, craving to be stoked. In fact, Danny states how he feeds his intense desire for knowledge by telling Mr. Malter's son, “I read a lot,” he said. “I read about seven or eight books a week outside of my schoolwork” (79). Through secret escapades, Danny ingests incredible doses of information because of his extraordinary
mind.
Just as many religions exhibit various kinds of people, so with Judaism does there contain different sects. In The Chosen, several different characters, Reb Saunders, Mr. Malter and Danny Saunders, show the differences in Judaism through their different types of knowledge. By contrast, Reb holds position as tzaddik in the Jewish Orthodox community and Mr. Malter is a teacher with both historical understanding and wisdom. Danny, although a part of the Orthodox Jews, possesses a brilliant mind which urges his fascinated desire to break the traditional laws to read content from the world outside his religion. Informed Reb Saunders, prudent Mr. Malter and curious Danny Saunders all obtain the gift of knowledge by different means. Because each character feels strongly about his knowledge, all three people use their gift to the fullest.