Kevin's Watch

Shall we discuss Chaim Potok's works?

I still can't get over the dismay I have seen from many Lubavitchers and members of other Chasidic movements regarding The Chosen and The Promise. When I try to bring up issues mentioned in the books, if I tell them I read about them in one of the books, my question is dismissed out of hand.

I would think it should be turned into a teaching opportunity. To take any misinterpretation I may have had, and enlighten me on what their practices are.

Oh welll.

I was made to read The Chosen in my seventh form english class, and I really enjoyed it. A profound and very moving story, although I got enraged at the Rabbi on many occassions.

What provoked the rage? His treatment of Danny? Or other issues as well, such as he's resistance to scientific analysis of the midrash or his stance on the formation of the State of Israel?

There are many ultra-observant Jews today who still do not acknowledge the modern State of Israel. And others who feel it's establishment so goes against the wishes of Hashem that they have been supporters, and supposedly more than monetarily, of the Palestinian terrorists.

Just curious if anyone has seen the film with Robby Benson and Rod Steiger of The Chosen? Of course the book is much better, but I felt the movie did a decent job of bringing it to screen.

Menolly wrote:What provoked the rage? His treatment of Danny? Or other issues as well, such as he's resistance to scientific analysis of the midrash or his stance on the formation of the State of Israel?

There are many ultra-observant Jews today who still do not acknowledge the modern State of Israel. And others who feel it's establishment so goes against the wishes of Hashem that they have been supporters, and supposedly more than monetarily, of the Palestinian terrorists.

All of that really, but mostly the way that once Israel was established, everything was "ok" and the two boys could see each other again.

variol son wrote:All of that really, but mostly the way that once Israel was established, everything was "ok" and the two boys could see each other again.

Heh.

I take more exception with Potok on that than with his character. I think it was an easy way out of the situation he put his character into, and quite out of character for Reb Saunders.

I would have expected Reb Saunders to hold to the 'No land of Israel without the Messiah' stance forever, the way those who I mentioned in my previous post still do.

Ah, religious extremists. Five years in a pentecostal church put me off those almost entirely.

No matter what other people think, THE CHOSEN is one of my all-time favorite novels. ASHER LEV is very strange by comparison, but a great novel, I think. It's been too long ago for me to go into any detail on it, but it is a towering advocacy for being true to your own soul.

As I said in the other thread, I think that My Name Is Asher Lev is the best book that he wrote, and indeed, one of the best books around.

The way that Potok verbally captured not only the struggle, but the process and results of an artist never ceases to amaze me. From the opening line, "My name is Asher Lev. Yes, the Asher Lev." To the end, as he leaves his community, his society, his family behind him for the sake of, as DL said, of being true to not only his soul, but his ideals of artistry, the whole book resonates with his skill and his commitment to art, even in the face of all that he is taught to believe.

I've recommended it to every artist that I know, and not one has failed to be amazed and awestruck, even those who are not, as a rule, great readers.

The Chosen and The Promise are also excellent, as is The Book Of Lights, (My GF's favourite).

One I didn't enjoy that much was In The Beginning, although admittedly, I haven't read it for years. Found it very heavy going at times, perhaps even too involved, and that's not something I say often.

Regardless, Asher Lev is one of the books that everybody should read. (I picked up the sequel recently, The Gift Of Asher Lev, but am ashamed to say I still haven't read it yet. This thread has made me resolve to put it next on my list. )

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