Please post your responses here. Feel free to include your thoughts related to the hero's quest archetype or to the big ideas of friendship, loyalty, personal responsibility, identity, self-knowledge, perception, etc.
One section that struck not only me, but also Reuven at the time, was his father talking about death. “Human beings do not live forever, Reuven. We live less than the time it takes to blink an eye, if we measure our lives against eternity,” (204). Reuven is shocked by his father’s words, yet his father seems to be at peace with such a statement. I think he describes really well the fragility of human life here, and how one should make the most of the time that they do have.
I agree that he is telling Reuven what life is as he has in the earlier parts of the book he gives freedom to Reuven. He is letting him decide how he wants to spend his life. I think that this will lead to Reuven prioritizing certain things in his life over others. This might lead to the strengthening of weakening Danny and Reuven's relationship. This effect might also happen between Reuven and his father.
At the end of chapter 13, Reuven finds that he is truly at a crossroads. His father's speech at Madison Square Garden shattered his closest friendship with Danny. The theme of staying true to your family beliefs is very prominent here. Will Reuven choose to stay loyal to his father and support his public endeavors? Or will he make an attempt to stay friends with Danny and not lose sight of the importance of their friendship?
It's also interesting to note that Danny was essentially also at a crossroads, having to choose between his friendship with Reuven and his family (mostly his father). However, because Danny is afraid of his father, and because of the threats that his father made if he were to be near Reuven, Danny was forced to choose his father... I think definitely throughout the whole book so far, Reuven is a lot more fortunate than Danny. Reuven has a caring and accepting father who teaches him many important lessons, whereas Danny's father barely talks to him, and barely lets him have any freedom. I hope (but also think, as it seems to be foreshadowed) that Danny breaks free of the strong grasp that his father has on him and continues to be friends with Reuven.
I think it’s important to point out Mr. Malter’s health, it seems like it’s slowly getting worse. I’m wondering if a large turning point is coming for him. It seems like he doesn’t want Reuven to worry but is obvious he has been thinking about it. After his outburst to his son he tries to deny anything being wrong however that is obviously not the truth.
I absolutely agree. It’s really sympathetic of Mr. Malter to want to spare his son the grief of his illness, but Reuven can see straight through him. Imagine how Reuven’s life would (will?) change if his father wasn't around. He would be devastated and it would be a real emotional trial for him. I also wonder how other characters could respond, particularly Reb Saunders.
I agree. Even though Mr Malter isn’t at a good state with his health, he works hard to involve himself in Zionist causes. He speaks at rallies and even involves himself in fundraisers. This just shows how determined and passionate Mr Malter is, setting a good example for Reuven.
I find it admirable how Mr. Malter is working hard to leave behind a legacy, but his declining health makes me wonder if the only reason he's okay with his son not following in his footsteps is because he believes he's dying and wants Reuven to know that he loves him. I wonder if Mr. Malter knows that his methods are also harming his son in a way, as he and Mr. Saunders have very opposing views that are tearing apart Danny and Reuven's friendship.
I think that the fact that Reb Saunders ended Danny’s friendship with Reuven will lead to a turning point in Danny’s life. In the book, his discomfort, sometimes unhappiness with his home life has been apparent. Now that Danny is in college, he seems even more independent. He is unhappy sitting with the other Hasidic Jews in his college, and he isn’t an anti-Zionist. Reb Saunders excommunicating the Malters is the last straw. I predict that Danny will say something to his father regarding his faith and possibly his future as a rabbi. I predict that Danny will break the silence between them.
I think that for Danny, he may not be so quick to take this risk. He has grown up being seemingly very loyal to his father and his community. As time passes in Danny's college experience, it seems that his stress is building up, from wanting to pursue psychology but being forced to study religion. This pressure may be channeled into breaking the silence, as you said. However, I'm not sure that he yet values his precious friendship with Reuven over the acceptance of his father and the rest of the Hasids. This may cause him to sacrifice his friendship with Reuven for some time before he realizes the mistake he has made.
I agree with this. I also think we are rapidly approaching the climax of the novel, which will involve a turning point in the opinions of a character. This would probably mean Reb Saunders reconciling with Danny, and realizing that religion doesn’t have to get in the way of friendship.
I find it pretty cool how calm Reuvens Father is when talking about morbid and scary subjects, you can tell from the normal response of Reuven that a person is rarely not afraid of death. I just think this is a cool character trait, but was possibly created from witnessing the worst of the worst. Like, taking the best out of a bad situation, it gave him new perspective.
Adding to this idea of DAVID Malter’s avoidance of his age, he’s gotten his second heart attack and he’s not getting any younger. Despite this, he had been selected to be a delegate at the Zionist General Council in Palestine the coming summer. Since his heart attack, he wasn’t permitted to come. His father is willing to put his Zionist stuff above his own life
Mr. Malter is highly quotable when it comes to ideas about big questions (i.e., what's the meaning of life?): -"If a person has a contribution to make, he must make it in public. If learning is not made public, it is a waste" (140). -"It is hard work to fill one's life with meaning... A life filled with meaning is worthy of rest" (205). -"Honest differences of opinion should never be permitted to destroy a friendship" (206).
I wonder if Danny will rebel against his father. Reb Saunders has not talked to Danny for the majority of his life and now when he talks to him it is to ban a friendship. Reuven has somewhat encouraged Danny to continue gaining knowledge and has been very supportive of his endeavours. Will Danny stop being friends with someone that has been such a great companion because his father says so? He has already gone behind his fathers back in regards to reading so I think he might secretly be friends with Reuven. Also, were two kids with opposing beliefs paired as friends to not only highlight the theme of not judging a book by its cover but also to show the difference between growth and acceptance and hatred. Reb Saunders for example has the hatred now of Reuven because of his father, however, David Malter really likes Danny but still respects Reb Saunders although he banned Danny and Reuvens friendship. It shows the progression in each character and really shines a light on their character/personality traits.
The only way in which Danny could survive without being completely miserable was through his connection with Reuven and his father. But now, he has lost that, for Reb Saunders had no way to justify the Zionism of Reuven’s father. This perfectly illustrates the supposed inability of the Hasidim to coexist with the real outside world. When faced with an idea that challenges their own, they do not seek to understand it, or even to refute it, but to eradicate it from existence, without explanation. But what kept Danny alive was the stimulation and enjoyment he drew from interacting with these strange and possibly dangerous ideas. Now that he has lost them, what will become of him? How can he continue to live as a Hasid? Part of Danny has to die. Will he let it be the part which brought him the most joy?
I think these chapters in the chosen really explore the division between Danny and Reuven. Not just spiritually, but also mentally, For example, Reuven showed that he was willing to so things in a optimistic light, even when things are not as he wanted, for example, when Danny express his feelings about his class in college, Reuven attempts to expand Dannys' view on the subject, allowing him to tolerate his class. On the other hand. Danny is not really willing to accept change, which also reflects his Hasidic belifs
Maybe it’s merely a coincidence, or an instance of foreshadowing given by Potok, but right after Reb Saunders has a tirade over Zionism, Reuven’s father starts to speak publicly about his support of Zionism. Maybe Potok is introducing another obstacle in the book that Reuven will have to overcome.
Earlier in the book I inferred that since the relationship between Danny and Reuven's dad was good, that maybe the relationship between Reuven and Danny’s father would be flawed. The inference did end up coming true and I think it’s really disappointing that they can’t get along. Their religious beliefs is what sets them apart and this affects Danny and Reuven's relationship. This is a new conflict in the novel that I think Danny and Reuven will work together to try and solve.
I think the scene in the classroom where Reuven explains the difficult passage in the Talmud is truly a show of his character development. Earlier in the novel, Reuben spoke about how he aspired to be a rabbi. Now, he is fulfilling that dream, in a way. We see him confident, assertive, and overall knowledgeable, captivating even his teacher in his discussion. It truly shows how he has grown over the course of the novel.
After reading Chapters 14 and 15, and still find it interesting how Mr. Malter puts Zionism above his own life, even after his second heart attack. Although he cannot go to Palestine, which he was selected to do before his heart attack, Mr. Malter still wants his life to hold meaning, and when the doctor clears him, he immediately starts teaching a class again and cannot talk of anything but Palestine as well.
That is so true, it seems like this is a bigger issue then just him and that’s why he wont put himself before his work. I think he believes it is his duty to help educate as well as fixing the pre existing problems in the world and Jewish community. Maybe it is that he himself thinks he might not have much time left and he want to make the biggest impact possible.
I agree with that. I think that after the horrific events of the Holocaust, Mr. Malter wants his life to be worth something. He most likely feels that he was spared, and 6 million other Jews weren't, so he wants to make that count. It brings up an interesting question: Should one care about their own health more for the sake of their family and close friends or for a movement that benefits many people that one has never even met?
I have noticed that there seems to be a correlation between Mr. Malters health and the relationship between Reuven and Danny. As Mr. Malter suffers his first heart attack it is around the same time that Reuven and Danny no longer talk, and it stays that way through the second heart attack. However as Mr. Malter’s health has been improving and returned significantly Danny has sat down and started to talk with Reuven.
"Silence was ugly, it was black, it leered, it was cancerous, it was death. I hated it, and I hated Reb Saunders for forcing it upon me and his son." (Page 235) When I read this line, it reminded me of Danny. Does Reuven suddenly feel the hatred of silence that Danny has felt with his father for all of these years? Will Reuven be able to get used to the silence like Danny did?
I think that Reuven will get used to the silence, because there's nothing he can do about it. It's not in his place to question the values of Reb Saunders, and like Danny, over time the silence becomes a norm and an expected part of life.
Rav Gershenson does call on Reuven "in the first week of October," but then waits until February to call on Reuven again (239). Presumably, he is saving a particularly difficult text for Reuven to unravel because he knows of David Malter's work with scientific criticism.
Reuven’s recitation of the difficult passage before his class is the climax of the story. Everything has led up to this moment. His interactions with Danny and Reb Saunders have taught him how to study Talmud in depth and his father has taught him the mindset with which to study Talmud. It is fascinating that the silence at home was enabled Reuven to become like Danny in his intense analysis. The silence is clearly not all meaningless.
Additionally, it is fascinating how David Malter’s life has coincided with events in the creation of Israel. His second heart attack happened just as Jews started to be attacked in Jerusalem. He recovered as Israel was officially recognized by the United Nations. And his health took a hit at the news of the attacks by the Arabs on Israel. These coincidences reflect his deep connection to Israel, and the care he has for it.
Finally, one more interesting event in these chapters was when Reuven saw the old man sitting in Danny’s place at the library. This scene is a symbol of the death of Danny as a free thinker. The metaphor of the nearsighted old man shows this. It is difficult for the old man to read, and thus gain knowledge, just as it is for Danny, as his father has seemingly prevented him from doing so. And even with the knowledge that he does gain, the old man has little use for it, as he seems to not have much time left. In the same way, Danny can’t use the knowledge he gains because of his forced commitment to becoming a Tzaddik. All of these signs point to the dark turns that Danny and Reuven take in these chapters.
It has been said before but it is made much more prominent in this section, especially after David has his heart attack: manya is very much a mother figure to reuven. She takes care of him when his father is in the hospital and generally has a wise aura to her
I disagree with that. I only hear her putting food on the table for Reuven, which is essentially her job. We don’t hear much dialogue. I don’t believe she represents the place of a mother because she isn’t really included throughout the story. When Reuven comes home every night he really on talks about his father’s absence. He doesn’t really mention anything else of Manya besides her putting food for him which is her job. That doesn’t represent a mother figure to me.
In Chapter 14, Reuven’s anger toward Reb Saunders is prevalent. He thinks, “How could [Danny] admire and trust someone who wouldn’t talk to him, even if that someone was his father?” Reuven doesn’t understand because his relationship between his father is different than that of Danny’s and his father. This part also alludes to the silence motif and the theme regarding family. Danny chooses his father even though they don’t speak.
I understand that David Malter wants to respect Reb Saunders, but he seems to not care about the fact that Danny and Reuven are no longer friends. He wants to further his own career which is understanable, howver, his son is suffering mentally and academically due to this excommunication. I think David Malter should settle the issues because he too is getting sick.
The story starts to heat up with this feud between the Pro-Zionists and Anti-Zionists. The main reason Reb Saunders opposes Zionism is because it would be secular, with the Torah not being emphasized therefore meaning no hope towards the coming of the “Messiah”. That confused me. Why would Reuven’s father build a Jewish state that didn’t include the most important book in Jewish history. If it was truly a new state for the Jews, why would it be secular. Religion is so important to the Jews. Why would Zionists make it secular. It seems peculiar that they wouldn’t include the Torah.
One section that struck not only me, but also Reuven at the time, was his father talking about death. “Human beings do not live forever, Reuven. We live less than the time it takes to blink an eye, if we measure our lives against eternity,” (204). Reuven is shocked by his father’s words, yet his father seems to be at peace with such a statement. I think he describes really well the fragility of human life here, and how one should make the most of the time that they do have.
ReplyDeleteI agree that he is telling Reuven what life is as he has in the earlier parts of the book he gives freedom to Reuven. He is letting him decide how he wants to spend his life. I think that this will lead to Reuven prioritizing certain things in his life over others. This might lead to the strengthening of weakening Danny and Reuven's relationship. This effect might also happen between Reuven and his father.
DeleteAt the end of chapter 13, Reuven finds that he is truly at a crossroads. His father's speech at Madison Square Garden shattered his closest friendship with Danny. The theme of staying true to your family beliefs is very prominent here. Will Reuven choose to stay loyal to his father and support his public endeavors? Or will he make an attempt to stay friends with Danny and not lose sight of the importance of their friendship?
ReplyDeleteIt's also interesting to note that Danny was essentially also at a crossroads, having to choose between his friendship with Reuven and his family (mostly his father). However, because Danny is afraid of his father, and because of the threats that his father made if he were to be near Reuven, Danny was forced to choose his father... I think definitely throughout the whole book so far, Reuven is a lot more fortunate than Danny. Reuven has a caring and accepting father who teaches him many important lessons, whereas Danny's father barely talks to him, and barely lets him have any freedom. I hope (but also think, as it seems to be foreshadowed) that Danny breaks free of the strong grasp that his father has on him and continues to be friends with Reuven.
DeleteI think it’s important to point out Mr. Malter’s health, it seems like it’s slowly getting worse. I’m wondering if a large turning point is coming for him. It seems like he doesn’t want Reuven to worry but is obvious he has been thinking about it. After his outburst to his son he tries to deny anything being wrong however that is obviously not the truth.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree. It’s really sympathetic of Mr. Malter to want to spare his son the grief of his illness, but Reuven can see straight through him. Imagine how Reuven’s life would (will?) change if his father wasn't around. He would be devastated and it would be a real emotional trial for him. I also wonder how other characters could respond, particularly Reb Saunders.
DeleteI agree. Even though Mr Malter isn’t at a good state with his health, he works hard to involve himself in Zionist causes. He speaks at rallies and even involves himself in fundraisers. This just shows how determined and passionate Mr Malter is, setting a good example for Reuven.
DeleteI find it admirable how Mr. Malter is working hard to leave behind a legacy, but his declining health makes me wonder if the only reason he's okay with his son not following in his footsteps is because he believes he's dying and wants Reuven to know that he loves him.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if Mr. Malter knows that his methods are also harming his son in a way, as he and Mr. Saunders have very opposing views that are tearing apart Danny and Reuven's friendship.
I think that the fact that Reb Saunders ended Danny’s friendship with Reuven will lead to a turning point in Danny’s life. In the book, his discomfort, sometimes unhappiness with his home life has been apparent. Now that Danny is in college, he seems even more independent. He is unhappy sitting with the other Hasidic Jews in his college, and he isn’t an anti-Zionist. Reb Saunders excommunicating the Malters is the last straw. I predict that Danny will say something to his father regarding his faith and possibly his future as a rabbi. I predict that Danny will break the silence between them.
ReplyDeleteI think that for Danny, he may not be so quick to take this risk. He has grown up being seemingly very loyal to his father and his community. As time passes in Danny's college experience, it seems that his stress is building up, from wanting to pursue psychology but being forced to study religion. This pressure may be channeled into breaking the silence, as you said. However, I'm not sure that he yet values his precious friendship with Reuven over the acceptance of his father and the rest of the Hasids. This may cause him to sacrifice his friendship with Reuven for some time before he realizes the mistake he has made.
DeleteI agree with this. I also think we are rapidly approaching the climax of the novel, which will involve a turning point in the opinions of a character. This would probably mean Reb Saunders reconciling with Danny, and realizing that religion doesn’t have to get in the way of friendship.
DeleteI find it pretty cool how calm Reuvens Father is when talking about morbid and scary subjects, you can tell from the normal response of Reuven that a person is rarely not afraid of death. I just think this is a cool character trait, but was possibly created from witnessing the worst of the worst. Like, taking the best out of a bad situation, it gave him new perspective.
ReplyDeleteAdding to this idea of DAVID Malter’s avoidance of his age, he’s gotten his second heart attack and he’s not getting any younger. Despite this, he had been selected to be a delegate at the Zionist General Council in Palestine the coming summer. Since his heart attack, he wasn’t permitted to come. His father is willing to put his Zionist stuff above his own life
DeleteMr. Malter is highly quotable when it comes to ideas about big questions (i.e., what's the meaning of life?):
Delete-"If a person has a contribution to make, he must make it in public. If learning is not made public, it is a waste" (140).
-"It is hard work to fill one's life with meaning... A life filled with meaning is worthy of rest" (205).
-"Honest differences of opinion should never be permitted to destroy a friendship" (206).
I wonder if Danny will rebel against his father. Reb Saunders has not talked to Danny for the majority of his life and now when he talks to him it is to ban a friendship. Reuven has somewhat encouraged Danny to continue gaining knowledge and has been very supportive of his endeavours. Will Danny stop being friends with someone that has been such a great companion because his father says so? He has already gone behind his fathers back in regards to reading so I think he might secretly be friends with Reuven. Also, were two kids with opposing beliefs paired as friends to not only highlight the theme of not judging a book by its cover but also to show the difference between growth and acceptance and hatred. Reb Saunders for example has the hatred now of Reuven because of his father, however, David Malter really likes Danny but still respects Reb Saunders although he banned Danny and Reuvens friendship. It shows the progression in each character and really shines a light on their character/personality traits.
ReplyDeleteThe only way in which Danny could survive without being completely miserable was through his connection with Reuven and his father. But now, he has lost that, for Reb Saunders had no way to justify the Zionism of Reuven’s father. This perfectly illustrates the supposed inability of the Hasidim to coexist with the real outside world. When faced with an idea that challenges their own, they do not seek to understand it, or even to refute it, but to eradicate it from existence, without explanation. But what kept Danny alive was the stimulation and enjoyment he drew from interacting with these strange and possibly dangerous ideas. Now that he has lost them, what will become of him? How can he continue to live as a Hasid? Part of Danny has to die. Will he let it be the part which brought him the most joy?
ReplyDeleteI think these chapters in the chosen really explore the division between Danny and Reuven. Not just spiritually, but also mentally, For example, Reuven showed that he was willing to so things in a optimistic light, even when things are not as he wanted, for example, when Danny express his feelings about his class in college, Reuven attempts to expand Dannys' view on the subject, allowing him to tolerate his class. On the other hand. Danny is not really willing to accept change, which also reflects his Hasidic belifs
ReplyDeleteI think it’s important to recognize the actions Reuvens father is taking. He is advocating for a lot of people.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it’s merely a coincidence, or an instance of foreshadowing given by Potok, but right after Reb Saunders has a tirade over Zionism, Reuven’s father starts to speak publicly about his support of Zionism. Maybe Potok is introducing another obstacle in the book that Reuven will have to overcome.
ReplyDeleteEarlier in the book I inferred that since the relationship between Danny and Reuven's dad was good, that maybe the relationship between Reuven and Danny’s father would be flawed. The inference did end up coming true and I think it’s really disappointing that they can’t get along. Their religious beliefs is what sets them apart and this affects Danny and Reuven's relationship. This is a new conflict in the novel that I think Danny and Reuven will work together to try and solve.
ReplyDeleteI think the scene in the classroom where Reuven explains the difficult passage in the Talmud is truly a show of his character development. Earlier in the novel, Reuben spoke about how he aspired to be a rabbi. Now, he is fulfilling that dream, in a way. We see him confident, assertive, and overall knowledgeable, captivating even his teacher in his discussion. It truly shows how he has grown over the course of the novel.
ReplyDeleteWell said! This is a triumphant moment for Reuven.
DeleteAfter reading Chapters 14 and 15, and still find it interesting how Mr. Malter puts Zionism above his own life, even after his second heart attack. Although he cannot go to Palestine, which he was selected to do before his heart attack, Mr. Malter still wants his life to hold meaning, and when the doctor clears him, he immediately starts teaching a class again and cannot talk of anything but Palestine as well.
ReplyDeleteThat is so true, it seems like this is a bigger issue then just him and that’s why he wont put himself before his work. I think he believes it is his duty to help educate as well as fixing the pre existing problems in the world and Jewish community. Maybe it is that he himself thinks he might not have much time left and he want to make the biggest impact possible.
DeleteI agree with that. I think that after the horrific events of the Holocaust, Mr. Malter wants his life to be worth something. He most likely feels that he was spared, and 6 million other Jews weren't, so he wants to make that count. It brings up an interesting question: Should one care about their own health more for the sake of their family and close friends or for a movement that benefits many people that one has never even met?
DeleteI have noticed that there seems to be a correlation between Mr. Malters health and the relationship between Reuven and Danny. As Mr. Malter suffers his first heart attack it is around the same time that Reuven and Danny no longer talk, and it stays that way through the second heart attack. However as Mr. Malter’s health has been improving and returned significantly Danny has sat down and started to talk with Reuven.
ReplyDelete"Silence was ugly, it was black, it leered, it was cancerous, it was death. I hated it, and I hated Reb Saunders for forcing it upon me and his son." (Page 235)
ReplyDeleteWhen I read this line, it reminded me of Danny. Does Reuven suddenly feel the hatred of silence that Danny has felt with his father for all of these years? Will Reuven be able to get used to the silence like Danny did?
I think that Reuven will get used to the silence, because there's nothing he can do about it. It's not in his place to question the values of Reb Saunders, and like Danny, over time the silence becomes a norm and an expected part of life.
DeleteAfter reading chapter 14 i was very intrigued by the fact that Reuvens teacher simply hasn't called on him. I wanted to know the root of that.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it’s because of David Malter’s involvement in the Zionist movement.
DeleteRav Gershenson does call on Reuven "in the first week of October," but then waits until February to call on Reuven again (239). Presumably, he is saving a particularly difficult text for Reuven to unravel because he knows of David Malter's work with scientific criticism.
DeleteReuven’s recitation of the difficult passage before his class is the climax of the story. Everything has led up to this moment. His interactions with Danny and Reb Saunders have taught him how to study Talmud in depth and his father has taught him the mindset with which to study Talmud. It is fascinating that the silence at home was enabled Reuven to become like Danny in his intense analysis. The silence is clearly not all meaningless.
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, it is fascinating how David Malter’s life has coincided with events in the creation of Israel. His second heart attack happened just as Jews started to be attacked in Jerusalem. He recovered as Israel was officially recognized by the United Nations. And his health took a hit at the news of the attacks by the Arabs on Israel. These coincidences reflect his deep connection to Israel, and the care he has for it.
Finally, one more interesting event in these chapters was when Reuven saw the old man sitting in Danny’s place at the library. This scene is a symbol of the death of Danny as a free thinker. The metaphor of the nearsighted old man shows this. It is difficult for the old man to read, and thus gain knowledge, just as it is for Danny, as his father has seemingly prevented him from doing so. And even with the knowledge that he does gain, the old man has little use for it, as he seems to not have much time left. In the same way, Danny can’t use the knowledge he gains because of his forced commitment to becoming a Tzaddik. All of these signs point to the dark turns that Danny and Reuven take in these chapters.
It has been said before but it is made much more prominent in this section, especially after David has his heart attack: manya is very much a mother figure to reuven. She takes care of him when his father is in the hospital and generally has a wise aura to her
ReplyDeleteI disagree with that. I only hear her putting food on the table for Reuven, which is essentially her job. We don’t hear much dialogue. I don’t believe she represents the place of a mother because she isn’t really included throughout the story. When Reuven comes home every night he really on talks about his father’s absence. He doesn’t really mention anything else of Manya besides her putting food for him which is her job. That doesn’t represent a mother figure to me.
DeleteIn Chapter 14, Reuven’s anger toward Reb Saunders is prevalent. He thinks, “How could [Danny] admire and trust someone who wouldn’t talk to him, even if that someone was his father?” Reuven doesn’t understand because his relationship between his father is different than that of Danny’s and his father. This part also alludes to the silence motif and the theme regarding family. Danny chooses his father even though they don’t speak.
ReplyDeleteI understand that David Malter wants to respect Reb Saunders, but he seems to not care about the fact that Danny and Reuven are no longer friends. He wants to further his own career which is understanable, howver, his son is suffering mentally and academically due to this excommunication. I think David Malter should settle the issues because he too is getting sick.
ReplyDeleteThe story starts to heat up with this feud between the Pro-Zionists and Anti-Zionists. The main reason Reb Saunders opposes Zionism is because it would be secular, with the Torah not being emphasized therefore meaning no hope towards the coming of the “Messiah”. That confused me. Why would Reuven’s father build a Jewish state that didn’t include the most important book in Jewish history. If it was truly a new state for the Jews, why would it be secular. Religion is so important to the Jews. Why would Zionists make it secular. It seems peculiar that they wouldn’t include the Torah.
ReplyDelete