The Chosen: Hasidism, A Way of Life
“Everyone should carefully observe which way his heart draws him, and then choose that way with all his strength” (Hasidic Proverb). People need to accept and support other people 's’ choices in life. Each person has several choices in their lives, some people need a great deal of help others do not. Some people receive help from their family, others have some pressure. As portrayed in numerous Hasidic families, the rebbe and his son have conflict understanding each other. The conflict applies to Danny Saunders and his father Reb Saunders. The Chosen, one of Chaim Potok 's novels, reveals Hasidism through the rebbe, their history of coming to America, and the tzaddik, which creates the main theme of father …show more content…
Hasidism is the most conservative sect of Judaism. In the Five Major Beliefs of Hasidic Judaism, describes the beliefs and where they came from. The Hasidic belief started from the Orthodox Jews, in the eighteenth century. They believe in the Torah, which is the first five books of Moses (Gabriel). Hasidism developed in Eastern Europe, in the late eighteenth century. Also, Hasidism started and focused mostly around the smaller and poorer Jewish communities which made it harder for the new faith to spread to other people. The Hasidic way of life has deep with meaning and has strict rules and a strong tradition that they follow vigorously. As stated by PBS, “Hasidic way of life is visually and musically arresting, with rich textures, unusual customs, and strong traditions of music and dance.” Upholding all traditions has kept Hasidism …show more content…
The role of the rebbe in The Chosen creates conflict between Reb Saunders and his son, which creates various conflicts within their relationship. The Hasidic people have a high respect for Reb Saunders. Reuven notices the way the other people act around Reb Saunders, “As he passed each row of seats, men rose, bowed slightly, and sat again” (Potok 125). Reb Saunders is looked up to and seen as a connection to God; he is one of the most powerful people in the faith. In the same way, Danny will have the same power as his father one day. ”I’m my father 's son, remember? I’m the inheritor of the dynasty. Number one on our catechism: Treat the son as you would the father, because one day the son will be the father”(Potok 122). Danny will inherit the position of the rebbe and be looked up to as his father is. While Reb Saunders is intending to pass down the role of rebbe to his son, Danny. However, Danny wants to become a psychologist. When talking to Reuven, Danny says, “I’m a little trapped” ( Potok 82). The disagreement between Reb Saunders and his son over becoming a rebbe becomes a problem in their
“Everyone should carefully observe which way his heart draws him, and then choose that way with all his strength” (Hasidic Proverb). People need to accept and support other people 's’ choices in life. Each person has several choices in their lives, some people need a great deal of help others do not. Some people receive help from their family, others have some pressure. As portrayed in numerous Hasidic families, the rebbe and his son have conflict understanding each other. The conflict applies to Danny Saunders and his father Reb Saunders. The Chosen, one of Chaim Potok 's novels, reveals Hasidism through the rebbe, their history of coming to America, and the tzaddik, which creates the main theme of father …show more content…
Hasidism is the most conservative sect of Judaism. In the Five Major Beliefs of Hasidic Judaism, describes the beliefs and where they came from. The Hasidic belief started from the Orthodox Jews, in the eighteenth century. They believe in the Torah, which is the first five books of Moses (Gabriel). Hasidism developed in Eastern Europe, in the late eighteenth century. Also, Hasidism started and focused mostly around the smaller and poorer Jewish communities which made it harder for the new faith to spread to other people. The Hasidic way of life has deep with meaning and has strict rules and a strong tradition that they follow vigorously. As stated by PBS, “Hasidic way of life is visually and musically arresting, with rich textures, unusual customs, and strong traditions of music and dance.” Upholding all traditions has kept Hasidism …show more content…
The role of the rebbe in The Chosen creates conflict between Reb Saunders and his son, which creates various conflicts within their relationship. The Hasidic people have a high respect for Reb Saunders. Reuven notices the way the other people act around Reb Saunders, “As he passed each row of seats, men rose, bowed slightly, and sat again” (Potok 125). Reb Saunders is looked up to and seen as a connection to God; he is one of the most powerful people in the faith. In the same way, Danny will have the same power as his father one day. ”I’m my father 's son, remember? I’m the inheritor of the dynasty. Number one on our catechism: Treat the son as you would the father, because one day the son will be the father”(Potok 122). Danny will inherit the position of the rebbe and be looked up to as his father is. While Reb Saunders is intending to pass down the role of rebbe to his son, Danny. However, Danny wants to become a psychologist. When talking to Reuven, Danny says, “I’m a little trapped” ( Potok 82). The disagreement between Reb Saunders and his son over becoming a rebbe becomes a problem in their