Gershon Loran's life took a tragic turn when his parents passed away at the tender age of eight. He then had to live with his aunt, uncle, and cousin. Adding to his misfortunes, his beloved cousin, whom he idolized, died when Gershon was just 15.

At the age of 16, one evening while sitting on the rooftop, Gershon witnessed a remarkable sight. He found a mother dog giving birth to puppies. As he reached up, he had an almost magical feeling that his hand actually touched the sky. This moment would prove to be a life-changing one for him.

The Talmud provides guidance on how a Jew should act, while the Kabbalah delves deeper into how Judaism feels and how it perceives the world. (Page 24)

Gershon had a professor named Jakob Keter and a roommate/friend named Arthur Leiden.

Gershon served as an army chaplain in Korea at the end of the Korean War. It was here that he began to view his faith, his people, and himself in a whole new light. This new perspective cast doubt on his long-held beliefs and thinking.

Potok's inspiration for writing this novel stemmed from his own experiences as an army chaplain in Korea and Japan.

During his time, Gershon also had the opportunity to encounter other faiths.

One review mentions that Gershon goes to Jerusalem to continue his Kabbalah studies with Jacob Keter. As he sits in a garden waiting, it can be inferred that he is waiting on God.

According to Jane, the most righteous thing one can do is to study in Jerusalem.

This book is truly interesting, especially for those who, like the reviewer, had no prior knowledge of Kabbalah. The second half of the book becomes even more engaging as Gershon shares his personal story and experiences.

My grandfather served in the Pacific theater during World War II. We often have respectful yet intense disagreements about the ethics and justifications of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

His experiences and our discussions have piqued my interest in this topic, which is why I was drawn to this book. Potok skillfully explores our collective ambivalence regarding this historical event through the dialogue between the two main characters, Gershon and Arthur.

The profound philosophical implications of the bomb and how the characters grapple with the emotional aftermath, both on an earthly and cosmic level, are what make this book so highly rated in my eyes.

However, from a literary perspective, the book does have its drawbacks. It can be a bit slow-paced at times, and there are several sections that seem rather superfluous and do not contribute significantly to the overall message.

Nevertheless, the book's exploration of such a complex and important topic makes it a worthwhile read.

I re-read Potok’s Book of Lights.

I picked it up because on Sunday I am preaching on light and I thought it would offer some valuable insights.

The Kabballa is a major character in the story, and it represents just one of the many illusions of light.

This is a difficult book to read as much of the story revolves around Arthur Leiden’s struggle. His father is one of the Jews who worked on the A-bomb, which adds an extra layer of complexity to his character.

Much of the action takes place in Korea, and as I read, I couldn’t help but think about Charlie's distress at having worked at Oak Ridge during that time.

One particular paragraph kept drawing me back. In it, a professor is speaking to Gerson (Arthur’s best friend) after Arthur is killed in a plane crash. The professor says, “what is of importance is not that there may be nothing. We have always acknowledged that as a possibility. What is important is that if indeed there is nothing, then we should be prepared to make something out of the only thing we have left to us – ourselves.”

This paragraph really made me stop and think about the importance of making the most of what we have, even in the face of tragedy.

Maybe not fully a five, but I give it the benefit of the doubt.

The book has a spiritual quality of a different flavor. It might be derived from the Kabballah, which is quoted throughout. Or perhaps it comes from the visions that appear to Gershon, the protagonist, and the voices with which he battles. Maybe it stems from the ambivalence and aimlessness that surrounds him.

But a Potok novel is always a fine read. The prose is easy to follow, the characters are well drawn and interesting. Even if the first half has the lethargy of a New York summer, it all builds up to a powerful ending.

It's a shame there is no sequel. However, can we invent one for ourselves? This thought lingers in my mind as I finish reading the book. I find myself imagining what could have happened next to Gershon and the other characters. The story has left such an impression on me that I can't help but wonder about the possibilities.

Overall, despite its flaws, this Potok novel is a worthwhile read that offers a unique spiritual experience and engaging characters.

Chaim Potok's writing is truly outstanding.

His works have the ability to captivate readers and draw them into a world of rich characters and engaging storylines.

In this particular piece, while the middle section where Genshon is alone in the military didn't quite hold my interest as much, it was still a necessary part of the narrative.

During that part, it did feel a bit dull and lacking in excitement. However, the beginning and end more than made up for it.

The start set the stage beautifully, introducing the characters and the overall theme in a way that piqued my curiosity.

The ending was equally satisfying, tying up loose ends and leaving me with a sense of fulfillment.

Overall, despite the slight dip in the middle, Chaim Potok's writing still managed to leave a lasting impression on me.

I truly have a great fondness for Chaim Potok's books.

Although I didn't hold this particular book in the same high regard as some of his other works, it did manage to vividly depict the life of an ordinary rabbi who was suddenly thrown into military service immediately after the Korean War.

Just like in his other books, Potok described male friendship in a manner that, for a lady like me, was understandable. It had an air of authenticity about it.

I also came across the information that Potok himself served as a Chaplain in Korea, so it's likely that this book draws on his own experiences to some extent.

However, I would classify this book as a sad one. It is indeed compelling, but there is an underlying sense of sadness that pervades throughout.

Despite not being my absolute favorite among his works, it still offers valuable insights and a unique perspective on a particular time and situation.

Another excellent, if less well known novel by Potok is a captivating work.

I imagine this is at least slightly autobiographical, as its protagonist is ordained as a Rabbi in the early 50s and then sent to Korea as a chaplain, just like the author in real life. The seminary he attends, which has a different name in the book, is pretty obviously the Jewish Theological Seminary. Its description of location and religious affiliation is a clear clue.

The story delves quite a bit into mysticism and Kabbalah. At times, it can be tedious, but it's worth the effort. It might be of more interest to those who are already intrigued by these topics. For me, however, it remains as dense and opaque as ever.

This would be a great book to analyze in a book club or a literature class. There are numerous themes, clues, and allusions throughout. For example, it's established that Gershon's uncle speaks in clipped phrases after a family tragedy. Subsequently, many characters speak in the same way. Is that how they are truly speaking, or is it how Gershon perceives it? Even the protagonist's name is an allusion, meaning essentially "a foreigner there" or more commonly, "stranger in a strange land."

As of this writing, I'm working my way through Potok's canon, and I'm doing so happily. He's a great storyteller, and his works are of interest to both Jews and non-Jews alike.

Chaim Potok is, without a doubt, one of my all-time favorite authors. His works have always had a profound impact on me, captivating my imagination and making me think deeply about various aspects of life.

However, when it comes to this particular book, I have to admit that I didn't enjoy it as much as some of his other masterpieces. There were certain pages that I found extremely difficult to get through. The text seemed convoluted and the ideas were not presented in a clear and straightforward manner.

At times, I would find myself wandering off while reading, completely losing track of the story. I just couldn't seem to catch a sense of direction or understand where the author was trying to take me. It was a frustrating experience, especially considering how much I usually love Potok's writing.

Despite these shortcomings, I still believe that Chaim Potok is a brilliant author, and I will continue to read and appreciate his works. This one book may not have been a home run for me, but it doesn't change my overall opinion of his talent and creativity.

3.5⭐️

The Book of Lights is, at times, a captivating exploration of the complex interplay of light and shadow.

Gershon, the central figure, is burdened by the dark shadows cast by his traumatic past, which seem to ominously stretch into his future.

He begins as a rabbinical student and then delves into the study of Kabbalah, the Jewish book of magic and the mysteries of faith. Through this journey, Gershon evolves from a timid individual to one who is determined to take charge of his own life.

He spends a year in the army in occupied South Korea, where he discovers that even though Judaism has not reached this part of the world, he cannot help but wonder if God has.

His college friend, Arthur, follows him to Korea in the army, driven by his desire to get closer to Japan. Arthur's need to witness and be a part of a living Japan stems from his father's role in creating the nuclear weapons that were dropped on the country, a responsibility that Arthur takes upon himself.

At the conclusion of the book, Gershon's faith has taken an unexpected turn, leading him back to his former professor in Jerusalem in search of deeper meaning and purpose in his faith.

This journey of self-discovery and spiritual exploration makes The Book of Lights a truly engaging and thought-provoking read.

This article is primarily a character study of two young men who are also rabbis.

Both of them are in search of direction in their lives.

I have a great appreciation for Potok's writing style as it managed to involve me deeply in the lives of these characters.

It is not just a character study but also a beautiful story of their friendship that has endured over the years.

The author's vivid descriptions and detailed characterizations make it easy for the reader to empathize with the struggles and joys of these two young rabbis.

As the story unfolds, we get to see how their friendship evolves and how they support each other in their quests for meaning and purpose.

Overall, it is a captivating read that offers insights into the lives of these two individuals and the power of friendship.

I have perused other books penned by Potok and have held a great fondness for them. They have always managed to captivate my attention and engage my imagination. However, when it comes to this particular book, my experience was a bit different. While I did find some pleasure in the act of reading it, I must admit that I truly struggled to fully understand either the message it was试图传达 or the intricacies of the plot. This lack of comprehension has left me with a rather ambivalent taste lingering in my mouth. On one hand, I appreciate the effort and the writing style, but on the other hand, I feel a sense of dissatisfaction for not being able to fully grasp the essence of the work. It is as if I am on the verge of understanding something profound, but it keeps eluding me.

I have truly loved other novels penned by Chaim Potok. His works have always managed to captivate me with their unique charm and engaging storylines. However, this particular novel is presenting me with a rather challenging experience.

The pacing of the narrative is extremely slow, which makes it a bit of a struggle to stay fully invested. It feels as if the story is meandering along without much urgency or drive.

Moreover, the protagonist seems to lack a distinct character. There is a certain flatness to his personality that makes it difficult for me to form a deep connection or understand his motives and actions.

Now, the question that lingers in my mind is whether I should persevere and keep trying to get through this novel. On one hand, I have such high regard for Chaim Potok's writing based on my previous experiences. On the other hand, the current difficulties I'm facing are making it hard for me to enjoy the reading process.

I'm still undecided, but I'm inclined to give it a bit more time and see if the story and the protagonist manage to grow on me. Maybe there are hidden gems and deeper layers that I haven't discovered yet. Only time will tell.