While The Promise may not be as blatantly symbolic or thematic as its predecessor The Chosen, it remains an exceptionally well-written and subtly nuanced continuation of Reuven and Danny's story as they transition into adulthood.

In this sequel, the theme of silence is further explored, and the concept of "choice" becomes prominent as each character takes a stand and makes decisions that will shape their futures. Moreover, religious traditions clash with modern progress, generating tensions and stresses within both camps.

Furthermore, the implications of the Holocaust on the American Jewish population are examined, a topic that I would never have imagined based on my own gentile, modern-day background and school education.

Overall, this is a charming and thought-provoking book that leaves a lasting impression long after the final page has been turned. It delves deep into the lives and struggles of its characters, offering insights into their relationships, beliefs, and the challenges they face in a changing world. The author's skillful storytelling and vivid descriptions bring the story to life, making it a truly engaging read.

The Chosen is, without a doubt, one of my all-time favorite books.

My mom, who homeschooled me, made me read it in high school. I then read it again for an American Lit class in college and a third time for a book club.

It's rare for sequels to be on par with the original, but this one is. Potok's writing is so simple yet so insightful.

Even if you know nothing about Hasidic or Orthodox Judaism or the conflicts regarding their various traditions (as I didn't), the book still sucks you in.

I loved seeing how the characters from The Chosen continued to grow, struggle, and think through their beliefs.

This book made me think about how a culture or faith group responds when their belief system is shifting after a period of persecution.

It highlights the struggles of European Jews emigrating to the US after being interned in concentration camps.

When you feel like the beliefs and lifestyle you suffered for are even vaguely threatened and your suffering seems meaningless, what do you do?

How do you respect others who think differently, love them, confront what you believe are truly essential threats, and sort out what are real or simply perceived threats?

Highly recommended.

So, I didn't realize this book was a follow-up to The Chosen. At first, I didn't really enjoy reading it. However, as I delved deeper, I did start to appreciate it.

This novel brought up some truly great questions. It made me think about what parts of tradition we choose to keep and what we decide to forgo in the name of modernity. It also explored the uncomfortable nature of skepticism compared to the beauty and comfort that blind faith can bring.

Certain parts of this book, though, were a bit outdated. Mostly, it was the psychotherapy procedures that seemed a bit off. They were to the point of being distracting and took away from the overall flow of the story.

Despite these flaws, the book was beautifully written. The author's prose was engaging and descriptive. But, to be honest, I kind of couldn't wait to be done with it. Maybe I should have read The Chosen first? That might have given me a better understanding and appreciation of this follow-up novel.

4.5?

This book has always remained firmly in my mind. In fact, I have found it to be even more profound than The Chosen. I decided to read it out loud to E., and to my delight, she also enjoyed it. I thought she might be able to relate to the story on some level, but I had forgotten just how close to home it might be for her.

As I was reading, I could see the expressions on her face change, and I knew that the words were having an impact. It was a wonderful moment, sharing this book with her and seeing her engage with the story.

I think that this book has something special to offer, something that can touch the hearts and minds of readers. It makes you think about life, about relationships, and about what really matters. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a thought-provoking and engaging read.

I was truly outraged when I discovered that Chaim Potok did not pen a sequel in which Reuven and Danny ultimately engage in a romantic and sexual relationship.

It is truly a disappointment. One might think that such a story could have explored deeper themes of love and acceptance.

Moreover, I would caution others not to bother reading this book. It seems to have a rather negative impact, as it allegedly makes children cry and men go to war.

What a waste it is that the author did not take the opportunity to develop this aspect further.

Perhaps a different direction could have been taken to create a more engaging and thought-provoking narrative.

As it stands, the lack of a sequel exploring this relationship leaves a void that could have been filled with interesting and meaningful storytelling.

It is a missed opportunity that could have added another layer of depth to the overall work.

The original article seems to be a bit unclear. However, I will try to rewrite and expand it based on the given information.

**Title: Worth the Multiple Reads**

Books have always been a source of knowledge, entertainment, and inspiration. Some books are so captivating that they are worth reading multiple times. Each time you pick up such a book, you discover something new, gain a deeper understanding, or simply enjoy the familiar story all over again.

One of the reasons a book might be worth multiple reads is its complexity. A well-written novel or a thought-provoking non-fiction work often contains layers of meaning that can only be fully appreciated with repeated readings. You might notice different details, pick up on subtle themes, or understand the characters' motives more clearly.

Another factor is personal growth. As you change and evolve over time, your perspective on a book can also change. What you took away from a book in your twenties might be very different from what you understand in your forties. Reading a favorite book again can be a way to reconnect with your past self and see how far you've come.

In conclusion, there are many books out there that are truly worth the multiple reads. Whether it's for the sake of discovery, personal growth, or simply the joy of reading, don't be afraid to revisit your favorite books and see what new treasures you can uncover.

As with the previous book in the Reuven Malther series (The Chosen), I found myself completely engrossed in The Promise. I simply couldn't put it down.

Reuven Malther is a complex character, a walking paradox. He employs a controversial method of Torah study commonly used by non-believing Jewish scholars. Yet, at the same time, he is striving for smicha* under Rav Kalman, an Orthodox Rabbi who is highly critical of those who deviate from his literalistic reading of the Torah.

I was initially baffled as to why Reuven would choose to pursue smicha under such an old-fashioned and confrontational rabbi. Throughout the book, Reuven is tormented by the conflict between his own way of understanding the Torah and Rav Kalman's rigid approach. Even when Rav Kalman shames Reuven's father and uses Reuven as a pawn, Reuven persists, determined to obtain smicha from him. Why?

Early in the story, Reuven befriends Abraham Gordon, a non-believing liberal teacher of Judaism. Gordon doesn't believe in the revelation at Sinai and at times teeters on the verge of atheism, despite still observing Jewish laws and traditions. Gordon recognizes Reuven's brilliance as a scholar and wants to make him his student. But, in spite of himself, Reuven turns Gordon down and continues his pursuit of smicha under Rav Kalman. Why?

The question of why Reuven subjects himself to all this stress and turmoil lingers. I believe that on a subconscious level, Reuven deeply grasps the significance of tradition. He understands that in order to become a great rabbi, someone who can defend Judaism through the inevitable storms of his lifetime, he needs to understand Rav Kalman. He realizes that only those firmly rooted in tradition can withstand the challenges of a constantly changing world. Only in this way can he trust that when he seeks to bring about change, it is genuine change that serves the tradition rather than destroys it ("progress for progress's sake").

When we abandon tradition, we lose our sense of identity. No one is an island; we are all descendants of history and the forerunners of the future. When we live as if we are isolated, we leave ourselves at the mercy of the currents of our time and culture. Tradition, then, is the anchor that stabilizes our ship in the storm.

I must admit that I have often been the one who wants to demolish tradition without taking the time to understand its value. In fact, my review of The Chosen was partly driven by this destructive impulse. I am therefore grateful to Reuven for showing me a different way to practice my faith - choosing to take the middle path, no matter how difficult it may be.

Looking back at the review I wrote for The Chosen, I know that if I were to write it again today, it would be different. At the time, I saw a conflict within Unificationism: Is Unificationism a religion in its own right, or is it an approach to a particular faith? But perhaps this perceived external conflict was a projection of an internal conflict I was experiencing - perhaps I was not at peace with myself.

I now believe that there doesn't have to be a conflict. Unificationism can be both a religion and an approach to a particular faith. Maybe this is true for all religions: a Jew can take pride in his or her own faith and be inspired and influenced by sufism, for example. Because when we reach out to that which is different from ourselves, we grow, and our faith becomes deeper. We hear the voice of God in other languages.

Just as no one is an island, no religion is an island. Whether its adherents admit it or not, each religion influences and helps shape other religions. Each religion is a product of history and the precursor of the future. When we ignore this truth, we neglect our roots, and our faith cannot endure the test of time. But the greater loss is that we miss the opportunity to experience the beauty and wisdom that emerge from all these diverse expressions of faith.

Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks zt”l passed away last November. He was a man who dedicated his life to defending the beauty and dignity of "otherness". I recently discovered that he had a deep and long-standing friendship with Rowan Williams, the former Archbishop of Canterbury. I have watched many recordings of their public appearances together and have been touched by the affection they had for each other. It is profound that these religious leaders, who按理说 should have been at odds with each other, formed such close bonds and found that their shared humanity and love for the Creator transcended any doctrinal differences they might have had. And where differences did arise, they found only dignity, as Rabbi Sacks so beautifully described in his 2002 book The Dignity of Difference.

Although Rabbi Sacks has left this life, his memory will always be a blessing because he left behind a legacy that will continue to inspire for generations to come. May we all become a little more like Rabbi Sacks.

Returning to The Promise, I must say that I am once again in awe of Potok. The Promise is a remarkable book. Here, I have only touched on one of its many themes. I will return to it when I have gained more life experience and am more open to understanding it from different perspectives.

* Ordination as a rabbi

Yet another Chaim Potok novel I found to be beautiful and deeply moving. Potok's works have a unique charm that draws readers in and keeps them engaged from start to finish. This particular novel is no exception. The characters are well-developed and complex, and their stories are both heartwarming and heartbreaking. The themes explored in the book are universal and relevant, touching on issues such as family, faith, and identity. The writing is elegant and descriptive, painting a vivid picture of the world and the people within it. I was completely immersed in the story and found myself thinking about it long after I had finished reading. Potok's ability to create such powerful and emotional stories is truly remarkable, and I would highly recommend this novel to anyone looking for a thought-provoking and deeply satisfying read.

I wanted to pen a comprehensive review of this remarkable novel. However, I find myself at a loss for words to adequately convey my profound admiration.

This is the sequel to Potok's novel "The Chosen", and I had thought nothing could surpass it. Here, we encounter the same beloved characters, along with a host of new scholars and their families.

Potok continues to bring his characters to life with such vividness that you feel as if you can see and touch them. His greatest strength lies in the dialogue between the characters and the description of places and people, which is neither overly long nor too brief. However, his weakness is the description of discussions that lack focus on a single topic or fail to provide examples. Perhaps I desired this because I was intrigued by how Jews study their religious books, whether they are complex, how they identify contradictions and assertions in other passages, and many other real questions rather than imaginary scenarios.

Our familiar characters, Danny and Reuven, have now matured. One cannot help but fall in love with Danny's character, while Reuven drives me crazy with his silence in numerous crucial situations. "He just didn't find anything to say," as the writer quotes in many places.

I was astounded by the similarities between Hasidics and Radical Muslims. They both marry virgins, and there is a separation between males and females during worship and even at weddings! This came as a shock to me, realizing that we "Muslims" are not the only reserved people in the world. Religious people worldwide have much in common! Even the strange feelings that Reuven, Rachel, and her family experienced while interacting with Danny's family are worthy of consideration.

During the middle chapters, as the confrontations and contradictions between the East European method of teaching emerged, Pink Floyd's "The Wall - Part 2" played in the background of my mind: "We don't need no education... We don't need no thought control."

Potok simply deserves the Nobel Prize. I wonder why he has not received it until now!

P.S: Once again, I am here evaluating the literature and the great gift that the writer possesses. As you can imagine, his thoughts can be vastly different from those of an Arab Muslim girl.

I have an intense and profound love for Chaim Potok's writing.

His works possess a remarkable depth that demands slow and careful digestion.

His ability to vividly portray the evolution of cultural thought is truly a display of pure genius.

Using Jewish culture as the backdrop, he explores the theme of the hardening of old positions versus the embracing of new ideas, which has universal application.

This novel is a continuation of the previous one, "The Chosen".

It tells the story of the unlikely friendship between two young Jews from Brooklyn in the 1940s.

They are from two very different sects of Judaism, leading to unavoidable tension as they both firmly hold onto their heritage.

However, their youth gives them some flexibility.

Ultimately, their friendship serves as a bridge, bringing interaction, honor, respect, and understanding between the sects.

In this sequel, Danny has achieved his life goal of becoming a psychologist, a significant decision considering his preordained destiny.

He was supposed to take his father's place as the next Tzaddik of the Hassidic sect.

Embracing psychology means bringing modern thought, which is foreign to the ancient and unyielding traditions.

But Danny manages to hold onto the traditions while expanding them, becoming a "Tzaddik to the world" as a psychologist.

All these expansions of the mind, soul, and tradition are achieved through the amalgamation between Danny and his more liberal Jewish friend, Reuven.

The friendship is an amazing thing to witness through the pages of this book.

I also love the symbolism Potok uses in his books, such as the Ailanthus tree and the closed/open window in "The Promise", which symbolize different aspects of the story.

I will definitely return to this author as his writing enriches both the heart and the mind.

Chaim Potok is truly emerging as one of my all-time favorite authors.

Every single work that I have had the pleasure of reading by him thus far has been nothing short of brilliant.

It truly requires an extremely talented author to be able to make discussions about the Talmud not only understandable but also absolutely captivating.

In this particular book, there was an abundance of content that was highly relevant to those who are not within the Jewish faith - especially Christians and anyone with a religious inclination in any form.

Reuven's arduous struggle between fundamentalism and liberalism, and his quest to find his rightful place somewhere in the middle, really struck a chord with me.

I am eagerly looking forward to delving into more of Potok's works and uncovering the many treasures that they are sure to hold.

His writing has a unique charm and depth that keeps me coming back for more, and I have no doubt that his other books will be just as engaging and thought-provoking.

About 60 pages into the book, I found myself overcome with an intense emotion.

I gently brought the book to my lips and placed a tender kiss on it. Then, I hugged it tightly to my chest and simply sat there in silence.

No exaggeration! This book is absolute perfection, just like "The Chosen". I truly believe that Chaim Potok is my all-time favorite author.

His writing is so profound that it compels you to sit with it, to soak in every word, for a long, long time.

His words have a powerful effect on me and resonate within me in a way that no other author can ever reach.

When Reb Saunders and David Malter meet, it is an incredibly touching moment.

Each and every character in these books is deeply, deeply human, with all their flaws and virtues, yet also possessing a certain transcendence.

Reading his books is always a sacred experience for me, one that I cherish and will remember always.