This spring, I took a significant step in my educational journey. I applied to a college with the intention of majoring in Talmud. To my great delight, I was accepted.

Surprisingly, I had not studied Torah since my bat mitzvah and wasn't entirely certain about what the Talmud truly is. However, such was the allure of this field that I seriously considered going.

Moreover, the world of Reuven, as presented in the story, is distinct from my own. It is truly refreshing to encounter Jewish characters and stories that don't solely revolve around the Holocaust. While the impact of the Holocaust is indeed explored, it is not the sole focus.

I have a tendency to be a skim-reader, but whenever I pick up these books, I make a conscious effort to slow down. This is because every single word that Potok writes is imbued with such depth and significance that it is truly worth reading carefully. Each sentence seems to hold a hidden gem of wisdom or a profound emotion that enriches the overall reading experience.

This is a truly remarkable book.

Although one really has to get used to the writing style, it is extremely interesting for people like me, those with an orthodox background.

Potok delves into the conflict between rational thinking and legalism.

The story unfolds in a captivating manner, exploring the complex emotions and dilemmas faced by the characters.

It makes the reader reflect on the importance of finding a balance between the two.

The detailed descriptions and vivid characters bring the story to life, making it a truly engaging read.

Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the intersection of faith, reason, and tradition.

It offers valuable insights and challenges our preconceived notions, leaving us with much to think about.

This is the only book that has truly compelled me to read it twice, and I firmly plan on reading it again for a third time.

Chaim Potok is simply masterful in this work. When reading it a second time, I was able to empathize with the antagonist of the story, having a complete understanding of why he is the way he is. I was disappointed in myself for not experiencing this during my first read-through of the book. However, that is precisely the point of great literature. It reveals more about ourselves than the characters portrayed in the story. Reading Chaim Potok is truly a gift to the soul.

If you wish to experience the depth and breadth of Chaim Potok's works, I highly recommend that you start with the book that precedes this novel, namely The Chosen. Then, immediately follow it up with The Promise. Once you have meditated on the story and ideas that these books discuss, you can then seek out Chaim Potok's other book, Davita's Harp.

This way, you can embark on a journey to explore the rich and profound world created by Chaim Potok and gain a deeper understanding of his literary genius.

Well, Chaim Potok has truly outdone himself once again.

Not only has he bestowed upon me another remarkable book to include in my cherished favorites list, but he has now firmly established himself as one of my all-time favorite authors.

In fact, this particular work might even surpass The Chosen - that is, if it is conceivable for a book to be superior to a literary masterpiece.

The book itself is simply amazing. The characters are vividly brought to life, and the atmosphere is palpable.

It features such a simple yet elegant writing style that is both beautiful and deeply emotional.

I am not going to provide an in-depth review of this book (as there are already at least hundreds of other reviews available for it; I'm certain that if you desire to read a detailed analysis, you can easily find one).

Suffice it to say that this book is truly exceptional. The themes predominantly build upon those of The Chosen, with one significant addition: the complex ability of people to simultaneously love and hate someone, and the profound impacts that this can have on human relationships.

It delves into the intricacies of the human psyche and the dynamics of interpersonal connections, making it a thought-provoking and engaging read.

Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who appreciates great literature and wants to explore the depths of human emotions and relationships.

Potok delves deep into a plethora of paradoxes that are especially prominent within the realm of religion.

What is the true essence of simultaneously loving and hating a person? How can one truly honor both tradition and the pursuit of knowledge? What does it signify to be swayed by both the allure of mysticism and the rationality of science? And what does it mean to be both similar to someone and yet have irreconcilable differences?

The book is propelled by the contrasts between mundanity and grandeur. The plot may seem straightforward, and the conflicts may appear small-scale, but somehow, I found myself irresistibly drawn into a world that balances orthodoxy and innovation. There was never a moment of ease or a simple resolution to the problems confronted by the Malters, the Gordons, the Saunders, or Rav Kalman.

With both 'The Chosen' and 'The Promise', I have remained uncertain as to why I have been so completely enthralled by Potok's world. Nevertheless, drawn in I most definitely have been.

The father was truly so wise, his words and actions guiding those around him with a gentle yet firm hand.

The best friend, on the other hand, was incredibly smart, always able to offer astute insights and solutions to any problem that arose.

The teacher, unfortunately, seemed so imprisoned by the constraints of the educational system, unable to fully unleash the potential of the students.

Both boys were left feeling so confused, caught between the expectations of their elders and their own desires.

The girl, however, was completely enamored with one of the boys, her heart fluttering every time she saw him.

And throughout it all, the journey they were on was full of choices, each one with the potential to change the course of their lives forever.

As they navigated this complex web of relationships and decisions, they would have to rely on their own instincts and the wisdom of those around them to find their way.

Potok has always held a special place in my heart for some inexplicable reason.

His astute commentary on Jewish orthodoxy not only provides profound insights into the Jewish faith but also has far-reaching implications that can be equally applied to the orthodoxy of other religions.

What truly sets Potok apart is his unique writing style. His stark prose, though seemingly simple on the surface, is actually highly rhythmic and captivating. It draws the reader in and holds their attention from start to finish.

Moreover, beneath the surface of his straightforward language lies a wealth of deeper meaning and symbolism. Each word and phrase is carefully chosen to convey a specific message or idea, making his works a rich and rewarding source of inspiration and reflection.

Overall, Potok's works are a testament to the power of literature to explore and illuminate the human experience, and I continue to be deeply moved and inspired by his writing.

I sat there, fixated on Michael, my mind a blank slate. The silence was deafening, it caressed me like a living entity. I strained my ears, longing for any sound to break the monotony. The tick of a clock, the tap of shoes on the floor, the soft clearing of a throat, the rustle of wind in the tree branches, the skittering of leaves across the ground – anything would do. But there was nothing. Just the silence, encompassing the room like a colossal hand. I trembled and sweated, my nerves on edge. Danny, seated beside me, stared at Michael with a face etched in pain, anguish, and suffering. It was as if he inhabited Michael, looking out at me through his eyes, trapped in this silent tomb.

We remained in that silence for what felt like an eternity. I began to feel myself suffocating, drowning in the stillness. A desperate need for a voice welled up within me, and I heard myself whisper, "Hello, Michael. Mr. Saunders said I could visit you, and I came right away." The words felt inane, but I had no idea what else to say.

I was truly nervous about reading this book. The combination of the current circumstances and my daily routines being disrupted made it take me a whole week to get through. I adored The Chosen so much that I doubted this could measure up. But, my God, I was wrong. I loved it. I really, really loved it. It was very different from The Chosen, yet it was a natural evolution of the characters. I don't know how to put it into words. I just loved it! I don't think I can be objective when it comes to anything related to Reuven because he has become one of my favorite literary characters of all time! So, take my thoughts with a grain of salt, but also, fuck it! Chaim Potok Fancam!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyway, here are some more of my thoughts:

- Another full novel where David Malter's health is a concern. Potok loves to hint at his impending death. He had me on edge since chapter three of The Chosen when Reuven was like, "Hm. Weird my dad's not here. He's never late. Guess his health is declining." I haven't known peace since then, and that was a whole book before this one.

- David Malter is still the best father figure in any form of media. I also love that he and Reb Saunders got to meet. It was... interesting, to say the least. Like fathers, like sons.

- I Am Once Again Asking Chaim Potok To Time Travel To The Present Day And Learn About Autism.

- Michael is definitely autistic. It's the only explanation that makes sense. Just like Danny is also autistic (although it's less prominent here than in The Chosen because Danny himself is less present), and Reuven is some kind of neurodivergent, probably ADHD. Speaking of which, Reuven can make hyperfocus his bitch. That passage in The Chosen where he's like, "Fuck! [hyperfixates on a small passage of the Talmud]" is magnified tenfold here.

- As someone who adored Reuven and related to him deeply in the first book, this one wrecked me. So much of The Chosen is about him focusing on Danny, both for narrative reasons and because he's gay. Here, he still thinks a lot about Danny and is very much on his bullshit in that regard, but we get to see a Reuven who is mostly by himself. He doesn't really have any friends, and he doesn't see Danny all the time either. His father's work has him more preoccupied than ever. So, emotionally, Reuven is on his own, and he's such a wonderful character to read about in that regard. Especially because most of his thoughts still revolve around other people, since he's clearly hyperempathetic. (When he almost passes out when Michael finally has his outburst at the end... baby boy, we are going to get you that diagnosis.)

- And how he's always trying to solve some big, unanswerable question, overwhelming himself in the process, and how his emotions threaten to spill over at any moment. How he can be so volatile that he might think he hates someone one second but then instinctively defend that person's reasoning when anyone says anything bad about them out loud. He has such a huge heart and is so intelligent!!!!!! This aspect was somewhat overshadowed in The Chosen (except for That One Chapter) because Danny was the genius there. But here, it's really highlighted, and it's like... good. That's my baby, and I fucking love him.

- AND GD I LOVE HOW MANY TIMES HIS TEACHERS WERE LIKE HOW DO YOU SOLVE A PROBLEM LIKE REUVEN MALTER SJFJDJCJC me and reuven are both maria soundofmusic kin. Not actually because applying sound of music to the chosen / the promise would be in very poor taste for obvious reasons. That being said, Danny's definitely captain von trapp. Anyway.

- (Reuven also had this air of being very lonely but pointedly trying not to think about it / almost not realizing? Which... hit really hard. It was a weird senior year for us both. Also, when he went a little manic near the middle, I literally had to put the book down. I just feel really connected to him sjfjdjfhfj.)

- OH ALSO I LOVE THAT REUVEN WAS DESCRIBED AS HAVING MORE CHUTZPAH BUT ALSO MORE DERECH ERETZ THAN ANY STUDENT AT THE YESHIVA LIKE YEAH. THATS HIM!!!!!

- I was worried about Danny and Rachel's relationship, but it was actually hilarious. Reuven was dating this girl for a while, and then they both realized they were just friends and not attracted to each other, so they broke up. And then Rachel started dating Danny. Despite it being clearly stated in canon that Reuven never really felt anything for her, he's still not happy about it. Most of the time, when he can't side-eye them at least a little bit, he just won't talk about them. It's so fucking funny. The number of times he's watching his best friend and his best friend's girlfriend walking together and all he can think is, "Hm... they're not holding hands! Never seen them kiss! Their relationship's kind of weird, idk haha!" Like, I'm about to say a slur, Reuven.

- I really enjoyed the plot. I thought it was very interesting, especially when you read everyone as being neurodivergent. I truly believe Chaim Potok was probably ND because he writes about every single character in his novels constantly "trembling" or "rocking back and forth" as if that's something people who aren't ND do regularly. It's like every two seconds here (and in The Chosen and in Asher Lev). Also, just the way he thinks, views the world, and characterizes these people (as well as all of Asher Lev, both character-wise and narratively, but I won't get into that here because it really speaks for itself) makes me think he was ND.

- Which adds a really upsetting layer to this book, specifically (and Asher Lev), because there's something almost lacking in the reasoning behind Michael's behavior (and everyone's behavior and convictions, really, but it's less noticeable with Danny or Reuven or even Rav Kalman than it is with Michael... well, for obvious reasons). It just seems that the explanation for that is that, while the vocabulary technically existed in some way, neurodivergence and especially autism were not understood on the level they are today (and even today, a lot of the general public still misunderstands it really badly). Looking at some of the more analytical psychological stuff Danny was saying about Michael was really tough, given the lens I was reading with, but that's also the nature of Chaim Potok's writing. Like the whole Soul business at the end of The Chosen. And, again. Literally All Of Asher Lev.

- Anyway.

- TLDR I love Reuven Malter so fucking much.

- Also:

- "That is the way the world is, Reuven. Each generation thinks it fights new battles. But the battles are the same. Only the people are different."

If you've delved into the captivating world of The Chosen and find yourself yearning for more of the engaging storylines of Reuven and Danny, then look no further!

Both of these remarkable young men are now in the final two years of their university journey. I'm extremely cautious about revealing too much, as I don't want to ruin the beautiful conclusion of The Chosen for those who haven't yet experienced it.

However, if you were completely enthralled by the characters, their fascinating interactions, and the wonderful growth they underwent in The Chosen, then this book is an absolute must-read for you.

I, for one, adored the characters and relished the opportunity to learn even more about Judaism through their eyes. I gave this book a rating of 3.5 stars. It wasn't quite on the level of "great" like a 4-star book such as The Chosen, but it was definitely better than just "good" like a 3-star offering.

It's a worthy addition to the literary landscape and a great follow-up for fans of The Chosen.

Potok's novel is set in the years following World War II.

During this time, the bright and curious minds of a new American Jewish generation come into conflict with those of their tortured and grief-stricken elders.

The younger generation is adventurous and creative in their Talmudic studies, while the elders are firmly orthodox, their strict adherence to Biblical interpretation tempered by the blood shed in its defense.

Both generations share a love for their religion and a commitment to passing on their people's traditions.

However, the question remains: will this be sufficient to bridge the gap between them, and what harm will be caused in the process?

The answer is both thrilling and inspiring.

Favorite quotes:

"They know only the beliefs their families died for in the concentration camps. No one will change them."

"They were my own people, but we were as far apart from one another as we could possibly be and still call ourselves by the name 'Jew'."

"It is hard for an old tree to bend."

I have a deep love for Potok. His works truly resonate with me as I can closely relate to the intense wrestle that his characters experience. They find themselves in a difficult position as they grapple with the insular religion that has been handed down to them. On one hand, they have the religion they were born into and have known all their lives. But on the other hand, as they grow and come into themselves, they also have a burning desire for the religion they truly love and wish to practice. This internal conflict is both captivating and thought-provoking. It makes me reflect on my own beliefs and the choices I have made or might make in the future. Potok's portrayal of these complex characters and their religious struggles is masterful and adds a rich layer of depth to his stories.

Everyone has burdens. It is an inescapable truth of life. Who is without burdens? We all carry them, whether they are physical, emotional, or psychological. Chaim Potok has a remarkable talent for making his readers truly care about his characters. His writing is so respectful and welcoming, so generous and thoughtful, that he pulls us into their lives and makes them stay with us long after we turn the last page. In this book, I felt completely immersed in a world that was so different from my own, and yet I never felt out of place. Potok's ability to create such a vivid and engaging world is a testament to his skill as an author. This is a wonderful follow-up to The Chosen, and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves great literature.