First off, I had no idea that this was a continuation of the story of Reuven and Danny from Chaim Potok's novel, The Chosen.

Before the book starts, there is an amazing quote from Franz Kafka - "If the book we are reading does not wake us up, as with a fist hammering on our skull, why then do we read it? … But what we must have are those books which come upon us like ill fortune, and distress us deeply, like the death of one we love better than ourselves, like suicide. A book must be an ice-axe to break the sea frozen inside us."

I read that and thought Potok really set a high standard for himself. Was this going to be one of those books for me? Sadly, no. It just wasn't my type of book.

It was beautifully written, but it was just too intellectual for me. I couldn't simply read it for enjoyment or as an escape. I didn't feel like delving deep into it or really caring about these characters.

I had also borrowed My Name is Asher Lev, but I probably won't read it because I think Potok's works are just not for me.

I would give this a PG rating as there is nothing objectionable. However, it did put me to sleep on many nights.

As Reuven endeavors to bridge the chasm between the traditional and the modern, he observes Danny seamlessly navigating and flourishing in both worlds.

Reuven grapples with the hate harbored by those who endured the atrocities of WW2 Europe. Despite this, he makes a valiant attempt to be a true and loyal friend to the young man who is adrift and consumed by that very hate.

This is an astonishing story that delves deep into the themes of identity, religion, and the arduous process of letting go of hate. It showcases the internal conflicts and external challenges that the characters face, and how they strive to find meaning and connection in a complex and often unforgiving world.

The narrative takes the reader on a journey of self-discovery and transformation, highlighting the power of friendship, understanding, and acceptance. It is a tale that will leave a lasting impression and make one reflect on the importance of moving forward and finding peace in the face of hatred and adversity.

In "The Promise", which is a sequel to "The Chosen", we follow Reuven Malter as he pursues his graduate education in the 1950s Jewish community of New York.

"The Chosen" centered on Reuven's life-changing friendship with Danny as they navigated their path to manhood. In contrast, "The Promise" delves into the conflicts between belief and unbelief, tradition and secularism, Orthodoxy and unorthodoxy, and supernaturalism and naturalism that plagued the post-war American Jewish community.

Before the war, secularism was on the rise. However, the atrocities of the concentration camps and the anti-Semitism in Germany had deeply shaken Judaism. Jewish scholars and Rabbis responded in different ways. Some, like Rav Kalman, Reuven's teacher, remained steadfast in their belief in a God who miraculously gave the Torah to Moses. Rav Kalman was a fierce defender of the old ways and beliefs, even as more "enlightened" Jews turned away.

On the other hand, some Jews, represented by Abraham Gordon in "The Promise", sought to find a way forward in a world of unbelief while still maintaining their Jewish identity and culture. Reuven found himself in the middle of these two opposing ideas, with his own father offering a sort of middle ground.

Reuven became closely involved with the Gordon family. As the book begins, he is dating Gordon's niece and befriending Gordon's troubled son. Soon, the Gordon family turns to Danny's clinical psychology services for their son, bringing together characters with conflicting ideas.

At one point, Rav Kalman confronts Reuven about his association with the secularist Abraham Gordon. With Reuven's smicha at stake, Kalman wants to know how Gordon's writings have affected him. Reuven replies that he doesn't like Gordon's answers but admits to asking the same questions. However, he has yet to find the answers.

This is the essence of the book. For Judaism, the events of the Holocaust brought a crisis of faith. Where was the promised Messiah? How could such horrors happen to God's chosen people? With the forces of naturalism spreading through intellectualism, Orthodox belief was in danger. But even for non-Jews, the central question of the book is relevant to all of us. Is God real? Must we give up our belief? Does modernity render faith obsolete?

As a Christian, I believe that the answers to Reuven's questions can be found in Jesus. The Messiah came, and the promise was fulfilled. God is real, and His existence demands a response.

While I loved "The Chosen" and would recommend it to my teenagers, I think "The Promise" is more challenging to understand without a historical and spiritual context. I'm sure a young reader would enjoy the plot and finding out what happens to Danny and Reuven. However, I would suggest that "The Promise" is best read after gaining a solid understanding of 20th-century history and philosophy.

Silence…

So much goodness and sadness are intricately mixed up in this. It's a complex web of emotions and circumstances. But that's just the way the world is, a place filled with contradictions and paradoxes.

“The Master of the Universe has so created the world that everything that can be good can also be evil. It is mankind that makes a thing good or evil, Reuven, depending upon how we use the wonders we have been given” (198). This profound statement makes us realize that the power to determine the nature of things lies within us. We have the choice to use the gifts and opportunities we are given for good or for evil. It is our actions and decisions that shape the world around us. We must be mindful of the consequences of our choices and strive to use the wonders of the world for the betterment of all.

I think I really need to sit with this one for a little while.

It is just so incredibly powerful.

The impact it has on me is profound and overwhelming.

There is something about it that makes me want to just soak it in and let it sink deep within my soul.

It's not something that I can easily brush aside or forget.

Every time I think about it, it gives me a new perspective and makes me look at things in a different way.

I feel like I need to take the time to truly understand its significance and the message it is trying to convey.

Maybe with more reflection and thought, I will be able to fully appreciate the power and beauty of this thing.

For now, I will just continue to sit with it and let it work its magic on me.

What beautiful writing! It is as good as the prequel.

Potok has an amazing ability to convey emotion so effortlessly through his character descriptions. It is truly next to none compared to what I've read before.

It is fascinating to note how much one can learn from a people and culture that is so different from one's own, provided one has the desire to do so.

The various characters' passion and scholarship for the Torah were truly striking. It serves as a great example of how I believe Jesus calls Christians to approach the Bible.

Reuven and Danny's brother-like relationship really resonates with me as a young adult.

Furthermore, the clashing forces of tradition and modernity were eloquently developed in both "The Chosen" and "The Promise".

This makes the stories not only engaging but also thought-provoking, as they explore the complex dynamics between different generations and the challenges of maintaining one's identity in a changing world.

Overall, Potok's writing is a testament to his skill as a storyteller and his deep understanding of the human condition.

Excellent book! From the very beginning, I was completely captivated. The story and its characters quickly drew me in, and I found myself deeply invested. I had a strong desire to help Michael, encourage Reuven, give Rav Kalman a good smack, and hug David Malter. This is truly a wonderful story. It emphasizes the importance of thinking for oneself and not blindly believing in something just because someone tells you to. It makes you question your own beliefs and encourages you to form your own opinions. The characters are so well-developed that you feel as if you know them personally. The plot is engaging and keeps you on the edge of your seat. Overall, this is a book that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a good story that makes you think.

Just getting to this review.

Still not sure what to say, but I truly love these books! They are simply stunning. The way the stories are told is so meditative, making you really stop and think. The probing nature of the books delves deep into the human psyche and emotions. And I don't know, they are just really good!

I am immediately re-reading The Chosen. You might not like the story or characters all the time, just like I didn't. But I was definitely moved by them. I don't even know how to express the absolute PERFECTION of these books. They have a certain charm and magic that is hard to put into words.

Maybe it's the beautiful writing, or the complex and relatable characters, or the thought-provoking themes. Whatever it is, these books have left a lasting impression on me and I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a great read.

I really don't know exactly what I believe about God.

However, I have noticed that whenever I am reading Potok's novels, my understanding seems to grow a little bit better.

Potok's works have a certain charm that draws me in and makes me think more deeply about various aspects of life and faith.

His vivid descriptions and complex characters make me question my own beliefs and values.

Maybe through reading his novels, I am gradually uncovering some of the mysteries that lie within my own heart and mind regarding God and religion.

Although I still don't have a definite answer, I am open to the possibility of further exploration and discovery as I continue to engage with Potok's literary masterpieces.

4.5 is not quite as good as The Chosen.

I reread it this time and gained more insights. The conflicts and their resolutions became more understandable to me.

David Malter is truly an outstanding character. He might just be my second favorite literary character, right after Atticus Finch.

His wisdom, kindness, and moral compass are truly admirable.

Throughout the story, he faces numerous challenges and makes difficult decisions, yet he always remains true to himself and his values.

His relationship with his son, Reuven, is also a central part of the story and adds depth and complexity to both of their characters.

Overall, I found this reading experience to be both enjoyable and thought-provoking.

It made me appreciate the power of literature to bring characters to life and to explore the human condition in a profound and meaningful way.

I simply cannot fathom the numerous things that I have relished or gleaned from this book. As I perused through its pages, I marked several passages that were particularly thought-provoking. However, this meager act of marking fails to encapsulate the entire essence of the novel.

To be entirely honest, I feel as though I shortchanged "The Promise." When I delved into "The Chosen," I did so with a pen and paper in hand, jotting down notes, and I reaped a wealth of knowledge from it. In contrast, with "The Promise," my reading approach was more laid-back. I didn't take any notes, and as a result, my comprehension truly suffered. I am compelled to add this book to my re-read list and revisit it in the future. Part of the reason for this was the timing. I wasn't able to set aside dedicated time to take notes and could only read in sporadic intervals. Additionally, I found myself more inclined to figure out the mysteries surrounding Michael rather than young Danny, which speaks volumes.

I thoroughly enjoyed Reuvin's spiritual odyssey as he embarked on the journey of defining what and how he believed. I firmly believe that Potok did an outstanding job in illustrating this aspect. In fact, I truly think that it would be beneficial for all of us to take the time to define our own beliefs at some point in our lives.

A few of the quotes that truly stood out to me during my reading are as follows:

"A teacher can change a person's life. A good teacher or a bad teacher. Each can change a person's life...But only if the person is ready to be changed. A teacher rarely causes such a change, Reuvin...More often he can only occasion such a change."

"A choice tells the world what is most important to a human being. When a man has a choice to make he chooses what is most important to him, and that choice tells the world what kind of man he is."

"Rebellion, said Abraham Gordon, is a conscious act of the will directed toward the remolding of ideas or institutions whether by force or by persuasion. Turning one's back upon ideas or institutions is therefore not an act of rebellion but an act of disengagement. The old is considered dead."

Feb 16, 10:15 pm ~~ Review asap. And I still need to write a review for The Chosen! I got so caught up in this sequel that I completely forgot about that.

Feb 17, 2 pm ~~ Okay, I've just posted my review of The Chosen, and now it's time to think of something to say about The Promise besides 'WOW'.

Our two friends, Reuven and Daniel, have advanced further in their respective educational pursuits. They are now seriously contemplating career choices and the kind of adult lives they desire to lead.

This book is another intense read that delves into a wide range of themes. It explores relationships, psychology, and how a person's past influences both their present and future, among other things.

I didn't anticipate finishing this book so rapidly. However, once I started reading, I could hardly put it down. Every page held my attention, and although I'm not providing many details about the book itself, that's deliberate. If I attempted to explain more, I would be here all day.

So, please trust my 'WOW'. Go and discover these two Chaim Potok titles for yourself and see the magic unfold.