The Chosen
I just finished Chaim Potok's The Chosen. I have to say that this is the best book I've read in quite a while. It's a fantastic story. If you're looking for something a little different, but still really good, you can borrow my copy if you like.
Of course, keep in mind that its a book about Jews. Don't let that lead you astray though, its a fantastic novel. I heard, actually, that one of the people I work with read it in High School. I think that's a great idea. It's a positive image of Jews and it isn't as flaming as Fiddler on the Roof. It's not nearly as fundamentally depressing either.
It takes place in New York (where else?) during the early 40s. It tells the story of an Orthodox Jew and an Ultra-Orthodox Hasidic Jew and their somewhat rocky friendship. It's incredibly interesting to read.
Though, I have to admit, maybe its only interesting to me cause I'm becoming a jew. I have no idea if this book would have appealed to me so much eight years ago. I grew up hardly knowing what a jew was, much less how they live, study, worship, and get on in the world. I never knew any of the stereotypes about them, I just knew that some people didn't like them. This book kind of opens a door into the jewish world, but may still be quite misleading. I don't think there's many jews that live like the boys in this book. I certainly never will, but I find myself kind of aspiring to.
What's wrong with studying Torah once a week? What's wrong with keeping Kosher? What's wrong with following some 613 rules established in some book written forever ago?
I have to say though, one of the most interesting things in the book is how the jews turn on the jews. I never really thought about that (despite the story of Purim and Channukah) as a real thing before. But it happens multiple times in this book and is a primary source of conflict. The Hasidim (black hatters) call the other jews Goyim and are generally distasteful and judgmental of them. I think the same thing probably happens across the whole Jewish spectrum. Orthodox jews mock the conservative who mock the reconstructionist who mock the reform. Hell, I've seen Alison do it.
I know what you're thinking, "Wow, I thought it was enough for them to be anti-gentile. They're anti-semites, too?" This book kind of makes it seem like it. Of course, the book is also fundamentally about how they boys can put those differences aside and still get along. The themes in the book are pretty universal, even if they do take place in a mostly jewish section of New York.
I actually kind of wish there were some christians in the book. Just to see how the hardcore orthodox jews would react to them. I imagine they probably have more indifference for gentiles rather than the hidden distaste for less observant jews. But I'm totally just making shit up now.
I really liked the book for its insight into judaism, and for its really great story. But I have to admit, that as a learning tool, its not so fantastic. I mean, I have no intentions of living that way. And while part of me thinks it would be really neat to jew out with a yarmulke, tallit katan, the sideburns and beard, I think the shock value is all I'd be for. Lets face it, I'd still want to eat bacon and other things. So its really only amusing to me as a gag.
The book also gives an abbreviated look at the start of Israel, the zionist movement, and all that jazz. I have to admit, I'm much more interested in learning the history of Israel now, than I was before. Which is good, cause the rabbi wants me to learn that anyway.
I think I'll be moving onto some non-jewish reading for a little while now. I've had Freakonomics sitting on my table forever now.
In related news, its looking like my final conversion will be taking place on August 3rd. Nothing is for certain yet, but I should be hearing back to confirm the scheduling soon. The rabbi has to put together the Bet Din and schedule the Mohel still. But the 3rd is when the Mikvah is open. It comes as no small relief that I can do all those things at once, cause I don't think I have any personal days left.
Of course, keep in mind that its a book about Jews. Don't let that lead you astray though, its a fantastic novel. I heard, actually, that one of the people I work with read it in High School. I think that's a great idea. It's a positive image of Jews and it isn't as flaming as Fiddler on the Roof. It's not nearly as fundamentally depressing either.
It takes place in New York (where else?) during the early 40s. It tells the story of an Orthodox Jew and an Ultra-Orthodox Hasidic Jew and their somewhat rocky friendship. It's incredibly interesting to read.
Though, I have to admit, maybe its only interesting to me cause I'm becoming a jew. I have no idea if this book would have appealed to me so much eight years ago. I grew up hardly knowing what a jew was, much less how they live, study, worship, and get on in the world. I never knew any of the stereotypes about them, I just knew that some people didn't like them. This book kind of opens a door into the jewish world, but may still be quite misleading. I don't think there's many jews that live like the boys in this book. I certainly never will, but I find myself kind of aspiring to.
What's wrong with studying Torah once a week? What's wrong with keeping Kosher? What's wrong with following some 613 rules established in some book written forever ago?
I have to say though, one of the most interesting things in the book is how the jews turn on the jews. I never really thought about that (despite the story of Purim and Channukah) as a real thing before. But it happens multiple times in this book and is a primary source of conflict. The Hasidim (black hatters) call the other jews Goyim and are generally distasteful and judgmental of them. I think the same thing probably happens across the whole Jewish spectrum. Orthodox jews mock the conservative who mock the reconstructionist who mock the reform. Hell, I've seen Alison do it.
I know what you're thinking, "Wow, I thought it was enough for them to be anti-gentile. They're anti-semites, too?" This book kind of makes it seem like it. Of course, the book is also fundamentally about how they boys can put those differences aside and still get along. The themes in the book are pretty universal, even if they do take place in a mostly jewish section of New York.
I actually kind of wish there were some christians in the book. Just to see how the hardcore orthodox jews would react to them. I imagine they probably have more indifference for gentiles rather than the hidden distaste for less observant jews. But I'm totally just making shit up now.
I really liked the book for its insight into judaism, and for its really great story. But I have to admit, that as a learning tool, its not so fantastic. I mean, I have no intentions of living that way. And while part of me thinks it would be really neat to jew out with a yarmulke, tallit katan, the sideburns and beard, I think the shock value is all I'd be for. Lets face it, I'd still want to eat bacon and other things. So its really only amusing to me as a gag.
The book also gives an abbreviated look at the start of Israel, the zionist movement, and all that jazz. I have to admit, I'm much more interested in learning the history of Israel now, than I was before. Which is good, cause the rabbi wants me to learn that anyway.
I think I'll be moving onto some non-jewish reading for a little while now. I've had Freakonomics sitting on my table forever now.
In related news, its looking like my final conversion will be taking place on August 3rd. Nothing is for certain yet, but I should be hearing back to confirm the scheduling soon. The rabbi has to put together the Bet Din and schedule the Mohel still. But the 3rd is when the Mikvah is open. It comes as no small relief that I can do all those things at once, cause I don't think I have any personal days left.