by Julius Vortemizzi

Created on: March 15, 2007   Last Updated: May 08, 2007

Chaim Potok's The Chosen portrays the friendship between two boys, Reuven Malter and Danny Saunders, from different Jewish sects. Many differences in their lives help to shape their friendship. Perhaps the greatest factor that influences their relationship is their fathers. These men, David Malter and Reb Saunders, are radically different in their perspectives, home lives, and childrearing methods yet they share great a great commonality: their love for their sons.

David Malter is an orthodox Jew. He is dedicated to his faith but Rabbi Saunders considers him an apikoros or one who has left the rabbinic tradition. With his wife dead and his people being killed by Nazis, David has devoted his life to his only child and Zionism. David proves himself to be a godly man and a loving father. He develops a powerful and lasting relationship with his son because he is able to communicate well with him. It is easy for David and his son to talk with each other.

In contrast, Reb Saunders, Danny's father, is a dedicated rabbi whose focus is on the law and tradition rather than the establishment of a new Zion. He hopes for the best for his three children and strives to help them through constant studying and teaching of Talmud. Yet unlike David Malter, Reb never speaks to Danny except when studying Talmud. This silent treatment is much hated by Danny who longs for communication between himself and his father. Reb Saunder's radical way of relating to his son cannot be understood by anyone but himself.

In spite of their different philosophies and methods of raising their sons, these two men share the same goal: to love their sons and help them grow into great men. Reb Saunders and David Malter both want their sons to gain a great extent of knowledge. Reb Saunders puts many restrictions on what his son can read while David is much more lenient in what he allows Reuven to read, yet each desires his son to be well educated. Both of these men also share their faith with their sons, one through discussion and example and the other through direct teaching. In addition, both dedicate time to their sons. David Malter makes time to share and talk with Reuven while Reb Saunders sets aside time just for teaching Danny. All in all, David and Reb both convey that they love their sons very much.

These two devoted fathers differ in most aspects of their lives. They view and live out their Jewish faith in different ways and their relationships with their sons are radically different. Yet despite these differences, it is clear that they both have a deep love for their sons.

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