History plays a large role in shaping the character of Rueven and Danny’s characters because they each have strong spiritual fathers that laid a foundation for them, their respective religions have very different roots, and they find that they have differences from these religions. Both Rueven and Danny have spiritual giants for fathers. While Rueven’s father is not as well respected or as well known as Reb Saunders, he is every bit as caring and spiritual. Mr.
Malter has raised Rueven in the Jewish fashion and has taught him to love God. The love that Mr. Malter shows Rueven is evident when Rueven is at the hospital. When Rueven finally wakes up, his father is so excited that he rushes over without even preparing himself. “His sparse gray hair lay uncombed on his head. That was unusual for my father.
I never remembered him leaving the house without carefully combing his hair.” In addition, Mr. Malter developed a cough and got sick, probably attributed to excessive worrying over Rueven. Reb Saunders also loves his son, but has a hard time showing it. Since, Danny and his father never speak unless they are studying; it is a very strained and painful relationship for Danny.
Reb Saunders is known all over the Jewish community for being a strong spiritual advisor to all the Hassid and Danny is expected to take his place. Reb Saunders position as rabbi is something of a family dynasty and it has gone on for many generations. Danny has been groomed to become the next rabbi since he was a child. All of this seems too much for Danny and it seems that he just wants to escape his destiny and live a normal life. The roots of Rueven and Danny’s churches also play a role in their characters. Rueven is an orthodox Jew, and thus comes from very strict values.
Rueven is expected to pray many times a day and to study the Talmud frequently. In addition, he eats kosher food, always observes Shabbat and follows Jewish law reverently. He is very faithful and hopes to be a rabbi someday. On the other hand, Danny comes from an even more demanding sect of Judaism. The Hasids have similar beliefs to the Orthodox Jews but hold to even stricter codes of conduct. One of the things that set the Hasids apart from other sects is their dependence on the tzaddikim or spiritual leaders of their communities.
“There are even Hasidic groups that believe their leaders should take upon themselves the sufferings of the Jewish people.” The Hasids forbid studying of secular books, and they take their religions extremely seriously. Rueven and Danny take very different stances in regards to their religion. Rueven loves his church and his God and someday wants to become a rabbi. He studies the Talmud as best he can and is very devoted to learning Jewish law.
On the other hand, Danny is expected to become a rabbi, and not just any rabbi, he is expected to be like his father. It comes as no surprise then, that Danny is extremely nervous and worried about becoming the next tzaddikim of his congregation. It is an enormous responsibility to be the spiritual leader of the Hasids and Danny has difficulty coping with the pressure. Danny isn’t even totally sure he believes in his religion. He has studied the Talmud extensively and has memorized most of it, but doesn’t seem to have the love for it that his father has. It is kind of ironic that in the end, the boys both choose the path that was not expected of them.
Rueven’s father wanted him to be a mathematician, but he chose to pursue a career as a rabbi. While Mr. Malter is not unhappy about Rueven’s decision, it is not what he expected. Danny went against convention and tradition by deciding to become a psychologist. It must have taken enormous courage to tell his father this, but in the end he gets the blessing of Reb Sanders.