IN the Chosen, the Rabbi is the Bal shem tov, or the highest link of
this sect to God-it is believed his progeny inherits the same
connection. In this story the son has some doubts regarding his desire
to follow in his fathers footsteps even though it is assumed he will.
When he befriends the son of a less secular orthodox politically
active professor, the Bal shem tov's son opens a new area of his
life-friendship. It is through this friendship that he makes his
decisions. His fathers desire to teach his son to open his heart by
closing his own to him is an act of love-it is only seen as being
cruel by an outsider who doesn't understand the torture the Rabbi must
endure to try and channel his sons ability to connect with others

the final ****ysis of the story is that religion can both rip
relationships asunder or soothe them-it is our choice how to use it.


LM

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