Nazi persecution in Germany forced many European Jews to flee to places like the United States, Palestine, and other nations. Once the horrific details of the mass extermination of six million Jews in Nazi gas chambers were unveiled, a renewed drive to create a Jewish homeland emerged. In the 1930s, Jews in Germany faced the loss of their civil rights, which escalated to the confiscation of their property and their forced relocation to Nazi-established labor and death camps in Eastern Europe. Those who left Germany before the outbreak of World War II formed the initial wave of mid-20th-century Jewish migration beyond Europe. After the war, approximately 200,000 concentration camp survivors made their way to America, many of whom were Orthodox Jews. They often settled in neighborhoods like those depicted in Chaim Potok'sThe Chosen. By the 1950s, children and grandchildren of earlier Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe had largely integrated into broader American society, with many identifying as Reform or Conservative Jews and having attended public schools. The arrival of this new group of religious Jews sparked a renewed interest in Judaism. In Potok's narrative, David Malter emerges as a representative of passionate Judaism followers. Post-Holocaust, a strong sentiment prevailed in the American Jewish community that the devoutness of religious Jews, such as the Hasidic sects, had been crucial for Judaism's endurance through centuries of oppression. The consensus was that Jews would only achieve safety from persecution by having their own nation. This belief fueled widespread support among both religious and secular Jews for the founding of the State of Israel.

Zionism

Zionism is often seen as a movement from the nineteenth century advocating for Jews to return to their ancestral homeland in the Middle East. However, efforts to return to Zion began as early as the sixth century B.C., with the onset of the Jewish Diaspora. During this time, Jews were exiled from Jerusalem, and various leaders (often regarded as false messiahs) would emerge, claiming to be the messiah and pledging to lead the Jewish people back to Zion. One prominent figure was Sabbatai Zevi (1626-1676), also known as Sabbatai Zebi, who guided a significant group of European Jews to Constantinople. Unfortunately, after his arrest, he converted to Islam to avoid execution. In the sixteenth century, a Jewish family from Italy petitioned the ruling Turks for permission to establish a Jewish settlement in Galilee. However, it wasn't until the late nineteenth century that European Jews gained enough freedom and financial resources to start settling in Palestine. In 1897, the Herzl World Zionist Congress launched a global movement. The British government, through the Balfour Declaration in 1917, recognized the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine, a move later endorsed by the League of Nations in 1922. In 1948, after the partitioning of Palestine, the State of Israel was founded. Not all Jews have supported the idea of a Jewish state. Hasidic Jews and other fundamentalist groups believe that Jews should wait for the Messiah to return before resettling in Israel. Many assimilated Jews, especially in the United States, were skeptical about the feasibility of an Israeli state in the Middle East, fearing that Arab hostility could lead to another catastrophic event for the Jewish people. In the later part of The Chosen, the Jewish state is in the process of being established. Reb Saunders embodies the Hasidic perspective, advocating for patience until the Messiah's arrival. In contrast, Mr. Malter embodies the Zionist perspective, emphasizing the necessity of a homeland for the Jewish people's survival.

Hasidism

Hasidism emerged in the late 1700s in an area along the border between Russia and Poland. Its founding leader was Israel Ben Eliezer. Unlike the traditional Orthodox focus on Talmudic study, which relied on oral laws given to Moses by God on Mount Sinai and their subsequent interpretations, Ben Eliezer highlighted spirituality and its passionate expression. His prayer practices were marked by ecstasy and trance-like states, contrasting with the more reserved nature of traditional prayer. His followers adopted these worship styles, and the movement spread across Eastern Europe. Each group's leader, known as a "righteous one" (tzaddik), served as an intermediary between followers and God, similar to the role of a Catholic priest with his congregation. Historically, Hasids have dressed in simple, dark clothing. Men were prohibited from shaving their beards or sidelocks and wore hats with fur trims. Their attire has often been likened to that of the Amish in Pennsylvania. Although Hasids make up a small fraction of today's global Jewish population, they are credited with resisting the trend of assimilation during the late 1800s and early 1900s.

The Chosen employs the techniques of a classic realistic novel. The narrative is delivered in the first person by Reuven Malter, one of the characters. The writing style is mostly straightforward and simple. Nonetheless, there are a few symbolic elements: for instance, Reuven's injured eye introduces the theme of vision and blindness, and the fly trapped in a spider's web symbolizes the "crazy world" of suffering and injustice he contemplates. Another technique, which is sometimes highly effective, is the juxtaposition of parallel events or situations. A prime example is Potok's use of the silence motif to build the novel to its climax. While readers are aware of Danny being raised in silence, they now witness Reuven encountering silence as well: Danny is prohibited from speaking to him; Reuven's father is hospitalized, leaving their home in silence; and there are uncomfortable silences in the Talmud class. The layering of these various silences, along with Reuven's reactions, creates a mounting tension that is ultimately released in the novel's climactic chapters. Through this approach, Potok amplifies the significance and emotional impact of the concluding events, including the renewal of communication between Reuven and Danny, and Reb Saunders's explanation for raising his son in silence.

The Chosen is partially a novel that explores the Jewish experience in America during the mid-1900s. It addresses the challenges Jews face in preserving their cultural heritage while adapting to American society. A central issue is the threat of assimilation: whether a Jew should embrace new ideas outside the Jewish tradition, risking the loss of Jewish identity, or remain isolated and miss out on the world's offerings. In addition to the risk of assimilation, Jewish identity is endangered by persecution and the threat of physical extermination, which, as the novel subtly highlights, has plagued Jews for centuries. The "Holocaust"—the Nazi genocide of the Jewish people—occurs during the timeline of the novel. When the characters learn about these events, they react differently, with some seeking answers from God and others engaging in Zionist efforts. Although the story is set in America, specifically in the Williamsburg area of Brooklyn, a significant event impacting the characters is the establishment of a Jewish state in Palestine.

Beyond its focus on Jewish themes, the novel also reflects events associated with World War II. Through the perspective of the narrator, readers gain insight into the War's developments, including D-Day and ultimately the Allied victory. The War, the Nazi destruction of Jews, and other events in the novel highlight a broader social theme: the seemingly senseless suffering imposed on people and the forces and circumstances that trap them, turning them into victims. A symbol of this victimization is the blind boy the narrator encounters in the hospital, who has lost his mother and undergoes an unsuccessful surgery to regain his sight. The characters in the novel are compelled to confront and find ways to cope with such suffering and perceived injustice. One response is compassion: some characters, like the Hasidic leader Reb Saunders, attempt to bear the suffering of others; for other characters, the events in the novel serve as a journey of learning compassion.

1940s: Despite the horrific Nazi Holocaust against the Jews, anti-Semitism was still prevalent throughout the Western world.

1960s: The Civil Rights movement in America raised awareness and contributed to more positive attitudes among various ethnic groups, including Jewish communities.

Today: While discrimination against minorities is no longer officially endorsed in the United States and other nations, ethnic tensions continue in some regions. Hate groups in the U.S. still promote racial and anti-Semitic ideologies.

1940s: The establishment of the State of Israel remained an aspiration, though many had fled to the region in the 1930s to escape Nazi oppression.

1960s: Israel was successfully defending itself against its Arab neighbors' attacks. The Middle East became a Cold War hotspot, with Western support for Israel and Soviet backing for the Arab states.

Today: Israel has entered into peace agreements with several Arab countries and has started the process of transferring control of Palestine back to the Palestinians.

1940s: Jewish education mainly took place after regular secular schooling hours for Jewish children in America.

1960s: Jewish day schools emerged in areas with significant Jewish populations, providing both religious and secular education for boys and girls from elementary through high school.

Today: Jewish education in the U.S. has broadened to include adult courses, similar to community college continuing education programs.

1940s: Numerous countries and regions were involved in World War II, with the United States united in its commitment to participate in the conflict.

1960s: The United States stood alone among Western nations in the Vietnam War, facing internal division over a conflict viewed as both unwinnable and dishonorable.

Today: The United States, along with other United Nations members, has contributed peacekeeping forces to areas such as Bosnia, where ethnic strife persisted for years.

The Chosen aligns with a series of novels exploring the Jewish experience in America. One of the earliest examples is Abraham Cahan's The Rise of David Levinsky. Although it is quite different from The Chosen—having been published fifty years earlier with a focus on the immigrant generation—it shares similar themes. Both novels delve into assimilation, the clash between tradition and modernity, and elements of Jewish life such as Talmudic study. Beyond its Jewish literary predecessors, The Chosen is also shaped by the Bildungsroman tradition, which focuses on personal growth and maturation. Despite Chaim Potok's assertion that the influence was unintentional, Evelyn Waugh's Brideshead Revisited (1945) might have inspired his portrayal of two young men with intertwined yet distinct lives in both The Chosen and its sequel, The Promise. Potok's writing style—realistic and clear—is influenced by several modern American authors, including Hemingway.

The Promise (1969) serves as a follow-up to The Chosen. In this novel, Reuven and Danny continue to navigate their lives, with Reuven working towards his smicha or rabbinical ordination, while Danny completes his degree in psychology. Their friendship deepens as they both become interested in the same woman and take part in helping a troubled boy. The woman, Rachel Gordon, is Abraham Gordon's niece, and the boy, Michael, is his son. Abraham Gordon is a modernist scholar seen as an apostate by the Orthodox community. Similar to The Chosen, The Promise explores themes of assimilation and the tension between tradition and modernity, as well as the core values of Jewish tradition versus external influences. Reuven studies under Jakob Kalman, who vehemently opposes modern textual criticism of the Talmud. Despite Reuven's interest in Abraham Gordon's work and modern approaches to Talmudic study, which threaten his rabbinical prospects, he ultimately receives ordination despite his conflicts with Rav Kalman. Potok employs the technique of drawing parallels: Michael Gordon's struggles with Jews and non-Jews reflect Reuven's conflict with his teacher, and Michael's troubled relationship with his father mirrors the tensions within Judaism.

In the Beginning (1975) diverges from the characters of The Chosen and The Promise, focusing more on early childhood experiences. The novel employs more intricate techniques, such as stream of consciousness and parallels between its events and biblical stories. Despite these differences, it shares with Potok's earlier works a focus on the clash between cultures and the tension between Jewish tradition and the modern world. The protagonist, David Lurie, chooses to engage in biblical studies using modern, secular methods, aiming to affirm the Bible's significance. More directly than Potok's previous novels, In the Beginning tackles the issue of anti-Semitism, which David faces as a child and also witnesses through the suffering and deaths of family members during European pogroms and in Nazi concentration camps, one of which (Bergen Belsen) he visits at the novel's conclusion. As with all of Potok's works, this novel deeply explores the question of Jewish identity.

In 1982, a film adaptation of The Chosen was released, featuring Rod Steiger as Reb Saunders, Maximilian Schell as David Malter, Barry Miller as Reuven, and Robby Benson as Danny. Chaim Potok, the author, played a small role in the movie. The screenplay was crafted by Edwin Gordon, and Jeremy Paul Kagan directed the film. While the adaptation, like most, simplifies some elements of Potok's original narrative, it remains largely true to the novel. Critics noted a few shortcomings but commended the film for its historical accuracy and emotional depth. It was well-received by audiences and remains a favorite among many movie enthusiasts.

The Chosen was transformed into a film by Edwin Gordon, featuring Rod Steiger as Reb Saunders, Maximilian Schell as David Malter, Robby Benson as Danny Saunders, Barry Miller as Reuven Malter, and Ron Riflan as the baseball coach. The movie was directed by Jeremy Paul Kagan and produced by Contemporary in 1982. It is available through Fox Video.

The novel was also released as an audio version on cassettes, narrated by Eli Wallach. This audio adaptation was produced by Warner Audio in 1985.

A brief musical adaptation of The Chosen premiered on Broadway in January 1988, with music composed by Philip Springer and lyrics written by Mitchell Bernard.

Sources

"Back to the Fold," review in the Times Literary Supplement, March 5, 1970, p. 241.

Dan Barnet, essay in Critical Survey of Long Fiction, edited by Frank N. Magill, Salem Press, 1991, pp. 2659-67.

Felicity Baranger, review in the New York Times Book Review, December 1, 1996, p. 33.

Sam Bluefarb, "The Head, the Heart, and the Conflict of Generations in Chaim Potok's The Chosen," in College Language Association Journal, June, 1971, pp. 402-409.

S. Lillian Kremer, "Chaim Potok," in Dictionary of Literary Biography, Vol. 152: American Novelists since World War II, Fourth Series, Gale Research, 1984, pp. 232-43.

Beverly J. Matiko, an analysis and critical evaluation of The Chosen in Masterplots, New York Harper, 1969, pp. 1121-24.

Lisa Schwarzbaum, review in the Detroit News, March 17, 1985, p. 5.

For Further Study

Edward A. Abramson, Chaim Potok, Twayne, 1994.
A comprehensive book that offers biographical details about the author and an overview of his complete works up to that point. Chapter 2 delivers insightful commentary on The Chosen.

Arthur A. Cohen, "Why I Choose to be a Jew," in Break-through: A Treasury of Contemporary American-Jewish Literature, edited by Irving Malm and Irwin Stark, The Jewish Publication Society of America, 1964, pp. 367-76.
Cohen elaborates on how, historically, Jews had little choice but to remain Jewish, and he explores his own personal religious decisions.

Michael Gilmore, "A Fading Promise," in Midstream, January, 1970, pp. 76-79.
Gilmore challenges the portrayal of the Jewish community as depicted in Potok's novels.

Sheldon Grebstein, "The Phenomenon of the Really Jewish Best Seller Potok's The Chosen" in Studies in American Jewish Literature, Spring, 1975, pp. 23-31.
A detailed analysis of the novel, which includes a discussion on Potok's narrative style and the concept of the American Dream.

Granville Hicks, "Good Fathers and Good Sons," in Saturday Review, April 29, 1967, pp. 25-56.
In this early review, Hicks examines how Potok's depiction of "good boys" and their fathers resonates meaningfully with a wide audience.

Baruch Hochman, review of The Chosen, in Commentary, September, 1967, p. 108.
In this early critique, Hochman commends the psychological tension Potok achieves in exploring generational conflicts but criticizes the novel’s conclusion as too fantastical.

Irving Howe, "Introduction to Yiddish Literature," in Break-through: A Treasury of Contemporary American-Jewish Literature, edited by Irving Malm and Irwin Stark, The Jewish Publication Society of America, 1964, pp. 278-300.
Howe offers a complex essay analyzing the linguistic, historical, religious, cultural, and literary contexts that shape Yiddish literature.

Faye Leeper, "What Is in the Name'" in English Journal, Vol. 59, No. 1, January, 1970, pp. 63-64.
Leeper contends that the novel captivates high school students who are familiar with Jewish religious customs, highlighting the multiple interpretations of the title.

Curt Leviant, "The Hasid as American Hero," in Midstream, November, 1967, pp. 76-80.
An analysis that critiques the writing style in The Chosen.

Daphne Merkin, "Why Potok is Popular," in Commentary, February 1976, pp. 73-75.
Merkin critiques Potok's writing style as "amateurish," describes his characters as "paper thin," and sees his moral framework as "black and white." She suggests that his popularity aligns with a "rediscovery of ethnic consciousness" among his audience.

Hugh Nissenson, "The Spark and the Shell," in New York Times Book Review, May 7, 1967, pp. 4-5, 34.
In this early review of the novel, Nissenson criticizes Potok's prose but commends the novel's structure and themes. He particularly appreciates Potok's portrayal of Rabbi Saunders' silence, which is set against the backdrop of God's silence.

Sanford Pinsker, "The Crucifixion of Chaim Potok/The Excommunication of Asher Lev: Art and the Hasidic World," in Studies in American Jewish Literature, No. 4: The World of Chaim Potok, edited by Daniel Walden, State University of New York Press, 1985, pp. 39-51.
Pinsker examines Potok's depiction of "sensitive" protagonists who are caught between "rival authoritarian figures." The discussion primarily focuses on My Name is Asher Lev.

Chaim Potok, "Cultural Confrontation in Urban America: A Writer's Beginnings," in Literature and the Urban Experience: Essays on the City and Literature, edited by M. C. Jay and A. C. Watts, Rutgers University Press, 1981, pp. 161-67.
Potok describes the broadening of the world from his Brooklyn Jewish childhood.

Chaim Potok, "Reply to a Semi-Sympathetic Critic," in Studies in American Jewish Literature, Spring 1976, pp. 30-34.
In response to Sheldon Grebstein's article, Potok defends his language and style in The Chosen and elaborates on how the novel's central theme is a "culture war."

Chaim Potok, Wanderings: Chaim Potok's History of the Jews. Knopf, 1978.
A comprehensive overview of the Jewish people's survival across various "umbrella" civilizations.

Harold Ribalow, "A Conversation with Chaim Potok," in The Tie That Binds: Conversations with Jewish Writers, A. S. Barnes & Co., 1980, pp. 111-37.
Potok, who describes himself as a "freak," discusses his attempts to dramatize the conflicts between Jewish tradition and what he terms Western secular humanism.

Karl Shapiro, "The Necessary People," in Book Week, April 23, 1967.
A favorable interpretation of The Chosen as an allegory.

Judah Stampfer, "The Tension of Piety," in Judaism, Fall 1967, pp. 494-98.
Stampfer critiques Potok's depiction of Hasidim but commends the book for its detailed portrayal of Yeshiva life.

David Stern, review in Commentary, October 1972, p. 102.
My Name Is Asher Lev, Potok's third novel, is reviewed. Stern analyzes the main theme Potok explores in his novels: the struggle to live in both a religious and secular world.

Daniel Walden, ed., Studies in American Jewish Literature, No. 4: The World of Chaim Potok, State University of New York Press, 1985.
A compilation of insightful essays and interviews about Chaim Potok.

Mark Zborowski, Life Is with People: The Culture of the Shtetl, Schocken Books, 1995.
An overly romanticized yet thorough depiction of Eastern European Jewish culture, which serves as a model for contemporary strict Orthodox Jews and certain Hasidic sects.