Becoming Peculiar

I am not sure exactly how to do this but here goes. I really enjoyed this book. I found that I wasn't just reading for entertainment, but actually looking for things that we might discuss and things that I needed to learn. I didn't realize that there was so many differences in the Jewish religion. I knew that there were differences but I guess I didn't realize how vast the differences could be. How sad it would be to grow up without you father talking to you unless you were discussing (debating) the Talmud. The difference Danny and Reuven's upbringing was night and day different. I was amazed when Danny told Reuven that he had gone to the game, they met at a baseball game, with the intent to kill him, but when Reuven was injured Danny was sorry. The deep prejudice between the two groups of Jews amazed me. Both sides had what they thought was in the best interest of the Jewish nation at heart but they came at the situation from very different directions. There didn't seem to be any common ground on which they could start an understanding from.

Danny had a very sharp and amazing mind. He was able to learn things quickly and easily. His mind was like a sponge. Reuven at one point gives a pretty detailed account on what he did to learn a small text out of the Talmud. It was pretty intense studying. It was by choice not by assignment. He felt that he would be called on to read and explain this particular passage of text out of the Talmud and he wanted to be prepared. Because of his desire to know that text and be able to explain it along with answering any questions the the instructor might ask he was able to spend almost 4 class periods, each class period was 2 hours long, reading and explaining the text that he had studied. The text that he was reading and explaining consisted of nine lines. He tried to anticipate every question that might be asked and have an answer ready. When I read this part the question that came to my mind was "How much better understanding would I have of the gospel if I would put that much effort into my studying the scriptures?" Danny's father taught Danny to learn everything about the Talmud while Reuven was taught to learn in depth. Reuven didn't know the many facets of the Talmud but when it came to the depth of his knowledge of what he knew he could hold his own with Danny.

What it takes to be a true friend is talked about. Being tolerant about the differences in the way they were raised and how to deal with them. The importance of standing up for one convictions even when others are against it was an important part of the book. I was like Reuven I didn't understand Danny's father's silent method of raising him and training him. It didn't make sense. Later in the book it was explained but like Reuven's dad, David, I understood it (better) but didn't agree with it. Loyalty to self, family, and God was woven in as well as respect and love for parents and tradition. I am not sure exactly if Danny or Reuven was considered the "chosen" one. What do you thing?