The Chosen: Chapter 18 Summary & Analysis

Reuven comes to Danny’s house to see Reb Saunders. He first sees Danny, who looks very nervous, and then they both go to Reb Saunders’ study. Everything looks the same except Reb Saunders looks old and weary.

Reb Saunders asks Reuven what he will do after graduation and Reuven says that he plans to become a rabbi. Reb Saunders stiffens and says that Reuven and Danny will “begin to go different ways.” Danny looks shocked, but Reb Saunders does not look at his son. He is speaking directly to Reuven. Reb Saunders explains to Reuven (but really to Danny) his use of silence in bringing up his son. Reb Saunders says that he knows Reuven hates him for this, but all he requires is that Reuven listen to him.

Reb Saunders says that man is born evil with only the tiniest spark of good. This spark must be guarded and nourished. The Master of the Universe blessed Reb Saunders with a brilliant son, but that Reb Saunders could see that Danny had no soul. Reb Saunders had a brother who was like Danny. He was very sick but had a brilliant, cold, and “almost cruel” mind. After yeshiva he moved to France and became a mathematician. He died in Auschwitz still a Jew, but not an observer of the Commandments.

Reb Saunders then explains his childhood. Reb Saunders’ father taught him with silence. Reb Saunders as a child had to look into himself to find strength and solace. Reb Saunders’ father explained that words are used to deceive and that only by turning inside oneself can one find one’s own soul. Silence also teaches one about pain and suffering, and it is especially important that a tzaddic know pain. “A tzaddik must know how to suffer for his people.”

Reb Saunders repeated this practice with his son so that Danny would not become like Reb Saunders’ brother. This was the only way he knew to teach Danny’s mind what it is to have a soul. He knew this might prevent Danny from becoming a tzaddic because it would drive him away. But he wanted to make sure that Danny’s soul would be the soul of a tzaddic regardless of what he chose to do with his life.

Reb Saunders begins to cry and say how hard it was to watch his son suffer. But he knew that Danny was learning about the suffering of the world as he needed to. Reb Saunders tells Reuven that he and Mr. Malter have been a blessing. The Master of the Universe sent them when Danny was ready to rebel.

Reb Saunders now speaks to Danny. He asks him whether he will shave his beard and earlocks and Danny nods. He asks him whether he will remain an observer of the Commandments and Danny nods again. Reb Saunders sighs and nods once “as if in final acknowledgement of his tortured victory.”

Reb Saunders tremulously asks Reuven to forgive him for his anger over his father’s Zionism. Reb Saunders had found some small solace in his own understanding of the Holocaust and a secular Jewish state did not fit. He then apologizes to Danny saying, “a wiser father may have done differently. I am not wise.” He says he has to leave and that his Daniel is now free.

Danny and Reuven, now alone in the room, both cry. They walk for hours through the streets in complete silence, “saying more with that silence than with a lifetime of words.”

Reuven tells Mr. Malter, who responds that this was possibly the only way to raise a tzaddic. Reb Saunders announces to his congregation that Danny will study psychology and that Levi will take his place. Reb Saunders also says that he gives his son his blessing. The congregation is shocked but they don’t dare question Reb Saunders’ blessing, and everyone gets over it. Reb Saunders also withdraws his promise to the family of the girl Danny is promised to marry, and there is some fuss, but this also quiets down after a while.

The students at Hirsch College are also surprised by Danny’s choice. They talk about it for a couple days and then get wrapped up in the rush of final exams. Both Danny and Reuven graduate summa cum laude.

Danny comes over to the Malters’ to say goodbye, now with his beard and earlocks shaved. Mr. Malter says that Columbia is not so far away and they will see each other soon. Danny says that he and his father are talking now. Mr. Malter asks Danny if he will raise his son in the same way and Danny says that he will if he cannot find another way. Reuven asks Danny to come over on Saturday to study Talmud with his father. Danny agrees and walks away, disappearing down Lee avenue.