Asher Lev

I am going to go ahead and make at least one post on the book this month, though I think Frank and I are the only ones reading. I'm about halfway through and I have a few interesting thoughts on which anyone, whether reading or not, could comment...

1. Hasidic Judaism is a sect of mainstream Judaism. One could say that they are the strict believers of the word. Ritual, prayer, and tradition are extremely important. The Hasidic Jews also become an integral part of American society when they began migrating from Europe and Russia before, during, and after World War II. It seems as if the Jews are constantly relocating, always without a home, forever persecuted. Ben touched on this when we read Smurf's book. I'm going to remove myself from both personal and religious beliefs and ask, "WHY?" I mean, the Jewish faith and the Jewish people have seemingly always been driven from place to place, but the history books seem to always precede the persecution. Is it a self-fulfilling prophecy, or are they actually a special people? Other groups, be they religious, cultural, or racial, also face the same persecution and lack of a homeland, but it doesn't seem like their fate is constantly being foreshadowed in some book or scripture.

2. Asher's mother is portrayed as a Christ-figure throughout the novel. She constantly sacrifices for the good of the Jewish people. But I think that his father is also somewhat of a Christ-figure. The difference between the two is that Asher's mother despises the Rebbe for the work that he requires, and Asher's father respects and admires the Rebbe. Is it possible that the author is making the point that Christ himself was tempted to doubt or even despise His father--God? I'm not arguing that he did, but it seems a logical assumption to make that anyone agreeing to self-sacrifice might have troubling thoughts toward the one requiring the sacrifice.

Just a few thoughts I've had as I've read. Pick up the book if you have time. It's easy to read, and I think it's a fantastic book. I know the blog has been dead for the most part this month as people have been doing finals and going on vacation, but I still enjoy hearing from you all when you get a chance to write. Good luck to everyone in all you are doing!

Trump card

Ok friends, I think that we should pull out a trump card and say that the book of this month needs to be "The Chris farley Show" by our good friend Tom Farley. Just got released and I think we will all love it. Thoughts?