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Born on February 17, 1929 in Brooklyn, New York. He was the son of Polish immigrants with strong ties to Hasidism. Read novels of Ernst Hemingway, Mark Twain, and Charles Dickens to learn how to read and write.

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Attended the Yeshiva University where he graduated with summa cum laude in English Literature. He moved to the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, where he was ordained a Conservative Rabbi. Chaim served as a combat chaplain in Korea for the United States army from 1955-1957. He taught at several Jewish colleges and later earned his PhD in philosophy from the University of Pennsylvania. Chaim became an editor of the Jewish Publication Society of America and after his eight years here he became a famous author and novelist. Some of his books include The Chosen, The Promise, My Name is Asher Lev, and The Gift of Asher Lev. On July 23, 2002, Chaim Potok died in Philidelphia of a brain cancer at age 73.

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Chaim Potok started writing The Chosen, his first published book which happened to be an autobiography, while he was working on his doctoral degree. He would write parts of the book in the morning, then he would work during the day. Chaim is the inspiration for Reuven, as Reuven is the main character and basically lives Chaim's life.

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Similarities Between Potok and the Characters

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Similarities Between Potok and the Characters

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Chaim Potok and the characters all have similarities. For example, Potok went to a Yeshiva university like Danny and Reuven. Potok then went to the University of Pennsylvania to study Philosophy, just as Danny did. Like Danny's father escaped Russia, Chaim Potok's father escaped Poland and moved to the U.S. Similar to Reuven, Chaim Potok grew up in a Hasidic world without the earlocks and beards. Throughout the book, Chaim put a part of himself in each and every character; therefore, bringing the characters to life.

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Compare and Contrast Between Reuven and Danny

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Compare and Contrast Between Reuven and Danny

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Danny and Reuven's strong friendship is a result of their major similarities and stark differences. Danny and Reuven are both quick thinkers, have a passion for learning, and have a deep Jewish faith. Danny and Reuven also both have fathers that try and put them into a career they don't want, and they both eventually choose their own path. While both have their similarities, they also have major differences. Danny is a Hasidic and a very strict Jew. Reuven, however, is from a less orthodox religion background, and doesn't follow the same traditions as Danny. This leads to some conflicts in their relationship in the beginning of the book, but later on it strengthens their relationship even more. Another huge difference is that Reuven studies to become a Rabbi, and Danny studies to become a Philosopher. Their difference in professions show how they both have very different interests, but also have a very similar strive to prosper.

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Before Chaim Potok published The Chosen, he graduated from Yeshiva University in 1950. A couple of years after Potok taught Jewish traditions to many people, the Jewish Theological Seminary of America declared him a conservative Rabbi in 1954. Potok then became the manager editor of Conservative Judaism. He later went to the University of Pennsylvania and became the editor in chief of the Jewish Publication Society of America. Potok also wrote scholarly articles and reviews on Jewish topics. Then in 1967, Potok published his first novel that portrayed orthodox Judaism in the US, The Chosen.

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In 1981, The Chosen was turned into a movie. Directed by Jeremy Kagan, the movie focuses on the traditions of Judaism, and less about the friendship of Reuven and Danny. In 1982, the movie was nominated for Best Picture. The Chosen was also put into a play by Aaron Posner and Chaim Potok himself in 1999.

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On the other hand, people also despised this book because of Danny Saunders and Reb Saunders' relationship. Reb can be seen as having a hatred towards his son at the beginning of the book. Then towards the end of the book we learn how Reb actually loves his son, but in silence.

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Many people love reading The Chosen because of the interesting story line, likable and relatable characters,  the deeper message being portrayed, and all the historical events included.

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The Promise is the sequel to The Chosen. This book is the addition to The Chosen. It continues talking about the lives of Reuven Malter and Danny Saunders. The Chosen focuses on the conflict of modern vs. traditional Orthodox Jews when survivors of the holocaust come to America to restart their lives. While doing this, they make sure their traditionalist views are noticed and felt amongst the others

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This quote symbolizes the friendship between Reven and Danny in The Chosen. Not only does it symbolize their friendship, but it symbolizes one of the book's major themes as a whole.