My Name is Asher Lev
Chaim Potok
between a very religious Jew, or the world of an artist. Asher is born into a family whose
lives are devoted to a Judaism way of life. Asher's father, Aryeh Lev's life is dedicated to the
causes closest to his people. His life is devoted to preserving the culture of the Jewish
culture, and helps others being prosecuted in other countries. Young Asher is upset that his
father is not always around because his father is rarely ever home due to his travels to
other countries. From youth, Asher has a very deep sense of art, he has a gift. Making art is
getting in the way of Asher's "Jewish" lifestyle and his education. Asher's parents believe
that this is just a phase that he is going through, and that he will get through it. Rivkeh,
Asher's mother, does support Asher from his drawings, to keep him happy. Asher continues
his fascination of drawings as Yudel Krinsky, storeowner, gives him proper drawing pencils
and other art equipment. As Asher grows older and older, his art starts to draw a wedge in
between him and his parents, and his passion for drawings increases as well. The life of a
Ladover Jew is to obey their parents, which Asher does not do, which makes his parents
realize that they do not have full control over Asher. Asher is torn between trying to please
his parents, mainly his father, and his religion, or doing something that he is truly
passionate about. He starts to feel very guilty and sad, drawing is the only thing that takes
his mind off of all his worries, and relaxes him. Jacob Khan, a artist, teaches Asher
everything that he knows about art. Asher's feelings grow stronger to disobey what his
parents want and live a artistic life. Will Asher chose his God given gift over his religion? This
is a very powerful and uplifting book that shows a kid that is stuck in between two worlds.
In the view of him in the Jewish Sect, the reader feels very lonely and alienated. The
question that this book makes you ask yourself is that is it better to follow your heart, and
do what makes you happy, or to deny it and do what you are expected to be doing.