Reuven and Danny are two young Jewish boys who each come from very different cultures. Reuven is a traditional Orthodox Jew. Meanwhile Danny is a Hassidic Jew. Even though they come from different backgrounds, these boys are very similar.
Reuven Malter is an intelligent, popular boy. He strives in math, the Talmud, and softball. His father wants him to become a mathematician, but Reuven wants to become a rabbi. He is very religious and competitive. Although some might find him antagonistic. For example; “You weren't the first tough team we played. And we’ve lost before too. But you really had me going, Malter. I can't figure it out.” (Potok, pg. 67) Another trait people notice in Reuven is how religious he is. He is an observer of the ten commandments and attends a yeshiva. A character Reuven meets in the hospital, named Mr. Savo, says “You’re a real religious kid, there, Bobby boy.” (Potok, pg. 56) Reuven is a 15 year old boy. He has black hair and brown eyes. He is about five foot six, and wears shell-rimmed glasses and a black skullcap. Later in the story Reuven meets Danny, a young hassidic jew, during a softball game. Danny hits the softball at Reuven and he doesn't duck. Instead, Reuven tries to catch the ball because he didn’t want to…show more content… He is the son of Reb Saunders and next in line to become rabbi in the hassid community. He can memorize and understand every book he reads. He has a love of psychology and Freud although he isn’t allowed to read secular books. He is torn between following the hassidic tradition and his fathers wishes or following his own dreams and studying the outside world. Other characters see him as a normal hassidic Jew. For example Reuven judged Danny by his appearance and disliked him immediately. Reuven states that Danny had purposely injured him, without letting Danny apologize or explain himself. Although as Reuven got to know Danny the more he grew to like
