Different Ways

            Here we go! Last chapter of the book and things really get cooking! Everything falls into place and everything is explained- the talking, the fact that Danny wants to become a psychologist instead of a Rabbi. His father knew all along. “’Nu,’ he said, speaking softly, so softly I could barely hear him, ‘in June my Daniel and his good friend begin to go different ways. They are men, not children and men go different ways. You will go one way, Reuven. And my son, my Daniel, he will-he will go another way.’” From that quote on, they both knew that Reb Saunders, Danny’s father, knew of his plans all along- even since he has been a small child and saw that he had more of a mind even though he maintained his soul. The fact that because of Danny’s choice to become very knowledgeable- reading books, choosing a different way than what he is destined to do, etc. Reb Saunders chose to raise Danny with out words- like his father with his brother. His brother also had a mind like Danny’s and even went to study in Europe and when the Jewish massacre occurred in Poland he stayed behind but still remained to be an orthodox Jew, giving his life in Auschwitz. Reb Saunders gave his approval of his son going away to study, as long as he remained true to his soul. And even though he would shave off his beard and trim his ear locks and dress a little differently, to stay Jewish and stay loyal to his faith.
            Both of the boys are silent as his father continues to explain why he has treated Danny as he has during his life, and Danny sobs. He does not want him to find out this way, but understands why he does the silence and why he chose to approach Danny this way about his studies. He knew that Danny was brilliant when he was little- he always cared about reading and studying rather than actually knowing the faith and the soul. He was blessed with such a brilliant son, and somewhat hates though, that he is TOO brilliant to become a Rabbi in his place. He is proud of him despite his choice.
            Danny understands now, and all of Reuven’s questions were answered at that moment.

After the talk, Danny and Reuven walk aimlessly for hours not saying one word to each other until the end. The next morning it is as though nothing has happened and they ride the trolley to their college and talk. Danny asks him if he was going to raise his children like his father did to him, he replies that he think he might. He understands why it he did it, even though I don’t really. His father knows that he has the soul of a tzaddik, and that “he will be a tzaddik for the world” no matter what job he holds.

In the end, Danny and Reuven graduate summa cum laude from their college, Hirsch College. Danny comes over one night to the Malters’ with no more earlocks or beard or fringes, to say goodbye and that he is moving into an apartment new his new college, Columbia, in Manhattan. His father and he speak reguarly to each other and this is when he is asked if he will raise his son in silence with the reply of “unless I can find another way to teach my son the have the soul of a tzaddik.” Danny promises to return on Saturdays to study Talmud and he leaves.