The Chosen ~ Guiding Questions Book I
Chapters 1-4
Chapter 1
1. Identify the time and place in which the action of the novel is set, and the
circumstances that cause Reuven and Danny to meet.
2. Why does Danny consider Reuven and his classmates “apikorsim”?
Chapter 2 & 3
3. What are some of the things Reuven learns about Danny during the
hospital visit?
4. What Aspects of Danny’s personality does Reuven find surprising?
5. Why is it that Danny’s father does not write or speak much, apart from his
discussions of Talmud?
Chapter 4
6. What does the reader learn about Mr. Malter’s previous relationship with
Danny?
7. How does this relationship clarify his reasons for wanting Reuven to
become friends with Danny?
8. What does Danny reveal to Reuven that he has never told to anyone
before?
9. Why do you think Danny feels able to reveal this to Reuven?
10.What accounts for Reuven’s reaction to Danny’s revelation?
Chosen ~ Guiding Questions Book II
Chapters 5-12
Ch. 5 and 6
1. What does Reuven’s father teach him about of the Cossack uprising in 1648
affected the Jewish community? Pages 98-99
2. Who was Shabbtai Zvi? Pages 99 - 100
3. Who was Israel and what were his teachings? Pages 101 – 104
4. Why does Mr. Malter believe it is natural for Danny to break his father’s rules
and read forbidden books?
5. What does Mr. Malter tell Reuven about why Danny needs a friend?
Chapter 7
1. How does the author demonstrate the way in which the Hasidic community
reveres Danny?
2. What are Reb Saunders views on:
a. the world and what it does to Jews
b. life on earth
c. the study of the Torah
3. Explain Reb Saunders’ assertion that “we are only half alive in this world.”
4. How does Reb Saunders determine whether Reuven is fit to be his son’s
friend?
5. Do you think Reb Saunders is a good father? Why or why not? Be specific and
detailed in your response.
Chapter 8-10
1. How does Mr. Malter justify providing books for Danny which his father and
Hasidim forbid him to read?
2. How is the study of the Talmud shown to be a central activity in the lives of
both Reuven and Danny?
The Chosen ~ Guiding Questions Book III
Chapters 13-18
Chapter 13
6. Do you think Reb Saunders is a good father? Why or why not?
7. What do you think Mr. Malter means when he asserts, “A man must fill his life
with meaning. Meaning is not automatically given to life."?
8. How does Danny feel about college? What has he decided to do with his
future?
9. How does Reuven feel about college? What has he decided to do with his
future?
10.What causes Reuven and his father to be “excommunicated” from the
Saunders’ family? How does Danny react?
Chapters 14 - 18
1. Reuven anticipates being called on in Talmud class for a specific passage.
What happens when he is finally called on?
2. What does Rav Gershenson admit to the class about the passage Reuven
discusses?
3. What does Rav Gershenson request that Reuven never do during his class?
4. How is the nonverbal communication between Reuven and Danny ironic?
5. What historic event makes Reuven and his dad cry and then allows Reuven and
Danny to talk again?
6. What are reasons that make it so hard for Danny to tell his father he won’t be
the tsaddik?
7. Why does Reb Saunders want Reuven to come to his house so badly?
8. Who does Reb Saunders compare Danny to?
9. Why did Reb Saunders raise Danny in silence?
10.Why does Reb Saunders finally give his consent for Danny to become a
psychologist?
11.How has Danny changed when he comes to say goodbye to Reuven and his
dad?