The Chosen And The Theory Of Silence

Two Jewish boys – Danny, with traditional views and Reuven with liberal views share a common struggle in finding their place in the world. Silence as a parenting technique can be damaging or a form of discipline for the sake of spiritual self-discovery and improvement.

By experiencing one’s pain and suffering, we can find our soul and destroy our indifference towards others. Unlike David Malter, Reuven’s father, who has a relationship based on dialogue with his son, Reb Saunders, Danny’s father teaches his son compassion and caring for the world through silence. For him, silence is a substitute for words in expressing one’s inner self. His son’s mind is excellent, but his soul is empty, and a mind with a soul is more important than knowledge.

While Danny feels the pain of silence due to his relationship with his father, Reuven feels the pain of silence when he no longer keeps contact with Danny.

The paper demonstrates that silence, if taught efficiently, is not a symbol of oppression and tyranny but a tool for achieving self-knowledge and taking the correct choices in life.