Certainly part of the reason Danny seeks Reuven out is respect too. He respected Reuven for being a good baseball player as well as perhaps one of the few, if not only, person to actually stop his ball. Danny could have already sensed some of Reuven’s better qualities, such as his determination and skill over others (at least in baseball), and had subconsciously marked Reuven as ‘worthy to befriend’.
Later on in the story, the readers see Danny approaching Reuven for help in various areas, such as Mathematics, and support for his rebellion against his father. A most notable incident is when Danny appeals to Reuven for support for when he escapes from his surroundings: “I’ll need you around on that day.” (149). It reflects the reliance Danny has on Reuven for courage; maybe Danny must draw on Reuven’s courage in order to break free. Thus, Danny’s evolved motive: Seek help and support from Reuven, drawing on his qualities to use it for his own needs.
Turning now to Reuven, the readers see him hating Danny and rejecting him at first. Yet after Mr Malter reprimanded Reuven for turning Danny away, Reuven grudgingly accepted Danny and talked to him. He forced himself to lie just for the sake of having a conversation with Danny. (“time for me to say… a lie.” (45).) Why? Perhaps he felt guilt for rejecting Danny, hence disappointing his father. Perhaps he was trying to assuage that guilt and appease his father by accepting Danny. After all, Reuven immediately reported to Mr Malter that he ‘liked’ Danny on his second visit.
As the story continues, Reuven learns more about Hasidism through Danny. His mindset is broadened and his thinking develops from the experiences he goes through with Danny and Reb Saunders. He learns to tolerate different perspectives, even though he does not necessarily agree with them. For instance, when Hirsch University split into two factions, Reuven “managed somehow to control myself [himself] and remain silent.” (178). In short, Reuven matures, and acquires values such as tolerance and understanding of people, all essential qualities for a rabbi, from his time with Danny.
Of Danny and Reuven’s other friends, little mention is made of them. They are vague entities, only functioning for glares or knocking people down. They do not aid in the development of either Danny or Reuven’s character; thus, they are of little importance to Danny and Reuven. (Keep in mind that as The Chosen is narrated by Reuven, only significant things are brought up.)
It can be deducted, therefore, that in The Chosen, people choose their friends advantageously – if there are no benefits to be gained, one is merely a passing acquaintance. Note that in The Chosen, special emphasis is given to the word ‘friend’. It is commonly used as a title by Danny or is imbued with certain meanings by Reb Saunders, Mr Malter and the Talmud. Therefore, it is imperative to differentiate between friends and mere acquaintances.
Fathers also choose their sons’ friends. Reb Saunders indirectly chose Reuven as Danny’s friend by approving their friendship; Mr Malter catalysed their friendship by pushing Reuven towards Danny. Reb Saunders said that it is fine for Reuven to be Danny’s friend because he has “a good head” (104), his father’s, to be exact. Also, Reb Saunders states in his Passover speech that because he is unable to speak to Danny, Reuven will have to take his place, “my [his] closed eyes and my [his] sealed ears.” (210). He uses Reuven as a messenger between himself and Danny; and he even subtly spies on Danny through Reuven, as when he asks Reuven what Danny reads at the library.
Reb Saunders has expectations for Danny and Reuven’s friendships, but he also sets conditions on it, such as Reuven not leading Danny astray, into a goyim. Furthermore, when Reuven and Reb Saunders are on opposite sides of the Zionist movement, Reb Saunders retracts his approval of the friendship. In a way, Reb Saunders’s view of the friendship is like a business contract – if Reuven is a good influence on Danny, the friendship is allowed to continue; if however, there is a risk of Danny being contaminated by Reuven or Mr Malter, it stops.
Mr Malter knew Danny even before the baseball accident. They meet in the library and discuss books; Mr Malter knows firsthand the brilliance of Danny. He urges Reuven to accept Danny and to “make him your friend…make you his friend.”(55). He believes that they “can help each other in such a friendship.” (81). He hopes for Reuven to help Danny sort out his thoughts and escape; perhaps he hopes for Danny to further develop Reuven’s mind and help him mature, which is what happens.
By choosing their sons’ friends, Mr Malter and Reb Saunders show the desires fathers have for sons – to grow and mature into a worthy man. Though their definition of ‘worthy’ might differ, Mr Malter and Reb Saunders each pegged Danny and Reuven as deserving of the other as a friend, because they are able to help and advance each other. Thus, they both greatly influence the formation of Danny and Reuven’s friendship, using it to accomplish their own agendas.
Now, when God does his ‘pulling names out of hats’ trick again, people will stand up and say, “Enough of this nonsense! From now on, we choose our friends to our own benefits!”