A Seat at the Table by Joshua Halberstam (2009)
A Seat at the Table is very reminiscent of Chaim Potok’s book, The Chosen. Haberstam’s novel is a “coming of age” story that takes place in the 1970s. Elisha, a young Jewish man, is caught between his religious world and the wider expanse of the secular world.
Elisha comes from a close-knit Chassid family in Brooklyn. He also bears the burden of being a descent of a Chassidic rabbinical dynasty and is conflicted as to whether or not he should become a rabbi in his community.
The Chassidic community depicted in the novel is insular, where every member is responsible for each other. Elisha’s father is a leader in the community and a Holocaust survivor.
Although Elisha is expected to remain in community, he begins to explore the city beyond confines of neighborhood. His first act of rebellion occurs when he cuts off his earlocks and faces his father’s displeasure.
He attends a secular college, where he tentatively makes the friendship of Katrina, a non-Jew. As their friendship develops, he begins to fall in love with her. This creates an internal conflict for Elisha as he must choose between the world he grew up in and entering the secular world to encompass life with her.
Additionally, Elisha must confront his conflict with his family. His father is clearly not pleased with Elisha’s decision to venture out into the world beyond the Chassid community.
Finally, Elisha decides to explore a live in the bigger world. Elisha splits with his family and avoids the community. He never, however, abandons his religion. He is very firmly rooted in the teachings and study of Talmud. His universe, however, has expanded to include secular studies as well.
Finally, his relationship with Katrina helps him to overcome the feelings of estrangement with his father and family. She decides to make an unannounced, uninvited visit to his family during the Passover Seder, much to Elisha’s discomfort. His father, however, welcomes her to the table. The father acknowledges the importance of Katrina in his son’s live, even though he disapproves of the relationship. He never blames Katrina for Elisha’s decision to leave the community. He (the father) has his own conflicts as he watches his son grow and make decisions that go against his values.
When Elisha returns home, his father assures him that whatever his life choices, he will always have a “seat at the table” of his family and will be embraced by the community.
Interspersed throughout the novel are Chassid tales and fables of the masters.
A Seat at the Table is a very beautiful and well-written story.
Read: March 12, 2009
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