In chapter seven of My Name is Asher Lev, a major turning point in the story takes place. The most important Jewish man, being the Rebbe, accepts Asher’s ability to be an artist, therefore paving the way for Asher’s career. This is very unusual to the reader, after all the persecution Asher has gone through since the beginning of the novel, and raises curiosity as to why the Rebbe would allow such a thing at such a time.
The Rebbe tells Asher that, "A life should be lived for the sake of heavenÖOne man is not better than another because he is a lawyer while the other is a painter." By saying this, the Rebbe is telling Asher that he is not bad for the talent he was given as long as he does not use this talent in any harmful way. As long as he uses art respectfully to his religion and lives to reach heaven, his actions are justified.
The reason for the Rebbe’s decision on this matter are told to the reader later by Asher’s father, who does not approve in any way. He says it is "only because everyone is afraid the boy will break away." The community is afraid that if they don’t allow Asher to continue as he pleases than he will look to another religion and not study as a Jew. This is unbelievable for Aryeh to understand, for he sees no way his son could break away because he is his son. He feels he has the reason to raise him his own way.
Asher’s father just can not reconcile himself to believe that art is a good living. He thinks the gift is evil and that it will only bring trouble. Because of this, he is ashamed of his own son. This I do not understand. A parent should be proud of their child no matter what they choose to do or be, no matter who they are. One can not expect another to be just like them, yet this is exactly what Aryeh expects of Asher. He is destroying the relationship with his only son because of a misunderstanding he can not mend. This is just incomprehensible to me, living in a household myself where no matter what I decide to take part in, my parents are accepting and proud of whom I want to be.
Overall, the issuing of a teacher to Asher in order to enhance his art abilities and assure he goes somewhere with the gift he was given begins a new aspect to the story. I am curious to see how his learning works out and if his father will ever come to accept Asher for the talent he is.