Entry 8 :Bloodlines, Traditions, and Community: Growth, Inheritance, and the Community of Saints

Sometimes when children have similar interests and talents as their parents it is said something is 'in their blood'.  Many things are in my blood.  Analysis, taking things apart, putting things back together, designing, numbers, crafts, art, painting, calligraphy, dance, theater, ceramics, et cetera.  Brooklyn is in Asher's blood, Hasidism is in Asher's blood.  Education and travel are in his blood.  Creativity is also in his blood, his father created schools in many countries practically out of nothing, this takes creativity and vision.  The only problem is the outlet is different.  Asher's family and community cannot understand the technicality and tradition behind what he's doing.  They know about the tradition of their religion: sacred rituals that have been passed down through the bloodline.  Asher has those traditions, but he also has a tradition of people who have gone before him in artistry.  This confuses the father, and ultimately estranges him from the community.  One could say that this finally happens when his community sees his paintings of the crucifixions, but I think the crux of this inevitable separation begins here, in this argument:

 'Because I'm part of a tradition, Papa.  Mastery of the art form of the nude is very important to that tradition.  Every important artist who ever lived drew or painted the nude.'

'Art is a tradition.'

'Yes.'

I understand.  But why is the nude so important to this tradition?'

'Because it has always been part of that tradition.'...

'I'm warning you, Asher.  One day you'll hurt someone with this kind of attitude.  And then you'll be doing the work of the sitra achra.'  Page 258.

The elder Mr. Lev claims he cannot understand the technical language his son is using, despite the fact that he is intelligent and holds a degree.  Lots of fields have technical language, including religion and political science.  I think part of the reason why technical language is escaping him in this case is that his son is trying to explain something that he views as directly opposed to his fundamental values.  These are incompatible traditions.  His current way of viewing the world makes him blind to the concepts of art.  At this point however, he is not blind to the fact that his son is respected in this field.  He is predicting that this will lead to dark, evil, and powerful things, which will cause a separation from Asher's community, and from God.  He is correct that Asher's art is and will be powerful.