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UNE PLACE A TABLE
Fils d’un prestigieux rabbi hassidique de New York, Elisha est attiré par le savoir universel. Il s’inscrit à l’université où il fait la connaissance de Katrina, une étudiante non juive. Bientôt amoureux de Katrina, il est en proie à un terrible dilemme : poursuivre le message porté par la mystique et la philosophie hassidique, ou bien suivre la voie de l’université et faire sa vie avec Katrina. Mais alors il tournerait le dos au destin fixé depuis sa naissance : devenir le chef spirituel de la communauté hassidique. Il romprait une chaîne de transmission qui remonte au Baal Shem Tov, le fondateur du hassidisme au XVIIIe siècle. À travers l’histoire d’Elisha, le roman fait découvrir une autre vision du milieu juif ultra-orthodoxe, contraignant dans sa pratique, magique dans son message.
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
December 24, 2010
I can't remember the last time a book made me cry. And so, despite notable flaws, this is getting four stars.
A Seat at the Table is a book of contradictions, both in function and in form. Primarily, obviously, the plot explores the contradictions stirring within Elisha, a Chassid who is curious for the world outside of his, and the contradictory feelings he has, being pulled toward the intellectually honest and more stimulating world of Columbia University, and then the emotional ties he feels toward his rich tradition, close knit family and charming folklore.
It's been done before, many times, and is perhaps overdone, but Halberstam does it in a new way and it was much more effective, I think, than previous attempts. Elisha is a 21 year old chassid who is begrudgingly granted leave to study at Columbia while maintaining his yeshiva life by day, and of course, cue all the cliches, alongside discovering to his horror that much of what Jews pride themselves for having invented actually has its seeds in other religions and cultures, he stumbles upon Katrina (thank you, Halberstam, for not naming her Christine, though likening her to a hurricane was a cute gimmick as well) who he of course falls in love with and then has to contend with everything that means, as he feels less enchanted with his faith and yet reluctant to give it up.
The difference with this story is that it, oddly, reads like a love letter to Chassidus. Halberstam, himself no stranger to the fold, weaves charming Chassidishe tales - that reveal both the allure of a fraction driven by love and mysticism as well as the frustration that can create when a bright man is searching for answers - throughout his story as well as starting each chapter with an apt and thought provoking chassidishe saying. Although at times the stories got to be a bit much and felt contrived in their being forced into each event, they added a melody and authenticity to the story as well as serving almost as another character, sort of a Greek chorus that gave a lot of flavor to the struggle Elisha was experiencing. Rather than highlight the craziness, the extremes, the intolerance, these stories served as quiet yet strong reinforcement of why a religion like this is hard to leave in the first place.
As to the contradictions in the writing itself, this is where I would take off a star if I hadn't been so deeply moved by the end. It is odd to me that Elisha was allowed to study at Columbia (as well as how did he get in in the first place, let's get real, did his high school even have transcripts let alone SATs?), and then when he shaves his peyis his family is ready to sit shiva. It is odd to me that he was able to flirt with Katrina almost immediately and chill with other secular friends, when realistically there should have been more awkwardness. There were other areas as well, the occasional contrived dialog and areas where the chasidic culture felt misrepresented. But overall - the journey Elisha goes on is vivid and heart wrenching and beautifully conveyed - for the most part, Halberstam writes in a way I wish I knew how to. This resonated with me much more than As a Driven Leaf, which presented the same notion of how does curiosity fit into religion, and can you really have both worlds? How Halberstam eventually resolves this tension left me feeling moved, troubled, and above all, affected.
A Seat at the Table is a book of contradictions, both in function and in form. Primarily, obviously, the plot explores the contradictions stirring within Elisha, a Chassid who is curious for the world outside of his, and the contradictory feelings he has, being pulled toward the intellectually honest and more stimulating world of Columbia University, and then the emotional ties he feels toward his rich tradition, close knit family and charming folklore.
It's been done before, many times, and is perhaps overdone, but Halberstam does it in a new way and it was much more effective, I think, than previous attempts. Elisha is a 21 year old chassid who is begrudgingly granted leave to study at Columbia while maintaining his yeshiva life by day, and of course, cue all the cliches, alongside discovering to his horror that much of what Jews pride themselves for having invented actually has its seeds in other religions and cultures, he stumbles upon Katrina (thank you, Halberstam, for not naming her Christine, though likening her to a hurricane was a cute gimmick as well) who he of course falls in love with and then has to contend with everything that means, as he feels less enchanted with his faith and yet reluctant to give it up.
The difference with this story is that it, oddly, reads like a love letter to Chassidus. Halberstam, himself no stranger to the fold, weaves charming Chassidishe tales - that reveal both the allure of a fraction driven by love and mysticism as well as the frustration that can create when a bright man is searching for answers - throughout his story as well as starting each chapter with an apt and thought provoking chassidishe saying. Although at times the stories got to be a bit much and felt contrived in their being forced into each event, they added a melody and authenticity to the story as well as serving almost as another character, sort of a Greek chorus that gave a lot of flavor to the struggle Elisha was experiencing. Rather than highlight the craziness, the extremes, the intolerance, these stories served as quiet yet strong reinforcement of why a religion like this is hard to leave in the first place.
As to the contradictions in the writing itself, this is where I would take off a star if I hadn't been so deeply moved by the end. It is odd to me that Elisha was allowed to study at Columbia (as well as how did he get in in the first place, let's get real, did his high school even have transcripts let alone SATs?), and then when he shaves his peyis his family is ready to sit shiva. It is odd to me that he was able to flirt with Katrina almost immediately and chill with other secular friends, when realistically there should have been more awkwardness. There were other areas as well, the occasional contrived dialog and areas where the chasidic culture felt misrepresented. But overall - the journey Elisha goes on is vivid and heart wrenching and beautifully conveyed - for the most part, Halberstam writes in a way I wish I knew how to. This resonated with me much more than As a Driven Leaf, which presented the same notion of how does curiosity fit into religion, and can you really have both worlds? How Halberstam eventually resolves this tension left me feeling moved, troubled, and above all, affected.
August 10, 2013
I enjoyed this one, filled with Jewish lore and recreating the UltraOrthodox world of New York City in detail. Elisha, on the brink of adulthood, and expected to follow his father as a rabbi, is lured by the outside, secular world. With the encouragement of his Uncle Shaya he enters a secular college in Manhattan and meets a lovely young woman by the name of Katrina -- who just happens to be not Jewish. Not certain whether to step forward into the greater world, or remain a Hassid, Elisha questions everything around him. I really enjoyed this one. Four stars overall, and a recommendation.
For the longer review, please go here:
http://www.epinions.com/review/Joshua...
For the longer review, please go here:
http://www.epinions.com/review/Joshua...
May 6, 2011
Okay. It's better than With All My Heart, With All My Soul, though that isn't saying much. The story's been written many times -- sheltered religious (in this case Hasidic) young man finds himself attending college and struggling with religious observance, complicated by his love for the beautiful non-Jewish woman. And here, it's not written particularly well. The dialogue is convenient and contrived; the developments feel rushed; the characters are pretty one-dimensional with the arguable exception of Uncle Shaya who leads a double life and is apparently meant to be sympathetic but simply struck me as an incredible hypocrite. The Hasidic story interludes were occasionally charming but got old.
I had to give this one more star than I gave good old B. D. Da'Ehu because it was certainly more readable, but I added a third star for one reason -- the one thing that, in my view, distinguishes this book from the other clicheed novels of the genre -- the lack of anger and bitterness in telling the story. The protagonist's home was not dysfunctional; his childhood was not oppressive or deprived; his relationship with his father, while understandably complicated by the son's deviation from family norms, was clearly a loving one. In that sense, this was a refreshing read. Although the psychological underpinnings of the protagonist's decisions were not particularly well developed, it was clear that his choices were not about the negativity of religion or of his family but rather about his own issues. Still, I think someone either needs to write this story well or come up with a new plot.
I had to give this one more star than I gave good old B. D. Da'Ehu because it was certainly more readable, but I added a third star for one reason -- the one thing that, in my view, distinguishes this book from the other clicheed novels of the genre -- the lack of anger and bitterness in telling the story. The protagonist's home was not dysfunctional; his childhood was not oppressive or deprived; his relationship with his father, while understandably complicated by the son's deviation from family norms, was clearly a loving one. In that sense, this was a refreshing read. Although the psychological underpinnings of the protagonist's decisions were not particularly well developed, it was clear that his choices were not about the negativity of religion or of his family but rather about his own issues. Still, I think someone either needs to write this story well or come up with a new plot.
April 17, 2009
This coming of age story is set in the traditional chassidic world but its themes are universal -- the love between a father and son, the conflicting pulls of tradition and freedom, the excitement of intellectual exploration and the comfort of community. But the setting provides yet another element -- it provides a window into this interesting and insular community. The chassidic tales that are sprinkled through the novel are another delightful touch. Well-written and touching, this book is a great read. I highly recommend it.
March 26, 2013
In this book, Elisha, a Chassidic young man, struggles to navigate the secular and sacred worlds. For me, the book raises interesting questions about curiosity (Is it a blessing or a curse in the context of religious strictures?), the purpose of religious rules (Do they exist to keep an adherent captive within a religious sect or to make the religious experience more meaningful?) and the relationship between hope and acceptance (To achieve full acceptance, must one abandon all hope?).
March 15, 2010
I haven't finished this yet, but I'm close. I really like it. It takes place in NYC during a time when I lived there, too, AND went to City College! I like how the author weaves the traditional Chasidic stories into the plot. It's a fast read, but manages to draw you in and make you care about the characters.
May 22, 2009
A little sad/melancholy for me - but I'd reread all the Chasidic tales and sayings anyway. A very interesting look into Chasidic life and about all father/son relationships. I was a little sad at the main character's ultimate choice. A little more joyousness wouldn't have hurt the book.
January 8, 2010
Teenage Chassid, Elisha struggles between love for his family & traditions and wanting to be part of the outside world as well. Nice coming-of-age story. Many Chassidic tales are interwoven throughout the story-- something of an artificial device, but the tales are worth reading in their own right.
December 5, 2014
This little book took me about an hour and a half to read. It is a pleasant, though not extremely deep, story of a young man born into Hasidic Judaism who moves towards a more secular life while trying to get along with his family.
Want to read
November 29, 2015This is an excellent coming of age story set in the late 60s. The characters are fairly well developed and the Chassidic stories are wonderful. It is worth reading for the stories alone.
August 17, 2009
This wasn't the best-written book in the world, but it was an entertaining, quick-read and I enjoyed learning more about the world of Brooklyn Chasidim.
November 27, 2010
A very well told story of a young Hassidic Brooklyn Jew who must learn to navigate the world of his family's jewish tradition and the modern world that so entices and perplexes him.
April 5, 2013
Although I found the plot predictable, I enjoyed its execution. I enjoyed all the quotes at the beginning of the chapters and the many Chasidic stories within.
July 11, 2023
Book Review
A Seat At The Table
3/5 stars
"Moderately Interesting. Forgettable. Not quite the Jewish version of "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?"
*******
The saving grace of this book is that it is only a couple of easy afternoons worth of reading time. (Chapters are about 15 pages on average, and the whole book is under 300 pages.)
I've read a number of these OTD ("off the derech") books, and I'm just not sure what I learned from this one.
So far, these books appear to be of three types:
1. Autobiographical accounts. Think of people like Deborah Feldman/Shulem Deem/Julia Haart.
2. Books that are thinly veiled accounts of what really did happen. Think of "Hush," by "Eishes Chayil."
3. Books that are totally fictional. And that would be the one that I'm currently reviewing.
In the afterword, the author makes it a point to say that "it is not my story, nor are its characters stand-ins for real individuals."
But then, one page later, it says that he is descended from prominent Hasidic dynasties on both sides.
It seems that the reader will have to forever alternate between overlooking knowledge because what is written here is "just fiction" and attributing didactic mass to situations that don't even have any vague basis in reality.
*******
I have read these books because I wanted to know what are some of the commonalities and people that go OTD so that I can either:
1. Know way steps NOT to take with my own children to avoid it happening OR
2. Know that this might be something that just happens no matter what anybody does.
It seems like these stories have commonalities, but in a way they're never the same story twice. (Never COULD be the same story twice.)
But, these stories must happen quite frequently--because even in spite of the fact that Haredi birth rates have long been two times higher than those of Modern Orthodox Jews and probably four times higher than that of secular Jews, they still manage to stay about 10% of all of Jewry. (Somebody has run the numbers and noted that they should be over 90% of all Jews after only a couple of generations.)
This can only be explained by a large amount of attrition.
*******
It seems like this author is telling me ONE story that I have often read before, which is: a young Jewish person discovers a secular library or a university education and they realize that there are other ways of life that work for the other 99.9% of America (and the other 90% of Israel).
It seems like the author is telling me a ANOTHER story that I've not read before in any of my many other OTD books, but which is not hard to believe: a Young and Sheltered Jewish Man somehow discovers (blond) non-Jewish muff (it does seem that Jewish gentleman prefer blondes) and Young and Sheltered Jewish Man he realizes that there's no contest between going somewhere and laying up and spending moist evenings with a girl he likes versus ritually finding ways to make life as inconvenient✓ as✓possible✓(=Haredism).
And I have actually heard from a Syrian Jewish man that that is the reason that they're banned on accepting conversions was enacted-- too many young Jewish Syrian men spread their wild oats with all of these extra-community blondes that were available.
There are so many people stateside that are claiming to be patrilineally Jewish/half Jewish / a quarter Jewish, that this has to happen a lot more than anybody wants to admit.
*******
What are some of the other running themes that I see in the book that I have seen here?
1. The initial break has varying degrees of acrimony.
2. After that, the wayward child and parents find an equilibrium and the policy becomes open door with the chance to return.
3. The process of going OTD happens as a series of stages.
*******
There are lots of very good Hasidic quotes at the head of each chapter. And the author does suggest that the plot was vestigial / only a vehicle to find a reason to use those witty quotes.
Ok...... There is a book of Yiddish folklore that is much better in that way.
Verdict: Nothing all that special, but worth a read at the price of <$1.
A Seat At The Table
3/5 stars
"Moderately Interesting. Forgettable. Not quite the Jewish version of "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?"
*******
The saving grace of this book is that it is only a couple of easy afternoons worth of reading time. (Chapters are about 15 pages on average, and the whole book is under 300 pages.)
I've read a number of these OTD ("off the derech") books, and I'm just not sure what I learned from this one.
So far, these books appear to be of three types:
1. Autobiographical accounts. Think of people like Deborah Feldman/Shulem Deem/Julia Haart.
2. Books that are thinly veiled accounts of what really did happen. Think of "Hush," by "Eishes Chayil."
3. Books that are totally fictional. And that would be the one that I'm currently reviewing.
In the afterword, the author makes it a point to say that "it is not my story, nor are its characters stand-ins for real individuals."
But then, one page later, it says that he is descended from prominent Hasidic dynasties on both sides.
It seems that the reader will have to forever alternate between overlooking knowledge because what is written here is "just fiction" and attributing didactic mass to situations that don't even have any vague basis in reality.
*******
I have read these books because I wanted to know what are some of the commonalities and people that go OTD so that I can either:
1. Know way steps NOT to take with my own children to avoid it happening OR
2. Know that this might be something that just happens no matter what anybody does.
It seems like these stories have commonalities, but in a way they're never the same story twice. (Never COULD be the same story twice.)
But, these stories must happen quite frequently--because even in spite of the fact that Haredi birth rates have long been two times higher than those of Modern Orthodox Jews and probably four times higher than that of secular Jews, they still manage to stay about 10% of all of Jewry. (Somebody has run the numbers and noted that they should be over 90% of all Jews after only a couple of generations.)
This can only be explained by a large amount of attrition.
*******
It seems like this author is telling me ONE story that I have often read before, which is: a young Jewish person discovers a secular library or a university education and they realize that there are other ways of life that work for the other 99.9% of America (and the other 90% of Israel).
It seems like the author is telling me a ANOTHER story that I've not read before in any of my many other OTD books, but which is not hard to believe: a Young and Sheltered Jewish Man somehow discovers (blond) non-Jewish muff (it does seem that Jewish gentleman prefer blondes) and Young and Sheltered Jewish Man he realizes that there's no contest between going somewhere and laying up and spending moist evenings with a girl he likes versus ritually finding ways to make life as inconvenient✓ as✓possible✓(=Haredism).
And I have actually heard from a Syrian Jewish man that that is the reason that they're banned on accepting conversions was enacted-- too many young Jewish Syrian men spread their wild oats with all of these extra-community blondes that were available.
There are so many people stateside that are claiming to be patrilineally Jewish/half Jewish / a quarter Jewish, that this has to happen a lot more than anybody wants to admit.
*******
What are some of the other running themes that I see in the book that I have seen here?
1. The initial break has varying degrees of acrimony.
2. After that, the wayward child and parents find an equilibrium and the policy becomes open door with the chance to return.
3. The process of going OTD happens as a series of stages.
*******
There are lots of very good Hasidic quotes at the head of each chapter. And the author does suggest that the plot was vestigial / only a vehicle to find a reason to use those witty quotes.
Ok...... There is a book of Yiddish folklore that is much better in that way.
Verdict: Nothing all that special, but worth a read at the price of <$1.
June 14, 2017
A SEAT AT THE TABLE by Joshua Halberstam was a story I had heard before about the Orthodox son who discovers life outside the confines of his community. However, because the author is a journalist, you get a much more expansive view of the Orthodox community and the struggles of the son and the father who has invested so much in his son's religious upbringing. His son has decided to take a journey in the secular world. This in no way diminishes the son's love for family-or for his Orthodox community, but this journey is a complex one, and filled with both love and angst. In a way, isn't this every father/son story, when his son decides to move in his own direction, journey on his his own path?
It is a heart-warming story, and a well-written one, too. It might remind you of THE CHOSEN by Chaim Potok, so think of it as variations on the same theme, and a good one at that!
It is a heart-warming story, and a well-written one, too. It might remind you of THE CHOSEN by Chaim Potok, so think of it as variations on the same theme, and a good one at that!
May 13, 2020
Just couldn't feel for the characters at all. I wanted to like this book but it didn't develop. It was less novel and more textbook in terms of all the rabbinical references and scholarly discussion. In theory I thought it would be on par with Chaim Potok's "The Chosen" but instead it was a wannabe that fell extremely short.
June 9, 2025
It’s the stories that matter
This is an intriguing short novel that speaks to the importance of family. Elisha tries to balance the secular and the holy and asks the reader to consider that they are close to the same thing.
This is an intriguing short novel that speaks to the importance of family. Elisha tries to balance the secular and the holy and asks the reader to consider that they are close to the same thing.
July 9, 2018
Informative
A well written story. It was also a pleasing way to learn about another culture. Judaism is often misunderstood and I think this story helps to explain why.
A well written story. It was also a pleasing way to learn about another culture. Judaism is often misunderstood and I think this story helps to explain why.
December 31, 2022
I cried more than once. Very moving!
March 6, 2010
****1/2 (Why can't we give half star ratings on GoodReads? Boo!)
Loved this book and I can't recommend it enough. It's a beautiful story, not unlike My Name is Asher Lev, about a young man trying to find his way in the world, torn between Chassidism and secular society. The characters are well-developed, as is the plot, and I loved all of the stories--storytelling is such an important thing in Judaism and readers will definitely get that sense from this book. My only (small) complaint is that the book can be a bit didactic in places, particularly early on. I'm a big fan of "show, don't tell" and felt like this one faltered in a few places because of that. I also would have liked more of Uncle Shaya--I'd love to read a novel of his live, as there was so much we didn't get to see about this complex man who was an inspiration to Elisha.
For the first time in a long time I marked passages in my book as I read. And I cried at the end. This is one for my end of the year Favorite Books list, I'm certain.
Loved this book and I can't recommend it enough. It's a beautiful story, not unlike My Name is Asher Lev, about a young man trying to find his way in the world, torn between Chassidism and secular society. The characters are well-developed, as is the plot, and I loved all of the stories--storytelling is such an important thing in Judaism and readers will definitely get that sense from this book. My only (small) complaint is that the book can be a bit didactic in places, particularly early on. I'm a big fan of "show, don't tell" and felt like this one faltered in a few places because of that. I also would have liked more of Uncle Shaya--I'd love to read a novel of his live, as there was so much we didn't get to see about this complex man who was an inspiration to Elisha.
For the first time in a long time I marked passages in my book as I read. And I cried at the end. This is one for my end of the year Favorite Books list, I'm certain.
May 2, 2009
I thought that A Seat At The Table was a terrific read. It is personal without being sentimental, it gives an honest picture of the conflict that any intelligent and curious young person might be exposed to growing up. It's about Chassidism, but it might just as well be about any other religious setting with strict rules of observance and little tolerance for deviating souls. The relationship between father and son is deep and touching, and it shows the profound love and generosity of mind of the father towards his "erring" son. The ending is beautiful, as it completes the cycle of a son who feels he needs to break out but deep down knows that the ties to the safety of his home, his father, will never be severed.
November 21, 2016
"A poignant depiction of a deeply loving father and a no less loving son desperate to find his own very different path without shattering the connection to his family, to his father."
It is so hard to find books like this, which deal with important questions every person who has grown up has dealt with: to what degree and in what form one adopts the beliefs of one's beloved parents, family and friends
The main character's conflict between his love for his father and his straining at the confines of his community is portrayed with warmth and charm. The book creates an honest and totally believable portrait of the Brooklyn Chassidic world. I couldn't put it down.
It is so hard to find books like this, which deal with important questions every person who has grown up has dealt with: to what degree and in what form one adopts the beliefs of one's beloved parents, family and friends
The main character's conflict between his love for his father and his straining at the confines of his community is portrayed with warmth and charm. The book creates an honest and totally believable portrait of the Brooklyn Chassidic world. I couldn't put it down.
July 2, 2015
This thoughtfully written book reads like a modern fable. Set in Brooklyn after World War II, Elisha, scion of a hasidic dynasty, tries to reconcile his orthodox upbringing with the enticing, secular world he discovers in college. Not wanting to destroy the tender relationship he has with his father, Elisha tries to adopt a new lifestyle while simultaneously leading a hasidic life. Whether he is successful or not is for the reader to judge.
Halberstam uniquely weaves classic hasidic tales throughout the novel, which alone make this book a lyrical gem.
Halberstam uniquely weaves classic hasidic tales throughout the novel, which alone make this book a lyrical gem.
May 31, 2009
I very much enjoyed A Seat at the Table by Joshua Halberstam. To follow Elisha from an innocent peek from inside his talis to the broader world is a treat. As a Chassidic Jew, Elisha has trouble reconciling his family identity with his own and his Jewish identity with a forbidden secular one. As much as Elisha groups apart from his family and his father in particular, he very much values his upbringing and takes joy in Chassidic storytelling and Torah study.
January 6, 2010
I rather enjoyed this story of a young Chassid in New York of the late 60s/early 70s. Elisha struggles to reconcile his tradition and his surroundings, mixing traditional stories and wisdom with modern literature and ideas. Maybe it's just because of my wars with my own Catholic upbringing, but this one worked well for me. And rabbinical stories, many of which are interpolated, are always fun to read.
Read
July 25, 2011This book was a pleasure to read. It accurately depicts human curiosity, the conflict of wanting to belong and needing to leave, the importance of family, the consequences of our choices. Additionally, the chassidic fables are beautifully woven into the narrative throughout. The book provides great empathy for all the characters, no matter which side they're on in regard to the choices made by the protagonist. The work is fiction, but is the story of many people I know.
April 17, 2009
A Seat at the Table is my idea of an ideal book in that it is both substantial and a great read. The main character's conflict between his love for his father and his straining at the confines of his community is portrayed with warmth and charm. The book creates an honest and totally believable portrait of the Brooklyn Chassidic world. I couldn't put it down.
December 17, 2013
The difference in writing quality between the Chassidic stories and the overall plot portions of this novel is striking. The former were beautifully rendered and resolved in meaningful, poetic conclusions. The latter was stiffly written and clumsily resolved. In general, the book was enjoyable, but mostly it made me curious to read more Chassidic tales.
November 10, 2015
The story depicts the struggles of so any people who are trying to forge their own identity but must reconcile that with the traditions of their family.
Beautifully woven between the Chasidic and secular communities. The insight into all of the characters perspectives is thought provoking.
Truly enjoyed this novel.
Beautifully woven between the Chasidic and secular communities. The insight into all of the characters perspectives is thought provoking.
Truly enjoyed this novel.
March 24, 2010
I liked the weaving of this book into the Vietnam era and all of the Chasidic tales, but I wasn't crazy about the outcome or the female lead character, who I thought was somewhat one dimensional... "the idea of her" rather than a deep character.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews