The Promise

In a passionate, energetic narrative, The Promise brilliantly dramatizes what it is to master and use knowledge to make one€s own way in the world.

Reuven Malter lives in Brooklyn, he€s in love, and he€s studying to be a rabbi. He also keeps challenging the strict interpretations of his teachers, and if he keeps it up, his dream of becoming a rabbi may die.

One day, worried about a disturbed, unhappy boy named Michael, Reuven takes him sailing and cloud-watching. Reuven also introduces him to an old friend, Danny Saunders€"now a psychologist with a growing reputation. Reconnected by their shared concern for Michael, Reuven and Danny each learns what it is to take on life€"whether sacred truths or a troubled child€"according to his own lights, not just established authority.