It is during these discussions that they begin to learn more about each other. “For the first fifteen years of our lives, Danny and I lived five blocks away from each other and neither of us knew the other existed.” (Potok 1). Danny tells Reuven about his secret reading in the library and the man who recommends books to him. The boys realize that the mysterious man is Reuven's father. They spend most of the rest of the novel discussing their fathers and the different ways they were raised. Reuven is often very confused by the way Danny's father treats him. “My father shook his head. «It's not terrible, Reuven. Not for Danny, not for his father and not for the people who listened to him. It's an ancient Hasidic tradition, this kind of Talmudic discussion.'” (Potok 140). Reuven's father helps him understand Danny when Danny can't explain it himself. Danny's father's refusal to speak to his son except to question him about the Talmud teaches Reuven a lot about parenting styles. He appreciates the bond with his father much more. This relationship has the opposite effect on Danny. Danny decides that he would most likely do the same with his