I had never thought about what it might be like to be blind" (Potok 52). While in the hospital, Reuven has a roommate named Billy. Billy was very young and was to have special surgery to try to repair both of his eyes, which were damaged in the car accident that killed his mother. Reuven discovered that the surgery was unsuccessful and that Billy would be blind for the rest of his life. Reuven felt Billy's pain and thought about how fortunate he was to have been spared that fate. .
Throughout his friendship with Danny, Reuven feels the pain and suffering caused by Danny's relationship with his father. Danny and his father, Reb, have a relationship that revolves around silence. Reuven sees this firsthand when he goes to live with Danny's family for a period of time, "During the entire month I spent in Reb Saunders" house, the only time I ever saw him talk to Danny was when we argued over the Talmud"(Potok 194). Danny does not understand why his father treats him this way until the end of the novel when Reb explains to both Danny and Reuven his reasoning. Reuven felt that Reb was an awful man because he would not communicate with his son. He also witnessed Reb's sudden explosions many times while he was with Danny. Needless to say, Reb was very emotional, especially about his faith. However, as a rabbi, his vocation and his religion were one. Reuven had never been exposed to the Hasidic culture until he met Danny. He had believed in many of the stereotypes of the Hasids, and, therefore, was very surprised when he discovered for himself what their culture is truly like. Reuven learned a lot about the Talmud from the discussions he had with Reb and Danny, but at the same time he learned to be more accepting of other cultures, specifically the Hasids. .
Reuven truly felt the pain and suffering of Danny after he was told that he could not continue his friendship with Danny because Reb would not allow it.
