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As an artist, Asher Lev experiences the consequences of his gift and passion for art within his Hasidic society. His urge to paint grows as he matures, while his bond with his father, Aryeh, slowly begins to decay as Asher pursues his adoration for art. However, within the ending of the novel, his paintings had “crossed a boundary” (Potok 347) which led to his banishment from his community and most importantly, his parents. When his crucifixions are resented by his mother and father, Asher learns in the end that “as a great painter I will cause pain again if [he] must” (348). Through spiritual reassessment, he accepts the idea of abandoning his thoughts of Judaism to do what he truly desires, even if it shatters his parents’ hearts.
From the beginning of Asher’s first sketches, his father’s judgment of his “foolishness” has led him to shift his ideas of his religion away to continue to “[paint] the anguish of all the world” (348). Since the discovery of his gift, his father loathes his drawings and condones his passion and ability for art. Throughout the novel, Aryeh believes that what Asher possesses is from the Other Side, not from the Ribbono Shel Olom. Just as Aryeh followed his mythic ancestor’s footsteps, it is also Asher’s role to journey for the Rebbe, continuing his father’s job as an emissary. Even his mother, Rivkeh, helps his father complete his transatlantic duty in Europe after her brother, Yaakov passed away. Through the guidance of Jacob Kahn, Asher learns to paint what he sees and feels, not to “become a whore” (244). With his direction, Asher gradually separates himself from the constraints of art within Judaism. From people in his community, he is rejected by his fellow classmates, and even has received a limerick about himself slipped into his Gemorra. During a meeting with the Rebbe, he tells Asher that “Jacob Kahn will make of you an artist. But only you will make of yourself a Jew” (232). As different as Jacob and the Rebbe are, they understand the sacrifices one must make to become a painter.