[1] Potok asserted that the conflict between tradition and individualism is constant and that the tension between religious orthopraxy and art is lifelong.

Potok was, as well as an author, a painter, and his personal struggle is apparent in his painting titled "Brooklyn Crucifixion."

And yet despite this seemingly agonizing struggle, Potok remained active as an artist/writer and engaged in the religion of his upbringing until his death in 2002.

Asher Lev is a boy with a prodigious artistic ability born into a Hasidic Jewish family.

During his childhood in the 1950s, in the time of Joseph Stalin and the persecution of Jews and religious people in the Soviet Union, Asher's artistic inclination brings him into conflict with the members of his Jewish community, which values things primarily as they relate to faith and considers art unrelated to religious expression to be at best a waste of time and possibly a sacrilege.

Aryeh is by nature incapable of understanding or appreciating art and considers Asher's early drawings to be "foolishness."

Rivkeh is only able to emerge from her depression when she decides to continue her brother's work and obtains the Rebbe's permission to return to college to study Russian affairs.

The Rebbe asks Asher's father to relocate to Vienna, which would make it easier to perform his work establishing yeshivas throughout Europe.

Asher becomes very upset about this and refuses to move to Vienna, in spite of requests from his parents and teachers alike.

Aryeh, returning home after a long trip to Russia for the Rebbe, discovers some drawings Asher has made of crucifixions as a way of studying them, and is furious.

Asher, sensing that he is destined to journey the world, to express its anguish through his art, but to cause pain by doing so, decides to return to Europe.

Because of his lack of dedication and focus towards his education, the people surrounding him (mainly his father) begin to feel ashamed of what he has become.

As Asher grows older, he learns to channel his emotion and energy into his artwork and becomes immensely successful.

He freed himself from all conditioning forces such as religion, community, and popularity in an attempt to create a lifestyle in which he could express himself freely.

Deeply committed to his work for the Rebbe, he travels throughout Europe building yeshivas and saving Jews from Russian persecution.

Aryeh holds a master's degree in political science[3] and speaks English, Yiddish, French, and Russian.

Rivkeh is torn, but ultimately sides with her husband, and goes with him to Europe leaving Asher behind to live with his uncle.

[6] Yudel Krinsky – The proprietor of the shop where Asher buys supplies, he was rescued by Aryeh after spending years in Siberia.

"[8] Asher Lev's pursuit of art is complicated by his upbringing and training to see Jewish perspectives on beauty.