Rav Yosef Cutler (the mashpia) Character Analysis in My Name is Asher Lev

The mashpia is the religious instructor in Asher’s yeshiva. He frequently speaks to the students about Hasidic doctrine, Ladover history, and the struggles of Jews in other countries. He speaks with Asher personally when Asher falters in his studies and starts drawing in class. He has a gentle, warm presence. He is the father of Avraham Cutler.

Rav Yosef Cutler (the mashpia) Character Timeline in My Name is Asher Lev

The timeline below shows where the character Rav Yosef Cutler (the mashpia) appears in My Name is Asher Lev. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...to attend college. Asher doesn’t remember much of his early years at school, although the mashpia, Rav Yosef Cutler, made an impression on him. The mashpia’s job is to teach the... (full context)

That day at school, the mashpia calls a special assembly. He talks about the centuries of Jewish suffering under “the Russian... (full context)

Creativity, Self-Expression, and Truth Theme Icon

The next day, Aryeh tells Asher that the mashpia has given him a disappointing report: he says Asher is not studying. Asher doesn’t know... (full context)

The next day in school, the mashpia talks to Asher’s class about Ladover history. The Rebbe’s grandfather, he says, had been imprisoned... (full context)

That day, when the mashpia comes to speak to Asher’s class, Asher finds himself drawing in his notebook during the... (full context)

...supplies he needs for an oil painting. Rivkeh comes in and tells him that the mashpia called; he wants to speak to Asher the next morning. Asher falls asleep and dreams... (full context)

When Asher gets to the mashpia’s office, Rav Yosef Cutler warmly asks how he’s doing. They speak only in Yiddish. Asher... (full context)

When Asher is finally listening, the mashpia explains that he’s talking to Asher out of love for his whole family. He was... (full context)

The mashpia tells Asher that his gift is causing him to think only of himself and his... (full context)

The mashpia says that he believes that Asher didn’t know what he was doing when he made... (full context)

The mashpia gives Asher a drink of water and an empty notebook. He asks Asher to make... (full context)

...cannot even go to Yudel Krinsky’s store. He asks Asher if he understood what the mashpia told him. He says that he would understand if Asher were a genius in mathematics,... (full context)

...week, Asher returns the oil paints while Yudel Krinsky isn’t looking. He talks to the mashpia again about his reluctance to go to Vienna. Someone asks Asher if he wants to... (full context)

...leave Rivkeh and Asher in America and go to Europe by himself. Asher’s teachers, the mashpia, and the Rebbe believe that Asher cannot go to Vienna. Rivkeh explains that she and... (full context)

...about Asher’s schooling. She asks Asher what she should tell him. His teachers and the mashpia say that Asher isn’t trying. Asher barely responds; he is completely absorbed in the shapes... (full context)

...years old. He explains that Asher does no honor to Aryeh with this behavior. The mashpia and Uncle Yitzchok also speak to Asher. Asher asks his mother, “What do they all... (full context)

...than before. He uses the memory of his parents’ quarrels as motivation. His mother, the mashpia, and his teachers are pleased. (full context)

The mashpia calls Asher into his office and explains that the Rebbe wants to meet with him,... (full context)

...the paintings have to do with one another. He thinks of his father and the mashpia. (full context)

...from Avraham Cutler, the head of the Paris yeshiva and the son of Asher’s old mashpia. On the way to the yeshiva, Asher asks if they can stop in Montmartre so... (full context)

...the snow. He prays in the synagogue and is warmly greeted. He talks with the mashpia, who is now stooped and elderly. Later he finds Yudel Krinsky shoveling snow outside his... (full context)