Crucifixion

You don't have to be a practicing Christian to be familiar with fact that crucifixion is a major symbol for Christianity. For Ladover Hasids who do not believe in the redeeming power of Jesus Christ, however, it's a very taboo thing to look at or even talk about the crucifixion. You can definitely bet they didn't line up to see The Passion of the Christ.

Crucifixion has two functions in this book: 1) as a symbol of intense suffering and 2) as a symbol of taboo ideas and concepts. Asher first sees the crucifixion of Jesus Christ depicted in paintings by Christian painters; he learns very early on that the ultra-religious Hasidic community isn't exactly down with Christian art.

Asher latches onto the idea of the crucifixion as a symbol of intense suffering for a cause one believes in—otherwise known as martyrdom. Later on, he uses this symbol to express his mother's attempts to reconcile the very different passions of her husband and son in Brooklyn Crucifixion I and II:

She knew there was something in the gallery I was afraid to have them see. Mama, it's a crucifixion. I made our living-room window into a crucifix and I put you on it to show the world about your waiting, your fears, your anguish. Do you understand, Mama? (355.2)

But because the crucifixion is a taboo image as far as Hasidism is concerned, the painting gets him expelled from the community. In this way, Asher himself becomes a martyr for his own art, just like Lady Gaga.