the chosen by: Chaim Potok

Reuven brings out Danny's genius more so than other characters because he is able to befriend him from "the outside," as it were. Danny is a bit of a "big fish in a small pond," and this is even more evident when he talks with Reuven.

Since the softball incident is what sparks their friendship, it might be a good place to start when thinking about events that lead to the expression of Danny's genius in and beyond his religious training.