Off the Derech.

In Jerusalem Maiden, Pierre once told Esther that he felt lucky that he wasn't born one of the chosen people. This is taken out of context, especially when you take into account that he was an illegitimate child. He felt lucky to be born free of social constraints, never mind religious rules, traditions, and expectations.

 But Esther was born one of the chosen people. Unfortunately, the author, Talia Carner, paints the Heredi Jews in an unfavorable light. The picture she paints of these ultra-Orthodox Jews is unflattering. And Esther breaks free for a time and is punished--at least she feels that her brief escape caused the punishment. That's also painted as backward thinking.

Contrast the dark Jewish view against the colorful light of the artist's section of Paris and the sexual allure of Pierre, and the chosen people don't look so chosen, do they?