I had to cancel the showing due to scheduling conflicts (Purim was celebrated during the prior weekend and it became obvious that we couldn't cover the rest of the material before the school year ended) but I hope students will take the chance to see the film and review my notes.
- 00:48 Moshe visits to the Rebbe who advises Moshe to make sure he listens to his wife. This section deals with prayer and revelation - confession/resolve and our guests are revealed to Malli. Moshe gets caught up in lie about leaving to travel to Gadera on a pretext. In their circumstances does this seem reasonable/prudent/believable?
- 00:53 Moshe's guilt is revealed (again) - is it reasonable to expect a blessing as a result of deceit? The "miserable" guests take advantage of their hosts' generosity and guilt - is this foolishness? Are Moshe and Malli repaying evil with good (consider Abraham) or are they receiving their just reward? Notice that Moshe and Malli are not unaware of the exploitation and they seem to be happy even those they are being used. Who is using them? Who are they serving?
- 01:00 Now even the crooks don't understand why they are allowed to get away with their actions. Where do we see doubt? Do you see sin? Not satisfied with the explanations - what are they trying to sort out? Moshe seeks forgiveness from his "victim".
- 01:05 Instead of redemption now events in the 'hood turn to a near riot. We see the crooks looking for forgiveness as they pushed the limit and the accusations fly - we see a sense of disgrace? We see crooks being hidden (calling to mind a scene out of the story of Sodom and Gomorrah - perhaps the reverse?) The crooks are completely revealed as fugitives to Malli and Moshe
- 01:12 The deceit catches up with Moshe, Malli leaves miserable and her trust broken in her husband. The truth continues to be wrung out of people - even the crooks take pity on Moshe, asking for forgiveness from Moshe who says (knowingly) 'you didn't do anything'. Why didn't Moshe just blame the crooks for his circumstances?
- 01:18 Moshe goes to the Rebbe again (the wife having been advised to take some time away) who lures Moshe into prayer. Change in our lives is progress but it tests us and these tests get harder. Why is the prayer to not get angry so pivotal? Upon returning home the crooks are now serving Moshe! When they try to do good and make him a meal with the 'diamond' citron why is this the breaking point? (A symbol to ward off childlessness and representative of Moshe's life and relationship with Malli.) Moshe goes from acceptance (ignorant of the citron) of their gift to a complete breakdown into anger (upon discovery). This is the climax and heart of the film.
- 01:24 Moshe experiences his greatest threat (anger) and instead of killing his guests turns in abject frustration to God in prayer. Moshe is humbled, a broken man. The holiday ends, the guests having left. But Malli returns (is this reasonable?) and her news is a shock. How does this show redemption? Is there a lesson in this about patience? Humility? Coming to terms with our shortcomings? Is there a lesson about pain? What lessons do we learn from this film? What does this tell us about our relationship with God? What does this film tell us about prayer?
The next lesson is Siddur (the Jewish prayerbook).