DOCUMENTARY FOOTAGE ROLLS SLOWLY, IN SILENCE: RUSSIA–JAPAN WAR, THE BATTLE OF TSUSHIMA. THE DEFEAT OF THE RUSSIAN FLEET. CHEERFUL THEODORE ROOSEVELT WAVING HIS HAND AFTER BEING ELECTED FOR THE SECOND TERM. SAILORS REVOLT ON THE “POTIOMKIN” IRONCLAD. THE ENGLISH FOOTBALL CLUB “CHELSEA” IS FOUNDED. THE ONSET OF THE FIRST RUSSIAN REVOLUTION – POLICE FIRE AT PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATORS.
***
A WARSAW STREET.
RAV [32] YEHUDA ASHLAG STOPS ABRUPTLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET.
TERRIFIED AND ASTOUNDED, HE WATCHES AS PEOPLE ARE SHOT.
HE LOOKS CLOSER. THE REVOLUTIONARY SAILORS OF 1917 EMERGE FROM THE FOG AND DRIZZLE. THEY RUN IN YEHUDA’S DIRECTION, THEIR RIFLES SPEWING OUT FIRE.
YEHUDA LIFTS UP THE COLLAR OF HIS COAT. HE WALKS DOWN A MISTY STREET, SHIVERING FROM COLD.
SUDDENLY HE SPOTS LENIN MARCHING NEXT TO HIM.
YEHUDA FOLLOWS HIM WITH HIS EYES AND SEES WAGONS FULL OF PRISONERS DISAPPEAR INTO THE MIST.
YEHUDA CONTINUES DOWN THE STREET.
GERMAN STORM TROOPERS PASS HIM BY. THE YOUNG HITLER SALUTES THEM WITH AN OUTSTRETCHED ARM.
NOW HE IS WALKING THROUGH THE JEWISH QUARTER.
A NUCLEAR MUSHROOM CLOUD RISES ABOVE THE HOUSES.
YEHUDA ENTERS A BUILDING.
BEN-GURION PROCLAIMS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL.
A PLANE CRASHES INTO A SKYSCRAPER.
RAV YEHUDA ASHLAG ENTERS A CLASSROOM.
SITTING AMONG THE STUDENTS, WHOSE AGE RANGES FROM TWENTY TO SIXTY, IS RABBI FELDMAN.
RAV ASHLAG STARTS TALKING THE MOMENT HE WALKS THROUGH THE DOOR.
Rav Ashlag: There is one unified soul. (He draws a circle in the air with his hands.) In it, all of our souls are linked closely together. They are bonded with the force of Love, the only law that exists.
RAV ASHLAG SCANS THE FACES OF HIS STUDENTS.
RABBI FELDMAN IS SITTING IN ONE CORNER, LISTENING ATTENTIVELY.
Rav Ashlag: The Creator broke this one unified soul, and now we have to restore that union by ourselves. That is, we have to rise above our egos, up to the degree of Love.
Chaim (a young student): Love between all.
Rav Ashlag: Love between all.
Chaim: All Jews.
Rav Ashlag: The entire world.
Chaim: …which hates us.
Rav Ashlag: The whole world will rise from hatred to Love.
Aaron (another young student with a nervous face and feverishly burning eyes): Why did the Creator have to break this unified soul?! What for?! He wants us to be happy, doesn't He? We were all happy, united, so why, then?!
Rav Ashlag: What for?
Aaron: Yes-yes-yes! Why did He cast us into this crazy world, separated into nations, races, rich and poor, Jews and non-Jews, what for?!
Rav Ashlag (stopping in front of Aaron): He wanted us to become His equals.
Aaron: I don’t understand.
Rav Ashlag: Not His slaves, but His equals.
Aaron (frantically): I still don’t get it!
Rav Ashlag: When you bathe in the Light, when you are completely filled with it, what else do you desire?
Aaron: To be inside the Light all the time. What’s wrong with that?
Rav Ashlag: He doesn't want to turn us into slaves of the Light. He wants us to become free, to be truly equal to Him. What good are we to Him as mindless beings He can bend as He wishes? He wants free humans by His side, who voluntarily decide to be by His side, to become equals, friends, rather than slaves. Equals! How can this be done?!
RAV ASHLAG STOPS AND LOOKS AROUND THE CLASSROOM.
EVERYONE IS WAITING FOR HIM TO CONTINUE.
Rav Ashlag: There is just one way: to break the unified soul into small, individual pieces, clothe them in bodies of this world, plunge them into all that egoism, that hatred, make them His opposites so that from this reality they would return to Him by themselves. Independently! They need to wish to rise up from this blackness back to Him by themselves and willingly live according to His law.
SILENCE.
Chaim: How can this be accomplished?
***
RAV ASHLAG'S HOME. NIGHT.
RAV ASHLAG IS WRITING.
NEAT LINES APPEAR ON THE PAPER.
WE CAN HEAR RAV ASHLAG WHISPERING:
- “How can this be accomplished?! How can we live according to His Law if we are born as wild beasts, absolutely opposite to Him? He is the Light of the world, and we, on the other hand, are at the lowest, grimiest point, living only for ourselves! How can we rise toward the Creator?”
A QUIET KNOCK ON THE DOOR. EVERYBODY IS ASLEEP. YEHUDA ANSWERS THE DOOR.
THE COACHMAN IS STANDING OUTSIDE HOLDING THE BOOK OF ZOHAR IN HIS HANDS.
YEHUDA LOOKS AT HIM AND ASKS WITHOUT HESITATION:
- When?
The coachman: Tonight, an hour ago. The last thing he said to me was to give this to you right away, my esteemed Rav.
HE HANDS OVER THE BOOK OF ZOHAR AND A NOTE.
The coachman (in haste): Well, I must be on my way; I don't want to leave him all alone. He became so tiny all of a sudden…
SUDDENLY THE COACHMAN’S FACE CONTORTS AND HE BEGINS TO SOB LIKE A LITTLE BOY. HE WIPES HIS EYES WITH A MUDDY GLOVE, SMEARING DIRT ACROSS HIS FACE.
The coachman: He seemed so much bigger when he was alive. It appears that you, dear Rav, added a few days to his life. (Then, almost cheerfully) He died peacefully. He was smiling when he passed away.
HE STOPS, RUFFLES THE GLOVES IN HIS HANDS, AND LOWERS HIS GAZE.
The coachman: What will I do now, without him? All by myself…
THE COACHMAN TURNS AWAY AND WEARILY WALKS DOWN THE STAIRS.
RAV ASHLAG OPENS THE NOTE.
HIS EYES RUN ALONG THE LINES. HE READS:
- “The Creator is taking me to Him now. But before He does, He gave me a precious gift, a chance to read such a great book! It's a book about my soul, about the whole world, about the path to Him, which everyone will have to walk. He is inviting us to come to His feast. He has fixed a table for us, but we didn’t show up. Tell them about it. Be patient with them, as with little children. Tell them what bliss the Creator has in store for us. I am grateful to you for staying here to accomplish this task. I have faith in you, our beloved Rav Yehuda. We had to meet, and I had to tell you what I did. My poor, poor father doesn't know how magnificent the Creator truly is!”
A PAIR OF HANDS WRAPS A DUVET AROUND RAV ASHLAG’S SHOULDERS.
HE TURNS AROUND. RIVKA IS STANDING BEHIND HIM.
Rivka: You can't afford to get sick.
HE LOOKS AT HER WITH GRATITUDE.
Rivka: I have a feeling that it wasn't a boy at all.
Yehuda: Who then?
Rivka: It was Him…
***
RAV ASHLAG'S HOME. THAT SAME NIGHT.
RAV ASHLAG IS SITTING AT THE TABLE, COVERED WITH THE DUVET.
THE BOOK OF ZOHAR THAT THE COACHMAN RETURNED IS OPENED IN FRONT OF HIM.
A DRIED BLADE OF GRASS STICKS OUT FROM BETWEEN THE PAGES.
RAV ASHLAG OPENS THE BOOK WHERE THE BLADE IS PLACED.
HIS GAZE FALLS AT ONCE ON A FEW LINES OF TEXT SCRIBBLED BY A CHILD’S HAND.
HE CAN MAKE OUT ONLY THE FIRST LINE: “FIND HIM IN YOURSELF…”
THE LETTERS RUSH TOWARD HIM, AND HE SENSES…
***
A DUSTY ROAD UNFOLDS LIKE A CARPET BEFORE RAV ASHLAG.
BEHIND HIM LIES THE EXIT OF THE TUNNEL AND A GREAT TREE – “THE ARK” – WITH ITS DARK HOLLOW FACING UP.
***
FOR A MOMENT, HE IS BACK IN HIS ROOM.
RAV ASHLAG LOOKS OUT THE WINDOW.
HE PLUNGES HIS QUILL INTO THE BLUE BLACK INK, THEN A STRAIGHT LINE APPEARS UNDER HIS QUILL:
“Time to leave the ark. [33]”
***
A BURST OF LIGHT.
A BRIGHT DAY AFTER A HEAVY STORM.
A DUSTY ROAD CURVES AMONG BLUE MOUNTAINS.
SHADED FORESTS RISE UP.
- “The Ark protected you from… yourself. Now that you are stronger, you have to leave it.”
RAV ASHLAG IS WALKING THROUGH FIELDS OF FLOWERS IN BLOOM, CONTEMPLATING THE ENDLESS BEAUTY.
BUT HIS QUILL IS PRODUCING LINES OF A DIFFERENT NATURE:
- “Expect the descents [34], and be ready for them.”
***
BACK IN THE ROOM, RAV ASHLAG GAZES OUT THE WINDOW.
- “You are letting your ‘self’ into yourself” – he whispers - “and it is dark, very dark there.”
***
SUDDENLY THE GROUND SPLITS OPEN UNDER HIM AND HE FALLS INTO A DEEP, BLACK PIT. SCRATCHING HIMSELF ON THE SHARP EDGES OF THE HOLE, HE KEEPS FALLING ON AND ON, AND THE ECHO MULTIPLIES HIS SCREAMS:
- Aaaaah!
HE LANDS FLAT ON A STONE FLOOR INSIDE A DIMLY LIT HALL.
IMMEDIATELY, AN UNSEEN FORCE LIFTS HIM UP, TURNS HIM ON HIS HEELS, AND PUSHES HIM FORWARD. HE MAKES A FEW AUTOMATIC STEPS.
ANOTHER LINE APPEARS ON THE PAPER:
- “You have no idea who you really are!”
TORCHES ARE BURNING ON ALL FOUR SIDES OF THE HALL.
SUDDENLY RAV ASHLAG SEES A GOLDEN THRONE RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIM AND A MAN SITTING ON IT, HIS FACE CLOAKED IN DARKNESS. RAV ASHLAG GRABS ONE OF THE TORCHES AND RAISES IT ABOVE HIS HEAD. PHARAOH [35] IS SITTING ON THE THRONE.
PHARAOH HAS RAV ASHLAG'S FACE.
***
RAV ASHLAG’S ROOM.
THE BOOK OF ZOHAR IS OPEN TO THE PORTION “IN THE END,” PRECISELY ON THE LINE THAT READS, “AND HE FACED THE PHARAOH OF EGYPT.”
HE CAN READ A FEW WORDS IN A CHILD’S HANDWRITING:
- “Face him and defeat him.” [36]
***
THE NEXT DAY. RAV ASHLAG'S CLASSROOM.
AGAIN, ALL EYES ARE FIXED ON HIM. RABBI FELDMAN IS SITTING IN THE CORNER. RAV ASHLAG STOPS BEFORE CHAIM.
Rav Ashlag: You asked how can we return to the Creator?
Chaim: Yes. I couldn't sleep. I thought about it all night.
Rav Ashlag: Do you feel that your state is unbearable?
Chaim: Yes, I do.
Rav Ashlag: Why?
Chaim: I feel that there is no end to these sufferings.
Rav Ashlag: Do you know why you are suffering?
Chaim: I don’t know. Everything is so empty, tasteless, that nothing brings me joy.
Rav Ashlag (sharply): You are to blame for all of this!
Chaim (in astonishment): Me?!
Rav Ashlag: Yes, you, who else? It's you who won’t let Him manifest!
Chaim: But I love the Creator!
Rav Ashlag: You love yourself, not the Creator.
Chaim: That’s not my experience.
Rav Ashlag (pointing his finger at him sharply): This is the first stage that we have to go through. (He takes a step back and surveys the class) We need to understand that we are not righteous at all, we are liars and thieves who love no one but ourselves.
***
A FLASH OF LIGHT. PHARAOH'S CHAMBER.
PHARAOH WITH THE FACE OF RAV ASHLAG IS STARING AT THE RAV FROM HIS GOLDEN THRONE UNDER THE LIGHT OF TORCHES.
RAV ASHLAG'S VOICE:
- It’s not given to just anyone. Nobody enters there by chance. Only those whose heart is broken enter there, those who can’t bear to live without an answer to the question about what they are living for. The truth can be revealed only to such people. Only they can endure it. Only they will be allowed to descend into the abyss, the place where no one ever dared look: into the self, into the pitch darkness of egoism. And what do they see there?
***
A FLASH OF LIGHT.
A PHARAOH WITH THE FACE OF RAV ASHLAG IS SITTING ON THE THRONE.
RAV ASHLAG'S VOICE:
- The awful grin of your master.
PHARAOH SMILES.
HE POINTS AT A GOLDEN CHAIR NEXT TO HIS THRONE.
AN UNSEEN FORCE PULLS RAV ASHLAG FORWARD AND AN INSTANT LATER, HE'S SITTING NEXT TO PHARAOH.
HE TRIES TO STAND UP BUT GOLDEN SHACKLES BIND HIS HANDS AND FEET TO THE CHAIR.
RAV ASHLAG'S VOICE:
- Pharaoh is our essence. We work all our lives to satisfy no one but him. He rules us. He is our nature, our "I."
PHARAOH ON THE THRONE IS LAUGHING.
HE REMOVES A GOLDEN RING FROM ONE FINGER AND OFFERS IT TO RAV ASHLAG. IT ATTACHES ITSELF TO HIS FINGER AS IF GLUED BY A POWERFUL FORCE.
***
CLASSROOM.
Aaron: But isn't Pharaoh a man? It says in the Torah…
Rav Ashlag: The Torah doesn't speak of people.
Aaron: I don't get it. Was there no Abraham, no Moses, the story of the Egyptian exile?
Rav Ashlag: If you read the Torah like that, you are killing it and yourself. There is not a single word there about this world. There are no people. The Torah speaks about forces that can guide you back to the Creator. It is a secret instruction for the revelation of the Creator. The Book of Zohar is the key to that instruction.
Aaron: So Pharaoh is a force?
Rav Ashlag: And an enormous force at that.
Aaron: Is this force within me?
Rav Ashlag: Pharaoh lives within each of us.
Aaron: We are slaves to this force, aren't we?
Rav Ashlag: It rules us. It is our every thought and action; it is our life. If we realize this, if we feel that it's unbearable, it will mean that we do not agree with its dominion over us. It will mean that we have chosen the Creator. By hating our ego we take the first step toward the Creator.
HE LOOKS AROUND THE CLASS AGAIN. PAUSES.
Chaim (very distinctly, almost syllable by syllable): How can I go to Pharaoh? How can I come to hate my ego? How?!
THE CLASSROOM DOOR OPENS AND AN OLD JEW OBSEQUIOUSLY APPROACHES RAV ASHLAG:
- The prayer is about to start, the revered Rav Ashlag.
Rav Ashlag (to his students): Go, pray and consider what we talked about.
THE STUDENTS LEAVE THE CLASS.
RAV ASHLAG SITS DOWN AND STARES FIXEDLY AT HIS HANDS; THEY ARE SHAKING.
***
SYNAGOGUE.
RAV ASHLAG ENTERS.
THE PARISHIONERS WHISPER TO EACH OTHER EXCITEDLY WHEN THEY SEE HIM.
AN OLD JEW REVERENTLY OFFERS HIM HIS SEAT.
RAV ASHLAG WALKS ON.
HIS STUDENTS, CHAIM AND AARON, STAND UP TO GREET HIM.
HE WALKS PAST THEM WITHOUT STOPPING.
HE IS USHERED TOWARD THE CABINET WHERE THE BOOKS OF TORAH ARE KEPT.
PEOPLE MAKE ROOM FOR HIM RIGHT IN FRONT OF IT, BUT HE TURNS AWAY AND WALKS TO THE WINDOW.
THEY DON'T LEAVE HIM ALONE EVEN THERE.
THE ELDER OF THE COMMUNITY COMES UP TO HIM AND SHAKES HIS HAND.
The elder: Honorable Rav, your students tell me that you are a great teacher. I would like to ask you to give us, old men, a few lessons. You can choose any topic you wish.
EVERYONE IS WATCHING HIM, WAITING FOR HIS REPLY.
HE IS SILENT.
The elder (addressing everyone): The honorable Rav Ashlag will be leading the service today.
RAV ASHLAG REMAINS MOTIONLESS.
The elder: Well, Rav Ashlag, everyone is waiting for you.
Rav Ashlag (unexpectedly loudly and clearly): Do you need someone to bow to?
THE CONGREGATION QUIETS DOWN ABRUPTLY AND EVERYBODY TURNS TO FACE HIM.
The elder: I don’t understand…
Rav Ashlag: Isn’t the Creator good enough for you?! (Looks around) Well, of course, He is somewhere up there! You need someone close at hand, someone you can hold in your pocket, see, peek into his mouth, offer him your chair, kiss his hand! You need someone to honor here, on this earth, in this synagogue!
A LOUD WHISPER. SOMEONE YELPS IN THE BACK, THE CROWD STIRS, SURPRISE AND FEAR SHOW UP ON PEOPLE’S FACES.
Rav Ashlag: But know this – it will not be me.
Chaim: Are you feeling well, teacher?
Rav Ashlag: I feel great, Chaim.
The Elder: Are you sure?
Rav Ashlag: Yes, I am sure.
HEAVY SILENCE HANGS IN THE AIR.
The elder (looking around with a light smirk): And this man has taken upon himself to teach us something?!
A voice: Throw him out!
An old Jew (who attended Rav Ashlag's lesson): Such arrogance! Just moments ago he had sung such sweet sermons to us! Oh, how he condemned the ego! You could have easily believed that a righteous man was standing before you, but now we see his true face!
A voice: Out!
Voices: Ouuuut!
RAV ASHLAG WALKS THROUGH THE CROWD.
PEOPLE STEP BACK TO LET HIM THROUGH.
CHAIM AND AARON TRY TO FOLLOW HIM BUT THE ELDER STOPS THEM.
The elder (loudly): If you leave now, you can forget the way back.
IMMEDIATELY, A FEW MEN SURROUND CHAIM AND AARON, FIRMLY BLOCKING THEIR WAY OUT.
AARON TAKES HIS SEAT AT ONCE.
CHAIM REMAINS STANDING, SURROUNDED BY THE MEN, WATCHING WITH ANGUISH AND PAIN AS RAV ASHLAG LEAVES.
THE DOOR CLOSES BEHIND RAV ASHLAG.
***
OUTSIDE, IN FRONT OF THE SYNAGOGUE.
RAV ASHLAG COMES OUT OF THE SYNAGOGUE.
RABBI FELDMAN FOLLOWS HIM OUT.
Rabbi Feldman: Wait.
RAV ASHLAG STOPS.
Rabbi Feldman: If only I could continue to be your student…
THE ELDER LOOKS OUT OF THE SYNAGOGUE, BEHIND HIM ARE A FEW OTHER JEWS AND CHAIM AMONG THEM.
The elder (firmly): Rabbi Feldman, the prayer has begun. Leave him alone, he won't understand anyway. (Now firmly, almost like an order.) Come inside now, honorable Rabbi, we are waiting for you.
RABBI FELDMAN MAKES A GESTURE TO SHAKE RAV ASHLAG'S HAND, BUT HIS HAND STOPS IN MID-AIR. HE TURNS AROUND, LOWERS HIS HEAD, AND QUICKLY WALKS BACK TO THE SYNAGOGUE.
CHAIM, STANDING ALONE AT THE DOOR TO THE SYNAGOGUE, WATCHES RAV ASHLAG LEAVE. A HAND APPEARS FROM THE SHADOWS BEHIND HIM AND PULLS HIM INSIDE BY THE SHOULDER. HE DOESN'T RESIST.
***
RAV ASHLAG'S ROOM. NIGHT.
BARE FEET STAND ON A BED OF SHARP STONES.
RAV ASHLAG IS LEANING OVER A BOOK.
RIVKA SITS IN THE DARK, A LITTLE BABY IN HER ARMS.
EIGHT-DAY-OLD BARUCH SHALOM [37] IS SLEEPING, HAVING NESTLED NEXT TO HER.
SHE IS ROCKING THE BABY AND LOOKING AT HER HUSBAND.
Rivka: They are asking us to leave this place as soon as possible. The landlord refuses to wait another day.
Rav Ashlag (meeting her eyes): Can't you see I am studying?
Rivka: Forgive me, I just wanted to tell you that I will have to disturb you in the morning. I must pack. I have found a new place. The coachman will be here in the morning to take us.
Rav Ashlag (looking at her for a long time): I am sorry I’m making it so hard on you.
RAV ASHLAG STANDS UP, AND SUDDENLY…
***
A FLASH OF LIGHT. THE DIMLY LIT CHAMBER OF PHARAOH.
THE GOLDEN SHACKLES THAT CUFF RAV ASHLAG'S HANDS AND FEET SUDDENLY TURN TO DUST. HE TRIES TO STAND UP, BUT HE CAN'T MOVE.
***
RAV ASHLAG'S ROOM.
HE TAKES A STEP TOWARD RIVKA AND SUDDENLY COLLAPSES ON THE FLOOR BEFORE RIVKA CAN CATCH HIM.
***
A FLASH OF LIGHT.
PHARAOH’S LAUGHING FACE IS INCHES FROM HIS.
***
BACK IN THE ROOM.
RAV ASHLAG COLLAPSES ON THE FLOOR. HE TRIES TO STAND UP BUT FAILS.
RIVKA BENDS DOWN, HOLDING HIS HEAD IN HER HANDS.
- What’s happening to you? – she screams frightened.
***
A FLASH OF LIGHT.
PHARAOH TOUCHES RAV ASHLAG WITH HIS FINGER AND THE RAV IS HURLED BACK IN HIS CHAIR, CRASHING AGAINST THE FAR WALL.
PHARAOH RAISES ONE HAND, AND TO HIS HORROR, RAV ASHLAG SEES HIS OWN HAND GOING UP AS WELL. HE TAKES A STEP TOWARD THE RAV AND THE RAV TAKES A STEP TOWARD PHARAOH. HE IS HELPLESS.
***
THE ROOM.
RAV ASHLAG CANNOT GET ON HIS FEET.
- What is it? Is it your heart?! – Rivka’s big eyes are now full of worry.
- The first lines… - he mumbles - the first words are…
RAV ASHLAG WRINKLES HIS FACE, TRYING TO REMEMBER THEM [38].
HIS MIND IS BLANK… COMPLETE EMPTINESS…
- “Behold, that before…”
HE FALLS SILENT.
… ”the emanations…”- Rivka continues in apprehension.
HE LOOKS AT HER.
- Don’t scare me, dear, she says, “the emanations were emanated and the creatures were created…” please, repeat after me, “the emanations were emanated and the creatures were created…”
Rav Ashlag (faintly repeating after her): … “the emanations were emanated… (wrinkles his forehead) and the creatures were created…
Rivka: … ”the upper simple Light…”
RAV ASHLAG MUMBLES AS HE TRIES TO PRONOUNCE THE WORDS.
Rivka (gently): Don’t rush! Calm down...
Rav Ashlag: “The upper simple Light...”
Rivka: “Had filled the whole existence…”
Rav Ashlag: “Had filled the whole existence…”
RIVKA HOLDS HIS HEAD. SHE LOOKS INTO HIS EYES AND TALKS TO HIM AS IF TO A CHILD:
Rivka: “And there was no…” (Repeats) “There was no…”
Rav Ashlag: “And there was no…”
Rivka: “…vacancy…”
Rav Ashlag: “…vacancy…” (In despair) I can’t remember!
Rivka: Yes, you can! You remember everything! “But all was filled with simple… Simple…?!”
Rav Ashlag (wearily, almost whispering): “But all was filled with that simple… (Making an effort to recall) Simple…
Rivka: Now on your own… remember, please try to remember, my love! What’s next?
Rav Ashlag (with the last ounce of willpower): “But all was filled with that simple …”
Rivka: Yes!
Rav Ashlag (with effort): “Boundless…”
Rivka: Yes, yes!
Rav Ashlag: “Light.”
Rivka: Well done!
Rav Ashlag (exhales, and repeats after her): Well done.
RAV ASHLAG IS ROCKING BACK AND FORTH ON A CHAIR.
RIVKA PATS HIM ON HIS HEAD AND REPEATS:
- See, everything is all right! You remembered everything. A few more minutes and it will go away.
HE PULLS THE BOOK CLOSER TO HIM. THE LINES SEEM BLURRED.
Rav Ashlag (to Rivka): Go… go. I will be fine.
HIS FINGER MOVES ALONG THE LINES OF THE BOOK; HIS LIPS MOVE, FORMING WORDS OUT OF LETTERS, BUT HE CANNOT SAY THEM OUT LOUD.
HIS HAND DROPS. RAV ASHLAG IS ASLEEP.
DAYBREAK.
THE KEROSENE LAMP IS OUT. PALE PLUMES OF SMOKE RISE FROM ITS BLACKENED COIL.
RAV ASHLAG OPENS HIS EYES.
HE IS LYING ON A BED, ALONE IN THE ROOM.
HE GETS UP WITH EFFORT, OPENS THE WINDOW, AND FROSTY WINTER AIR FLUSHES HIS FACE. HE INHALES DEEPLY.
***
MORNING. A WAGON IS JOGGING DOWN THE UNEVEN BRICK ROAD.
THE COACHMAN IS RECITING LINES FROM “ECCLESIASTES.”
The Coachman: “The words of the preacher, the son of David, king of Jerusalem: vanity of vanities, says the preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. What profit has a man from all his labor which he does under the sun?”
RAV ASHLAG IS SITTING ATOP SACKS FULL OF HIS FAMILY’S MEAGER BELONGINGS.
HIS GAUNT FACE REVEALS THAT HE HAD LOST A LOT OF WEIGHT THAT NIGHT.
SITTING NEXT TO HIM ARE HIS EIGHT-YEAR-OLD SON, BARUCH SHALOM, AND RIVKA, WITH A BABY IN HER ARMS.
THE STREETS OF WARSAW ARE DRIFTING BY.
The coachman’s voice: “One generation goes and another generation comes, but the earth abides forever…”
SUDDENLY THE PAVED ROAD SLIPS OUT OF FOCUS, AND RAV ASHLAG’S VISION BECOMES BLURRY.
HE SEES FOUR SILHOUETTES OF FOREST TREES SWAY AGAINST THE GRAY BACKGROUND OF THE AUTUMN SKIES.
PASSERSBY ARE LOOKING AT HIM.
THE COACHMAN’S VOICE COMES FROM A DISTANCE:
“That which has been is that which shall be; and that which has been done is that which shall be done: and there is nothing new under the sun.”
- I wish… - Rav Ashlag whispers. – I need… - he barely utters the words, - to see old Baruch.
- Good! – Rivka understands what he mumbles. – Turn around! – she orders the coachman. - I know the way.
***
EVENING. COUNTRY ROAD.
THE CART APPROACHES BARUCH’S OLD HOUSE WITH ITS FAMILIAR TILT.
- Stop here. Wait for me here.- Rav Ashlag mumbles faintly.
THE WAGON STOPS. RAV ASHLAG CLIMBS DOWN AND WALKS TO THE HOUSE.
THE HOUSE WITH ITS BOARDED WINDOWS, BLACK FROM THE RAIN, IS GETTING CLOSER. BARUCH’S BABY BLUE EYES ARE WATCHING RAV ASHLAG THROUGH THE CRACKS.
Rav Ashlag (his tongue heavy): Let me in.
Baruch (curtly): What are you doing here? There's nothing I can give you!
Rav Ashlag: I am tired-d-d….
Baruch: Did I ever say it would be easy?
Rav Ashlag: A little rest…
Baruch: Nonsense! Get away from here! Turn around, you hear me?
Rav Ashlag: I can't see anything! He will never let me go.
Baruch: Crybaby! How could He have possibly chosen you, such a weakling. Is He blind? can't He see who is standing before Him?! (Yelling sharply.) Scram!
RAV ASHLAG TURNS AROUND AS IF IN A DREAM.
Baruch (much softer): Didn’t I tell you that I am not your teacher anymore, Yehuda?
RAV ASHLAG SITS DOWN WEARILY ON THE STACK OF FIREWOOD, HIS BACK PRESSED AGAINST THE SIDE OF THE HOUSE, HE SHUTS HIS EYES IN EXHAUSTION.
THAT INSTANT, DIRTY WATER SPLASHES ACROSS HIS FACE. AN OLDER, WEARIER- LOOKING BARUCH IS STANDING NEXT TO HIM, AN EMPTY BUCKET IN HAND.
Baruch: I told you to keep walking and to not sit down! Go, keep on walking! I've shown you the way!
RIVKA IS RUNNING TOWARD THEM FROM THE NEARBY STANDING WAGON. SHE LEANS OVER THE DRENCHED RAV ASHLAG.
Rivka: What is he doing to you?! (Turning to Baruch.) This is my husband! What are you doing?!
Baruch (casually): Take him away!
RIVKA HELPS RAV ASHLAG UP.
Rivka: Everything’s going to be all right, my dear. It will be over soon.
SUDDENLY BARUCH LEAPS AT RAV ASHLAG, TEARING HIM AWAY FROM RIVKA, AND WHISPERS IN HIS EAR, VENOMOUSLY:
- Before each ascent there will come a descent. Haven't I told you that?! There is no ascent without an abyss!
Rav Ashlag (his lips barely moving): He won't… let me go.
Baruch: You are not demanding hard enough. There is just one force. Demand it!
Rav Ashlag: I… am…
Baruch: Then demand harder!
Rav Ashlag: I'm dem…anding… that the Creator … will help… me.
RAV ASHLAG GOES LIMP IN BARUCH'S HANDS.
RIVKA SUPPORTS HIM.
Rivka: Can you help him?
Baruch (shaking his head): I can't help him anymore.
Rav Ashlag (mumbles to himself): I am howling… but He doesn't hear. He has forsaken me… Pharaoh has… found me… instead.
Rivka: What is he talking about?
Baruch: He is all right. It's just that he is at such a high degree. Truly great! My head is spinning from these heights. Take him. Everything is going to be fine, woman!
RIVKA HELPS RAV ASHLAG TO HIS FEET.
HE IS LEANING ON HER, HIS LEGS BARELY MOVING.
Baruch (from behind): See, God has rewarded you, and me as well - in my old age - to have such a miracle grow in our hands.
HE WATCHES RIVKA DRAG RAV ASHLAG AWAY, AND SHAKES HIS HEAD.
***
FIVE LONG YEARS GO BY IN PERSISTENT SEARCH OF A TEACHER. RAV ASHLAG COMBS POLAND EAST TO WEST AND NORTH TO SOUTH.
HE COMES ACROSS KNOWLEDGEABLE PEOPLE, SAGES, AND FAMOUS RAVS. SOMETIMES HE NEEDS A FEW HOURS, OTHER TIMES ONLY SEVERAL MINUTES TO FIGURE OUT THAT HE IS FAR AHEAD OF THEM.
TIME AND AGAIN THEY SEND HIM AWAY SAYING:
- What more can I give you, Rav Ashlag? I don’t think there is someone who can become your teacher. Ask the Creator. There is nothing else you can do.
RAV ASHLAG KEEPS ASKING, BUT A TEACHER DOESN’T SHOW UP.
***
DOCUMENTARY FOOTAGE FROM THE YEARS 1912-1914.
CHINESE SOLDIERS LEAD CAPTURED MONKS AT GUNPOINT. TIBET IS PROCLAIMED A CHINESE TERRITORY.
A CROWD OF SOBBING PEOPLE IN THE STREETS OF LONDON MOURNS THE DEATH OF THEIR RELATIVES ON THE TITANIC.
WOODROW WILSON BECOMES PRESIDENT OF AMERICA.
CHARLIE CHAPLIN SHOOTS HIS FIRST FILM, CAUGHT IN THE RAIN.
A SERBIAN TERRORIST KILLS PRINCE FRANZ FERDINAND OF AUSTRIA.
WORLD WAR I BREAKS OUT.
SOLDIERS RUN INTO BARBED WIRE.
A YOUNG, SHORT GERMAN CORPORAL IS RUNNING TOWARDS THE CAMERA AND STOPS ABRUPTLY IN FRONT OF IT WITH A GRIN ON HIS FACE. IT IS THE YOUNG, AND AS YET ANONYMOUS, ADOLPH HITLER.
***
THE STREETS OF WARSAW.
RAV ASHLAG SHUFFLES WEARILY ON THE STREET.
HE HAS A FEELING THAT SOMEONE IS WATCHING HIM.
HE’S RIGHT.
AN OLD MAN OF UNREMARKABLE APPEARANCE IS WATCHING HIM.
Narrator’s voice: This letter was discovered only after Rav Ashlag’s death.
***
A STAINED OLD LETTER, ITS SIDES TORN, APPEARS SLOWLY.
THE CAMERA MOVES ALONG THE NEAT LINES OF DENSE HANDWRITING.
Narrator’s voice: It was written by him and he ordered it be destroyed right after his death along with many other letters and essays that he wrote. Miraculously, it survived.
***
RAV ASHLAG TURNS INTO A SMALL ALLEY.
THE MAN IS FOLLOWING HIM.
ANOTHER TURN.
THE OLD MAN STAYS CLOSE BEHIND.
Rav Ashlag’s voice: On Friday morning, the 12th of Cheshvan [39], a man came to me.
***
A KNOCK ON THE DOOR.
RAV ASHLAG, HIS FACE PALE WITH EXHAUSTION, OPENS THE DOOR.
WE CANNOT SEE THE MAN’S FACE.
RAV ASHLAG LOOKS AT THE MAN, AND THE MAN STEPS THROUGH THE DOOR.
Rav Ashlag’s voice: He revealed himself to me as a great sage well versed in Kabbalah.
THE MAN ENTERS RAV ASHLAG'S ROOM.
RAV ASHLAG TAKES A FEW STEPS BACK.
WE STILL CAN'T SEE THE MAN'S FACE.
Rav Ashlag’s voice: And as soon as he started to speak, I could feel that his words were full of Divine wisdom. Everything he said was like a gushing waterfall in its greatness.
***
WARSAW. NIGHT.
INSIDE THE TEACHER’S SMALL ROOM WITH A TABLE, TWO CHAIRS, EMPTY WALLS, AND A MATTRESS ON THE FLOOR.
RAV ASHLAG AND HIS TEACHER ARE SITTING AT A LARGE TABLE.
THE TEACHER IS SITTING WITH HIS BACK TO US.
RAV ASHLAG IS LISTENING ATTENTIVELY, ABSORBING HIS EVERY WORD.
The teacher’s voice (soft, colorless): The escape [40] takes place at night, in a state of absolute exhaustion.
***
A FLASH OF LIGHT.
FLICKERING TORCHES ALONG SHADOWY CHAMBER.
AN EXHAUSTED RAV ASHLAG IS SITTING ON A CHAIR.
HIS HEAD DROOPS ON HIS CHEST.
The Teacher’s voice: He will come at midnight. Don’t miss his arrival. He is small, but strong; he is sharp and therefore precise. He is the answer to your prayer. He is Moshe (Moses) [41].
RAV ASHLAG RAISES HIS HEAD.
HE SEES PHARAOH. PHARAOH IS WATCHING HIM INTENTLY.
The Teacher’s voice: “Moshe” is your great desire to break free from Pharaoh.
***
WARSAW. NIGHT. THE TEACHER’S ROOM.
RAV ASHLAG AND HIS TEACHER SIT AT THE TABLE FACING EACH OTHER.
THE TEACHER’S FINGER FLOATS OUT OF THE DARKNESS AND RETRACTS BACK INTO IT.
RAV ASHLAG’S EYES ARE BURNING.
Rav Ashlag’s voice: I have studied with him at his home for three months, night after night, from midnight till dawn. Each time he revealed a new secret to me.
THE FACE OF THE TEACHER CAN BE SEEN JUST OUTSIDE THE CIRCLE OF LIGHT THROWN BY THE KEROSENE LAMP.
RAV ASHLAG SHIFTS HIS WEIGHT SLIGHTLY IN AN ATTEMPT TO SEE HIM.
BUT WE CAN SUDDENLY SEE THAT THERE'S NO ONE SITTING IN THE CHAIR IN FRONT OF HIM. THE TEACHER IS SITTING ALONE WITH HIS BACK AGAINST THE WALL, IN DARKNESS, IN CONCEALMENT.
WE CAN HEAR THE TEACHER’S SOFT, COLORLESS VOICE:
- The prayer consists of two parts.
A HAND HOLDING A PENCIL DRAWS A RECTANGLE AND DIVIDES IT IN TWO.
THE PENCIL’S TIP POINTS AT THE LOWER PART.
The Teacher’s voice: The first thought…
THE PENCIL DRAWS AN ARROW ABOVE THE LOWER RECTANGLE, POINTING UPWARD.
The Teacher’s voice: The first thought makes “father and mother [42]” turn to face each other.
IN THE UPPER RECTANGLE, THE PENCIL QUICKLY DRAWS TWO SEMICIRCLES FACING ONE ANOTHER.
IT WRITES “FATHER” IN THE UPPER SEMICIRCLE, AND “MOTHER” IN THE SEMICIRCLE BELOW IT.
The Teacher’s voice: The second causes their union [43]. They both hear your prayer for help!
THE TWO SEMICIRCLES MERGE INTO ONE CIRCLE BEFORE RAV ASHLAG’S EYES.
The Teacher’s voice: The state of "conception" begins instantaneously. The upper waters break and Moshe is born. This is the force that you have merited.
THE PENCIL’S TIP MARKS A DOT ON THE MEETING POINT BETWEEN THE TWO SEMICIRCLES, THEN SHARPLY EXTENDS A DOWNWARD LINE.
The Teacher’s voice: Moshe will put the force of evil to sleep. But only for a short while.
***
A FLASH OF LIGHT.
RAV ASHLAG LOOKS INTO THE EYES OF PHARAOH, WHO IS SITTING OPPOSITE HIM.
SUDDENLY PHARAOH CLOSES HIS EYES.
The Teacher’s voice (very low): Don't miss Moshe. He is here only for a moment.
A FLASH OF LIGHT.
A RAY OF LIGHT ZIPS THROUGH THE CHAMBER OVER THE FLOOR TILES, PAST RAV ASHLAG'S FEET, AND POINTS AT THE DOOR.
The Teacher’s voice (sharply): Follow it!
RAV ASHLAG DARTS FROM HIS SEAT AND RUNS THROUGH THE DIMLY LIT HALL AFTER THE RAY.
AT THAT VERY MOMENT, PHARAOH OPENS HIS EYES.
RAV ASHLAG REACHES THE DOOR.
PHARAOH OPENS HIS MOUTH IN A ROAR:
- Sto-o-op!
RAV ASHLAG FREEZES, HIS ARM OUTSTRETCHED.
THE RAY OF LIGHT FLASHES AND SHINES AT PHARAOH'S EYES, BLINDING HIM.
RAV ASHLAG MAKES A DESPERATE DIVE TOWARD THE DOOR AND THROWS HIS WEIGHT AGAINST IT.
THE DOOR FALLS.
A LONG DARK CORRIDOR STRETCHES AHEAD.
RAV ASHLAG RUNS ALONG IT, HIS EYES FIXED ON THE RAY OF LIGHT ZIGZAGGING JUST AHEAD OF HIM.
***
WARSAW. THE TEACHER’S ROOM.
WE CAN SEE THE TEACHER’S HALF-LIT FACE, THE LAMP REFLECTING IN HIS EYES.
HIS LIPS ARE MOVING:
- And all of this is within you.
***
A FLASH OF LIGHT.
RAV ASHLAG IS RUNNING ALONG THE NARROW CORRIDOR, APPROACHING A DOOR.
HE BURSTS THROUGH IT TO FIND HIMSELF ON A DARK STREET. THE HOUSES ARE STANDING ONE NEXT TO THE OTHER.
HE LOOKS BACK.
THE GLARE OF TORCH LIGHTS IS RAPIDLY APPROACHING HIM.
AT THE FOREFRONT WE CAN SEE PHARAOH’S FURIOUS FACE ILLUMINATED BY THE TORCH HE IS CARRYING.
The Teacher’s voice: Don’t stop, don’t think, don’t be afraid!
RAV ASHLAG TURNS AROUND AND BEGINS TO RUN.
A VILE HOWL PIERCES THE DARKNESS BEHIND HIM:
- Sto-o-op!
***
WARSAW.
RAV ASHLAG IS WALKING ALONG A DARK EMPTY STREET. IT'S POURING.
RAV ASHLAG IS SOAKED.
HE LOOKS UP AND THE RAIN STREAMS DOWN HIS FACE.
HE IS SMILING.
***
THE EVEN LINES OF THE LETTER SCROLL UP.
Rav Ashlag’s voice: Once, after repeated pleading, my teacher had revealed one secret to me. My joy was endless.
***
WARSAW. RAV ASHLAG IS RUNNING DOWN THE STREET, HIS FEET STOMPING IN THE PUDDLES, SPLASHING WATER EVERYWHERE.
Rav Ashlag’s voice: From that moment on I started to gain my independence.
***
A FLASH OF LIGHT.
RAV ASHLAG IS RUNNING DOWN THE NARROW STREETS OF THE LIFELESS CITY. HIS CHASERS ARE NOT FAR BEHIND.
ONE STREET BLURS INTO ANOTHER. TWISTING AND TURNING, RAV ASHLAG FOLLOWS THE RAY OF LIGHT UNTIL HE SUDDENLY SEES THE SEA IN FRONT OF HIM.
RAV ASHLAG RUNS OUT ONTO THE SHORE AND STOPS.
THE RAY OF LIGHT DIVES INTO THE SEA, AND ONLY NOW RAV ASHLAG REALIZES THAT IT IS A SEA OF MOLTEN LAVA.
IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO EVEN STAND NEAR IT.
THE INFERNO FORCES RAV ASHLAG TO TAKE A FEW STEPS BACK.
- Your reason [44] won’t let you go that easily, - he hears the Teacher’s voice. – It serves Pharaoh.
NOW THE LIGHT OF A THOUSAND TORCHES APPEARS FROM THE DARKNESS BEHIND HIM.
HIS ENEMIES ARE APPROACHING.
- It’s not easy to escape! – the Teacher’s voice says.
THE RAY OF LIGHT POINTS AT THE LAVA PERSISTENTLY.
- It’s not easy!
RAV ASHLAG SHIELDS HIS FACE WITH HIS HANDS AGAINST THE SCORCHING HEAT. HE TAKES A STEP FORWARD, BUT THEN RETREATS.
- We are Pharaoh’s slaves! – the Teacher’s voice grows louder.
PHARAOH APPROACHES.
NOW HE IS STEPPING ONTO THE SHORE LEISURELY.
HE CAN SEE THAT HIS PREY HAS NOWHERE TO RUN.
- He is our whole life!
PHARAOH SMILES.
- Spent in vain!
PHARAOH OPENS HIS ARMS AND APPROACHES RAV ASHLAG.
***
SUDDENLY WE ARE BACK IN WARSAW AGAIN.
NIGHT. THE TEACHER’S HOUSE.
RAV ASHLAG WALKS QUICKLY UP THE STAIRS TO THE SECOND FLOOR AND KNOCKS ON THE DOOR. NO ONE ANSWERS.
HE LISTENS.
NOTHING.
***
THE LINES OF THE LETTER ARE RUSHING PAST.
Rav Ashlag’s voice: As my "I" grew larger, my teacher distanced himself from me, but I could not feel it.
***
WARSAW. RAV ASHLAG PUSHES THE DOOR.
IT OPENS WITH A SQUEAK.
HE ENTERS THE TEACHER’S ROOM AND LOOKS AROUND.
THE ROOM IS EMPTY.
Rav Ashlag’s voice: …Until one day I did not find him at home.
A GUST OF WIND BLOWS THE THIN CURTAINS AND TOSSES AROUND A PIECE OF PAPER WITH SOME DRAWING.
Rav Ashlag’s voice: I looked for him everywhere but he was nowhere to be found.
RAV ASHLAG IS SITTING ALONE IN THE TEACHER’S HOME.
***
A FLASH OF LIGHT.
SEASHORE.
PHARAOH EMBRACES RAV ASHLAG.
***
WARSAW. RAV ASHLAG IS WALKING THE STREETS ALONE.
HE LOOKS INTO THE FACES OF PASSERSBY.
IT’S NOT THE FIRST TIME THAT HE LEAVES THE HOUSE IN THE MORNING AND RETURNS LATE AT NIGHT.
HE IS LOOKING FOR HIS TEACHER.
ALL HIS REGULAR WORK GRINDS TO A HALT: WRITING AT NIGHT, TEACHING.
HE IS BARELY EATING; HE CANNOT SLEEP.
THREE WEEKS GO BY.
ONE DAY, WHILE WALKING DOWN THE STREET, COMPLETELY WORN OUT, A FAMILIAR SENSATION OVERCOMES RAV ASHLAG: HE CAN FEEL THAT SOMEONE IS WATCHING HIM. HE TURNS SHARPLY TO GAZE AT THE OTHER END OF THE STREET WHERE A MAN WAS STANDING JUST A MOMENT AGO.
BUT THERE IS NO ONE.
***
NIGHT. RAV ASHLAG OPENS THE WINDOW IN HIS ROOM AND AGAIN SEES A LONE SILHOUETTE OF A MAN STANDING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STREET.
THIS TIME THE MAN DOES NOT DISAPPEAR BUT TURNS AROUND AND STARTS TO WALK AWAY.
***
RAV ASHLAG RUNS OUT INTO THE STREET. HE LOOKS AROUND BUT THERE IS NO ONE TO BE FOUND. HE BEGINS TO RUN THROUGH THE DARK STREETS OF WARSAW, THE HEELS OF HIS SHOES ECHOING LOUDLY ON THE EMPTY COBBLESTONES. A LONELY PASSERBY PRESSES HIMSELF AGAINST THE WALL IN ALARM AS HE DASHES PAST HIM.
RAV ASHLAG STOPS ONLY NEAR THE HOUSE OF HIS TEACHER.
HE SEES A LIGHT IN THE WINDOW ON THE SECOND FLOOR.
HE FLIES UP THE STAIRS AND FLINGS HIMSELF THROUGH THE DOOR.
***
THE TEACHER IS SITTING AT THE TABLE; ONLY HIS HANDS ARE LIT.
Rav Ashlag’s voice: On the ninth of Nissan [45], I found my teacher at his home. I apologized, deeply, and tried to make amends for the past.
RAV ASHLAG IS STANDING BEFORE THE TEACHER, CRYING.
Rav Ashlag’s voice: He relented, as before, and had revealed a great secret of faith to me. My joy was immeasurable.
RAV ASHLAG'S FACE.
THE TEACHER’S HAND IS DRAWING CIRCLES ON A PIECE OF PAPER.
The Teacher’s voice: The circle of faith above reason.
***
A FLASH OF LIGHT.
SEASHORE.
RAV ASHLAG PUSHES PHARAOH AWAY AND TURNS TO APPROACH THE SWELTERING LAVA.
The Teacher’s voice: Faith above reason! [46]
RAV ASHLAG CLOSES HIS EYES AND JUMPS INTO THE FIRE.
The Teacher’s voice: You have heard me, Rav Ashlag.
RAV ASHLAG’S BODY SLOWLY SINKS INTO WATER.
HE IS SWIMMING IN SHIMMERING WATER.
PHARAOH POINTS HIS HAND AT HIM AND HUNDREDS OF DARK SHADOWS OBEDIENTLY JUMP IN AFTER RAV ASHLAG, ONLY TO BURN IN THE LAVA.
***
WARSAW. THE TEACHER’S ROOM.
A PALE ARM HANGS DOWN FROM THE BEDSIDE.
A SMALL VIAL WITH MEDICINE IS LYING ON A SMALL STOOL.
THE TEACHER’S HEAD IS RESTING, MOTIONLESS, ON THE PILLOW.
HIS FACE IS SHADED.
Rav Ashlag’s voice: But my great teacher appeared to be losing his strength. I wouldn’t leave his side, and the next day, on the tenth of Nissan, his time in this world had ended.
THE TEACHER’S BODY IS LYING IN BED.
OPPOSITE HIM, ROCKING BACK AND FORTH, SITS RAV ASHLAG.
***
A YELLOW PAGE OF THE LETTER; THE LINES GROW BLURRY.
Rav Ashlag’s voice: It's impossible to describe my grief and my anguish. My heart had been filled with hope of meriting supreme wisdom.
***
A FLASH OF LIGHT. THE SEA.
RAV ASHLAG IS SWIMMING.
A TINY DOT IN AN ENDLESS OCEAN.
- But instead here I am, alone and naked, without any attainment…
THE LONELY SWIMMER IS LOSING STRENGTH AND HOPE AS HE SWIMS SLOWER AND SLOWER.
- Even the knowledge that I'd received from him temporarily evaporated from my mind because of my deep grief.
HIS BODY GROWS HEAVIER AND HEAVIER.
HIS HANDS AND LEGS GROW NUMB.
RAV ASHLAG BEGINS TO SINK INTO THE BLUE WATER. BUT HIS VOICE IS HEARD:
- My eyes sought hungrily the vision of heaven, in great anticipation and hope.
RAV ASHLAG MANAGES TO LOOK AHEAD ONE LAST TIME.
THROUGH BLURRY EYES, HE SUDDENLY CATCHES A GLIMPSE OF THE SHORELINE.
- I didn't allow myself a moment of respite until I found favor in the eyes of the Creator.
***
WARSAW. RAV ASHLAG IS WALKING BRISKLY DOWN THE STREET.
A STRONG WIND IS BLOWING UP THE SKIRTS OF HIS COAT.
***
DOCUMENTARY FOOTAGE FROM AROUND 1917: RUSSIA, THE FEBRUARY REVOLUTION. KERENSKY AND MEMBERS OF THE PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT SMILE TO THE CAMERA.
AMERICA. THE SLICK-HAIRED PRESIDENT OF THE “VICTROLA” RECORD LABEL PRESENTS THE FIRST GRAMOPHONE RECORDING OF THE ORIGINAL DIXIELAND JAZZ BAND TO A CHEERING CROWD.
BERLIN. TRAIN STATION. A FEW PEOPLE JUMP ONTO A FREIGHT TRAIN WAGON RIGHT BEFORE ITS DOORS CLOSE. AND BEFORE IT CLOSES, WE CATCH A GLIMPSE OF THE FACE OF YOUNG LENIN AMONG THE PASSENGERS.
***
А STREET IN WARSAW.
RAV ASHLAG STOPS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET AND GAZES AT A DARK GRAY CLOUD SHAPED LIKE AN ISLAND AND HANGING LOW ABOVE THE CITY.
A MAN IS RUNNING ACROSS THE STREET.
SUDDENLY HE SLOWS DOWN TO A WALK AND FINALLY STOPS. HE LOOKS AT RAV ASHLAG BUT DOES NOT COME CLOSER.
THE WIND BLOWS RAV ASHLAG’S HAT OFF HIS HEAD AND ROLLS IT ACROSS THE STREET. HE TRIES TO CATCH IT BUT MISSES.
THE MAN ON THE OTHER SIDE CATCHES IT AND EXTENDS IT TO RAV ASHLAG, WHO COMES RUNNING UP TO HIM.
IT’S YAN.
Yan: I couldn't make up my mind whether I should approach you or leave you alone with your God, but then your God tore your hat off your head and resolved my dilemma. Lenin is coming to town. Have you heard about him?
Rav Ashlag: I even read a few of his works.
Yan: Well…?
Rav Ashlag: He is a clever man.
Yan (smiling): Clever?! He is a genius! Have you heard of what’s happening in Russia?
Rav Ashlag: A revolution.
Yan: A fire is starting there. It is starting in Russia, and then it will spread throughout the world. Do you want me to arrange a meeting with Lenin for you? Right now? Mind you, it’s your only chance. Say “yes.”
Rav Ashlag: Yes.
YAN AND RAV ASHLAG TURN INTO A NEARBY SIDE STREET. THEY WALK UP TO THE ENTRANCE OF A SMALL UNASSUMING HOUSE.
IMMEDIATELY THEY ARE SURROUNDED BY FOUR GRIM MEN.
Yan: He's with me.
ONE OF THE MEN STARTS FRISKING RAV ASHLAG AS IF HE DIDN’T HEAR YAN.
WHEN HE’S DONE, HE STEPS ASIDE KEEPING HIS DOUR EXPRESSION.
The man: Come on in.
***
A SAFE HOUSE.
LENIN IS SITTING BEHIND A TABLE.
HE IS VERY EMOTIONAL AND OPEN, RADIATING TREMENDOUS CHARISMA.
ALL THOSE GATHERED IN THE ROOM, MOST OF WHOM ARE FAIRLY YOUNG, ARE WATCHING HIM ADMIRINGLY.
RAV ASHLAG STANDS OUT IN HIS RELIGIOUS JEWISH GARB.
Lenin: People want actions from us, not empty talk. We should throw down the rotten bourgeois government and hoist the banner of justice – create the first national state of workers and peasants in the world! This is our mission, comrades!
EVERYONE APPLAUDS.
Yan: Comrades, please keep it down. Don't forget we are not yet in Communist Poland, but in a country ruled by a bourgeois government. Police agents are trying to sniff out comrade Lenin all over Warsaw.
Lenin: Generation after generation of oppressed people have dreamed of such a state. Control over factories, plants, and land will be turned over to the workers and peasants. We will create our own people's police and the people's Red Army. Our party will be called The Communist Party of Workers and Peasants, and it will lead the noble fight for freedom, equality, and independence for all the oppressed around the world.
A LOW MOAN OF ADMIRATION ROLLS OVER THE CROWD.
RAV ASHLAG RAISES HIS HAND.
Lenin: Yes, the comrade in the religious attire…
Rav Ashlag: I find your ideas very appealing.
Lenin (addressing everybody): Usually both our bishops and your rabbis are opposed to my ideas!
Rav Ashlag: You are talking about equality, brotherhood, and love – there is nothing more exalted than that.
Lenin (addressing everybody): It appears there are some progressive rabbis as well. I am listening, ask your question.
Rav Ashlag: My question is: Who is going to build this just society?
Lenin: The oppressed, the have-nots, the ones who know firsthand what injustice means.
Rav Ashlag: What will happen to the bourgeoisie?
Lenin: They will have to yield and work for the benefit of the young state; otherwise we will have to exercise force. What's the matter? Something about this scenario is bothering you?
Rav Ashlag: Only the fact that it's going to lead to more bloodshed and even worse injustice.
Lenin: Well, I have heard that many times and I call that cowardice and empty speculation.
Yan (whispers to Rav Ashlag): Shut up!
Rav Ashlag: Sooner or later, your workers and peasants will begin to steal, kill, and hate. Not right away, but everything will inevitably come to that.
Lenin: Nonsense! We shall erect a new education system, based on communist values, and examples of equality and justice.
Rav Ashlag: There is none, nor can there be justice on this earth.
Lenin: Is that so?
Rav Ashlag: Man is selfish by his nature. Interference of another kind of force is needed in order to transform him.
Lenin: Is it God?
Rav Ashlag: You can call it God if you like. I prefer to call it the upper law of justice. Or the law of supreme love. It exists. We are surrounded by it. It is the fundamental law of the entire creation. You just need to know how to call upon it, that's all.
Lenin: How do you know this?
Rav Ashlag: I know.
Lenin: Have you read about it somewhere?
Rav Ashlag: There is a book that talks about this very concept – The Book of Zohar.
Lenin: Give it to us, we want to read it.
Rav Ashlag: It requires preliminary preparation.
Lenin: A long one?
Rav Ashlag: A few years.
Lenin: I have a good education, my dear, and I will try to understand.
Rav Ashlag: It's impossible, the mind is not the instrument that can attain it.
Lenin: Then what’s the instrument?
Rav Ashlag: The heart. You have to prepare your heart for reading this book. The same way you need to prepare your heart to run a government.
Lenin: What will I have to do?
Rav Ashlag: Correct your heart, make it unselfish and loving. A person cannot do it on his own, but there is a method by which one can evoke other forces that will perform the correction.
Lenin: Well, I suppose we have to move on. (Turns to Yan) Yes?
Yan: Yes, it's time, comrade Lenin.
Lenin (stands up and addresses Rav Ashlag): My dear Rabbi, I am a sworn atheist and do not believe in any upper force or any upper law. We will raise the new man on our own - without your upper force.
Rav Ashlag: You will fail.
Lenin (picking up his cap from the table): My dear, visit us in ten years time and you will see.
Rav Ashlag: You will spill a lot of blood, and this great idea will be devalued for a long time. Please listen!
LENIN LOOKS AROUND, NO LONGER LISTENING TO HIM.
RAV ASHLAG STANDS UP, TRYING TO HOLD LENIN’S ATTENTION FOR JUST A LITTLE WHILE.
Rav Ashlag: It is going to be a terrible experiment!
Lenin: Unfortunately, I am in a hurry. Goodbye. Please leave your details with Yan so we might have a chance to talk again… perhaps… some day…
HE SHAKES RAV ASHLAG'S HAND AND THEY BID EACH OTHER FAREWELL.
IMMEDIATELY A GROUP OF PEOPLE SURROUNDS LENIN. ONE OF THEM HIDES HIS FACE UNDER A TOOTHACHE BANDAGE.
LENIN WAVES HIS HAND TO EVERYBODY AND WALKS OUT OF THE APARTMENT FOLLOWED BY A GROUP OF MEN.
YAN APPROACHES RAV ASHLAG.
Yan: Such a shame. You had a chance to listen to the greatest man of our time.
Rav Ashlag: It's a shame he didn't listen to me.
Yan: You have an over-inflated self-esteem. I think that this has been our last meeting.
Rav Ashlag: It’s a pity he couldn’t hear what I was saying. I didn't have time to explain. I wanted to tell him so much.
Yan: He doesn't need your sermons!
Rav Ashlag: One mustn't pick an unripe fruit, Yankele, you must let it mature! People need to have a desire for change and then everything will be possible.
Yan (Harshly): The revolution cannot wait! That's one thing. And also, I'm not Yankele, I am Yan. Remember that. I think you can find the way out by yourself. I am staying. Farewell, you pitiful victim of religion. Perhaps one day we shall meet again. (Turns away without shaking Rav Ashlag’s hand.)
***
A STREAM OF DOCUMENTARY FOOTAGE CUTS IN.
THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION OF 1917. STORMING OF THE WINTER PALACE. LENIN GIVING A SPEECH BEFORE A HUGE GATHERING OF PEOPLE. TROTSKY IS RIDING A WHITE STALLION IN FRONT OF CHEERING TROOPS. THE BEGINNING OF THE CIVIL WAR. THE EXECUTION OF THE TSAR, HIS WIFE, AND FIVE CHILDREN. MORE EXECUTIONS IN THE PUBLIC SQUARES OF THE MAIN CITIES OF RUSSIA. A TERRIBLE FAMINE IN UKRAINE. THE SILENT STARE OF LENIN RIGHT INTO THE CAMERA. BEHIND HIS BACK, A YOUNG STALIN STANDS UPRIGHT.
***
WARSAW. RAV ASHLAG'S ROOM.
Rav Ashlag (turning around from the table): Rivka!
RIVKA WALKS IN AND WE CAN SEE THAT THE ASHLAG FAMILY IS EXPECTING ANOTHER CHILD.
Rav Ashlag: Rivka, start packing. We are leaving for the Land of Israel.
Rivka (confused): But…
Rav Ashlag: I want us to leave as soon as possible.
Rivka: Are you going to leave your students?
Rav Ashlag: They will go with me.
Rivka: With families, kids, wives?
Rav Ashlag: I will explain to them why they have to leave, and they will understand.
Rivka: I am in my seventh month, Yehuda.
Rav Ashlag: I know that you can handle it.
Rivka (a pause, an attempt to grasp what is happening): Can this wait?
Rav Ashlag: It cannot wait. Are you coming with me?
Rivka: They won't let you go. You are their arbitrator. You are their teacher.
Rav Ashlag: They are not the ones who decide whether I should leave. I have important work to do in the Land of Israel.
Rivka: Yehuda…
Rav Ashlag (interrupting her): If I don't go, I will die.
Rivka (irritated): You are saying this to me on purpose!
Rav Ashlag: I have done everything I could here. Will you come with me?!
Rivka: What about the children?
Rav Ashlag: We will take them with us.
Rivka: No, we can't. The journey is hard.
Rav Ashlag: As you say.
Rivka: Yehuda, we just started to put down roots and I thought…
Rav Ashlag (interrupting her): How much time do you need to get ready?
RIVKA IS SILENT.
Rav Ashlag: Rivka?
Rivka (lifts her head and looks straight in her husband's eyes): I am ready. I will leave the children with my parents. Only Baruch Shalom will come with us.
***
THE RABBINICAL COURT.
TEN RABBIS ARE SITTING OPPOSITE RAV ASHLAG AT A LONG TABLE.
SHMUEL, THE TEACHER, IS AMONG THEM.
THEY ARE QUIETLY TALKING AMONG THEMSELVES.
Rav Epstein: We received reports that 300 families have agreed to leave with you.
Rav Ashlag: That is correct.
Rav Epstein: And that you have chartered a ship in Sweden to carry all of you to the Land of Israel.
Rav Ashlag: Yes, everything is ready. All that is needed is your decision.
Rav Epstein (consults again with the rabbis sitting next to him, finally he turns to Rav Ashlag): Honorable Rav Yehuda Leib Halevi Ashlag, we have decided to tell you one thing: An arbitrator, a teacher, can't leave his community to migrate freely to the land of Israel. You are to stay here. It is the verdict of the Rabbinical Court, and I advise you to heed it and retract your decision.
Rav Ashlag: I cannot do that because I am not my own master. I must leave here and I must warn you that I will do everything I can to take as many people with me as possible. Were it in my power, I would take with me every last one of you.
SHMUEL, THE TEACHER, STANDS UP AND LOOKS AROUND AT THE PEOPLE IN THE ROOM.
Teacher Shmuel: You are facing the demolisher of our community. I have told you that a hundred times.
Rav Ashlag: The Jews need to leave Europe as soon as possible. If they don't, they will perish and bring unspeakable suffering to everyone.
Rav Zilber: Our community is stronger than it’s ever been. There are three million of us Jews; we are a force to be reckoned with!
Rav Epstein: Why must you always swim against the tide?! Who needs all these endless conflicts? Can't you subdue this pride of yours that brings you nothing but destruction?!
Rav Ashlag: How can I explain this to you?!
Teacher Shmuel: What?! Explain what?! Your hatred toward us, toward our laws, toward our holy Torah?!
Rav Ashlag: We Jews are concealing the Light from the world. The world will not let us continue living as we do.
RAV ASHLAG FALLS SILENT. HE LOOKS AT THEM ALL, ONE AT A TIME.
IN THE SILENCE, WE CAN HEAR THE VOICE OF SHMUEL.
Teacher Shmuel: Do you need any more proof? A criminal is standing before us who should be brought to justice.
Rav Zilber: Rav Ashlag, please wait in the corridor for our final decision. We need to ponder what you have said.
***
RAV ASHLAG WALKS OUT.
HE FINDS HIMSELF ALONE IN THE LONG EMPTY CORRIDOR.
A MURMUR OF VOICES COMES FROM BEHIND THE CLOSED DOORS.
RAV ASHLAG WALKS AWAY FROM THE DOOR. PACING SLOWLY, HE BEGINS TO TALK TO HIMSELF. HE IS WALKING AND WAVING HIS HANDS IN THE AIR.
THE DOORS OPEN AND SHMUEL, RABBI ZILBER, RABBI EPSTEIN, AND THE OTHERS ARE STANDING AT THE ENTRANCE, WATCHING HIM.
RAV ASHLAG TURNS AROUND AND SEES THEM LOOKING AT HIM.
Rav Zilber: Come on in, Rav Ashlag.
***
RABBINICAL COURT ROOM.
RAV ASHLAG IS FACING THE RABBIS.
Rav Ashlag: I would like you to hear what I have to say, so I wanted to add to what I have said…
Rav Zilber: No need. By the decision of the Rabbinical Court you are hereby excommunicated. From this moment on, no one is allowed to talk to you. Tomorrow we will collect the signatures of all ninety members of the council, and the decision will be sent all around Poland. You may leave.
Rav Ashlag: You are sentencing countless people to terrible suffering. You are taking upon yourselves the responsibility for what is going to happen.
Teacher Shmuel: Why should we listen to you? You were told you may leave, so leave! Out!
***
THE STREETS OF WARSAW.
PEOPLE ARE PASSING BY RAV ASHLAG.
HE LOOKS INTO THEIR EYES AS IF WANTING TO TELL THEM SOMETHING OR TO BID THEM FAREWELL.
HE WALKS TOWARD A HOUSE.
RIVKA'S PARENTS COME OUT THE DOOR.
RIVKA'S FATHER IS HOLDING TWO LITTLE CHILDREN BY THE HAND. THEY ARE RAV ASHLAG’S SON AND DAUGHTER - DAVID AND BRACHA.
RIVKA’S MOTHER IS SOBBING QUIETLY INTO A HANDKERCHIEF.
THEY WALK PAST HIM IN SILENCE.
RAV ASHLAG FOLLOWS THEM WITH HIS EYES.
SUDDENLY, RIVKA'S FATHER STOPS AT A DISTANCE AND TURNS TO YELL AT RAV ASHLAG:
- You have destroyed her life! You don't care about your own children! You are not a Jew; you are a monster! We are erasing you from our memories. We didn't have a daughter and you never even existed for us. That's it!
RIVKA’S MOTHER IS WAILING NOW.
RIVKA’S FATHER ORDERS HER TO FOLLOW HIM.
RIVKA’S MOTHER MANAGES TO SAY:
- Please have pity on her… if only a little.
***
RAV ASHLAG ENTERS HIS HOME.
EMPTY WALLS, EMPTY ROOM.
IN THE CENTER OF THE ROOM THERE IS A SMALL PILE OF THEIR FEW REMAINING BELONGINGS; THE OLDER SON, BARUCH, IS SLEEPING ON TOP OF IT.
RIVKA GETS UP TO GREET HER HUSBAND.
Rivka: I've managed to sell everything. For pennies, of course, but still… We are ready now. (She looks into Yehuda's face.) You look strange.
Rav Ashlag: I couldn't explain anything to them.
Rivka: David and Bracha will stay with my parents for now. They wanted to join us so badly, but how could we take them?!
Rav Ashlag: Don’t worry. We will send for them later, once we settle down.
Rivka: Still, they really wanted to come with us!
Rav Ashlag (wrapped in his thoughts): I can’t explain anything to anyone – neither to my friends, nor to my enemies, nor to the teachers. No one!
Rivka: I can’t stand to leave the children here.
Rav Ashlag: They don’t hear me. How can I explain it to them?
Rivka: I have a bad feeling about them, Yehuda.
Rav Ashlag: They don’t believe me. It’s as if I hit a wall.
RIVKA LOOKS AT HIM IN SILENCE.
Rav Ashlag: How can I explain it to them? How?!
RIVKA STEPS CLOSER TO HIM.
SHE TRIES TO MEET HIS EYES.
SHE SIGHS AND QUIETLY SAYS:
- You have explained everything. It was they who didn’t hear you.
RAV ASHLAG SEES RIVKA’S FACE.
SHE NODS AND TRIES TO COMFORT HIM.
- I met your parents at the entrance,- he suddenly says.
- They are simple people, don't be angry with them, – answers Rivka.
- I am not. I understand them.
HE TAKES A FEW MORE STEPS INTO THE ROOM AND LOOKS AROUND AT THE EMPTY WALLS.
RIVKA LEANS OVER THEIR SMALL BUNDLES TO TIGHTEN A FEW KNOTS.
SHE NOTICES A SMALL TATTERED THREAD DOLL ON THE FLOOR. SHE PICKS IT UP AND EXAMINES IT.
SUDDENLY SHE STRAIGHTENS UP AND SAYS:
- You are saying that they didn't hear you. They couldn't have heard you.
RAV ASHLAG TURNS TO LOOK AT RIVKA.
- You have to understand them. They are living in this world, they have the small, simple desires of this world: to work, to pray, to have a family, children, grandchildren, to hold on to one another as they have done for centuries, as the Creator has commanded us. And you want to take that away from them.
RIVKA'S EYES WELL UP.
- They are right that they don't want to surrender to you the only thing they've got. I am sorry. Sorry for saying this to you, but they are small, ordinary people, and you are a giant compared to them. They will never understand you; they can't understand your words. It’s impossible to unite with the Creator, Yehuda. Let them be. I am sorry for not siding with you on this.
SILENCE HANGS IN THE ROOM.
WE CAN ONLY HEAR RIVKA’S LABORED BREATHING.
SHE IS BARELY HOLDING HERSELF BACK FROM BURSTING INTO TEARS.
Rav Ashlag: Are you sorry that you married me?
Rivka: I will never, ever be sorry for that.
RAV ASHLAG TAKES A STEP TOWARD HER, HUGS HER, AND SO THEY STAND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE EMPTY ROOM.
A QUIET EVENING BEHIND THE OPEN WINDOW.
RIVKA CALMS DOWN IN THE ARMS OF HER HUSBAND AND PRESSES HERSELF TIGHTLY AGAINST HIM.
A KNOCK ON THE DOOR.
RAV ASHLAG’S STUDENTS, YOUNG AND ELDERLY JEWS ALIKE, CAUTIOUSLY ENTER THE ROOM. RIVKA STEPS ASIDE.
THE STUDENTS STAND THERE TRYING TO AVOID RAV ASHLAG'S GLANCE.
AT THE BACK OF THE PACK HIDE CHAIM AND AARON.
Elderly student: We have come to tell you that we can't leave with you… to the Land of Israel.
RAV ASHLAG WATCHES THEM SILENTLY.
Elderly student: We believe you, and you are a great teacher, but we can't go against the decision of the community.
RAV ASHLAG SHAKES HIS HEAD. HE REMAINS SILENT FOR A LONG WHILE.
Voices: Forgive us.
Rav Ashlag: I can't force you to leave. If I could, I would get on my knees and beg you to leave with me. But I know you won't hear me. The Creator has sealed your ears with wax. (Silent.) All of us will have to suffer terribly! Do you hear me?!
Voices: Yes, we hear you.
Rav Ashlag: And you don't believe me, do you?
Voices: We do.
Rav Ashlag: And yet you are not going?
Elderly student: How can we leave? Our relatives are here, we are too tied up with one another. You know how it is with us Jews.
Rav Ashlag: Yes, Jews, unfortunate Jews… (to Aaron and Chaim) Why are you two hiding behind their backs?
AARON AND CHAIM ARE STANDING TONGUE-TIED, NOT DARING TO MEET RAV ASHLAG’S EYES.
SUDDENLY CHAIM SHAKES HIS HEAD DECISIVELY.
Chaim: I am going!
EVERYBODY TURNS TO LOOK AT HIM.
HE CLENCHES HIS HAND INTO A FIST AND WAVES IT IN THE AIR, SHOUTING:
Yes, I'm going! I'm leaving this place! I am leaving with our great teacher, and you can stay here if you want! (He looks at everybody) I am going! Yes, I’m going!
HE PULLS AARON BY THE SLEEVE.
Chaim: Aaron! Let’s go!
Elderly Jew: Aaron is not going anywhere.
Chaim: Aaron, don't listen to anybody!
Elderly Jew: Aaron, you are staying. One word out of you and you know what will happen; you won’t see a penny from your uncle’s fortune. We will give it all away to the town’s beggars. You understand?
Chaim: Aaron, we are going!
Elderly Jew: No, Aaron, you are staying.
Chaim: You will regret it, Aaron!
Aaron (sighing heavily): I can't.
Chaim: You will become a millionaire, Aaron, but the most unhappy millionaire of all because you didn't join Rav Ashlag.
Rav Ashlag: Chaim, run home to pack, I’ll be expecting you in two hours. (He looks at everyone) Just don't curse the Creator when He comes for you.
***
EVENING. AN UNPAVED ROAD IN WARSAW.
A SLOW-MOVING WAGON CARRIES RAV ASHLAG AND RIVKA, THEIR SON BARUCH, AND A CAREFREE CHAIM WITH A BOTTLE OF VODKA IN HIS HAND.
ONCE IN A WHILE, CHAIM TAKES A SIP, WINCES, AND CHASES IT DOWN WITH SOME BREAD AND ONIONS.
PEOPLE ARE LOOKING AT THEM. SOMEONE STOPS, ANOTHER POINTS A FINGER AT THEM, SOMEONE MOVES AWAY.
THE COACHMAN IS SILENT.
Chaim: Farewell, Warsaw, farewell forever! We are going to the Land of Israel!
RAV ASHLAG TAKES THE BOTTLE FROM HIM, TAKES A SWIG, AND PASSES IT TO HIS SON. BARUCH DRINKS, TOO, WITH A GRIMACE, AND PASSES THE BOTTLE TO THE COACHMAN. THE COACHMAN GULPS DOWN THE LAST SIP AND GRUNTS WITH PLEASURE.
RIVKA IS WATCHING THEM WITH A SMILE.
Rav Ashlag (to the coachman): How come you’re so silent today?
The coachman: I don't know what to recite for such an occasion.
Rav Ashlag: There can be no place for sorrow if you are connected to the Creator. Remember the words of your son, Moshe: “The Creator - He is one, unique, and unified. Only good extends from Him.”
The coachman: I feel good when I’m with you.
Chaim (his speech slurred): Well, come with us then!
The coachman: I can't. I can't leave my Moshe behind. I have secured a place next to him. He is cold lying there all alone.
THE COACHMAN TUGS AT THE REIGNS AND CHEERFULLY YELLS AT THE HORSE.
SUDDENLY HE BEGINS TO RECITE.
- “He who watches the wind will not sow, and he who looks at the clouds will not reap…”
RAV ASHLAG JOINS HIM AND NOW THEY ARE BOTH RECITING THE WORDS OF ECCLESIASTES MELODICALLY, WAVING THEIR HANDS IN RHYTHM:
- “Sow your seed in the morning and do not be idle in the evening…”
CHAIM JOINS THEM. HE JUMPS OFF THE SLOW MOVING WAGON AND TROTS NEXT TO IT, WATCHING RAV ASHLAG’S MOUTH AS HE FORMS EACH SYLLABLE.
ALL THREE ARE REPEATING WITH EXHILARATION.
- “The light is pleasant and it is good for the eyes to see the sun. Indeed, if a man should live many years, let him rejoice in them all, and let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. Everything that is to come will be futility.”
ON A BUMPY ROAD, THE WAGON ROCKS AND ROLLS PAST A FOREST.
RAV ASHLAG’S LONG ARMS ARE RESTING ON ITS RIM, AND A WIDE SMILE ADORNS THE COACHMAN’S FACE.
CHAIM PRANCES AROUND THE WAGON IN A HASSIDIC DANCE; ONE MOMENT HE IS RUNNING AHEAD, IN THE NEXT HE IS TRAILING BEHIND.
NOW HE PARADES NEXT TO RAV ASHLAG.
SUDDENLY, THE COACHMAN PULLS SHARPLY ON THE REINS.
The coachman: Whoa!
A SHORT MAN COMES OUT OF THE FOREST AND STOPS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, HOLDING A TIGHT LITTLE BUNDLE WRAPPED IN CLOTH.
RAV ASHLAG STRAINS TO SEE THE STRANGER’S FACE, JUMPS OFF THE WAGON, AND WALKS UP TO HIM.
IT IS OLD BARUCH.
RAV ASHLAG APPROACHES HIM.
BARUCH IS WATCHING RAV ASHLAG CROSSLY.
Baruch: Take it with you.
HE HANDS THE BUNDLE OVER TO RAV ASHLAG.
Rav Ashlag: What is this?
Baruch: It is The Book of Zohar. It is almost three hundred years old. It is a book that belonged to my teacher the Rabbi of Kotzk. It's priceless. You can sell it if times get rough.
Rav Ashlag: Thank you, teacher.
Baruch: We won't see each other again.
HE TURNS AROUND AND DISAPPEARS IN THE FOREST.
***
DOCUMENTARY FOOTAGE OF THE 1920’s.
AN OLD, OVERCROWDED SHIP IS ROCKING ON THE WAVES OF THE MEDITERRANEAN, HEADING FOR THE LAND OF ISRAEL.
***
NIGHT. THE STARS ARE TWINKLING IN THE DARK WAVES.
THE ASHLAGS AND CHAIM ARE HUDDLED TOGETHER ON THE CRAMMED DECK.
RAV ASHLAG IS LYING DOWN AND WATCHING THEM, HIS ARMS UNDER HIS HEAD.
SUDDENLY RIVKA'S HAND TOUCHES HIM.
Rivka (whispers): It’s starting.
RAV ASHLAG WAKES UP BARUCH AND CHAIM.
Rav Ashlag: Look for a doctor or a paramedic – quick!
BARUCH SHALOM RUNS TO THE CAPTAIN’S BRIDGE; CHAIM RUNS TO THE LOWER DECKS.
WE CAN SEE BARUCH GESTURING EMPHATICALLY TO THE NAVIGATION OFFICER, BUT THE MAN SHAKES HIS HEAD NEGATIVELY.
RIVKA LOOKS AT HER HUSBAND.
HER FACE IS A MASK OF PAIN AND RESILIENCE.
RAV ASHLAG HUGS HER, PRESSING HER AGAINST HIM. SHE IS MOANING QUIETLY.
BARUCH AND CHAIM COME RUNNING BACK ALMOST AT THE SAME TIME.
Baruch: There is no doctor on board!
Chaim: There's no one who can help!
RIVKA PUSHES EVERYONE AWAY SHARPLY AND LOOKS DOWN.
Rivka (through the pain): Get them out of here, Yehuda! Now!
CHAIM'S CLOTHES FLY THROUGH THE AIR AND LAND ON THE DECK.
THE ASHLAGS’ BUNDLES ARE EMPTIED.
IN NO TIME, CHAIM AND BARUCH CONSTRUCT A TENT AROUND RAV ASHLAG AND RIVKA MADE OF SHEETS, SHIRTS, SKIRTS, AND TROUSERS.
RAV ASHLAG STICKS HIS HEAD OUT FOR A MOMENT.
Rav Ashlag: Hot water, quickly!
BARUCH RUNS OUT TO GET IT.
Chaim: But how… You've never done this before.
Rav Ashlag (calmly): To receive life is not so difficult a task. To live, now that's where you need real skill.
RIVKA IS MOANING INSIDE THE TENT.
BARUCH SPRINTS BACK WITH A BUCKET OF HOT WATER.
RAV ASHLAG FOLDS HIS SLEEVES BACK.
Rav Ashlag: That's it, boys; take a walk you two. Soon our daughter will be born.
HE DIVES INTO THE TENT.
RIVKA’S FACE IS PALE.
HER EYES FOLLOW HER HUSBAND’S EVERY MOVE.
LARGE BEADS OF SWEAT CONDENSE ON HER FOREHEAD.
RAV ASHLAG TENDERLY WIPES HER FOREHEAD WITH A TOWEL.
OUTSIDE, CHAIM AND BARUCH ARE WALKING IN CIRCLES UNDER THE STARLIT SKIES.
INSIDE THE TENT, RIVKA IS BITING ON A FOLDED TOWEL TO STIFLE THE SCREAMS, HER EYES FILLED WITH PAIN.
THE WAVES THUNDER AND CRASH AGAINST THE SIDES OF THE OLD SHIP.
A FULL MOON HANGS ABOVE THE WATER.
SUDDENLY WE HEAR THE CRY OF A NEWBORN.
RIVKA IS WEEPING WITH PAIN AND JOY.
Rav Ashlag (cradling the newborn in his arms): Well, hello there, Bat Sheva!
Rivka (quietly, with love): Bat Sheva.
***
THE SHIP ROCKS ON THE WAVES.
TIED TO THE MAST, A MAKESHIFT CRADLE MADE OF RAGS, IS SWAYING FROM SIDE TO SIDE.
RIVKA IS SLEEPING NEARBY.
RAV ASHLAG IS SITTING A FEW FEET AWAY.
OPPOSITE THEM – CHAIM AND BARUCH.
Rav Ashlag (explaining to Baruch): The name, Israel, is made of two words – Yashar (directly) and El (God), meaning directly toward the Creator. Only those who yearn to meet the Creator live in this land.
Baruch: And the ones who don’t?
Rav Ashlag: They simply cannot live in it.
Baruch: But there are lots of people living there.
Rav Ashlag: No, there aren’t.
Baruch: I don't understand, all kinds of people live there right now.
Rav Ashlag: Baruch, let me give you an example. Let's take two people who are walking on the same street. For one of them, it is a street of stones, a pavement filled with dirty puddles, with a pauper begging on one corner. But for another, it is a road leading to the Creator. Well, tell me, are they walking on the same street or not?
Baruch: Clearly they’re not. The one who is looking for the Creator sees before him the most beautiful, light-filled street in the world.
Rav Ashlag: Such is this land. It is very beautiful, full of light, blooming, and bountiful. The Land of Israel is a desire to be by the Creator's side – it's a land within us.
RIVKA OPENS HER EYES AND SMILES AT HER HUSBAND.
SHE’S NEVER SEEN HIM SO INSPIRED.
Baruch: Is the Land of Israel inside me as well?
Rav Ashlag: Each person contains this land within him.
Baruch: So this land is for everybody?
Rav Ashlag: Yes, it is.
Baruch: For each and every one?
Rav Ashlag: For all people.
Baruch: And not just for Jews?
Rav Ashlag: For Jews and non-Jews, blacks, whites, yellow, and red. It is for everyone.
Baruch: So, one day the whole world will become the Land of Israel?
Rav Ashlag: Precisely. Each and every person who wishes to meet the Creator will live in this country.
Baruch: Then why are we going there, if this land is inside every one of us?
Rav Ashlag: It’s because we are running out of time. We can't wait. We have been marked by the Creator, and we can't help it. We want to find the spiritual Land of Israel while living in the geographical point called “the Land of Israel.” It will give us additional strength, it will!
Baruch: I wish it would happen already.