Hey! Welcome back! This blog post is a bit of a stretch, as it’s based on a bit of pop-culture and possibly a little shoe-horning to make it work, but I think if you stick with it, you might get something out of it like I did. (In fact, I found the crisis quite sobering.)
There is a formula followed in most, if not all, romantic movies, and in it’s simplist form it goes like this: love, crisis, and return, and with some drama in between. That’s the story arc. Typically, the crisis is around two-thirds or three-quarters of the way into the movie.
I am going to parallel the story of our history to a modern romance movie, and I hope it doesn’t sound disrespectful, because it’s not intended to be. The parallel focuses on specific points over the 5786 years of history and the future.
In the Creation story, our protagonist is searching with a burning passion for the One to make his life complete.
After years and years of searching, alas, the One is found, and their love is unparalleled.
Some time later, our protagonist is sent to a foreign land on a business trip. At first, the environment is open and friendly.
But over time, the natives grow to hate the foreigner and plot his demise. Desperate and afraid for his life, he messages the One for help!
Our protagonist is rescued at the last minute. Reunited, he and the One settle down and build a beautiful family and home together.
Over time, the bliss wears down, and our protagonist becomes wrapped up in the novelties and distractions of the day. His heart no longer burns for the One.
The One calls out, “Where are you, my beloved?” but there is no response.
Lost and alone, our isolated protagonist lives a shattered life. But even in this dark shadow existence, the One unceasingly calls for him. Pleading for him to wake up and come home.
Eventually, the One’s words echo in the chamber of his heart, prompting a stirring from within. Stoked memories of a time filled with love and devotion, our protagonist lifts his head to respond. “Go home. I must get home to the One,” are the only thoughts that fill his heart.
Through tremendous effort, working together, our protagonist is extracted from the depths of misery and illusion and is reunited with the One forever.
I hope the parallels are obvious, but if not, here’s what I had intended:
- Picture 1 : Avraham Avinu searches for G-d.
- Picture 2 : Avraham Avinu finds G-d.
- Picture 3 : Yaakov and family descend to Egypt.
- Picture 4 : The Egyptians plot their demise.
- Picture 5 : G-d orchestrates the Exodus from Egypt.
- Picture 6 : Klal Yisrael built the Beit Hamikdash I and II and grew as a nation.
- Picture 7 : The Enlightenment and technology distract Klal Yisrael from their true purpose.
- Picture 8 : Shattered, lost, and confused lives in exile.
- Picture 9 : The current tshuva movement and the slow return of Klal Yisrael to Israel.
- Picuture 10 : The beautiful End of Days.
Yitzhak Sasson 