The acting in this small Israeli film is quite good. The story is really a fairy tale about the power of prayer to change life. It is also about getting what you wish for- it may not be very satisfying. Moishe and his wife pray for money, and they get it; they pray for a Sukkah and they get it (albeit it is "stolen"), they pray for guests to celebrate with, and they get them (albeit uncouth petty criminals); and finally they pray for a son (not a daughter), and they get one.
This film is supposed to be a bridge between the secular and the ultra religious. I would say it it not a bridge at all. It is difficult to understand how a Rebbe approved this script. Does this Rebbe not care about the sanctity of the body? Is there a scene when Moishe is NOT smoking? And his charming, overweight wife also smokes (does she smoke while she is pregnant?).
Perhaps, I am the only one shocked by this behavior. How silly of me to equate "holy people" with healthy living and respect for the body. Moishe and his wife have no food, but "miracle of miracles" they have enough money to buy cigarettes. This film only made me see that these haredi, who do nothing but pray, are useless members of a society. Do they pray for justice? no. Do they pray for an end to poverty? no. Do they pray for an end to occupation? no. Do they pray for peace? no. They pray for themselves. Their world is claustrophobic and filthy. Charity supports their lifestyle. No one seems to work, unless work is building or dismantling a sukkah. How sad. But mostly, how sad that people think this is a "holy" way to live.
This film is supposed to be a bridge between the secular and the ultra religious. I would say it it not a bridge at all. It is difficult to understand how a Rebbe approved this script. Does this Rebbe not care about the sanctity of the body? Is there a scene when Moishe is NOT smoking? And his charming, overweight wife also smokes (does she smoke while she is pregnant?).
Perhaps, I am the only one shocked by this behavior. How silly of me to equate "holy people" with healthy living and respect for the body. Moishe and his wife have no food, but "miracle of miracles" they have enough money to buy cigarettes. This film only made me see that these haredi, who do nothing but pray, are useless members of a society. Do they pray for justice? no. Do they pray for an end to poverty? no. Do they pray for an end to occupation? no. Do they pray for peace? no. They pray for themselves. Their world is claustrophobic and filthy. Charity supports their lifestyle. No one seems to work, unless work is building or dismantling a sukkah. How sad. But mostly, how sad that people think this is a "holy" way to live.