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Announcer on radio: Ah, ah, ah, ah! Don't touch that dial!

( Radio tuning )

Announcer 2 on radio: This is WEAM, NBC in New York.

It's 4:30 p.m., Eastern War Time.

( Radio tuning )

Man: Eddie, can't we go pretty soon?

I'm getting a little tired of waiting.

Eddie Cantor: Just a couple more minutes, Jack.

Jack Benny: Gee, if I'd known it'd take this long,

I'd have had Rochester hitch up Leona and come after me.

( Laughter )

-( Hitler shouting in German ) -( Soldiers marching )

( Crowd cheers )

Announcer on radio: If you've always dreamed

about being a bombardier, navigator, or pilot,

this is the time to make your dreams come true.

Roosevelt on radio: With confidence in our armed forces,

with the unbounding determination of our people,

we will gain the inevitable triumph,

so help us God.

( Applause )

Man on radio: Ah, Mrs. Nussbaum again.

( Applause )

Nussbaum: You were expecting, maybe, Dinah Schneider?

( Laughter )

Announcer on radio: Yes, the happiest band in the land

holds a spot on the Hotel Astor roof

in the heart of Times Square in New York city.

( Radio tuning )

( Big band music plays )

Man: Keep your eyes on everything!

Now, hear this...

Never underestimate the enemy!

Let's have some defensive solidarity.

Close it up. No holes.

What're you looking for, paratroopers?

Stop dreaming! The war is on the ground.

That's right. Close it up.

Okay, now, Malter, What're you doing?

Malter, get your tuchus out there.

Come on, that's right.

Come on, let's go. Come on.

Come on, get out there, Reuven! Look alive!

All right, let's close it up, let's go.

All right, come on, let's go.

Get out there, that's right, Davey, come on.

Show us what ya got, Davey!

Move it around, boys! Move it around!

Here they come!

( Folksy mandolin music plays )

Get a load of them.

Reuven narrating: I suppose Danny Saunders and I would have never met,

had it not been for America's entry into World War II,

and the desire of American Jews to show the world

that we were as physically fit as any other American.

We would prove this by playing tough games

of neighborhood baseball.

But even though Danny and his team lived

within five blocks of us,

it might as well have been 5,000 miles,

for Danny was a member

of a very orthodox group of Jews called "Hasidim".

They wore their hair and clothes the same way

their ancestors did hundreds of years ago in Eastern Europe.

You could see them on Saturday, Shabbos.

They would hurry off to their small synagogues to pray

and to study the Holy Books, the Torah and the Talmud.

You ready to play?

-Just about ready. -We're ready, too.

Good.

Reuven narrating: They were a strange group.

I didn't know very much about them.

They would always keep to themselves,

and that was fine with me.

Man: Play ball!

Fan: All right, look alive out there!

Come on!

Nice and easy!

Come on, Davey, baby! Pour it on!

Man: No batter!

( Cheering )

All right!

Man 2: Good boy!

-Swing, batter! -Strike!

I don't think this is their game.

They should stick to praying.

Strike three! You're out!

Yeah, one more just like that, Davey! No batter!

Man: Easy outs! Easy outs!

( Softly ) Keep your eye on the ball next time.

Man: Throw him out, Davey. Come on.

MAN 2: No batter! No batter!

Malter, Goldberg? Back up.

Come on, back up. That's right.

Reuven, move back!

That's Danny Saunders! He can hit!

All right, Davey, come on, let's get him, Dave.

Man: Whip it in there, Davey! Whip it in!

Man 2: Get in there, Davey.

( All shouting )

-Safe at second! -Man 3: That was a nice shot.

You always hit like that to the pitcher?

You always this friendly?

Man 2: No batter. No batter.

( Folksy music playing )

Man: Look alive out there! Come on!

Field it! Field it!

( All cheering )

Man: Field it! Field it in!

( Cheering )

Man: We're getting slaughtered, and it's only the first inning.

Malter, you take over for Davey, okay?

Yes, sir.

Okay?

Okay.

Man 2: Come on, Reuven.

Give him the buzz bomb, Reuven.

Ball!

Man 2: Pour it on, Reuven. Pour it on!

Man 3: Come on, easy.

Ball two.

Strike!

Ball three.

( Groans )

( whispering ) Where is Reuven Malter?

Yes, he's over there.

Thank you.

How are you feeling?

Okay.

The hospital...

Just telephoned me.

They told me you were awake.

I brought you a few things.

I ran out of a faculty meeting.

Is my eye gonna be okay?

Why shouldn't it be?

Dr. Lockman operated on it. He's a big specialist.

-They operated on it? -Mm-hmm.

What was the matter?

There was a...

piece of glass in your eye.

-They took it out? -Yeah, took it out.

It's-- It's gonna be okay now?

Yeah.

Your eye's going to be all right.

-You sure? -Yes, I'm sure.

( Coughing )

I know you're not telling me something.

Please tell me.

I'll tell you exactly what they told me about the eye.

Until the bandages are removed, we won't know

whether the eye will be able to see or not.

But... Dr. Lockman is very optimistic.

But he's not sure?

No.

No, he's not sure.

( Sighs )

Danny Saunders' father called me twice today

and once last night.

He just wanted to know how you were,

and he tells me his son is very, very sorry.

He's sorry that he didn't kill me.

Reuven, what kind of talk is this?

It wasn't an accident. He wanted to hit me.

You mean he did it deliberately.

It seemed deliberate.

I brought your radio.

Just because you're in a hospital

doesn't mean you should be shut off from the world.

The news reports say Rome was declared an open city,

it will be ours any day now.

Ah, ah, ah, no reading.

What do you mean no reading? I can't read a newspaper?

You are not allowed to read.

What am I gonna do about my schoolwork?

That's one of the great advantages

of being hit in the eye... No schoolwork.

I have to get to the library.

You rest.

I'll see you tomorrow.

I just hate these hospitals.

( Big band music plays )

Announcer on radio: Hello to you guys and gals

who are giving American history something to brag about.

Here's a high-jumpin' tune dedicated to the kind of action

we want to see you enjoyin' mighty soon.

-( Jazz music plays ) -Hello. ( coughs )

I'm sorry about what happened.

Who let you in here?

They told me I could see you.

Your eye, will it get better?

I don't know yet.

I'm sorry.

Is that it?

Huh? That's it?

Great.

( Volume increases )

I didn't come here to fight with you.

If all you want to do is fight, I'm gonna go home.

Yeah?

Good, go home.

I came here to talk to you.

I don't want to listen to you! Go home!

Good-bye!

I am sorry.

Look, just leave. Do you understand English?

Leave!

Of course I understand English.

( Volume increases )

Watch your step.

-You know who came to see me? -Who?

-Danny Saunders. -Ah, and?

And I threw him out.

Why?

Do you hate him that much?

Well, I don't like him very much.

I'm glad I'm home.

I'm glad you're home, too.

♪

Reuven narrating: Here was my room, just the way I'd left it,

but somehow, everything seemed different.

It was as if some part of me had been left back

in the schoolyard next to my shattered glasses.

My father had often told me that health was a gift,

but I had always taken that for granted.

But now, now I tried to imagine

what my life would be like with only one good eye.

I felt sick inside.

I was scared.

-( Piano playing ) -( Typewriter clacking )

FATHER: Reuven, remember, don't strain your eye!

I won't!

( Doorbell rings )

I got it!

( Doorbell rings )

Are you gonna get mad at me again?

May I come in?

( Sighs ) Yeah.

Thank you.

You were quite mean to me at the hospital.

So?

I'd like to talk to you about it.

I'd like to explain.

Are you willing to listen?

I'm listening.

It's like this...

Whenever I do something I don't understand,

I try to think it through until I understand it.

And what I don't understand is, at the ball game,

I wanted to beat you over the head with my bat.

I don't know why I wanted to kill you,

but I wanted to kill you.

Do you feel this way about most people?

No, Malter.

Just you.

Thanks for the compliment.

You still want to kill me?

No.

You are weird.

I am?

Yeah, you are.

You look like you walked out of another century.

You play baseball like Babe Ruth.

You talk like you're from outer space.

Thanks for the compliment.

You can come in if you like. Sit down.

Where'd you learn to hit like that?

I practiced.

I thought you people only studied Talmud.

I have an agreement with my father.

I study my quota of Talmud every day.

The rest of the time is my own.

Your quota of Talmud?

Four pages.

Four pages?

I can do one page, and I'm very good.

And even then,

I need my father to come help me.

I have total recall.

Sure.

Prove it.

"American army casualties totaled 3,283

and 12,600 wounded up to midnight last night."

"In the first 11 days of the invasion of France,

the beachhead has become, quote, 'absolutely secure',

Unquote, the Germans having quote, 'last night'..."

That's amazing.

I can do all of "Ivanhoe."

Now you're trying to show off.

Trying to make a good impression.

You're doing okay.

I truly hope your eye will be all right.

I'll manage.

Anyway, now I can look like Errol Flynn.

Who-Who is he?

Errol Flynn. Robin Hood. Captain Blood, Errol Flynn.

You don't know who Errol Flynn is?

The movie star?

Oh!

I've never been to a movie.

We don't go to movies.

Oh.

( Plays jazz music )

Where'd you learn to play the piano?

My mother. She died.

That sounds Hasidic.

No, Ziggy Elman. Plays with Benny Goodman.

Who?

Benny... You don't know who Benny Goodman is?

I don't believe... You haven't been around too much, have you?

I should be going.

♪

Okay.

( Typewriter clacking )

That's my father.

He's writing an article on Talmud.

I know.

You do?

My father knows what your father writes about.

He doesn't particularly approve.

So let him write his own articles.

He would never do that.

You see, my father believes that words distort

what a person really feels in his heart.

Your father doesn't speak with words?

Actually, he doesn't talk much. At least not to me.

We talk when we study Talmud, but otherwise...

My father wishes everyone could speak...

in silence.

♪

Ah, one more thing, Ru-Venn.

Reuven.

Reuven.

If you'd like,

maybe I could help you with your schoolwork.

Your reading.

Maybe.

"To die, to sleep, to sleep, perchance to dream."

Aye, there's the rub, for in that sleep of death,

what dreams may come

when we have shuffled off this mortal coil...

"must..."

Must, must, what?

"Must give us pause."

"Must give us pause."

"Must give us pause." I know that.

Do you know what it means?

They never ask us that on finals.

What do you dream about, Reuven?

I dream about a lot of stuff.

Do you remember any of your dreams?

Yeah. Sometimes.

I had a very...

I had a very funny dream the other night.

I dreamt, uh, there was this king,

and he was dancing around my bed,

and he was dressed up in a clown suit.

Do you know the Hebrew for king?

Of course, melech.

And for clown or fool?

Lemech.

The word for king, melech,

begins with an 'M', and then an 'L'.

Whereas the word for fool, lemech,

begins with the 'L' and then the 'M'.

So what?

In Hebrew, The word for intellect

is moch, begins with an 'M'.

And the word for heart, the seat of passion?

Lev.

Lev, that's correct. Begins with an 'L'.

So you see, Reuven,

if you put the 'M' in front of the 'L',

the head in front of the heart, then you're a king.

And if you put the 'L' in front of the 'M',

the heart in front of the head, then you're a fool.

You calling me a fool?

No, no, no, no, but don't you see the importance

that the symbols in our dreams can have?

Reuven, deep inside of us, there is something.

It's called the unconscious.

It makes us do and feel things

without us ever even being aware of it.

It's filled with things

that-- that we're afraid to tell to ourselves.

And it is only by interpreting the symbols in our dreams

that we can find out

about what's really going on inside of us.

Danny, where did you learn all this stuff?

Um...

I've been reading about it.

In Hebrew class?

No.

In the library.

I get tired just studying Talmud,

I know it cold,

so I've been going to the library,

reading other things.

It's okay with me.

With you, maybe.

My father, he's very specific

about the things we're allowed to read.

Have you told him?

No.

I haven't told anyone.

Until now.

I met this man in the library,

he's been showing me books to read...

Fitzgerald, Steinbeck, Hemingway!

Now, now I'm concentrating on psychology.

Adler, Jung, Freud. ( Chuckles )

It's incredible, Reuven! It's exciting!

I've been going to the library as often as I can,

without anyone finding out about it.

I'll keep your secret.

What are you gonna do after you graduate?

Go to Hirsch College.

-Mm. -What about you?

Rabbinical Yeshiva.

You know, Hirsch has got a rabbinical department.

It's a very good one.

Yes, I've heard of it.

But my father would never let me go there.

So you're gonna become a rabbi and take your father's place?

It's expected of me.

My family, they've been rabbis for the past six generations.

It's like a dynasty.

And I'm next in line.

You don't sound very happy about it.

I'm happy.

♪

What'd you get in history, Reuven?

Him? Him, he gets a 98. With one eye, yet.

-Yeah, but he's had help. -From who?

He's got his own personal Hasid giving him lessons.

Hey, Goldberg, would you just lay off?

-Touchy! -Is this true?

Yeah, that's the word.

He's hanging out with a holier gang now.

He's getting too good for us.

Ah, See? There's one of his buddies now!

( Chuckles )

Hasidim!

I see'd him, too! But I don't believe 'em!

-( knocks on window ) -MAN: See? What'd I tell you?

There he goes! Bye, Reuven!

( Laughter )

Danny. What're you doing here?

I'm looking for you.

My father wants to meet you.

Why?

I told him we were friends.

( Muffled laughter )

You don't mind me telling him we were friends?

No, I don't mind.

Good! Well, he has to approve.

He has to approve of what?

Of my friends.

Especially if they're outside the fold.

So you'll come?

Yeah. I guess.

Where?

To meet my father.

Yeah, I'll come. When?

Tomorrow for Shabbos.

Don't worry, Reuven.

My father is a great man.

You'll see when you come.

( Talking indistinctly )

( Folksy music plays )

Reuven narrating: Danny told me about the founder

of the Hasidic movement,

who lived with poor people in Poland during the 1700s.

They called him the Ba'al Shem Tov,

the Master of the Good Word.

He had studied Kabbalah,

the secret books of Jewish mysticism.

He preached a popular idea that God is everywhere,

that he should be worshipped through joy

and singing and dancing,

that to be a good Jew didn't depend on how much you knew

but on how much you felt.

( Folksy music continues )

( Indistinct conversations and chanted prayers )

( Scattered hushing )

( whispering ) My father's coming.

Papa?

This is my friend, Reuven Malter.

Reuven Malter?

Your eye, it is healing?

That's good.

With God's help, it'll heal speedily.

I hear you are a good student.

You know Torah?

Yes, sir.

You know Talmud?

Well, we shall see.

We shall see.

( Indistinct conversations )

( praying in Hebrew )

ALL: Amen.

( All singing )

( Singing stops, Reuven continues )

This man was on a boat and fell into the sea,

and the captain of the boat, he saw this man was drowning.

So he threw this man a rope.

And, "Hold onto this rope," he shouted.

"Hold on to this rope. Hold tight.

Hold tight.

'Cause if you let go, you may lose your life."

Are we too not drowning in a sea of ignorance?

Cruelty, death?

Who is our captain?

God!

And what is the rope that he throws us?

It is our Torah!

Now it's not an easy task to study Torah.

It is a task that takes all day.

It is a task that takes all night.

And there is a great danger.

Did not the Reb Meir say,

"He who is walking by the way and studying,

and he breaks off that study and he sees...

he sees a field,

and in that field, he sees a tree.

Him does not the scriptures consider

"as if he had forfeited his life!"

Only... Only through the Torah...

Through the Torah can you lead a full life.

Only then will God, the master of the universe,

Only then will He hear your words!

Amen.

ALL: Amen!

Reuven?

Reuven, what did you think of my...

little talk?

I mean, it was, uh... Was it, uh...

Was it all right? Was it good?

It was very good.

It was very good.

( Light chuckling )

Well, was it, uh... It was it...

It was all, uh, good and, uh, correct?

Sir?

Daniel?

It wasn't Rabbi Meir who said that turning from Torah

and looking on a field or a tree would be forfeiting a life.

It was written in the name of Rabbi Yakov,

not Rabbi Meir.

( Murmuring and laughter )

True. It was Rabbi Yakov.

And is it... Reuven?

Is it also true that a man,

he should spend his whole life only studying Torah?

Torah should be combined with work and good deeds.

( Murmuring )

And whose words are these?

S- Simeon the Righteous, I think.

REB: You think? You should know.

I kn-- I know.

You know?

I know.

He knows.

( Laughter )

Well, that, that's good that you know, eh?

( Laughter )

REB: He knows, yeah?

( All singing )

At least you could have warned me!

I didn't know!

So? What's the hurry?

Mama, this is Reuven Malter.

Reuven Malter. Hello.

And this is my sister, Shaindel.

-Hello. -Come on.

He usually only asks me.

Do you always go through that routine?

Sure, but I don't mind it. I'm used to it.

It's a kind of tradition.

That's some tradition.

My father's father did it to him.

It's really not so bad.

The bad part is waiting until he makes the mistake.

After that, it's all right.

Actually, it's kind of a game.

I enjoy it.

Some game. ( Chuckles )

Aren't you scared? In front of all those people?

Ah! They love it!

Didn't you see their faces?

They're proud of us. They're proud of my father.

DANNY: Reuven, back in Russia,

My father saved his whole community.

Bandit gangs of Cossacks

attacked the little town he lived in.

They killed everybody.

They left him for dead with a bullet wound in his chest.

Well, once he recovered,

he announced to his people they were done with Russia.

They were going to America.

They all followed him, just like that?

( Chuckles ) Of course.

They would have followed him anywhere.

I don't understand.

I don't know any rabbi who has that kind of power.

No, no, Reuven...

My father is not just a rabbi.

He's a Tzadik, a righteous man.

A bridge between his followers and God.

You gonna be a bridge, too?

Yesterday, I asked him if,

maybe I could go to Hirsch College

instead of Rabbinical Yeshiva.

Reuven: Yeah? What did he say?

He didn't say anything.

I told you, my father doesn't talk to me.

I'd hate that,

to not have my father talk to me...

Well that, uh... my son Daniel has picked you as a friend,

but also, I happen to know

that your father is a famous, uh, scholar,

and he does scientific, uh, criticism of the sacred words.

So I don't know.

Maybe I should worry that the son of such a man

should be the friend of my Daniel.

But then again...

Daniel should have a friend.

I mean, my-- myself, I-- I have--

I have many responsibilities.

I am--

I am too, uh, busy

to, uh, to talk to him, hmm?

Well, let me tell you something.

Now, you listen.

It is not easy to be a friend.

You hear?

Yes, sir.

Okay.

So have a good week and come pray with us again.

( All say good-bye in Hebrew )

Reuven: Reb Saunders says that he doesn't like

your articles very much.

I'm not surprised.

We come from two totally different approaches.

He thinks Torah was written by God,

and I think it was written by man,

inspired by God.

But then there's a lot of my own writing

I don't like myself.

Papa, what are you talking about?

Your writing is... it's brilliant.

Thank you, but there is brilliance,

and there is brilliance.

I am a simple teacher doing my job,

writing as well as I can.

I know my limits, and I accept them.

But I'm no great leader like a Reb Saunders.

Ah!

So, now you like him.

I don't know him well enough to like him or not.

I don't care particularly for his Hasidism,

but he accomplished a lot.

It's not a simple task to be a leader of people.

It needs a special gift, and Reb Saunders has that gift.

It's a pity he keeps his Hasidism in a separate world

and he resists modern ideas and changes.

It's even more a shame that a mind like Danny's

should be shut off from the world.

Danny doesn't want to be shut off.

He wants to go to Hirsch College.

Danny?

And what does his father say?

He told me that his father doesn't talk to him.

What do you mean?

He said that his father believes in silence.

You mean Danny was brought up in silence?

Papa, what does that mean?

I heard once in Europe something about that,

but I never believed it.

He must be a very, very lonely boy.

Anyway, I'm glad and proud you made Danny your friend.

So am I.

You're studying German?

What's wrong with German? Freud wrote in German.

I want to read him in the original.

What are you looking at me like that for?

Just because Hitler speaks German

doesn't mean the whole language is corrupt.

You know what the word for mysterious is in German?

I don't know any German.

It's geheimnisvoll. It means "full of secrets."

That's what the unconscious is. Geheimnisvoll.

Geheimnisvoll. Geheimnisvoll. Sound like spies to me.

Hey, what do you say? They sound like spies to you?

Loose lips sink ships.

Hey, what's with the curls, honey?

-You're in our way. -Hey, you're on our block.

( All shouting )

No, no, no. Now, come on, let's go. Let's go.

-( Groans ) -Reuven!

Sorry, Jew boy.

Are you hurt?

( Laughter )

No! No, Reuven!

MAN: You dirty kike!

You told me you didn't like to fight!

I don't.

Reuven: Mrs. Saunders, it's all right.

Mrs. Saunders: And Levi, go get some witch hazel for your brother.

You sit here. I'll get some wet towels.

So this is what I can expect,

when the two of you are together?

Reb Saunders, I'm sorry. It wasn't our fault.

You're sorry?

♪

You wear that for a while.

You can see.

Yeah, I can see.

Baruch Hashem.

Papa? Shh! Shh.

Danny, I want you to meet my father.

Reuven: Papa?

I want to introduce you to somebody.

Papa, this my friend, Danny Saunders.

Danny, I'd like you to meet my father.

Your father?

Yeah.

I had no idea.

How could you have? I never told you my name.

Wait a minute, what is going on here?

I am very grateful to you, Mr. Malter.

It was you who was suggesting books for Danny.

Well, a boy comes into the library,

Sits down near where I usually sit.

A Hasidic boy sits a little bit in the corner

so no one should recognize him.

But after a while, he turns to me,

apologizes for having interrupted my work

and asks me if I could recommend a book for him.

I suggest one, and two hours later,

he comes back and has not only read it

but memorized it.

I was amazed, of course, and I suggest another one,

and another and another and another.

And here we are.

Why didn't you tell me?

It was not for me to tell.

Another book for you.

Not very easy, but, you might like it.

It's also by Freud,

might be just the right moment.

The German title is "Totem and Taboo."

Would you like some help with the bell?

Hello, Mr. Kaplan. Come in.

Hi.

Danny's not here.

Do you know when he'll be back?

He didn't tell me.

Are you still studying together?

Yes. We're preparing for college.

You're going to Rabbinical Yeshiva?

No.

Well, do you want to come inside

or wait out here?

I'd like to come inside.

Okay.

Saunders: Reuven?

Hello, Reb Saunders.

My boy, why don't you come upstairs?

I want to talk to you in the study.

Yes, sir.

Put the books on the desk.

( Humming )

Take the books out of the chair.

( Humming continues )

Now you'll sit in the chair.

( Sighs )

There are a lot of books in this room.

Yes, sir.

You'd think there was enough books in this room

to last a lifetime.

That's why I'd like to talk to you about something.

I understand that, uh...

my Daniel spends several hours a day at the library.

Know I had to find out about this,

the neighborhood's too small

that I shouldn't find out about it.

And I understand, uh...

That he also spends...

Some of this time with you, is that true?

Yes, sir.

And I understand also that some of these hours

he spends with your father.

Is that, also true?

Yes, sir.

But what I don't know is what does he read?

Daniel is my friend.

He's your friend. He's my son.

He's my most precious possession in the whole world.

I mean, he takes my place afterwards.

He follows me.

I can't tell my Daniel what to read.

And this you may not understand, you know.

I can't...

Well, I can't ask him.

But I can ask you.

Reuven...

Look at me.

It's very simple.

I need your help.

I don't want to lose my Danny.

Not my Danny.

Reuven's here.

Good, where is he?

Upstairs in papa's study.

How long has he been there?

For around 15, 20 minutes.

He knows all about the library.

MRS. SAUNDERS: I made, samovar tea!

Fresh.

Sit. Sit.

What? What's with the long faces?

What, nobody's talking?

Maybe I have something for you.

I was saving it for a special occasion but...

...you look so sad, maybe now's best, hmm?

Here.

-What's this? -Open, open!

( Chuckles )

It's a briefcase, beautiful, huh?

It's for your books.

Thank you, mama.

It's for your books, when you go to college.

Hirsch College.

( Sobs )

It's from me and your father.

♪

( Reb Saunders' door closes )

♪

Reuven narrating: You couldn't say Reb Saunders

was very pleased about Danny's going to Hirsch,

but at least he was satisfied that Danny would be able

to get his rabbinical degree there.

The war was still the major event

on everyone's mind.

The Germans had launched a big offensive

in the Ardennes region.

And while the Battle of the Bulge was being fought,

Danny and I were studying Talmud in the morning

and regular college subjects in the afternoons.

I liked college.

It was challenging, and it was exciting,

but for Danny, it was very different

from what he expected.

MAN: Let's get this clear about Freud...

Dogmatic Freudians are not scientists.

There are more like medieval magicians.

What we are going to study here is what psychology should be,

a science.

( Squeaking )

( Squeaking continues )

Look at this. I got my first A.

Isn't that great?

This calls for a little bit of a celebration, don't you think?

And I feel like giving up.

Maybe I made a mistake coming here.

-Why? What's wrong? -Psychology class.

Freud was a scientist, not just a dreamer.

I can see myself spending the next four years

running rats through mazes.

What do these rats have to do with the human mind,

hidden desires, evil impulses, the unconscious?

You know-- You know what you need, huh?

I think you need a little healthy diversion.

I think you gotta widen your horizons a little bit.

Tell you what, I'm gonna show you something, okay?

Come on, let's go. I'm gonna take you somewhere.

No, I have to finish my food.

They should send that stuff overseas.

-Come on, get up. -No.

Would you just get up, please? What do you mean, no?

-I have to study. -You have to study?

You've done all the studying you can do.

-Reuven, Reuven! -Would you just get up?

-What? What? What? What? -Don't tickle me.

Don't tickle you? Just get up. Come on.

Come on. That's good. Over here.

♪

What do you think?

It's a deception.

Have you ever noticed how we have no pictures

or paintings on the walls of our house?

It's because the images detract from what's real,

from what's true.

I see you haven't stopped looking.

That's...

because it's...

it's beautiful.

Announcer on radio: It's official!

The war in Europe is ending!

Germany has surrendered unconditionally

to the western allies!

Woman: I'm gonna get some beer!

Hiya, toots.

Reuven: Well, come on! Speak to the lady.

-Come on! -Later, boys!

You okay, Danny? Danny?

What's wrong?

Danny: A Hasid should not even touch a woman

other than his wife!

Such encounters take your mind off God!

Danny? Danny?

Hello?

How do you feel?

Did you like it?

( Rabbi Saunders singing in Hebrew )

( Continues singing in Hebrew )

No? How do they feel?

They're tight. Tight on the nose.

That's no problem. I can fix that in a second.

You wait here.

You'll like these.

Just like Levi likes his,

and just like your father likes his.

-You know, Reuven? -Yeah?

I think Levi would make a very good rabbi.

Levi? A rabbi?

Sure.

Don't you think he's a little young?

Ah. Now try them.

Better yet? Huh?

Oh!

Now, now you look like a real rebbe.

I'll get you a fine case.

Uh, rebbe? Rebbe? Sir?

I would like, to, uh...

I'd like to give your eyes a real test.

What test?

How would you like to see your first movie?

( Dramatic movie soundtrack playing )

( Lauritz Melchior singing operatically )

How do you suppose he does that,

sings and kisses at the same time?

No idea.

( Singing operatically )

♪ Come on, baby ♪

( Laughter )

♪ Hello, and don't say maybe ♪

♪ It's your life and stay straight ♪

You liked it?

( Dramatic theme music plays )

Announcer narrating: American troops overrunning enemy territories

uncover the most horrible atrocities

in the history of this devastating war,

the Nazi concentration camps.

General Eisenhower is visibly appalled

as he inspects the incredible evidence of Nazi cruelty.

The few survivors testify to the deliberate murder

of thousands of prisoners.

Unsuspecting European Jews were deported in cattle cars

to such camps as Buchenwald.

Behind these electrified fences,

the death mills flourished.

Here is official documentary proof

of sheer mass murder.

Men, women, and children of all ages

were branded with serial numbers,

worked like slaves, starved, tortured,

and systematically slaughtered by the thousands.

The Nazis deceived their victims by telling them

that they were going to showers to be disinfected,

but the showers were really gas chambers.

This was all part of the Nazi plan

for the genocide of the Jewish people.

Once inside, they were exterminated,

their bodies then burned in specially constructed ovens.

Camps like Buchenwald, Dachau, Bergen-Belsen, Auschwitz

will be emblazoned in the history

of man's inhumanity to man.

All that now remains are the mounds of hair,

clothes, and eyeglasses of the Jewish victims.

At the moment, fears mount that the death tolls

may be in the millions.

♪

Though he slay me...

Yet...

Will I...

Trust in him?

How the world delights in killing us.

All our leaders...

Our teachers...

Our families...

What's left?

All is reduced to...

bones...

ashes.

We are the survivors.

It's up to us to keep our people alive.

We cannot wait for God.

How long are you gonna be gone?

I don't know.

Maybe two weeks.

Certainly two weeks. Maybe three.

Here, this is where you can reach me in Chicago.

And this is the number and the address

of the people organizing a Jewish homeland in Canada.

They know where to reach me.

Papa, have you got your shaving kit?

Shaving kit? Shaving kit? No.

Maybe I should take you with me as my secretary.

REUVEN: Very funny.

Thank you.

Will you be all right over there?

Oh, I'll be fine.

Mrs. Saunders is supposed to be a good cook,

better than you are.

Oh, she can't be better than I am.

She says she's better than you are,

and I believe her.

I'm the greatest cook in this house.

Oh, that explains why I'm always hungry.

Thank you. ( Chuckles )

Have a good trip.

♪

Move your feet!

Why should I? I was here first!

The chair was there first! Now move!

-Hi, Levi. -Hi, Reuven.

Hi. Hi, Shaindel!

-What?! -I said hello!

What?!

-( Vacuum stops ) -I said hel--

Hello.

-Mrs. Saunders: Oy, Reuven! -Hi.

I'm so glad you're here.

Don't worry, we're gonna take very good care of you.

In fact, I think we're gonna fatten you up a little bit.

Eh, Shaindeleh. Turn it off.

You want me to clean, you don't want me to clean...

And if there's anything you want, please--

Danny: Reuven!

--don't hesitate to ask.

I'm so glad you're here. I'll take your bag.

Let me get the bags!

-"Let me get the bags"! -LEVI: Please!

I've got the bags.

You go and get some more hangers, okay?

Mrs. Saunders?

Thank you very much for everything.

Enjoy yourself.

-Go ahead. -No, you go ahead.

-Go ahead. -No, go ahead.

Go ahead.

♪

( All softly praying )

Unh-unh.

Tsk-tsk-tsk-tsk- Tsk-tsk-tsk.

Papa, Herschel says he can work miracles.

Can you?

Only God can make miracles.

He says you can predict the future.

-I can predict the future? -LEVI: Yeah.

All right, I'll make a prediction.

I will make a prediction.

I... predict...

that if you don't concentrate,

you will lose this game.

That's my prediction.

♪

What are you reading?

A book.

I might have figured that out if I had enough time.

Oh.

Aren't you supposed to be helping your mother

in the kitchen?

Is that all you think a girl does?

Cook and clean?

Boy, do I pity your husband.

Boy, do I pity your wife.

-Let me see! -No...

Uh, Shaindeleh, come in the kitchen

and help me with the vegetables, hmm?

But I'm reading.

The book can wait. The food can't. Come.

Reuven: What a strange and wondrous household this was.

I never realized how full the life of a rabbi could be.

There were babies to be blessed

and boys to be bar mitzvahed and disputes to settled.

An almost endless procession of people came in and out

to get advice from Reb Saunders.

On everything, anything.

What is this?

Save it. It'll bring you good luck.

You'll get married real quick.

( Singing in Hebrew )

Reuven: But the really special events

were the marriages.

And since I was now accepted as a member of the family,

I was there for all the celebrations.

( Lively music playing )

Reuven!

Wait, no! No!

No, Danny I-- I can't.

I don't know how! I don't-- I don't know how.

( Jubilant shouting )

( Tempo slows )

( Tempo increases )

( Jubilant shouting )

Having a good time?

Danny, I am having a wonderful time.

Good.

The groom, he's not much older than us.

He's the only one who doesn't look like

he's having such a good time.

You know how long they've been engaged?

No.

Six years.

Six years?

You mean they made up their mind six years ago?

No.

Their marriage was arranged.

It's a Hasidic custom.

It doesn't sound very romantic.

Maybe not. But it works.

Now, my sister Shaindel...

-Shaindel? -Yes.

Her marriage contract was arranged

when she was just a child.

She's going to marry the son of another rebbe.

Has she met him?

DANNY: Once. Twice.

Does she like him?

I don't know. I never asked her.

Reuven...

I thought I should tell you now.

I wouldn't want you to be hurt.

Yeah.

Thanks.

Come on, friend.

Come, come.

Dance.

In a minute.

Levi, you shouldn't play with the food.

Eat it.

Look at Reuven, you see how he's eating?

That's what you should be doing.

Saunders: Leave him alone, believe me.

He'll eat when he gets hungry.

Don't worry about that.

And when the messiah comes,

There'll be no more hunger in the world.

There'll be no more war.

There'll be no more struggles.

When the messiah comes, he'll lead our people

to the land of Israel.

I thought that the messiah was supposed to come

after a great catastrophe.

Haven't we had that?

He can come any time.

In fact, there's a very funny story,

about, the-- the holy Reb Enoch--

this man had such a problem about the messiah,

you can't believe.

If he heard within a block of the house a sound,

a cricket should make a chirp, he thought it was the messiah.

If a stranger came in the house,

this man would jump like a white Mariah.

"The messiah, the messiah, the messiah."

Meshuga, not the messiah.

( Laughs )

Well, there's some people that say

that we shouldn't have to wait for the messiah,

that Palestine should become a Jewish homeland now.

Some people say we should build this homeland for ourselves.

And who are these people that say

that they should build a new land?

Who are these people?

Well...

It is written that the messiah and the messiah only

will bring the Jews to the new land!

Only the messiah when he comes will bring them!

And God will help build their new land!

That's what written! God!

Not Ben-Gurion and his henchmen!

No!

Never!

How am I supposed to know that Zionism is a contaminated idea?

The men who want to set up a state of Israel

are not orthodox Jews.

What difference does that make?

( Sighs )

Reuven...

Just don't talk about a Jewish state here anymore.

Okay?

To my father, the idea of a Jewish state

that's not religious, it's a violation

of everything he believes.

I'm glad I didn't mention

it was my father who said all that.

I might have been thrown out of the house.

You would have been.

What are you thinking?

About my father.

I miss him.

You'll be glad to leave here, won't you?

Well, you can't say I'm particularly welcome right now.

You think my father's a tyrant.

( Sighs )

DANNY: No. I feel sorry for him.

He's trapped.

You know what it's like to be trapped?

REUVEN: I was glad when my father came home.

It was a relief to get back to the world again.

He was so possessed with the drive for a Jewish state

that he threw himself into more work.

He wrote speeches, newspaper articles

advancing the cause of a Jewish homeland.

You're working too hard.

( Typewriter clacking )

I'm fine, don't worry.

I worry.

I think that you're driving yourself too hard.

You need some rest.

Rest?

While Jewish boys are risking their lives,

fighting in the streets for an idea,

for something they believe in, I should rest?

No, I can't do that, son.

Only a life with meaning is worthy of rest.

( Typewriter clacking )

I want to be worthy of that rest, you understand?

Yes.

Anyway, we don't live forever.

I'm not trying to scare you.

Look, between you and the doctor,

I'll live another 100 years.

You're scaring me.

Reuven...

I'm sorry.

But you must understand, this is the only value

I can see in my life right now, except you.

So please, no more worries, okay?

Okay?

Okay. You want this now?

What is it, tea?

Yeah.

Fight Jewish Zion!

No state of Israel without the messiah!

No state of Israel without the messiah!

Fight the Jewish goyim

that want to make a false state of Israel!

No state of Israel! No state of Israel!

We here have...

a responsibility to protect the lives

of the men, women, and children in Palestine

who are now being threatened with Arab aggression!

( Applause )

Millions of us...

have already died.

Many of our relatives...

Fathers...

Friends...

Only a Jewish state can give meaning

to these savage acts.

Only a Jewish state

can guarantee that it will never happen again!

( Applause )

We don't need sympathy. We need money.

We need supplies. We need action now!

( Applause and shouting )

Let each of us devote our work and actions

to make the dream of a state a reality.

Let us prove to all the world

that we mean what we say when we say "Never again"!

Never again! Never again!

CROWD: Never again!

Never again!

( Cheering and shouting )

That's really something. The front page--

Reuven, here, we got a place for you.

Look.

They printed the whole thing.

-In the Times as well. -Look at the front page.

Really?

Hey, have you heard about that group that's forming

to go over and fight with the Haganah?

Uh-huh.

Yeah, well I decided to join them.

Heh! Some soldier you'll make, Goldberg.

Better you should join the other side.

So, Reuven, how's it feel to have a famous father?

Now you'll be famous.

By association anyway.

Ah, Malter and his mumza goyim.

Beat it, hippo brain.

Here, why don't you read this and get some education?

I spit on your education. You're worse than the Nazis.

-What? -You're worse than Hitler.

He destroyed the Jewish body, but you,

you'll destroy the Jewish soul.

( Plates crashing )

Goldberg! Come here!

Just calm down, all right?

If they catch you fighting,

they're gonna kick you out of the college.

-You all right? -Yeah.

Reuven: Danny?

I'll take care of it.

Go.

-Look, I need to talk to you. -Not here.

Follow me.

What're we doing in here?

My father read your father's speech

in the newspaper.

Well, my father made a very powerful speech.

The rally was a very big success--

It wasn't a success at my house.

My father ...exploded this morning.

You've been excommunicated officially.

What?

I'm not to see you, talk to you,

listen to you or be found within four feet of you.

Why are you--

Even talking to you now might be betraying his orders.

( Scoffs )

What are we gonna do?

I'm gonna do as he says.

-Wait a minute-- -We won't meet anymore.

I won't reject my father.

I won't defy my father.

I won't.

Listen...

I'm-- I'm your friend.

( Sighs )

Reb Saunders could accept the relationship

between Danny and us in front of his people

except when it comes to Zionism.

There are some Hasidim, like the Dubovich,

who support the idea of a state,

but definitely not Reb Saunders.

Reb Saunders is a fanatic. He's medieval.

They-- they arrange marriages, and they arrange friends.

They're complete fanatics.

Please don't generalize.

I don't like his attitude, either,

but in a strange way, it's the very fanaticism

of men like Reb Saunders that has kept us alive

for 2,000 years of exile, and if the Jews in Palestine

would have one ounce of that same fanaticism,

we would soon have a Jewish state.

That doesn't make me feel any better.

Me neither.

I'm sorry.

I wanted the two of you to be friends

and now I'm the cause of your separation.

I'm sorry.

♪

( Speaking Hebrew )

Danny...

Reuven narrating: For the rest of that year,

Danny and I ate in the same lunchroom,

we attended the same classes,

we even rode on the same trolley cars,

and we never once said a single word to each other.

The silence between the both of us was ugly.

I felt completely helpless.

I couldn't concentrate on my schoolwork.

I tried to talk about all of this with my father,

but he was so busy.

The question of the Jewish state

was being debated at the U.N.

The newspapers were filled with accounts

of Arabs attacking Jewish settlements.

It's set for tonight. Are you gonna come?

Yeah.

-You sure? -Yeah, I'm sure.

Okay.

Reuven narrating: Like my father, I wanted to help.

I needed to help.

I felt that I, too, had to do something.

♪

( Fog horn )

1, 2, 3, go.

Get those rifles off the floor, quick!

Douse the lights!

♪

( Coughs )

MR. MALTER: Where have you been?

I've been out.

You know how worried I've been?

I'm sorry.

Mr. Malter: Sorry? It's 7:00 am in the morning.

I waited for you all night.

I don't have time for this, Reuven.

I thought I could trust you.

You can trust me.

I can't be waiting for you all night.

I don't have the time for that! I don't have the energy!

You know what's at stake.

I expect more of you than just playing around!

You think I was playing around?

What else?

I was doing your work.

Our work! What you believe in!

A f-- a friend wanted me to help ship guns to Palestine.

( Sighs )

You want some breakfast?

Come.

I'll make you some breakfast.

( Lively big band music playing )

I got Woody Herman. Anybody want Woody Herman?

No!

What do you think?

Let's quit school and join Goldberg

and fight with the underground, what do you say?

Sam, I think I want to become a rabbi.

What?

Well, I've been seriously thinking about it.

I... unlike Reb Saunders, a rabbi for today's world.

A rabbi. What a waste!

I didn't say a priest. I said a rabbi.

Rabbis can get married, you know?

-( Typewriter clacking ) -( Big band music continues )

Rabbi, can I have a private consultation with you?

Rabbi Malter,

will you save me from my evil thoughts?

Girl: ( Gasps )

Reuven: Papa...

Papa!

He's gonna be all right.

You sure?

He's had a stroke, but you shouldn't worry.

He seems to be doing fine now.

Are you okay?

Yeah. Could I go see him?

Yeah.

C-21. I'll be down in a minute.

Thank you.

♪

Here, come sit here.

-What do we got here? -I got the mail.

The mail. Okay, who's that for?

This one's for you.

That's for me.

-That's for you. -That's for me.

Mm, this one's for you.

That's for me.

This one's for Danny.

This one is for Danny.

Where's Columbia University?

That's across the river.

What's there?

Psychology.

Any more?

( Students murmuring )

You have all been called here

on what is a very sad occasion for me.

It is my duty to inform you

that one of our former students, Sydney Goldberg,

was killed at a kibbutz near Herzliya.

He was shot while working in the fields.

( Students murmuring )

As some of you may know,

he left college to help participate

in the founding of a Jewish homeland.

We wish to extend our condolences

to his family and friends.

He will be dearly missed.

May his spirit return to the Lord who gave it.

That is all, gentlemen.

( Indistinct conversations )

Announcer on radio: There is great anticipation

at this special plenary session of the United Nations.

Debate has just finished on the question

of the partition of Palestine.

Should the proposal be passed by the member nations,

it will mean the first major step

in the creation of a state of Israel.

We now take you to the floor of the United Nations,

where voting has already begun

on partition resolution number 181.

It takes a two-thirds majority to pass a resolution.

At this point, they are shy by three votes.

Man: Iraq against.

Man 2: Mexico.

Man 3: Mexico votes for the partition plan

and the establishment of a state of Israel.

Man 2: Sweden.

Man 4: Sweden abstains.

-Man 2: Syria. -Man 5: Syria votes against.

Man 2: Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

Man 6: The Union of Soviet Socialist Republic.

Vote for the partition.

-Man 2: United Kingdom. -There's one more.

Man 7: His majesty's government wishes to abstain.

Man 2: United States of America.

Man 8: The United States of America votes...

-MAN 8: for the partition. -( All Cheering )

We have a state.

Papa, we have a state.

Mr. Malter: We have a state.

Announcer on radio: 2,000 years of exile,

they can go home again.

I'm having trouble setting up a graph

in experimental psychology.

I was wondering if...

maybe you could give me a hand?

Can you?

I... need your help.

Are you speaking to me?

The ban has been lifted.

Terrific.

The Jewish state isn't an issue anymore.

It's a fact.

No thanks to you and yours.

My father is frightened that...

Jews again will be killed,

this time by Arabs.

I needed you.

And you weren't there.

I'm sorry.

My father was very sick.

And it would have been nice if you were around.

How is he?

He's better.

He's home.

Why'd you do it?

I had to.

I chose to.

Well, you may know how to live with silence,

but I don't.

I've lived with silence for a long time.

You learn how to live with it.

You can hear the pain of the world in it.

I don't understand that.

I hate you,

and I hate your father for what you did.

It's sadistic!

You hate me?

No, I don't hate you.

I don't understand you.

I'm--

I'm-- I'm glad that you're back.

( Exhales )

♪

I've decided to leave Hirsch.

You're not gonna finish college?

Yes, but I'm planning to transfer

to Columbia University.

Columbia has a great psychology department.

Has your house blown up yet?

No.

What're you gonna tell your father?

Danny?

Reuven: Danny told me

that Reb Saunders wants to see me.

He invited me over on the second day of Passover.

He wants to talk to me now, you see.

He wants to talk to me, but what does he want to say?

-Why now? -You don't know why?

He wants to talk to Danny.

Through you.

Look at the two of you now.

Both of you, you are men.

You are a man, and my Daniel's a man.

It's a pl--

It's a pleasure for a father to see.

Sit down.

So now you'll tell me,

what you are going to do after your studies.

I've been thinking of becoming a rabbi.

So you're going to become a rabbi,

And, my Daniel...

My Daniel will go his own way.

Reuven, I'm going to tell you something.

When my Daniel was four years old,

I saw him-- he read a book.

He didn't read the book. He swallowed it.

He swallowed it like one would swallow food, you know?

And then he-- he came to me,

and then he told me the story that was in the book.

This story was about a man whose life was filled with--

with suffering and with pain, and, but...

That didn't-- It didn't move Daniel.

You know, Daniel-- Daniel was happy.

He was happy because he realized for the first time in his life,

what a memory he had!

"Master of the universe," I cried,

"What have you done to me?"

You give me a mind like this for a son.

A heart I need for a son.

A soul... I need for a son.

Compassion and mercy I need from a son.

And above all...

the strength to carry pain.

That I need from a son.

And how was I to do this?

I mean...

...that was the question.

How was I to--

to teach him?

How was I going to be able to do this...

to this son that I love...

and not lose the love of my son?

When Danny was young, I used to hold him close.

We used to laugh together.

We used to play together.

We used to whisper secrets to each other.

We played.

Then as he became older,

and he became indifferent to people

less brilliant than he thought he was,

I saw what I had to do.

I had to teach my Daniel that way.

Through the wisdom and the pain...

of silence...

as my father did to me.

I was forced to push him away from me.

He became very frightened. He became bewildered.

But slowly, he began to understand

that other people are alone in this world, too.

Other people are suffering, other people...

...are carrying pain.

And then...

in this silence we had between us...

Gradually his self-pride,

his feeling of superiority,

his indifference...

began to...

to fade away.

And he learned through the wisdom

and the pain of silence

that a mind without a heart...

is nothing.

( Sighs )

So...

You think that I've been cruel?

Maybe.

Maybe, but--

but I don't-- I don't think so

because my beloved Daniel has learned.

Oh, let him-- let him go.

Let him become a...

psychologist.

Yes, I know. I know about that.

I should know.

( Sighs )

The books from the universities.

The letters, oh.

( Chuckles )

Become a psychologist already.

But you see, now I am not afraid.

I have no fear because my Daniel is a tzadik.

He's a righteous man.

And the world needs ...a righteous man.

Daniel?

You heard?

Yes, papa.

And when you go forth into the world,

you will be proud

and go forth as a Jew?

And...

you will keep the commandments

of a Jew?

( Softly ) Yeah.

It is good.

It's good.

( Sobs )

I don't know.

Maybe you should forgive me

for not being...

a wiser father.

♪

( Sobs )

( Doorbell ringing )

♪

I don't believe it.

Danny, I don't believe it.

I, uh... that's... You look great!

I came over to say good-bye.

I'm moving out.

To, uh, an apartment near Columbia University.

Well, Columbia's not that far away.

We could still see each other.

How did your father react when he saw you like this?

He said he almost didn't recognize me.

He talked to you?

We talk all the time now.

♪

Danny?

I'll see you.

Reuven narrating: There is a story in the Talmud about a king

who had a son who had gone astray from his father.

The son was told, "Return to your father."

The son said, "I cannot."

Then his father sent a messenger to say,

"Return as far as you can,

and I will come to you the rest of the way."

♪