Original subtitles

A NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES

- Hello, Akiva. - Racheli.

Should I open it?

Yes.

What is this? Airline tickets?

To St. Petersburg?

There's a wonderful Levitan exhibition at the Hermitage.

A retrospective of all his works, I know how much you like him.

So, surprise.

Quite a surprise.

It is our honeymoon after all.

Wait, are you serious?

As serious as can be. We'll celebrate Dvoraleh's birthday.

I bought a monthly pass to the exhibition. We can go every day.

St. Petersburg, the Hermitage, Levitan.

Just you, me and Dvoraleh. We'll leave tomorrow.

Tomorrow? Racheli, hold on.

- Wait. - Don't you want to?

Of course I want to, but...

I have stuff here.

Work, family... you know.

What work? We both know you don't work.

Yes, that's true.

But that doesn't mean I can just get up and go.

What's here for us? Let's run away.

You, me, and Dvoraleh. Our honeymoon.

Racheli, I'll be honest.

We barely know one another.

I mean, we're married, but...

I don't know much about you...

- What do you want to know? - Everything.

And this is a lot of money.

The flights, the hotel...

Since when do you care about money?

What can I get you?

A small bottle of soda.

And you?

Yes, excuse me.

DAD

I'll have vodka. Double shot, please. And soda.

Actually, a large soda in two glasses.

Sure.

MOM

It's alright, you can answer.

I'll call my dad to see if Dvoraleh's alright.

Call him. It's fine.

- Hello? - Dad?

Is everything alright?

It will be, don't worry.

- Did you try honey? - I tried everything.

Kive, you focus on what matters.

Forgive me, two minutes.

No problem.

- Are you talking to me? - Dad, listen.

Put me on speaker so she can hear my voice.

Hold on, Dvoraleh. On speaker.

Okay, now she hears you.

Dvoraleh, it's Daddy.

It's your birthday this week.

One year since you came into the world.

Now you're a big girl.

Too big to cry like a baby.

Let's say "Shema" together and go to bed.

God, faithful King, Hear O Israel

The Lord is our God The Lord is one

Blessed be the name of His kingdom Forever and ever

The angel who redeemed me

The angel who redeemed me from all evil

Bless the lads

And let my name be named in them

Bless you, she calmed down.

Good night.

You speak Yiddish at home?

- With Dvoraleh I do. - Why?

It was important to her mother. For her to know Yiddish when she's older.

She's in St. Petersburg just as she is here.

Who?

Your wife.

You won't go because of her.

What?

No. What's that got to do with it?

You know what?

Alright, let's do it. Let's go.

- Yes? - Yes, but on one condition.

- I pay for Dvoraleh and myself. - We'll duke it out.

No, we won't. I'll pay you back.

Luckily, Libbi insisted on getting her a passport.

MOM

Here you go, a special omelet for the most diligent student in the city.

- A special omelet, just like that? - And salad with onion, just as you like.

- Nice. Sit and eat with me. - No, it's all for you.

- I ate with the kids. - Look at this abundant bounty, very nice.

I have another surprise for you.

You're full of surprises today.

Open it.

What?

Right?

Do you believe I passed my first driving test?

Yes, respect, Tovi.

With all respect, I didn't know you take lessons.

I started two months ago. I had tons of lessons, but it paid off.

Now we have a license.

You should have consulted me first.

I wanted to surprise you, Zvi Aryeh.

- Aren't you happy your wife is talented? - I'm happy.

If you consulted me, I would have said a woman shouldn't have a driving license.

Nowhere does it say that a woman can't have a license.

It's not about that. Women don't drive, it's not right.

Show me another woman here that has a license.

- Kleiner's wife. - Exactly!

You want to be Kleiner's wife?

What's next? Wearing designer wigs?

It's just a driver's license. Big deal.

It's good for you too. I can take you to Kollel in the morning.

We can take trips up north.

We can go to a B&B like you always wanted.

A B&B?

I don't know.

Fine.

But don't tell anyone, Tovi.

Of course not.

- You know what I saw? - Yeah?

An ad.

Nissan Micra, real nice, almost new.

Just 40,000 shekels.

Now you want to buy a car?

You say it's a gift? I don't want gifts like that.

Gifts that will get our kids kicked out of school.

Really, are you serious?

The wife of a Kollel student wants a license? A car?

I just saw it.

You want me to tell you everything I see?

Yesterday I went to Zupnik.

You wouldn't believe what I saw.

Oh my! You're not in your pajamas yet?

Why should I be in pajamas at 8:00 p.m.?

Do I know? You're an old Jew now.

We have an important guest.

What a surprise!

Come in.

Welcome, Rebbetzin Yoktan.

And the important Rebbe, Nuchem Shtisel.

Hello, Shulem.

This is a privilege.

Wait, I'll go find something to drink.

- A hot beverage perhaps? - Why not? A Coke perhaps?

It's cold outside. A cup of tea?

We only have a glass of tea.

Or a cup of coffee.

A glass of tea is fine.

Please, sit down.

Praise God, what...

What brings you here?

Reb Shulem Shtisel, my dear brother. I owe you my life.

First, because you prevented me from dying.

But it's more than that.

Thanks to you I met Nechama who taught me how to live.

Not to live... but to really live!

Oy, hold on...

Good for you, Nuchem! Good for you.

How much sugar in your tea?

No sugar, thank you.

You know, Shulem, we owe you so much.

- That's why we came here to ask... - Really?

No sugar at all?

None at all.

Dear Shulem, we came to ask you

to stand under the canopy with us and...

Very nice.

...marry us.

Oy!

Mazal Tov.

So we're getting married, praise God.

- Just like that? - Just like that.

Well, may yours be a happy home.

Mazal Tov.

Miss Yoktan, no.

- It's fine. - Give that to me!

Oy, I'm so sorry.

What a privilege to marry you.

It's...

wondrous.

May I ask what's the rush? What's the hurry?

A wedding ceremony?

You just met.

Life is short, weren't you told?

Shorter than you think. Even shorter than it really is.

And this is our second marriage. No 1,000 guests here.

A small ceremony at the synagogue.

A few slices of herring, drinks, a sponge cake from Brizel.

A good sign, good fortune and we're married.

Very nice, Shulem, carry on.

Come, Nechamaleh, let's go.

Already?

God bless, Shulem.

Thank you, Shulem. Thank you very much.

Congratulations.

What a privilege.

It's called night-blooming jasmine.

It has no scent during the day.

At night its flowers open up and the scent is wonderful.

The scent of both honey and winter.

I smell it on my balcony every night.

That's so nice.

The nights I'm not here, there's no one to smell it.

It's not fair.

It's not fair there's no one to smell it.

Why wouldn't you be here?

It happens.

Will you let me smell it?

Now?

Of course.

Then I'll come up for a few minutes.

Good.

Just a minute.

What are you doing here?

We're worried, you aren't answering your phone.

- I have plans, I'm busy. - What plans? And who is that?

- What do you care? - We got a call from the bank.

In the last 24 hours you spent close to 50,000 shekels.

I'll pay you back. Relax.

We know you're not taking what you should.

Racheli, this is no game.

Ask him to excuse you, we want to talk to you alone.

Sorry, I have to take care of it.

See you tomorrow?

Yes, sure. What time?

The flight leaves at three, so we should leave by twelve.

Twelve.

Fine.

Good night, Racheli.

Thanks for the surprise.

Good night.

She's sick of working so hard and getting a dishwasher's salary.

She wants to attend academic studies.

Academic? You mean university?

University? Of course not.

An ultra-Orthodox college, only for women.

She has dreams.

She wants to be a lawyer.

And? What did you say?

I tried to dissuade her, but she won't have it.

Women these days...

It's a problem. A serious problem.

"She won't have it"? Zilberstein, who's the man of the house?

- You or her? - It's not that simple.

She's the breadwinner.

She wants to earn more. What can I say?

If you ask me, you're the man, you have to rule.

No two kings wear one crown.

You're the king.

Your wife wants you to be the king. She wants you to decide for her.

She wants you to say she can't go to university.

That's what she wants.

Take my wife for example, she got this notion in her head.

She wants a driver's license.

You think I let her?

I said, "Lady, no license in my home, you got that?"

- And what did she say? - What could she say?

She went to bed happy to know that her man is in charge.

That's it, no questions.

"And he shall rule over thee." You see?

Go home to your wife tonight, and show her who's the boss.

Thank you, Shtisel.

Back to the Talmud.

- Hello. - Dad!

You have to see the car Mom bought us.

- What car? - Come see.

Over there.

Nice car, right?

I bought green on purpose, your favorite color.

- I like green? - Yes.

Haya, take them to the room. Go to the room.

Well, what do you say?

Give a minute, I don't want to say anything you'll regret.

Zvi Aryeh, lighten up. We have a new car. Be happy.

I didn't approve this. I did not approve this!

I'm sorry to tell you this, Zvi Aryeh.

You don't take the bus to work every day, 90 minutes each way.

You don't have to wait for a bus in the sun and rain when it's late.

Not to mention hot meals for you and the kids,

making sure they go to school without lice,

that they have nice clothes, shoes, dentist and optometrist visits,

meat for the Sabbath, laundry,

then grade exams lessons for the following day!

So I'm very sorry!

The day you become the breadwinner,

you'll decide where the money goes.

It's me now, and I need a car!

Haya, go to your room!

It's a miracle she didn't wake up.

Akiva...

I have to talk to you.

I'm sorry, Akiva.

What is it?

We're not going this time.

That's alright, but what...

I have to tell you something.

Of course, Racheli, you can tell me anything.

If you only knew how many times I saw a smile like that, like yours.

What... what is it?

I have a disorder.

A mental disorder.

Tell me, I assure you I can handle it.

Do you know what manic depression is?

Okay.

That's what I have. For many years now.

I get these bouts of mania, like I've had these past few days.

I felt like I'm on top of the world.

I wanted you to be there with me.

And then...

I'm so ashamed, Akiva.

You shouldn't be.

Really.

I'm so glad you told me.

Most of the time I'm fine. Even excellent.

It's just...

Sometimes... this wave hits me.

Hits my life.

And whoever is in my life.

I'm sorry I didn't tell you before.

It's alright.

You don't know me if you think I give a hoot.

- Are you sure? - I'm absolutely sure.

Don't worry, we'll find the time to go away.

- Really? - Yes.

You are a wonder, Akiva.

You're a wonder.

Is that...

Is that the flower you told me about?

The night bloom?

Night-blooming jasmine.

Don't smell it now. It would be a waste.

Only at night... sometime.

Then at night... sometime.

Can I take her later?

We had an agreement, Akiva.

- A painting for a painting. - Right.

Fine. Of course.

Listen, I've... been thinking about it.

I decided to let you keep the car.

But under one condition.

- What? - My condition...

...is to park it outside the neighborhood.

- Why? - I don't want people to know you have it.

Park it outside the neighborhood.

That way you can drive to work and no one will talk about us.

Alright, I agree.

Tomorrow I'll get back from work and park it elsewhere.

Not tomorrow, now.

Before the sun comes up and all the putzes see it.

This is important to me.

I'm the man of the house.

Alright. But you're coming with me.

I'm afraid of being out in the dark.

Alright, but chop-chop.

I have plans for tonight.

Well?

A sophisticated car.

Of course it is. Only the best for us.

- Good quality. - Look at the tape.

CDs and radio, 22 pre-programmed stations.

- Radio's no big deal. - Kol Chai and Kol BaRama.

- Two stations are enough, who needs 22? - Whatever, see this.

Isn't that something!

Look at you, like a king in his carriage.

Stop it!

Will you take me to Kollel tomorrow? Instead of taking the bus.

And don't park next to the school.

You can park at Ramot.

Then we can both walk.

I'll go to the Kollel, you'll go to your school.

Sure, gladly.

I do feel like a king.

RACHELI

How are things with you, Kive?

What? I don't know.

How did the meeting go?

It was good.

She's a unique woman.

Very unique.

But...

I don't know.

I need time to think.

Eat. It's good.

Garlic helps make decisions.

Maybe it's too soon to travel abroad and all that.

Abroad? What's that about?

Never mind.

I mean it might be too soon for me to move on.

I still think of Libbi.

Kive, you have to ask yourself one thing.

If she's a good woman, if you trust her,

if you can imagine her saying "Shema" with Dvoraleh before bedtime.

She's a very good woman.

But there are sides of her...

that aren't simple.

Aren't simple?

She...

She has this strange kind of stubbornness.

For instance, she won't give me back the painting of Libbi.

She'll marry me from one minute to the next,

but she won't give me back the painting of my wife.

Tell me, are you obtuse?

- Do you hear yourself? - What?

She wants you to move on, to get over the past.

You think she cares about the paintings?

She wants you not to care about them!

- You think? - I'm sure.

Take you, for example.

It's been seven years, almost eight.

You haven't remarried.

You think that's because of your mother?

Your mother, bless her memory, with all due respect,

is lying in the grave, poor thing.

I've forgotten about her.

I've totally forgotten about her.

That doesn't contradict the fact that I'm an old fart

who couldn't care less about women's issues.

I'm an old Jew. I like being on my own.

But you're a young man and you have a daughter.

A good woman comes to you with all the virtues.

She tells you in any way she can...

"I want you, Kive, I want you."

When the train enters the station, you forget everything and jump on.

Linger too long and you could lose everything.

Everything!

Dad, are you alright?

Yes, why do you ask?

- Are you in pain? - No.

Just a little pain in my heart.

You have something else on your mind.

What? No, I told you everything.

There's nothing else.

- Are you sure? - I'm sure.

If that's the case, we have to move on.

Nechama isn't waiting for us.

Nechama?

I mean the world, the world isn't waiting for us.

Not for you and not for me.

Look, the sun is out.

What a beautiful day.

For your birthday.

I promised you we'd celebrate with Racheli in Russia.

That won't happen this time.

It will never happen.

We'll celebrate your birthday alone with Mommy.

Mommy is with us.

Mommy is always with us.

This is great. A ride all the way to the Kollel.

Look at you.

Tovi, I think I'll take a little nap.

- Alright. - It's so roomy back here.

Like a little living room.

- Shifra? - Tovi!

How are you? I was thinking of you this morning.

I'm in the car. Can you hear me well?

I go to Yerachmiel, the man who does the photocopying at the school.

I tell him, "I need 45 copies." What does he say to me?

"No more photocopying." You get that?

Some manager training class at university.

This new sustainability fad. Ever heard of that?

I stopped using disposal dishes at home.

Good for you. But how will you manage without copies?

Every girl has a tablet. It's hooked up to the server where the files are.

No more messing with photocopies. You get that?

I don't believe it. So high-tech.

You said it.

Shifri, I'm at the school. It's so great having a car.

Of course.

We'll go to the women's beach, it's amazing.

God willing, during the school break.

We'll invite...

Family Health Services, the clinic for the entire family.

Hold the line, your call will be answered shortly.

Thank you for waiting. Yam speaking, what's your ID?

008065528.

- Your full name, sir? - Shalom Yosef Shtisel.

How can I help you?

I have some pain in my heart. I need a heart doctor at once.

- You mean a cardiologist? - A cardiologist, absolutely.

The first opening I have is... March 25th.

What's the Hebrew date?

- Adar 11th. - Adar 11th?

Yes.

Listen... what's your name again?

Yam.

Good for you.

The appointment is urgent.

I have a strong pain in my heart and I can't wait two months.

I'm sorry, it's the only opening I have.

Listen to me, Mr... whatever your name is.

I could get a heart attack at any minute.

If I do, I'll hold you responsible.

I'm sorry to hear that, but if you're having a heart attack

call an ambulance, not a health clinic.

The nerve! Don't tell me who to call!

Put me through to your supervisor!

Some chutzpah!

And that name his parents gave him.

That Yam...

The nerve!

Thank you for waiting. Hemdat speaking, what's your ID?

Forget my ID.

If you don't get me a cardiologist today,

I'm leaving your health service, you hear?

Sir, don't be angry.

I'd like to help you, but I need your personal details.

Shalom Yosef Shtisel, 008065528.

I see you asked to see a cardiologist urgently,

but we have no openings for two months.

I'll make some phone calls

to the private clinics we work with and get back to you, alright?

You'll get back to me like my dead wife will get back to me.

Hello?

Hello? Are you there?

Hello? Mrs. Hemdat?

Are you alright?

Are you with me?

I'm sorry, I'm with you.

I'm with you, sir. I just...

Please hold, I'll make that call.

I'll find another doctor for you.

I'm sorry.

I didn't mean to make you cry.

I just have a strong pain in my heart.

It feels like no one cares.

I'm sorry, I apologize...

I'm going through a hard time because I lost my husband last month.

I'm forcing myself to get up every morning and come to work.

And get on with my life as if nothing happened.

I'm so sorry, Mrs. Hemdat.

I ask for your forgiveness from the bottom of my aching heart.

I shouldn't have said what I did.

I'm a widow myself.

And an orphan, don't ask...

I promise you, Mrs. Hemdat,

I know what it's like losing people you love.

Mrs. Hemdat, may you know no more sorrow.

Thank you.

I'll drink a glass of water and I'll help you.

Of course, take all the time in the world.

Family health services...

Thank you for waiting, sir. We got lucky.

I just got an opening today.

The cardiologist is Professor Neuman.

He will see you today at 2:30 p.m.

- Today? - Yes.

I appreciate it so much, Mrs. Hemdat. Thank you.

You're a very dear woman.

Very, very dear.

My pleasure. It's my job.

And you've touched my heart.

Be well, Mr. Shtisel. Good luck.

Tovi?

Tovi?

Okay, you have what's called angina pectoris.

Angina pectoris can be a precursor to a heart attack.

It sounds major, but it's actually very minor.

You can see here in the ECG.

A certain area of your heart muscle has a blood supply insufficiency.

That's causing the pain.

It often comes with shortness of breath, cold sweat, dizziness.

That's exactly how I feel, Doctor.

As I said, it could be a precursor to a heart attack.

It's when the artery narrows, gets blocked, leading to a heart attack...

Excuse me. Thank you and forgive me for cutting you off.

I don't grasp everything you're saying.

I mean, it is my heart, but my brain isn't...

Please give me the bottom line, Doctor. What is on my heart?

Angina pectoris. That's what you have.

No need to worry, we'll start you on medication.

In a few days you'll come for catheterization.

Catheterization?

- And you tell me not to worry? - Be as calm as you can.

The procedure is straightforward and safe.

Don't worry.

And another thing, very important.

As of now, you stop smoking.

How do you know I smoke, Doctor?

I can tell by your beard.

Looking at your eyes, I can tell you live alone, right?

That's right, I'm a widower.

For many years now.

That's not good. Being alone is not good.

Loneliness is the number one cause of heart attacks.

I suggest you find a girlfriend.

At my age, that's...

You don't have to get married. Just a friend.

It's good to get things off your chest.

Do you have a girlfriend, Doctor?

I have a boyfriend. Just as good.

God help me! Zvi Aryeh!

Zvi Aryeh, get up!

Answer the phone!

United Hatzalah! I'm on Oranit Street, my husband passed out in the car!

He was locked inside. Come quickly!

Happy birthday to you

Happy birthday, dear Dvoraleh

What a wonderful day it is

Happy birthday to Dvoraleh

Dvoraleh, this is the closest thing to a cake that we have.

Happy birthday, sweetheart! May your father bring you joy.

- Amen. - Enjoy. Mazal Tov.

- We will, boss. - Sure thing.

Shtisel, what's going on with you? You're not with us.

I can't argue with it.

I'm with you, who else could I be with?

Something's on your mind.

"Care in the heart of a man...

...boweth it down." That's right.

It's nothing.

- I met someone. - Sounds like a care in the heart to me.

But she... has a problem.

She has a disease. A serious disease.

The disease?

No, a mental disorder.

Believe me, this is complicated.

Are you kidding?

You know how many mental disorders I have?

How many pills they pushed on me?

Or how many times they tried to admit me?

There's no such thing as mental disorders. It's all made up.

There's this world.

And this world can be a sad place sometimes.

You have to ask yourself this, Shtisel.

Do you love her?

It's not that simple.

I'm responsible for my daughter.

She needs a mother who's fit.

She'll be a wonderful mother, I promise you.

I bet a doctor would find you some mental disorders too.

We need you at the Kollel, you have to come back fast.

God willing, in a day or two I'll be like new.

- Thank you for visiting. - Are you drinking, Zvi Aryeh?

I'm drinking all the time.

- The doctor said you have to drink. - I said I'm drinking!

Alright then.

- Feel better. - Thanks, all the best.

Speedy recovery.

Thank you for coming, it does my husband good.

My pleasure.

Is it true what they're saying? You forgot him in the car?

I forgot him in the car? That's ridiculous, he's not a little boy.

- So it's not true? - It's not! I don't even have a license.

I wanted to get one, but my husband said no.

What my husband says is sacred.

Good. That's what I thought.

- Take care, Rebbetzin Shtisel. - Take care, Reb Zilberstein.

Say hello to Yocheved.

Tell her I said good luck with her studies.

What studies?

Never mind, I guess I got it wrong.

Take care.

Family health services...

Thank you for waiting. Itzik speaking, what's your ID?

Thank you for waiting. Shiri speaking, what's...

Thank you for waiting. Arel speaking, what's your ID?

Racheli.

Racheli, it's me.

Here.

I don't need them anymore.

Wait, Racheli.

I'm sorry I didn't pick up.

I got confused, that's all.

It's fine. Good night.