 |
|
February 10, 2012
Lisa M. Krieger: Man with defibrillator demands access to his own heart's information
David G. Savage: Why activists may not be in a hurry to have High Court rule on alternative marriage
February 9, 2012
Laura McMullen: 10 Least Expensive Public Schools for Out-of-State Students
Kimberly Palmer: How to actually enjoy -- relaxing, financially -- your vacation
February 8, 2012
Warren Richey: Why momentous Prop. 8 ruling might not satisfy gay-rights groups
Menachem Wecker: Though Controversial, LL.M.'s Can Lead to Specialized Legal Jobs
The Kosher Gourmet byDana Velden: Going to the bother of making soup? You know it better be good. This CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP certainly is! And it's a cinch to make, too (Includes techinques and serving secrets)
February 7, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Caught off-guard? President's Super Bowl interview with Matt Lauer gives those who need a reason not to vote for him, a darn good one
Suzanne Bohan: Leaping lizards! Tiny reptiles advancing robot design
February 6, 2012
Jonathan Tobin: Iran Threatens Israel With Destruction, But the New York Times Doesn't Hear It
Jeffrey Fleishman: In newly democratic Egypt, tens of democracy activists jailed, to stand trial; their groups are 'threatening the stability of the homeland'
Julie Deardorff : Researchers say antioxidants may not be that effective and could do more harm than good
Mark Clayton: How did Anonymous hackers eavesdrop on FBI and Scotland Yard?
February 3, 2012
Edmund Sanders : Israeli official says Iran is creating missile that could reach East Coast of US
Victoria Kim: Immigrant-smuggling ring used black drivers to avoid racial profiling
February 2, 2012
Jim Carney: Wrong number call may have saved her life
Reza Kahlili : Ex-CIA spy in Iran's Revolutionary Guard: What Obama doesn't grasp about striking deals with Tehran
Tina Susman: For woodchuck rescuer, every day is Groundhog Day
February 1, 2012
Brian Bennett: US officials see increasing threat of domestic attack from Iran
Emily Brandon: How to Take Advantage of New 401(k) Fee Disclosures
January 31, 2012
January 30, 2012
Paul Richter and Ramin Mostaghim: Misreading Teheran's limits -- deadly and economically devastating as they may be -- is a risk administration, Europe seem willing to take
Suzanne Bohan: Warning: Nap-deprived tots missing more than sleep, study finds
Meg Handley: Banks Revamping Rewards Programs to Woo Customers
January 27, 2012
Caroline B. Glick: Obama: Of course I intend to prevent a nuclear holocaust . . . in a few months
Yochonon Donn: In liberal New York City, fervently-Orthodox Jews may soon be getting a district to call their own
Jeannine Stein: An inflated ego and thinking you're 'all that' doesn't just make others sick of you, it can make you ill
Katy Hopkins: New budget rules may affect how much money you get for college
January 26, 2012
Ed Koch: To the New York Times, calling for the murder of Jews by those capable of having their incitement taken seriously isn't news
Jeannine Stein: Mental illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010: Report
January 25, 2012
Richard Simon: House passes two bills endorsing the use of religious symbols at military memorials
Fred Weir: Putin: Multiethnic Russia cannot survive as a US-style 'melting pot'; must find its own way
Susan Johnston: 5 Sneaky Coupon Strategies Consumers Should Watch Out For
January 24, 2012
Carol Clark: The price of your soul: How your brain decides whether to 'sell out'
Caroline B. Glick: America lost most in 'Arab Spring'. Sadly, many voters still don't grasp the extent
Warren Richey: Drug criminal scores win in GPS ruling from conservative-leaning high court
Erika Bolstad: Black conservatives gather to talk about gaining strength
January 23, 2012
Melissa Dribben: Jewish voters to play a key role in Florida's Republican primary
Jordan Rau: In quest to grow, Catholic hospital system will announce this morning its break from church
Ali Safi: U.S. envoy gives Taliban terms for peace talks
January 19, 2012
January 18, 2012
January 17, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney Jr.: No-kidding red lines: U.S. response to an Iranian nuke may be bluster, but Israel's won't be
David G. Savage: They sued their principals after slandering them online --- now the cases are headed to the Supreme Court
David Francis: Where to Invest in 2012: With stocks expected to rebound, opportunity abounds for investors
January 13, 2012
Ben Lynfield: Israeli lawmakers move to annex Jewish Judea, one museum at a time
Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz: Thriving through touch: Gentle massage helps older people with low mobility improve in mind and body
January 12, 2012
Warren Richey: Landmark Supreme Court ruling a 'resounding win' for religious groups
Warren Richey: Supreme Court says no to new rule on eyewitness testimony
John Fauber : Statins found to raise diabetes risk in postmenopausal women
Katy Hopkins : Consider This Before You Pay for an Online Degree
The Kosher Gourmet by Joseph Erdos: This mushroom and barley soup has an intense -- almost nutty -- flavor that mixes robust with Middle East. It has creaminess without cream
January 11, 2012
Shari Roan: Millions of atrial fibrillation sufferers at risk for devastating, but preventable, stroke
Tom Hussain: Pakistan -- recipient of more than $21 billion in civilian and military aid -- speeds pursuit of Iranian pipeline, defying US
David G. Savage: High court signals it won't be loosening TV's 'indecency' rules
Stephen Ceasar: Oklahoma's Islamic law amendment can't go into effect, court rules
January 10, 2012
Reza Kahlili: From an ex-CIA spy: US must exploit new split in Iran's Revolutionary Guard
Karen Kaplan: Study: Nicotine replacement products ineffective when used in real-life situations
January 9, 2012
Michael Doyle: Put through legal hell over dream home, couple fought back hard --- all the way to Supreme Court
|
| |
Jewish World Review
Feb. 8, 2010
/ 25 Shevat 5770
Avatar Blues
By
Doron Kornbluth
As the movie's popularity begins to wane, it's impact is becoming more apparent. For the spiritually attuned, much can be learned from the fallout. Not about environmentalism and rabidly evil capitalists or pantheism and paganism, but how to approach life
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
Avatar is the most expensive movie ever made and on its way to being the most profitable ever made. Most agree that with its 3D technology, it is without a doubt, one of the most impressive visual masterpieces ever made.
The simple story line takes place in the future: humans are mining precious minerals on a far-away planet, Pandora. The local inhabitants (blue humanoids) live in a magical, beautiful world. Thick jungles, plants and flowers that light up in the dark, and the inhabitants are closely in tune with nature: they respect and protect the environment, mind-meld with animals, and live at one with their planet. Brutal human miners attack to ensure mining rights.
Acknowledging its incredible visuals, many criticisms have been leveled at the film: its plot is simplistic and cliched, almost plagiarized from many other sci-fi thrillers as well as Pocahontas; the military is depicted as brutal destroyers rather than protectors of freedom; Avatar promotes pantheism and paganism, rather than monotheism; Avatar is rabidly anti-capitalist (the money-making company is evil and the socialist natives are good), etc., etc.
I'll leave it up to readers to decide how valid these criticisms are. I was intrigued by something else. There have been several reports in the press lately about the 'Avatar Blues'. Fans are so enamored by the alien planet that they don't want the movie to end. And when it does end, some have a hard time re-adjusting to 'normal life.' After all, the human experience is full of strife, discord and disappointment. As one fan described in a CNN story on the subject:
"When I woke up this morning after watching Avatar for the first time yesterday, the world seemed … gray. It was like my whole life, everything I've done and worked for, lost its meaning," Hill wrote on the forum. "It just seems so … meaningless. I still don't really see any reason to keep … doing things at all. I live in a dying world."
The reaction is not so surprising. After all, who wouldn't want to live the Utopian dream, in harmony with nature, each other, and ourselves?
The whole thing reminds me of a passage in the Talmud which states that souls do not want to descend into this world. Why would they? Being 'up there' in perfect spirituality is certainly a better place to be that down here, saddled with evil, rampant physicality, jealousy and hate. G-d must force souls to leave the 'World of Souls' and enter our reality.
Similarly, I am reminded of the end of Sabbath, which is marked by a certain degree of melancholy. Sabbath is a beautiful weekly respite, allowing for spouses to deepen their bonds, for families to spend time together, and for individuals to step back from the rat race and touch spirituality. So the end of Sabbath is full of mixed emotions — happiness at the closeness and beauty that has been shared, and sadness as the special day departs.
Finally, I think of the afternoon prayer which begins with the words "Ashrei Yoshvei Baisecha", fortunate is the one who dwells in Your house. It was said by Jews at holiday times as they visited the Holy Temple in Jerusalem — they realized then how lucky the Priests (Cohanim) were, for they dwelled in Jerusalem year round. The rest of us were sad to leave.
All this leads to fundamental questions about life. These are things we should think about, talk about, and discuss with our children and students. Why do we need to "leave" perfection and live difficult lives? Why didn't G-d leave us in the spiritual world of souls, place us in a utopian Pandora, or allow us to live permanently in Shabbat? Why did G-d force us into a world that is full of hardship?
At an emotional level, we are indeed supposed to crave Sabbath, the spiritual connection of prayer, and the bliss of the upper worlds. Yet we also understand that this is not the time for complete bliss. If G-d thought putting us in Pandora would have been good for us, He would have done so. Our lives are not only about beauty and enjoyment, though our lives are full of them. Life as we know if has difficulties — sometimes great ones — and our job is to fix the world (Tikun Olam) and fix ourselves (Tikun Atzmi).
The world to come, we are taught, will be inestimably greater than the greatest pleasures we can imagine. In this world, in our lives, we were given something even greater than pleasure and harmony with nature. We were given the ability to improve.
We shouldn't be depressed by the problems of the world. We should be inspired by the Messianic vision of what humans and human civilization can look like — and get to work making it so.
Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in Washington the media consider "must reading." Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.
Interested in a private Judaic studies instructor — for free? Let us know by clicking here.
Comment by clicking here.
Long-time JWR contributor Doron Kornbluth is the author, most recently of "Raising Kids to LOVE Being Jewish". Visit him at www.doronkornbluth.com
.
© 2010, Doron Kornbluth
|
