Today is my granddaughter Ayla’s 11th birthday. Hers is a Star Wars birthday. Perhaps you’ve heard of that. Why? Because it’s May 4th and as it is said in Star Wars, “May the Fourth be with you.” Now that is NOT my invention. I’ve heard many, many people refer to today in that context. But speaking of movies I’m going to tell you my favorite movie and why.
Years ago, I was driving in the D.C. area and I listened to a talk show. The question asked is, “What’s your favorite movie and why?” I never call into talk shows, but I did…and I actually got to speak! So, I told the host, “My favorite movie is ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind.’” He was a bit surprised because all the other callers mentioned classic films, not sci-fi. He then asked me why.
This is what I said:
Why are we so convinced ours is the greatest civilization in the universe? Why can’t we imagine there are beings “out there” who are kinder, less selfish, compassionate, loving and loved? Most of our science fiction movies that portray extra-terrestrial life show beings, human-looking and otherwise, who are out to destroy us. In the movie “Independence Day,” the most awful attack against the world takes place, and that’s merely one example. That’s because we assume the worst in others, how much the more so “others” from another galaxy. “Oh,” you say, “for Heaven’s sake, Rabbi, it’s only a movie!” That’s true, however we receive messages of contemporary perspectives, shall we say, from all means of communication and movies are among them.
Another very upsetting depiction of Martian-types was in a Twilight Zone episode called “To Serve Man.” I loved that series and Rod Serling (a nice Jewish boy) was brilliant in twisting the obvious. Anyway, in “To Serve Man” a spaceship arrives, and the aliens tell the earthlings their mission is to do what we’d call mitzvahs. That’s what the title says, correct? They portray kind and loving beings who convince us to join them on their planet where that goodness is their way of life. They leave a magnificent book as a gift to Earth. Hundreds of thousands of us get on their spaceships and take off. All the while there are specialists on Earth trying to decipher the great book, and finally when they do it’s too late…To Serve Man is a cookbook.
“Close Encounters of the Third Kind” portrays physically beautiful beings with truly benevolent souls. It’s the kind of “person” our holyday themes encourage us to become. Obviously, what we look like is irrelevant; what we do and how we act is relevant. I don’t know if there’s life on other planets, but I’d like to think if there is they are inspired by the yetzer tov, the good inclination, that encourages us to choose the best which God implanted in us.
(Speaking of space, here are a few riddles. Now before you read them, some would say they are examples of 4th grade humor but nay, nay, say I, they are examples of lower grade humor!...What is an astronaut’s favorite chocolate? A Mars bar: Why did the sun go to school? To get brighter; How do we know when the moon has enough to eat? When it’s full; What do you call a tick on the moon? A luna-tick; What’s a light-year? The same as a regular year but with fewer calories; Why did Mickey Mouse go into space? He was looking for Pluto. Alas, one of these days I’m going to get the Beth El boot!)