STAR WARS
and evil , the dark side and the light . Crazy thing is ... it ’ s true . The Force . The Jedi ... All of it ... It ’ s all true .”
The attire of Solo ’ s son , Kylo Ren , also has historic Jewish parallels in this episode . Like his grandfather , Darth Vader , he dresses all in black , including a helmet with a special breathing unit . Why ? Darth Vader needed this to survive after almost being killed back in Episode III , but Ren is completely healthy . Though redundant , it seems the black outfit and hat he dons is Ren ’ s way of identifying with his long-gone ancestor . Similarly , the attire of 18th century Russian gentry can still be found in many Jewish communities today .
The latest instalment to the franchise , Rogue One , lacks any fully fledged Jedi , but there is a profound believer , the blind Chirrut Imwe , whose faith allows him to act heroically when it really matters . Over and over he repeats : “ I am one with the Force , and the Force is with me .”
This chant is made up of two phrases that reflect each other , each consisting of six words . Chirrut dies with this chant on his lips , in the arms of his friend , Baze Malbus , who then takes it up : “ I am one with the Force , and the Force is with me .”
It is a very moving scene and is a clear pledge of commitment to the one true power of the Universe . Similarly , every morning and evening , we pledge our commitment to G-d with two phrases that reflect each other , each consisting of six words : Shema Yisrael Hashem Elokeinu Hashem echad Baruch Shem kevod Malchuto l ’ olam vaed These opening lines of the Shema testify to G-d ’ s oneness . The Sages say they should be the last words we utter before we die , as did Rabbi Akiva ( Talmud , Berachot 61b ).
Like every eternal battle , the ‘ Force ’ has two sides : light ( good ) and dark ( evil ). This is reminiscent of an ancient manuscript , entitled : The War of the Sons of Light against the Sons of Darkness , found in the Dead Sea Scrolls , now housed in the Shrine of the Book in Jerusalem .
Says Master Yoda : “ Fear is the path to the dark side . Fear leads to anger . Anger leads to hate . Hate leads to suffering .” I found an intriguing corrective to this dark progression in techelet , the blue thread in tzitzit ( Numbers 15:38 ), which , after many centuries , can be worn again ( see www . tekhelet . com ). Why blue ? Says the Talmud ( Chullin 89a ): “ Because blue resembles the colour of the sea , and the sea resembles the colour of the sky , and the sky resembles the colour of sapphire , and sapphire resembles the colour of the Throne of Glory , as it says , ‘ And they saw the G-d of Israel and under His feet it was like a lattice of sapphire stone .’” ( Exodus 24:10 )
When I look at and kiss my tzitzit every day , I am meant to “ remember all of G-d ’ s commandments and do them ” ( Numbers 15:39 ). The ‘ light ’ progression leads back to G-d , combating the ‘ dark side ’ of our nature . Each of us , says Campbell , are modern heroes who must heed the call , cast off pride and fear , overcome personal despair , and achieve a meaningful life . May the Lord be with you , always . ■
Rabbi Dr Raphael Zarum is dean of the London School of Jewish Studies ( LSJS ).
26