Original subtitles

Where'd you learn that? We don't know as much as you.

I didn't realize you lit the candles.

And the Maccabee victory... I know about that.

- Are you all right? - I�m fine.

- You sure? - Yes, Mom.

Michelle?

- Michelle. - What?

You did it on purpose?

So I�m not Jewish. Neither are you.

I�m not Jewish?

- What am I then? - Nothing.

You believe in nothing. You never go to synagogue.

Last Friday you ate a big ham sandwich.

You call that being Jewish?

That's enough.

lf I have to listen to crap, skip it.

And it was turkey, not ham.

You have no spirituality, that's all.

Not a drop of spirituality.

So, naturally, I amaze you.

- You amaze me. - You're handsome.

- You're beautiful. - You're really handsome.

And I think you're really, really beautiful.

You're outrageously beautiful.

So lovely!

�Our second spring�

Francois?

Take them.

- They're the wrong ones. - Take me, then?

I must be a real bore.

I tell vet stories every time you come.

I have to learn about them.

Sorry.

Just a shitty little kiss?

Jeez!

Haven't my breasts swelled?

Maybe the left one tripled in size.

I wonder if I�m not pregnant.

What do you mean?

- Did you stop the pill? - I�m still on it.

- Then it's all right. - But my period's late.

- By how much? - 10 days.

No, the risk is only about 0.0000002%.

Did you do a test?

- Do it then. Hurry. - Why hurry?

ln case something has to be done.

Hang on, don't panic.

You don't want a child, do you?

lf he hears, he'll abort alone,

just looking at your face.

ln all likelihood I�m not pregnant.

What sort of face should I make?

lf we want a child, we'll discuss it calmly.

I can't, right now. See you later.

I�ll call or come straight home.

- We can't discuss it? - Discuss what?

So you've decided for us.

I decide nothing. You just don't want a child.

Why not? 21 is the beginning of the end. The cells go.

Well, I�m 32, and I don't feel ready, okay?

You don't either.

You don't want a child with me.

It�s not you. I don't want a child, period.

It�s my own problem. I don't want a miniature me.

Miniature you and me, because it's...

you and me.

What would we do with a child now?

I don't know, love it?

It�s not kosher, I�m not Jewish...

Quit provoking me. See you later.

Do the test and call me with the results.

Don't leave making a face like that.

There's a wall between us.

ls there a door in that wall, a tiny, little one?

Don't be silly.

I thought he'd pass out.

There's a wall between us. Not a wall, a rampart.

It�s not easy to build something.

Francois has the typical profile. A neurotic. You build, he demolishes.

I�m going to leave him.

Hello.

Fine. But I can't talk now.

Who is it?

Francois? It�s Valerie.

Yeah. Fine.

Michelle told me to tell you she's not pregnant.

You feel better?

Yes, she's fine.

Yes, I know. Look...

I can't talk, the car broke down.

I don't get it. My car's smoking.

Really? Maybe... Good thing you told me.

It won't explode, will it? Okay, so long.

What'd he say?

- He wanted to know how you were. - Yeah, I bet.

You should see a shrink.

You're ripe for the Jehovah's Witnesses!

Don't delude yourself.

Don't ignore me!

I don't care about that heresy.

- They're all mad. - They're normal...

but they recruit people who are spiritually lost.

They lead you on and...

- Let's walk, otherwise... - You're right.

I�ll call my mechanic friend.

They rang my doorbell once.

There was a guy and a girl...

They said they had pictures of God.

- Pictures of God? - That's right. And I didn't...

I said, �Show me, it might be interesting.�

They pulled out all their slides and stuff,

and showed me a big green field, and a flash, a halo...

That's God.

lf my mother hadn't come home, I�d be answering their phones now.

Hi, Florence. Can I sleep over tonight?

I�m not far...

Okay, fine. All right.

- It�s okay. - ls it?

Mom will be furious about the car.

Okay. You'll come see me?

Sure. And talk things over. It�s very important.

You should all see a shrink!

- Come see me? - I will.

�3 days later. Great mood!�

- Not eating? - I don't like ham anymore.

You eat kosher now?

- Want it? - Do I have a choice?

What in God's name did I do?

Don't act like God was your best friend.

She drives me nuts!

Don't clash, go around.

- And I want to see Francois. - No, hang in there.

Would it kill you to buy the Old Testament?

I�m going out for the paper.

- Be back in 15 minutes. - See you later.

Could you pick up some cigarettes?

Jean!

He sure seems thrilled I�m here.

- You okay, sweetie? - I�m sleeping.

Good night, sleep well.

- Lights out. - No, it's Shabbat! Don't touch!

�It�s Shabbat, don't touch.�

I hadn't heard that one before.

- I don't observe, so lights out. - Can't you respect those who do?

Goddamn!

Francois, you still there? Hang on.

Can't I pray in peace a moment?

It�s Francois on the phone. Take him?

No.

Shabbat.

I�ll tell him to call back in 2 days.

Too bad, he's called ten times.

We can work something out.

Tell him I�ll come for my things later.

It�s still Michelle's mom. She said she'd come by.

Tell him exactly what I said!

- He insists on talking to you. - I can't.

Hurry up.

- What do I do, Mom? - I don't care, hurry up.

Say I can't talk to him. No... Tell him...

Say it's Shabbat and I�ll call him tomorrow.

No, tell him... Okay, tell him.

She told me to tell you it's Shabbat.

I know it's nonsense, we agree...

But it's partly your fault. I don't mean to offend you...

Can't I talk to him for a second?

He wants to speak to you.

Look... I�ll call him tomorrow.

He says, on Shabbat if its' life or death you can talk.

It�s a matter of life and death. lf it's a life-or-death matter I can...

Hello.

- Michelle. - It�s me.

- What's the matter? - It�s okay.

Just ten days? Good night, Mom.

You miss me?

- �Don't you miss me? - Yes, I miss you.�

I wanted to act indifferent but I miss you so much!

- What are you doing right now? - Nothing.

- Let's get together. - Not today, it's Shabbat. Tomorrow.

�June 18, 11 :30 Don't forget.�

Does one of you want to speak?

Go ahead.

- No, maybe... - Go on.

- Go ahead. - Go ahead.

- I observe Shabbat. - Meaning?

I rest, I think things over...

I remember.

That's it, no?

Yes, exactly...

I find it a wonderful idea that

even striking a tiny match means you deny God exists.

lsn't it, darling?

And I work at it on a daily basis, I practice.

I read.

You may think it's because Francois is Jewish and that we'll marry and have kids,

but it's not because of him.

I really want to belong to this religion.

I�ve never really felt like a Catholic...

I want Francois and I to share the same religion.

So you're aware that it's a personal decision

- unrelated to your wedding plans? - Absolutely.

It will be a long road. For the two of you.

- Are you aware of this? - Yes...

but can you be more precise?

- You'll take classess... - With Francois?

I know all that stuff.

That way you can help her.

More precisely?

The teaching is spread out over 12-18 months, 2 hours weekly.

That much?

Here's the syllabus.

You have books to read, homework to do,

attendance at the synagogue for Shabbat services,

and participation in community activities.

Then you go before the Beth Din, the rabbinical court.

- Excuse me. - Do go ahead.

It�s my mother. My father's not well.

- Mom? How's Dad doing? - ls this the application form?

You're behind what door? Hang on, don't go away.

Sorry, they're behind a door.

- What door? - I don't know.

Are we disturbing?

- My parents. My mother... - Pleased to meet you.

- And my father... How are you? - Fine. Fine, thank you.

Hi, sweetie. How are things?

Feeling better, Dad?

We were in the neighborhood... Are we intruding?

�Tues. 6-7 p.m. Thurs. 6:30-7:30 p.m.�

What is Judaism?

Though Yom Kippur demands strict abstinence,

it is not an end in itself,

but a means to help man free himself of his weaknesses, overcome his failings,

and in that way, having recovered peace in his soul and his mind,

reconcile himself with his fellow man and God.

I don't believe it!

- What're you doing? - Nothing.

- You're eating... Yes, you are! - Stop it!

- What's that? - What?

Nothing, just a tiny piece of chicken. That's not eating, it's not filling.

What're you doing?

Am I allowed to shut it?

I don't think so.

Stop eating on Yom Kippur!

Let me finish this. Who'll ever know?

What d'you mean? You can't eat on Kippur.

Please.

And where's your kipa?

You'll pardon me anyway.

It�s okay, it's Yom Kippur. Everyone pardons.

- Be open-minded, to each his sin. - Not the comics!

I won't ask God to pardon you for the chicken leg.

Who can tell me about Zionism?

Hasidism?

- What are you doing? Doodling? - You nuts?

- Taking notes? - Yes, go on. Play it.

Let's see your notes.

You know my handwriting's illegible.

I did the aleph, the beth, I did the oral part, the writing...

Shall I say the prayer and you translate?

- It�s hard for me to... - Cut it out.

ln case I don't understand...

lf this is a trick, it stinks.

It�s not. Go ahead, then.

Easy. �Hear, O lsrael!�

- It�s not a test. - I know, that's the title.

�The Eternal is our God, the Eternal is One.�

�Blessed be His name...�

- That it? - You know it by heart?

- No, but I now my prayer. - Very well.

�You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, and all your soul.�

Your'e cheating.

- Dammit, you're cheating! - What is it?

You've got the translation right in front of you.

- I didn't know it was there. - You think I�m a dope.

I�ll start over,

�Hear, O lsrael...� I have no paper!

�The Eternal is our God...� I forget!

Know what we'll do? I say it in French,

you say it in Hebrew.

�Hear, O lsrael...�

Go on.

I don't know.

You've discouraged me.

What?

You've turned me off studying.

Sorry. Really, I�m sorry.

You had such a burning desire to work.

I�m dreaming! He knows it all by heart.

I get it. That's right.

And the prayer for wine?

It�s the other way around.

lsn't it...

It�s...

Honey, are you there? You're asleep.

You okay?

Your bood's upside down.

The wedding...

�Easter, Passover�

Are you okay, Dad?

I�ll get you a glass of water. Let me lift you.

I�m staying right here with you.

Please do.

- Never mind, I�ll go. - No, I�ll get it.

Not in there.

Want some tea?

Tea?

See you Tuesday.

You coming?

Everything all right, Francois?

You don't seem well.

I�m sleeping badly. I have nightmares.

Do you think, Rabbi,

that our actions have consequences on our loved ones?

- Can you be more specific? - My father's ill.

When someone's healthy,

do you wonder if it's your fault?

Making a home is man's aim in life.

Before marrying, the Midrash teaches us, man is not really called a man.

A man without a wife is denied happiness and benedictions.

Some even say he is denied the Torah, safekeeping and peace.

It is written in Genesis

that He created the male and female, blessed them and called them Man.

�3 days later, the end�

Mom, anyway, no... Tell Dad to do as the doctor says.

Michelle sends her love.

No, she didn't tell me.

Really?

Mom, I can't talk now.