MovieChat Forums > A Stranger Among Us (1992) Discussion > Does anyone remember that part about won...

Does anyone remember that part about wonen's tears from Kabbalah?




I'd like to know if there is some way to know exactly how it is ...


Thanx.

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the kabbahlah says that god counts the tears of women, she (ariel's bride to be) says it means that women understand the world better than men.

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Yeap, thank u so much)



www.greekmeds.gr

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[deleted]

In addition to the quote, "God counts the tears of women" Ariel's bride says the reason why is that women understand the world better than men do, therefore they cry more.

I'll remember that when I become pre-menupausal, I'm told tears increase 10 fold! ;)

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Although this movie is very dear to my heart most of what Ariel says comes from the Kabbalah is actually from the Talmud. And though his intended bride, his besherte Shayna, says that that quote about women's tears is from, again, the Kabbalah it is in fact from the Talmud.
But to state a particular 'truth' is from the Talmudic in this movie would take the mystique out of it. For Talmud is something that is part and parcel of being a learned Jewish man, and the Kabbalah (in most Jewish circles) is not. So the intrigue of two traditionally non-qualified Kabbalah students (he being younger than 40ish, she being a woman; again I said "traditionally non-qualified) remarking Kabbalah one to the other comes out well in this movie, I think, but misses the mark, as is usual with most Hollywood-influenced tales about religious societies and enclaves.

Here's the quote, which is further redacted in the citation:
"The Sages duly recognized her [a woman's] wonderful spiritual influence, and nothing could surpass the delicacy with which respect for her is inculcated: 'Love thy wife as thyself, and honour her more than thyself. Be careful not to cause woman to weep, for God counts her tears. Israel was redeemed from Egypt on account of the virtue of its women. He who weds a good woman, it is as if he had fulfilled all the precepts of the Torah' (Talmud)."

You can read the full context above here:
http://www.come-and-hear.com/talmud/nashim_h.html

but the actual quote is located in Talmud Tractate Baba Mezia Folio 59a
http://www.come-and-hear.com/babamezia/babamezia_59.html

[note that that folio discusses property, slaves and the sort, subjects that would make a 20th-21th century liberalizing citizen wince, if not have apoplexy]
As you can see, from all of the mish-mash on the internet about that quote folk have added content that is not in the original. And that is the problem with taking a single simple statement and not directly to the source. Further, we won't even get into the hermeneutics one must use when actually studying Talmudic texts.

That quote in the film does sound pretty, however, and has a sweet ring of truth to it.

By the way, the Kabbalah DOES provide a lot of beautiful statements about women, but this is the not venue in which it should be discussed. As one of the last lines of the movie suggests, "Ask your rabbi." (if he, or she, is mystically attuned, which a whole bunch of 'em ain't).

[edited to insert actual Talmud citation]

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[deleted]

Make them two! Thank you so much for the reply!

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Three. Nice post.

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Thank you qblhdon for your post.

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Dear Q,
This morning, as i counted the tears running down my face, I looked up this quote. Your answer, of 14 years ago, was so reasonable, and so full of heart. I want you to know it comforted, and raised me up as well.

You may never see this answer... However, what we leave in the world belongs to the the world... And who knows when it will be found.

My best appreciation to you,
and to whatever studies or family or original design made you so thorough, genial, and clear.

Jenmarie

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