MovieChat Forums > Loving Leah (2009) Discussion > I have a lot of questions...

I have a lot of questions...

posted 15 years ago by runsunny
15 replies | jump to latest

and I know I shouldn't take this TV movie seriously, but I enjoyed it and just wondered about a few things:

How did he die - suddenly - heart attack - what was it?

It said on his grave that Ben was 40 when he died. Was she supposed to be much younger than him?

How long were they married? Why didn't they have children, or did it just not happen? I wish these things were addressed. It didn't seem like a typical marriage in the Orthodox community - between Leah and Ben.

I think they left you wondering a lot, because it made it easier to present the movie. An orthodox girl would not go to a reform temple. She would rather leave Judaism. Leah would not have walked into that temple so lah-de-dah. Jake had absolutely no plan - what did he think - they would get divorced?

They presented her as being an observant Jew (lighting candles, baking Challah) who all of a sudden can change after living that life for 26 years (that I found out from the description on IMDB.) She still lit the candles, but she freely shed her wig. When she lit the candles, they made it seem more spiritual. Yes, he was reformed, but he absolutely knew nothing about the religion. Nothing. How did his brother become an Orthodox Jew - they should've addressed that. Mercedes Ruehl's character didn't even seem upset that her son died.

I did enjoy it, but it was a total escape. This could never happen in real life. Ever. Leah's mom didn't take very long to accept that her daughter was leaving the Orthodox sect.

Well, it will be on Lifetime in 6 months!

[–] bigfishx7 15 years ago

I also have a question.....Why do they put stones/rocks on the tombstone/monument? I know they said why in the movie but I couldn't understand what was said.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

i collect anything to do with dr pepper!! i'm a pepper, wouldn't you like to be a pepper too?

[–] Professor-Bob 15 years ago

It signifies that you have visited the grave and that the deceased is not forgotten. It is out of respect when a stone is placed on the grave.

Schrödinger's Cat is Dead, Schrödinger's Cat is not Dead

[–] bigfishx7 15 years ago

Professor-Bob thanks for answering my question about the stones at the grave.

Maybe you can answer another one for me. Leah said that a man was coming to blowtorch the stove to make it kosher. Exactly what would the man do & how does that make it kosher?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

i collect anything to do with dr pepper!! i'm a pepper, wouldn't you like to be a pepper too?

[–] Professor-Bob 15 years ago

Actually the cleansing of the stove wouldn't make it Kosher, but it would allow it to be kept Kosher after the cleansing. I cannot say for sure what the exact process is and if an actual blow torch is used. I myself try to adhere to most Kosher Laws. I do try to follow the basic principles. It isn't very doable in my home as my wife is Lutheran so the kitchen doesn't have separate pots and pans to follow Kosher Laws to the letter. Since my wife and I come from different faiths I am a Reform Jew, which allows for more flexibility. This is a link that will give more detailed information on Kosher Laws and the site is a great reference tool. http://www.jewfaq.org/kashrut.htm

Schrödinger's Cat is Dead, Schrödinger's Cat is not Dead

[–] bigfishx7 15 years ago

thanks for answering my questions.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

i collect anything to do with dr pepper!! i'm a pepper, wouldn't you like to be a pepper too?

[–] michaltastik 11 years ago

The idea is that traces of the non kosher food gets into the oven walls and then will be released when you cook again so you torch the walls to release the non kosher food. Although, I don't know anyone who does it that way. Most people run a self clean cycle. You can also clean the oven and put it on its highest temp for a half hour with nothing in it.

[–] parisel 11 years ago

That's because, like so many other modern movies and tv show, the loud music drowns out the dialogue unless it's a shouting scene.

I guess it's like looking at clouds. You see one thing and I see another. Peace.

[–] adpiprincess03 15 years ago

How did he die - suddenly - heart attack - what was it?
-Suddenly...didn't explain.

It said on his grave that Ben was 40 when he died. Was she supposed to be much younger than him?
-Ben was 39 when he died. She was 26, so yes, younger.

How long were they married? Why didn't they have children, or did it just not happen? I wish these things were addressed. It didn't seem like a typical marriage in the Orthodox community - between Leah and Ben.
-She said they were matched when she was 18, so roughly 8 years. They didn't address why they didn't have children.

I think they left you wondering a lot, because it made it easier to present the movie. An orthodox girl would not go to a reform temple. She would rather leave Judaism. Leah would not have walked into that temple so lah-de-dah. Jake had absolutely no plan - what did he think - they would get divorced?
-I think that from the beginning of the film, Leah was much more willing to live a reform life or at least live a life outside of the orthodox world. She wanted to go to school, it didn't bother her that benjamin's family (mother, brother) didn't live an orthodox life, etc... As for leaving Judaism altogether instead of reforming, I'm not sure about that one, I mean reform's not Jews for Jesus or anything.

They presented her as being an observant Jew (lighting candles, baking Challah) who all of a sudden can change after living that life for 26 years (that I found out from the description on IMDB.) She still lit the candles, but she freely shed her wig. When she lit the candles, they made it seem more spiritual. Yes, he was reformed, but he absolutely knew nothing about the religion. Nothing. How did his brother become an Orthodox Jew - they should've addressed that. Mercedes Ruehl's character didn't even seem upset that her son died.
-Benjamin made a decision to follow Judaism as an orthodox and be a rabbi. What I gathered from the movie was that was not how he was raised, it was what he chose. On the other hand, Leah was raised Orthodox, but chose reform. How is that different?

I did enjoy it, but it was a total escape. This could never happen in real life. Ever. Leah's mom didn't take very long to accept that her daughter was leaving the Orthodox sect.

[–] runsunny 15 years ago

I think you made a great point. Leah chose Reform, just as Ben chose Orthodox.

[–] chaosrainz 15 years ago

I have a question too.
Can anyone tell me what they were doing when they seemed to touch the door frame on the way in? And did they kiss something afterwards?
I was flipping around and missed any explanation they might have given and now that it's been a few weeks I've kind of forgotten exactly what they did but it intrigued me and I was just wondering what that represents.

Thanks!

[–] chaosrainz 15 years ago

Actually, nevermind! lol

I got the idea to go back and look at the link posted above to see if they had another section about this and they did.
The answer is here:

http://www.jewfaq.org/signs.htm

Seems like a good tradition.
I just converted to Catholicism last year and this gesture to me seems like a good reminder to appreciate your home and "dedicate" it to God as you walk in.
I may make up my own version. :)

[–] joanna-143 14 years ago

Why was the female rabbi wearing the skull cap (is that what it is called?)?

I can understand her covering her head but why would she use the man's version?

Is this a regular action by female rabbis??

Thanks!

Jo

[–] michaltastik 11 years ago

English skull cap
Hebrew and Yiddish, Yippah and Yarmulke (pronounced yamaka)-yammy for short

[–] michaltastik 11 years ago

That was kissing the mezuzah. You touch it then kiss your fingers. I don't think they explained that. They didn't explain a lot. If I wasn't Jewish I wouldn't have followed the movie so well.

[–] michaltastik 11 years ago

"How did his brother become an Orthodox Jew - they should've addressed that."

I think they were implying that he went to Israel to go to school and went religious there. That's how 80% or of everyone becomes religious or more so (moderns who become Yeshivish colloquially referred to as "flipping out").