As an Orthodox Jew, I have a ritual I perform annually this time of year: I watch It’s a Wonderful Life.
The 1946 film starring Jimmy Stewart as a despondent man who gets a second chance to see what the world would have been like without him does not seem like a natural choice for a Torah-observant Jew—the movie’s climactic scene takes place on Christmas Eve in Bedford Falls, a fictional community in upstate New York.
But many of the messages of It’s a Wonderful Life reflect themes in the Torah that touch upon celebrating life, such as, realizing each person was created for a purpose, and that their life holds meaning.
Released the year after Stewart returned from military service (he served in World War II as a bomber pilot), the movie tells the story of George Bailey, the selfless executive secretary of the Bailey Bros. Building & Loan Association, who contemplates suicide after a financial scandal threatens to bankrupt his business and ruin his life.
The film, while popular when released, was not an immense financial success, and it lost all five of its Oscar nominations. However, it became a cult classic. This change in reception occurred after the film’s copyright wasn’t renewed in 1974 and the film entered the public domain.
As much of society can drift toward secularism and nihilism, the movie, as envisioned by director Frank Capra, offers an effective counter-balance of optimism. While not a preachy religious vehicle it presents a statement of tikvah, hope.
And here, I present a wonderful list of the connections between the film and Torah.
Lending to the needy. The raison d’etre of the Bailey S&L was giving assistance to people who, in the Depression-era United States, lacked their own resources. Poverty abounded in ancient Canaan, and the Torah advises (Deuteronomy 15:7–8), “If there is a poor man among your brothers . . . do not harden your heart or shut your hand . . . Open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever he lacks.”
Respect your parents. On the night of Harry Bailey’s high school graduation party, he and George are headed to their school to celebrate. Their father cautions Harry not to drink any alcohol at the party; Harry heeds his father’s words. Deuteronomy 5:16: “Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God commanded you, that your days may be long . . . ”
Reluctant leadership. After his father’s death, George resisted the suggestion that he succeed Peter Bailey as head of the S&L; he planned on departing from Bedford Falls to attend college but when the business was at risk of closing down, he decided to stay and run it, giving his college money to Harry only when faced with the prospect of the business closing down. Moses, shepherding his father-in-law’s sheep at Mount Sinai (Exodus 3), was told by God at the Burning Bush that he was to lead the Children of Israel out of slavery in Egypt. Moses demurred; “Who am I that I . . . should take the Children of Israel out of Egypt? I am not a man of words,” he told God, who became angered at Moses’ reticence. Finally, Moses agreed to serve as God’s prophet.
The importance of loyalty between brothers. Harry Bailey, while a bona fide war hero, looked up to his older brother, calling George, in the film’s final scene, “the richest man in town.” Similarly, Aaron the High Priest unfailingly, without jealousy, supported the Divine selection of Moses, his younger brother, as the leader of the Children of Israel.
Gratitude, even if not expressed immediately. During the course of the movie, the residents of Bedford Falls, who benefitted from the largesse of the Bailey S&L, by accepting its loans for home mortgages and other necessities, had little opportunity to show their appreciation. But when the extent of George’s financial need became known, they turned out in droves, providing the money that kept the business solvent. During Moses’s lifetime, Bnei Israel frequently quarreled with the prophet and disobeyed his directives, but when he died, atop Mount Nebo, “the Children of Israel bewailed Moses . . . 30 days” (Deuteronomy 34:8).
Man turns to prayer. Disillusioned, desperate, and drunk in a Bedford Falls tavern, Bailey tells God “I’m not a praying man, but if you’re up there and you can hear me, show me the way.” Praying to God for deliverance is a constant trope in the Torah. One example is in Genesis 32, when Jacob, fearful before his reunion with his estranged brother, prays “Save me, I pray, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau.”
God answers prayers. Clarence, the “second class” quirky angel who saves George’s life by convincing him of the value of the life he has lived so far, is the answer to George’s prayer. Another constant trope in Torah. One example is in Genesis 25:21: “Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was barren; and the Lord responded to his plea, and his wife Rebecca conceived.”
Be willing to risk one’s life. George, standing at the precipice of a bridge in Bedford Falls, dives into the frigid water when someone’s (Clarence’s) life seems to be at risk. When his nephew Lot is captured in a regional war (Genesis 14:13-16), Abraham leads a small force to rescue him—even though Abraham could have stayed uninvolved. He risked his safety to rescue a relative who had chosen to live in evil Sodom.
Everything works out for the pure of heart. This principle is obvious in the life of George Bailey—he had performed uncounted acts of kindness for the citizens, and in the end God repaid him, by sending an angel. Joseph, a man of faith, was falsely imprisoned in Egypt, but, giving credit to the Lord for his successful dream interpretations, advances to the position of the second-in-command of Egypt and is able to start a family there.
Unexpected donations. Sam Wainwright, a long-time friend of George, was a blowhard who became wealthy as an industrialist during World War II; he instructed his office to advance up to $25,000 to George when he learned of the S&L’s financial straits. During the construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem, Hiram, king of Tyre (1 Kings 5:10), donated cedar and cypress wood to the edifice.
In the end, deliverance does not come from people. Facing ruin, George turns to greedy Mr. Potter, who turns down his pleas for funds. Eventually, George prays, meets Clarence, and finds that the people of Bedford Falls whom he had earlier helped return the favour in his hour of need. In prison in Egypt, Joseph asks Pharaoh’s soon-to-be-released chief cup bearer to remember him before Pharaoh (Genesis 40). The cup bearer forgets, initially; finally God arranges for Joseph to interpret Pharaoh’s dream and become the viceroy of Egypt.
Feel content with what you have. When George returns to his family, after his momentous encounter with Clarence, he has no idea if, or how, he will be able deal with the S&L’s impending bankruptcy. But returning to his previous life suffices for him. Says Pirkei Avot (4:1), “Who is happy? One who is satisfied with his lot.”
People can change their attitude. George wanted to die; then he wanted to live; he grew spiritually. This growth is what happened to the brothers of Joseph. Originally so resentful of “the dreamer” that they sold him into slavery, they eventually repented, admitted the error of their ways, and made amends with Joseph.
Don’t give up—with the help of heaven, things get better. Someone facing an existentially traumatic period, which makes him question the value of his life, can overcome his doubts and go on to lead a productive life. That is the sweeping theme of It’s a Wonderful Life—though the movie ends on Christmas Eve, with Bailey and the S&L out of danger, the implication is that he and the business thrive afterwards. Seeing no purpose in his life—while fleeing from Queen Jezebel, exhausted and spiritually drained after his confrontation with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel—the prophet Elijah, journeying into the wilderness, tells God (Kings 19:4) “It is enough! Now, O Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” Instead, God gives Elijah rest, food and purpose, and Elijah goes on to fulfill his mission as a prophet.
Educator Jody Dickter, a friend of the author in West Hempstead, New York, contributed to this piece.
As an Orthodox Jew, I have a ritual I perform annually this time of year: I watch It’s a Wonderful Life.
The 1946 film starring Jimmy Stewart as a despondent man who gets a second chance to see what the world would have been like without him does not seem like a natural choice for a Torah-observant Jew—the movie’s climactic scene takes place on Christmas Eve in Bedford Falls, a fictional community in upstate New York.
But many of the messages of It’s a Wonderful Life reflect themes in the Torah that touch upon celebrating life, such as, realizing each person was created for a purpose, and that their life holds meaning.
Released the year after Stewart returned from military service (he served in World War II as a bomber pilot), the movie tells the story of George Bailey, the selfless executive secretary of the Bailey Bros. Building & Loan Association, who contemplates suicide after a financial scandal threatens to bankrupt his business and ruin his life.
The film, while popular when released, was not an immense financial success, and it lost all five of its Oscar nominations. However, it became a cult classic. This change in reception occurred after the film’s copyright wasn’t renewed in 1974 and the film entered the public domain.
As much of society can drift toward secularism and nihilism, the movie, as envisioned by director Frank Capra, offers an effective counter-balance of optimism. While not a preachy religious vehicle it presents a statement of tikvah, hope.
And here, I present a wonderful list of the connections between the film and Torah.
Lending to the needy. The raison d’etre of the Bailey S&L was giving assistance to people who, in the Depression-era United States, lacked their own resources. Poverty abounded in ancient Canaan, and the Torah advises (Deuteronomy 15:7–8), “If there is a poor man among your brothers . . . do not harden your heart or shut your hand . . . Open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever he lacks.”
Respect your parents. On the night of Harry Bailey’s high school graduation party, he and George are headed to their school to celebrate. Their father cautions Harry not to drink any alcohol at the party; Harry heeds his father’s words. Deuteronomy 5:16: “Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God commanded you, that your days may be long . . . ”
Reluctant leadership. After his father’s death, George resisted the suggestion that he succeed Peter Bailey as head of the S&L; he planned on departing from Bedford Falls to attend college but when the business was at risk of closing down, he decided to stay and run it, giving his college money to Harry only when faced with the prospect of the business closing down. Moses, shepherding his father-in-law’s sheep at Mount Sinai (Exodus 3), was told by God at the Burning Bush that he was to lead the Children of Israel out of slavery in Egypt. Moses demurred; “Who am I that I . . . should take the Children of Israel out of Egypt? I am not a man of words,” he told God, who became angered at Moses’ reticence. Finally, Moses agreed to serve as God’s prophet.
The importance of loyalty between brothers. Harry Bailey, while a bona fide war hero, looked up to his older brother, calling George, in the film’s final scene, “the richest man in town.” Similarly, Aaron the High Priest unfailingly, without jealousy, supported the Divine selection of Moses, his younger brother, as the leader of the Children of Israel.
Gratitude, even if not expressed immediately. During the course of the movie, the residents of Bedford Falls, who benefitted from the largesse of the Bailey S&L, by accepting its loans for home mortgages and other necessities, had little opportunity to show their appreciation. But when the extent of George’s financial need became known, they turned out in droves, providing the money that kept the business solvent. During Moses’s lifetime, Bnei Israel frequently quarreled with the prophet and disobeyed his directives, but when he died, atop Mount Nebo, “the Children of Israel bewailed Moses . . . 30 days” (Deuteronomy 34:8).
Man turns to prayer. Disillusioned, desperate, and drunk in a Bedford Falls tavern, Bailey tells God “I’m not a praying man, but if you’re up there and you can hear me, show me the way.” Praying to God for deliverance is a constant trope in the Torah. One example is in Genesis 32, when Jacob, fearful before his reunion with his estranged brother, prays “Save me, I pray, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau.”
God answers prayers. Clarence, the “second class” quirky angel who saves George’s life by convincing him of the value of the life he has lived so far, is the answer to George’s prayer. Another constant trope in Torah. One example is in Genesis 25:21: “Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was barren; and the Lord responded to his plea, and his wife Rebecca conceived.”
Be willing to risk one’s life. George, standing at the precipice of a bridge in Bedford Falls, dives into the frigid water when someone’s (Clarence’s) life seems to be at risk. When his nephew Lot is captured in a regional war (Genesis 14:13-16), Abraham leads a small force to rescue him—even though Abraham could have stayed uninvolved. He risked his safety to rescue a relative who had chosen to live in evil Sodom.
Everything works out for the pure of heart. This principle is obvious in the life of George Bailey—he had performed uncounted acts of kindness for the citizens, and in the end God repaid him, by sending an angel. Joseph, a man of faith, was falsely imprisoned in Egypt, but, giving credit to the Lord for his successful dream interpretations, advances to the position of the second-in-command of Egypt and is able to start a family there.
Unexpected donations. Sam Wainwright, a long-time friend of George, was a blowhard who became wealthy as an industrialist during World War II; he instructed his office to advance up to $25,000 to George when he learned of the S&L’s financial straits. During the construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem, Hiram, king of Tyre (1 Kings 5:10), donated cedar and cypress wood to the edifice.
In the end, deliverance does not come from people. Facing ruin, George turns to greedy Mr. Potter, who turns down his pleas for funds. Eventually, George prays, meets Clarence, and finds that the people of Bedford Falls whom he had earlier helped return the favour in his hour of need. In prison in Egypt, Joseph asks Pharaoh’s soon-to-be-released chief cup bearer to remember him before Pharaoh (Genesis 40). The cup bearer forgets, initially; finally God arranges for Joseph to interpret Pharaoh’s dream and become the viceroy of Egypt.
Feel content with what you have. When George returns to his family, after his momentous encounter with Clarence, he has no idea if, or how, he will be able deal with the S&L’s impending bankruptcy. But returning to his previous life suffices for him. Says Pirkei Avot (4:1), “Who is happy? One who is satisfied with his lot.”
People can change their attitude. George wanted to die; then he wanted to live; he grew spiritually. This growth is what happened to the brothers of Joseph. Originally so resentful of “the dreamer” that they sold him into slavery, they eventually repented, admitted the error of their ways, and made amends with Joseph.
Don’t give up—with the help of heaven, things get better. Someone facing an existentially traumatic period, which makes him question the value of his life, can overcome his doubts and go on to lead a productive life. That is the sweeping theme of It’s a Wonderful Life—though the movie ends on Christmas Eve, with Bailey and the S&L out of danger, the implication is that he and the business thrive afterwards. Seeing no purpose in his life—while fleeing from Queen Jezebel, exhausted and spiritually drained after his confrontation with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel—the prophet Elijah, journeying into the wilderness, tells God (Kings 19:4) “It is enough! Now, O Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” Instead, God gives Elijah rest, food and purpose, and Elijah goes on to fulfill his mission as a prophet.
Educator Jody Dickter, a friend of the author in West Hempstead, New York, contributed to this piece.