Avatar hero Jake Sully’s decision to become a Na’vi is not the only switching of sides that takes place during the course of the three-hour movie. The audience also transfers their loyalties from the values that define Western civilization to a radically different set of values.
The three villains of Avatar are:
- Parker Selfridge, the corporate executive in charge of RDA (Resource Development Administration) on Pandora. His job is simply to make money for the stockholders by mining the valuable mineral unobtanium, whatever the cost to the “natives” and their way of life. Clearly, he represents materialism.
- Col. Miles Quaritch, the brutal head of RDA’s on-planet security. He represents military might and physical power.
- Dr. Grace Augustine, a nasty person but brilliant scientist. She viciously denigrates Jake for his lack of higher education and academic credentials. She represents scientific and academic knowledge.
At least since the Enlightenment, these have been the cardinal values of Western society: materialism, physical might, and scientific progress.
Materialism places ultimate value on the accumulation of wealth and worldly possessions. A materialistic society honors the rich simply because they are rich and despises the poor simply because they are poor. “Making it” means making money, since that is the ultimate value.
But materialism also refers to the philosophy that physical matter is the only reality and that everything can be explained in terms of natural phenomena. This philosophy derides those who believe in the existence of spiritual forces as “superstitious” at best, “crack-pots” at worst.
A society that values military power devotes much of its resources to the development of armaments and chooses as its leaders ex-generals (E.g. Eisenhower, DeGaule, Rabin). It equates power on the national level with military strength, on the personal level with muscles. Such a society glorifies the “super-hero” who has a weight-lifter’s physique and can beat up his opponent. It might snicker at the Jewish definition of a “hero": “A hero is one who overcomes himself” (Ethics of the Fathers 4:1).
The audience finds itself rooting for the Na’vi, a people who values spiritual forces, tradition, and virtue.
A society that values scientific and academic knowledge defines “progress” as technological advancement and honors Doctors of Philosophy, Medicine, and Law. It demands no equivalence between academic excellence and ethical behavior. This attitude is exemplified by Bertrand Russell’s famous repartee, when censured for his sexual escapades while Professor of Ethics at Harvard: “When I was Professor of Geometry, you didn’t ask me why I’m not a triangle.” A unique exception to this bifurcation of knowledge and virtue occurred in March, 2008, when Yeshiva University granted nonagenarian Clara Hammer, who supplies chicken to hundreds of poor families every week, an Honorary Doctorate in Kindness. In Western society intellectual brilliance usually trumps virtue as a standard of excellence.
Read Related Article: Avatar and the Jews
Then comes Avatar! And the audience finds itself rooting for the Na’vi, a people who values spiritual forces, tradition, and virtue. Col. Quaritch calls them “savages” as he goes in for the kill.
WHO’S ENLIGHTENED?
Watching the movie, I had déjà-vu. When the Enlightenment flashed into the Jewish world beginning in the late 18th century, it divided the Jews into the same two warring camps as Avatar portrays. The proponents of Enlightenment were university-educated, usually more affluent, and progressive. They lambasted traditional Jews, who clung to Torah observance and who refused to adopt the lifestyle of the secular world, as “backward” and “primitive.”
The lines that have divided the Jewish People for the last couple centuries are similar to the lines that divide the Earth People from the Na’vi: progress vs. tradition, materialism (in the sense of believing that matter is the only reality) vs. spirituality, and scientific knowledge vs. wisdom. Significantly, (spoiler alert!) toward the end of the movie Dr. Grace Augustine severs her alliance with Selfridge and Col. Quaritch and sides with the Na’vi, just as science in recent decades has been moving toward a rapprochement with religion.
The proponents of Enlightenment attacked traditional Judaism as furiously as Col. Quaritch went after the Na’vi.
The proponents of Enlightenment attacked traditional Judaism as furiously as Col. Quaritch went after the Na’vi. They published books and pamphlets accusing the “shetl Jews” as causing anti-Semitism by their obdurate refusal to dress, speak, and act like their Christian neighbors. They denounced leading rabbis to government authorities for the crime of “resisting progressive legislation,” and scoffed when the rabbis were thrown into prison. They mocked traditional Jews as antiquated, old-fashioned, and superstitious.
Such scorn for traditional Jews reached its nadir during the early years of the State of Israel. About one million Jews lived in Moslem countries up until 1949. They had inhabited those countries for centuries, some for millennia. These Sephardi Jews had amassed wealth, were highly literate in rabbinic writings, boasted great Talmudic scholars, and tenaciously preserved the traditions of their ancestors, despite the intermittent persecution of their Moslem hosts.
When these Sephardi Jews were expelled from their homes and prohibited by the Moslem governments from taking their wealth with them, they arrived in the fledgling State of Israel as the embodiment of what the West despised. They were poor, religious, and ignorant of Western culture. The Ashkenazi establishment in Israel regarded these Jews as “primitive” and “unenlightened” because they were not conversant in Shakespeare and Mozart. Ben Gurion, in his book The Individual and His Destiny, compared the Sephardi communities to “dust—without a language, without education, without roots. Turning this dust into a cultured nation is not an easy task.”
MY PANDORA JOURNEY
I personally did not have to go to Pandora to undergo a transformation similar to Jake Sully’s. I was about 14 years old when I first encountered Hasidic Jews. I thought they were from a different planet. My father, a professor of English literature, once had to pick up a book in a Hasidic section of Brooklyn. He took me along. I gawked at the men in long, black coats and the women wearing headscarves, and heard them speaking Yiddish. My father, an open-minded man usually tolerant of all sorts of anthropological anomalies, dismissed these strange Jews with a single word: “Backward.”
Like Jake Sully discovering the Na’vi from the inside, my prejudices melted away in the warmth of that loving Hasidic family.
Two decades later I began to investigate my Jewish roots. My spiritual journey at one point led me back to Brooklyn, where I was invited for a Shabbos meal in a Hasidic home. Like Jake Sully discovering the Na’vi from the inside, my preconceptions and prejudices melted away in the warmth of that loving Hasidic family. To them, “progress” meant spiritual progress, power was measured by self-discipline, and wisdom was more valued than wealth. Truthfully, in their midst, I felt like the primitive one.
Watching Avatar, many of us heirs of the Enlightenment, sitting in movie theaters throughout the West, underwent a similar transformation. We found ourselves rooting for the Na’vi, a people who believed in the power of prayer and clung to their ancestral traditions. Perhaps it’s time to reevaluate our own preconceived notions of observant Jews and traditional Judaism?
(25) Lucas Henry, March 22, 2010 7:44 PM
Everybody that I have seen commenting on Avatar overlooks the fact that there is a very dark side in the Na'avi society. Where are the old Naavi, the sick, the weak? How many of them die trying to tame those flying beasts? If you are not strong you are a nobody in that society. Are these the values we want for ours? Besides that: A moon almost the size of Earth sustais a few thousand people. Our society sustains billions. There is no Naavi wellfare system. No care for the old, no retirement, no nursing homes. We usualy work for 35, perhaps 40 years and expect to be retired and cared for another 35 0r 40, sometimes more. No Naavi would do that. If we get shot and go to an Hospital we have much more chances of survival than going for the willow tree of the Naavi. Who are willing to change a good surgeon for the chanting shaman? I don't believe we live in paradise, but I think we have a much better world than the Naavi. We have a world with the values of Judaism, the values of Humanity, the values of the Torah. I don't change that for any paganism in any form.
(24) Yammo, March 12, 2010 5:41 PM
True, but movie is extremely hypocritical...
While the points made in the article are true, i.e. that we tend to embrace the wrong values. And yes, we can learn a lesson for it as Jews. However, you must realize that the producers used the same uber-technology and money-grabbing to bash the same ideas. What this points out is that the producers themselves aren't against materialistic values, rather they don't like other people being that way. Hypocracy, in other words. I could definitely spin this to be a pro-communist edge as well.
(23) Josh, March 11, 2010 5:11 PM
Fantastic
This article had to be written, so fantastic and true! It needs to be realized who the real backwards and out-of-touch with reality are, the secular "enlightened" community. Just as Haredi as the Chassidc/Haredim themselves, just with different issues (ie money, science, etc)
(22) Joe, March 10, 2010 7:57 AM
This article is appalling.
Why is this article appalling? Am I saying that aggressive militarism is good or that blind materialism is better than spirituality? G-d forbid. Am I saying that scientists should be devoid of ethics? Not at all, G-d forbid. No this article is appalling because of its underlying rejection of Jewish ideals while cloaking itself in references to high ideals. Judaism is one of the founding civilizations of all that is Western and Enlightenment values are Jewish values. While no-one should ever value materialism over people or ethics, to deny the role of progress and the love of progress that comes from Judaism is antithetical to Judaism. To deny the notion of rationalism that comes from Judaism is antithetical to Judaism. Abraham reasoned that there was Gd. When you hold truths to be "self evident" that say all people are created equal before God, you are not just talking Torah values but rational values based on using your intellect and God-given gifts to do better. Last I checked Tikkun Olam was a Jewish ideal. Last I checked, hoping for the redemption - and working to bring it about were Jewish ideals. If you want to dip into petty stereotypes of amoral scientists, then tell you what, refuse to visit your medical doctor next time you feel ill. Refuse to use your cell phone when you want to call a family member far away. Refuse to eat any food that was produced by modern agriculture. The fact is that even though science can be abused, it has saved and enriched everyone's life in ways that our ancestors could not have imagined. As to the military, if you really want to bash that, then perhaps we should lay down our arms and surrender to the Arabs. I am sure that would work well. This article was appalling.
(21) Matt M, March 9, 2010 5:23 PM
Soul-Searching is a Two-Way Street
I think that there needs to be some reconciliation between observant and the idea that even the most non-observant, secular Jew is still 100% Jewish. The observant and secular communites should be working together for tikkun olam. The ridiculous theatre played out in the Knesset between religious and secular parties drives less observant Jews and our Gentile neighbors away from the faith and community. The general openess and user-friendly nature of Aish is a wonderful example of inclusivness and unity. Lets see it actually demonstrated throughout Jewish communities worldwide.
(20) Pleasant, March 9, 2010 3:47 AM
I got a little something different from the story.
I felt an affinity to jewish philosphy and Native American insights and customs very strongly. Believe it or not, the values are very similar. I am both. And I loved that Navi'i sounds like a blending of Cherokee and Hebrew. (amateur linguist dabling in spanish, french, german, cherokee, korean, chinese, japanese, greek, hebrew and GEEK. ;d)
(19) Snir, March 8, 2010 11:15 PM
Reply to adam :)
First off, I loved Avatar. I think it could not have summarized present day western society any better: Materialistic and Capitalistic to the point of absurdity. This is where most present day western problems are sprouting from (at least in my eyes). There is no way this movie was a complete play on a true pagan world, nor was it anti-Judaism. I did not see any idol worship going on. From what I understood, the Na'vi believed in a single higher being which they referred to as "Eywah" (sp?). Can you not see the play on a certain sacred Hebrew word there??? The Na'vi were monotheistic, yet very close to the nature through which they connected. Perhaps God was highly integrated within their planet, but by no means is a person considered Pagan because they are highly connected to the physical planet. Similar to Humans, was our planet not the medium through which God has allowed us to thrive??? Without respect for these highly complex processes (there seems not to be much respect left for our planet today. See what happened in Copenhagen), we would surely not be able to sustain ourselves. Our forefathers did live much closer to nature than we do today, yet they were still able to elevate themselves far higher than you see many do today. Perhaps modernity is a barrier to this elevation? Also, I want to make the connection between that tree at which the Na'vi prayed at, to our First and Second Temple in Jerusalem. Very interesting movie.
(18) Andy, March 8, 2010 4:53 PM
Agree with Adam #13 and #14. writer of this article misses it and seem sto falsifies Jewish history . Navi fit sinto Pagan world more than traditional Jewry
True there were/are some[mostly leftists with their own agendas] who looked and look at traditional ultra Orthodox/Haredi Jews as hopelessly backward and within Orthodoxy itself there is disagreement as to the value of "secular" education. When a book showing the high level of secular education among several leading Torah sages was published it caused great controvery. Re "These Sephardi Jews had amassed wealth, were highly literate in rabbinic writings, boasted great Talmudic scholars," For certain it's a stretch to believe that more than a small minority of Jews either in Europe or in Arab lands were well educated in yiddishkeit or wealthy. That does not excuse the inferior treatment given them by the midguided secular establishment in Israel , but please get your facts straight. Suggest reading Israel Test as per comment 14. Seems to me Navi values more closely parallel a glorified version of what was American Indian tribal culture than Orthodox Jewry at any time. Not everything with a spiritual dimension is Jewish. Idolaters where highly spiritual.
(17) Dvirah, March 8, 2010 3:03 PM
And/Both
I would like to point out that on the Shabbat, our most spiritually oriented day, we are commanded three feasts - a material pleasure. I agree with comment 10 (Anat, March 8, 2010) that balance is needed. The problem here is greed.
(16) Sandra, March 8, 2010 2:52 PM
confusion
All the comments make me wander what was really in the movie maker's mind when he made AVATAR. Everybody seems to see a different message in it, in function of their own agenda. I love it, and found it highly symbolic and with lots of layers of interpretations. May be you take the action too literally.
(15) YaYa, March 8, 2010 12:28 PM
Enough
Enough of this avatar! it's only an en average movie with great effects and a lousy story line. Taking any insightful meaning from this movie just show the person lack of it.
(14) Anonymous, March 8, 2010 8:05 AM
Obviously the writer has not read The Israel Test which values achievemet and excellence, which usually result in profiting from those endeavors in which one excels. This is not worshiping materialism. I found the movie totally against American Values of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness and property rights. Mr Cameron by his own had an admission and it was not celebrating the America I know and love that relishes innovation and ideas and leads the world in things that have made this world a little bit better place. In addition, it is the only country in the world in which people give their lives to come to. Do we have faults, do we do somethings wrong? We are not perfect, but we certainly try to helpthose in need throughout the world. In God we Trust is also an American value and is on all of our money. It is time that we begin teaching our children to celebrate America instead of tearing it down.....we will destroy from witihn at the rate we are going and will not need another to invade. Our liberties will enable those with evil intent to take advantages of our freedoms to destroy this country.
(13) adam, March 8, 2010 7:57 AM
Avatar= a true pagan world
Apart from the fact that Avatar is a very bad movie, it is exactly the opposite of what you say: Avatar praises paganism and makes you believe that blue asparagus are good and modern man is bad. Avatar is a dangerous movie where Nature is ( the planet) the sacred and spiritual bond between the Navii. Avatar participate to the pagan idea that is spreading throughout the world that Man is just a part of the Universe , and not the ultimate aim of creation. By showing you a "superior" people made out of blue asparagus who live in a symbiotic way with their planet and all its inhabitants, Avatar tries to make you think that the closer to nature you are, the better man you are. This leads directly to Baal Peor. The grandeur of man is to elevate himself above nature, this is how I understand Judaism. Avatar is an anti-judaism movie, it is a perfect tutorial to new age paganism.
(12) Deborah, March 8, 2010 6:20 AM
Missing the point
There are certain points I agree with (the spiritual is more important than the physical, etc.) but think you are REALLY missing the point. This movie is made by- and directed towards- destructive, liberal, leftist standards which glorify everything Judaism is against. Putting a Jewish spin on it on this website doesn't change what this movie is about. It is anti-G-d and pro-atheism, anti-reason and pro-confusion, anti-Israel and pro-Palestinian, anti-moral and pro-secular humanism, etc. You may scoff at the "materialism" (the same materialism that Jews say isn't bad when dealt with Torah/morally) but fail to see that SECULARISM is anti-G-d and the Jews' main enemy (see the story of Hanukkah, see pre-Nazi Germany, etc.) . Right wing Christians are the supporters of Israel, of a biblical G-d and of an objective moral standard, opposed to anti-religious, "humanistic" chaos. Do I understand that Christians have their own agenda? YES! Do I understand that we Jews cannot put our faith in Christians and that we depend ultimately on no one but Hashem? YES! But don't CONFUSE the issue by saying the left-wing liberals (secular Jews and secular goyim) really have our best interests at heart! That's what they are best at: confusion, lack of clarity and a draw away from G-d/Torah. Keep your clarity and don't be confused! Western society has its downfalls but it is BASED on the Judeo-Chrstian tradition, opposed to the secular tradition which is based on "humanistic" (we wonderful, always-pure-and-good humans will take the concepts of Torah without the laws of Torah and be alright) garbage! We need G-d. We need the bible. Don't fall for this. Stay with G-d... stay with Torah. The Avatar names of the "enemies" are distinctly Anglo-Saxon/Christian. Don't be fooled into thinking it is the evil western society vs the good Jewish society. As of now it is the Judeo-Christian society vs. the secular/Islamic terrorist apologists/pro-destruction society.
(11) Rachel, March 8, 2010 5:23 AM
Professions and ethics
I must disagree that the professions, including medicine and law, do not value ethical behavior. I'm an attorney, and I take seriously the oath I took when I was admitted to practice. So do the majority of attorneys I know.
(10) Anat, March 8, 2010 4:43 AM
Balance is needed
"Learning about 'balance' means that the benefits of the material world need to be balanced by that which is of eternal value and source" - I fully agree with this statement. For me the author talks in black and white; in a fantasy story/film it is OK, but real life is full of clearer of darker shades. Definitely, the film will be defined in Europe as "politically correct" and VERY anti-American.
(9) Alex Troy, March 8, 2010 1:13 AM
Western civilization isn't defined by avarice, genocide and ruthless exploitation of the world's resources, though one might think so watching Avatar. In fact, where Western civilization is absent, or its values weakly held, Jews are not safe. I'm skeptical the movie deserves the writer's time, but I'm confident Western civilization and the Enlightenment deserve praise, not the writer's hand-wringing regret nor the film's cartoonish caricature.
(8) Ruth, March 8, 2010 12:21 AM
myth and metaphor
I haven't seen AVATAR yet, but I will and I am truly interested in all the commentary. A rabbi wrote that he saw Hebrew words within the script, such as navi, for prophet. I do know that people came to see this movie, invited, from the "rain forest" and that the message was palpable and true for them, who are witnessing the destruction of their environment. They were moved, and so should we be. As to traditional values and ethics, I think there are some that do stand the test of time, and these have to do with honoring the sacred in all creativity. It's not "this world" or "that", because we are being gifted a story that is ongoing, with new inventions, new forms of treatment for illness, with new understandings of what it is to be human on all fronts. We can honor what's deep and true about the old while we forge forward, not forgetting that the forge in forget has to do with values, with the gold in ethical considerations, and with the humility and joy in praising another sunset and the ability to help one another get through. Let's not leave behind those foundations built in our past.
(7) Daniel Morgenbesser, March 7, 2010 10:56 PM
Some Perspective
I didn't see the movie. However, it is nor either or. Materialism and technology can be put to good use and can save many lives. Another example i s that a strong military could and did save lives in World War 11. And wisdom isthe most important attribute of all.
(6) Zimbo, March 7, 2010 10:13 PM
False Dichotomy
As a proud liberal who also believes in scientific advancement and believes in freedom and in people's right to live a good life, I believe that some of the comments here are thoughtful but a bit misguided. Some false choices seem to be offered as if one set of values is "liberal" and the other is "conservative". I reject that dichotomy as self serving to whatever side of the "culture" wars you are on. Surely one can believe in material progress without condoning exploitation. One can believe in science without condoning relegating human beings to mere pawns in the hands of "greater minds". One need not overly glorify cultures that are less materially or scientifically advanced nor demonize those that are. We can learn from both and incorporate their strengths into our own value system. I believe that morals and ethics require that we all try in our own way to make things better for as much of mankind as possible. Equal opportunity does not ensure equal results nor is it intended to. And, basic human rights like access to education and access to good medical care does not a "socialist" make. How one achieves these goals is certainly open to an honest debate. The key is to incorporate as much of ALL the values described by our author into our daily living and avoid the traps that come with self righteousness, greed, and arrogance. One can believe all of that without even seeing the movie!!
(5) Eric-Odessit, March 7, 2010 9:12 PM
Where would the author be ...
... if it was not for the military leaders like Eisenhower? "Overcoming herself" in the gas chamber of Auschwitz? Or perhaps her family was safe in America, while my family needed the military might to be saved. Growing up in the former Soviet Union, I kept hearing about "spirituality" of the Soviet society (no, it had nothing to do with religion), as opposed to the "worshiping of dollar" in America. In reality, that "worshiping of dollar" created a merit-based society which is the most tolerant in the world, while the Soviet "spiritual" society was very bigoted. And the Nazis were just as "spiritual" as the Soviets. Now "spiritual" radicals of Hamas, Hezbollah and Al-Qaeda repeat the same mantra of "spiritual" vs. "material". I'd suggest to the author to try talking about spirituality to Hamas and the likes, but I don't really wish her harm. Let her stay safe, protected by military might of America and comfortable with American materialism, so she can dream about "spirituality". Eric.
(4) Tsvi Aryeh, March 7, 2010 6:46 PM
A Melding?
It would be nice if both traditions could meld-though it's a lot of work, to combine secular and religious wisdom, knowledge and "wealth", all for the glory of "HaShem" and the furtherance of His will. Such an outcome could lead to a modern reworking of some of our famous holiday stories, where we now take the best of Greek or Persian or Egyptian culture, pour off the dross and attach to our wonderful Jewish way of life.
(3) HCK6060, March 7, 2010 5:48 PM
Two sides to a coin
Though I agree that Avatar show values that all people (Jewish and non-Jewish should value), it also made evil all the things that allowed the human race to live a better life. Technology and Science is not evil. Wanting money and material things does not make a person less God loving. It just makes life more enjoyable. As a movie Avatar was a great movie, but it was very anti-business, freedom and what makes Israel and America Great. I'm sure all the American Liberal Jews that voted for Obama will love the underlying message of that movie, but as a conservative American Jew, I loved the photography, and the movie as an evening away from real life, but the story would lead to a step backward to a life that Muslims want you to live. In the movie, Pandoia was a planet with everything being perfect until humans came, but on Earth there is nothing that is perfect, and it is time that Liberals start to live in the real world and accept that until Hashem says so, we will not change that. I respect and love all my Jewish brothers, but do not want to live life as if I am still living in the 15th century. I would bet if you take Jews from the 15th century and brought them to our time, they would choose our lives over the life they had to live, so Jews that want to live in the past, because they think that is what Hashem want, God bless them, but not me! I believe that Hashem wants man to grow and enjoy that growth.
(2) mgoldberg, March 7, 2010 4:26 PM
except of course the 'new ageers are essentailly pagans and essentially anti jewish and certainly anti-Israel and or it's representation as a 'Jewish State' and essentially against the meaning of sovereign states and of course, the sovereign person(s) which means they're not the 'good' guys and the civilization that gave us our federal republic, our constitution that surpasses so much of what else was created and tormented and enslaved jews is of no comparison is of course, here in the authors essay, being buried along with the excesses of materialism. Well... the founding fathers, christians, who began to evolve out of the christian oppressions and become what was never done in Islam, and which is a testament to how much personal effort was needed and done by them, and how much is needed and needs to be done by 'us' americans, us 'western civilization inheritors mandates not mooing at faux pagan dreamers as if they represented the epitome of faith, peace, harmony and love. They don't. They rarely did. Learning about 'balance' means that the benefits of the material world need to be balanced by that which is of eternal value and source... not glomming onto cartoon 3D comic book characters of fantasy and pretension about 'world harmony' based upon that fantasy. I enjoy hassidic homes too... and amish homes and I see the values and sides. I don't have to 'rethink' or reevaluate my preconceived notions of obvervant jews. I think the author needs to learn how to separate facts from fancy and fantasy.
(1) Yonah, March 7, 2010 10:56 AM
Insightful. Thank you.