"Serious Men" Tell Us that Life is Full of Uncertainty

Rabbi Scott: No, of course not. I am the junior rabbi. And it's true, the point-of-view of somebody who's older and perhaps had similar problems might be more valid. And you should see the senior rabbi as well, by all means. Or even Minda if you can get in, he's quite busy. But maybe - can I share something with you? Because I too have had the feeling of losing track of Hashem, which is the problem here. I too have forgotten how to see Him in the world. And when that happens you think, well, if I can't see Him, He isn't there any more, He's gone. But that's not the case. You just need to remember how to see Him. Am I right?

[He rises and goes to the window]

Rabbi Scott: I mean, the parking lot here. Not much to see. It is a different angle on the same parking lot we saw from the Hebrew school window. But if you imagine yourself a visitor, somebody who isn't familiar with these... autos and such... somebody still with a capacity for wonder... Someone with a fresh... perspective. That's what it is, Larry.

Larry Gopnik: Um...

Rabbi Scott: Because with the right perspective you can see Hashem, you know, reaching into the world. He is in the world, not just in shul. It sounds to me like you're looking at the world, looking at your wife, through tired eyes. It sounds like she's become a sort of... thing... a problem... a thing...

Larry Gopnik: Well, she's, she's seeing Sy Ableman.

Rabbi Scott: Oh.

Larry Gopnik: She's, they're planning, that's why they want the Gett.

Rabbi Scott: Oh. I'm sorry.

Larry Gopnik: It was his idea.

Rabbi Scott: Well, they do need a Gett to remarry in the faith. But this is life. For you too. You can't cut yourself off from the mystical or you'll be-you'll remain-completely lost. You have to see these things as expressions of God's will. You don't have to like it, of course.

Larry Gopnik: The boss isn't always right, but he's always the boss.

Rabbi Scott: Ha-ha-ha! That's right, things aren't so bad. Look at the parking lot, Larry.

[Rabbi Scott gazes out, marveling]

Rabbi Scott: Just look at that parking lot.

Larry Gopnik: She seems to be asking an awful lot. But then, I don't know. Somebody has to pay for Sy's funeral.

Rabbi Nachtner: Uh-huh.

Larry Gopnik: His own estate is in probate, but why does it have to be me? Or is it wrong to complain? Judy says it is. But I'm so strapped for cash right now, carrying the mortgage, and paying for the Jolly Roger, and I wrecked the car, and Danny's Bar Mitzvah coming up, I...

Rabbi Nachtner: Something like this... there's never a good time.

Larry Gopnik: I don't know where it all leaves me, Sy's death. Obviously it's not gonna go back like it was.

Rabbi Nachtner: Mm. Would you even want that, Larry?

Larry Gopnik: No, I- well, yeah... sometimes... or... I don't know; I guess the honest answer is "I don't know". What was my life before? Not what I thought it was. What does it all mean? What is Hashem trying to tell me, making me pay for Sy Ableman's funeral?

Rabbi Nachtner: Mm.

Larry Gopnik: And did I tell you I had a car accident the same time Sy had his? The same instant, for all I know. I mean, is Hashem telling me that Sy Ableman is me? Or that we are all one, or something?

Rabbi Nachtner: How does God speak to us? A good question.