The Dybbuk (1937) - full transcript

Dybbuk was shot in 1937 by Michal Wasynski
for the Feniks company in Warsaw.

The original duration of the film was of 125 minutes,

but only a short 90-minutes version
of it came out in France on the 18th of May 1938.

The present restoration comes
from a nitrate copy of that short version,

kept in the collections of
the Cin?matheque Francaise,

and from a full-length positive
prim of the Tel-Aviv cinematheque,

captioned in Hebrew, and kept
at the cinematheque of Jerusalem.

This would not have been possible
without the help of these three institutions,

and the "Fondation pour la M?moire de la Shoah",

and especially the help of the "Association des Amis
de la Commission Centrale de l'Enfance"

which we sincerely thank, as well
as the friendly complicity of Elizabeth Lenchener.



The restoration work was fully conducted
at the Lobster Films laboratories (2016).

The extremely damaged soundtrack was restored
at the L.E. DIAPASON laboratories.

Warsaw Cinematography Bureau
FENIKS

presents the film:

DYBBUK,
by Sholem An-ski

Director:
Michal Waszynski

Screenplay by:
A. Kacyzne and A. Marek

Synopsis:
A. Stern

Artistic director:
Andrzej Marek

Historical advisor: Dr. M. Balaban,
professor at the University of Jozef-Pilsudski

Director of Photography:
A. Wywerka

Music: H. Kon

Synagogue Songs interpreted by
the Cantor Gerszon Sirota

Choreography: Judyta Berg



Set design:
MM. The engineers Rotmil and Norris

Director of Photography:
A. Arnold

Shot by:
L. Zajaczkowski

Laboratories:
Falanga.

Artistic distribution:
The saint man of Miropole: A. Minkowski

The messenger: A. Samberg
Sender: M. Lipman

Leah, his daughter: Lili Liliana
Frayde, Leah's aunt: Dina Halpern

Nisn: G. Gamberger
Khonnon, his son: L. Libgold

Noutte: M. Bozyk
Zalmen, the groom: S. Landau

Nakhman, of Klimowka:
S. Bronecki

Menashe, his son: M. Messinger
Mendel, the preceptor: Z. Kac

Mikhoe, the Rebbe's intendant: A. Kurc
Meyer, the beadle of Brinitz: L. Lederman

Secondary characters:

Rabbinical Judges
Beggars

The loyal hasidics
The villager crowd and others.

When a man dies before his time,

his soul returns to the Earth

so that it may complete the
deeds it had left undone,

and experience the joys and griefs

it had not lived through...

Hey mister, you from these parts?

No, I'm from Brinitz.

- Why are you pushing?
- Why are you pushing?

My master, Reb Sender is
sitting up front

and I can't even take a peek.

Oh, leave me alone!

A man must see where he's going.

How can I see?
My eyes haven't yet been opened.

Once a year,

at a certain hour,

these four supreme sanctities of the world
were united.

This was on Yom Kippur

when the High Priest entered the Holy of Holies

and there uttered the name of God.

This being the holiest hour

was also one of great peril

to the High Priest and to all of Israel.

For had a sinful thought
entered the mind of the Priest,

the entire world would have been destroyed.

Human souls,

through great anguish and pain,

and through many incarnations

strive to reach the heights,

their Source,

the Throne of Glory.

But sometimes, even after a soul
reaches exalted heights,

evil suddenly overwhelms it
and the soul stumbles and falls.

Now's the time.

Tell the Rebbe.

Just me?
I'm afraid...

We'll do it together then.

Rebbe...

Sender?

Nisn?

What is it?

You have something to tell me?

Yes Rebbe.

- We wanted to tell you...
- Good holiday to you!

I've come from Gelopole
to Miropole

with a bottle of Hungarian wine
for the Wonder Rebbe.

From Gelopol?

So far?

And on foot?

I am a messenger after all.

Rebbe,
we have something to tell you.

The two of us are friends.

- I know.
- We studied in the same yeshiva...

- Yes, I know.
- We were married in the same week.

I know...

Now, we're cut off from each other.

Nisn lives far away.

We meet only here,

on the holidays.

So we decided.

Decided?

Man does not make decisions, my children.

Mikhoel!

- My black gabardine.
- Right away, Rebbe.

Nisn, now is the time.

I wanted to tell you, Rebbe...

Later Nisn!

Now I should like to hear a song.

Sing me your Song of Songs

Why won't you sing at the Rebbe's request?

The Song of Songs,

by Solomon,

Oh, give me of the kisses of your mouth.

For your love is more delightful than wine

For your love is more delightful than wine

Your ointments yield a sweet fragrance.

Your name is like the finest oil.

Therefore do maidens love you.

Therefore do maidens love you.

The Song of Songs,

by Solomon.

Mikhoel, it's time to go.

The Rebbe still hasn't learned of our vow.

Man never knows when it is a time for rejoicing

and when... A time for sorrow.

Curse this bad luck!

Never mind. We'll still have
a chance lo tell him.

Tomorrow is Hoshana Rabba,
a lucky day.

The Heavens are the Heavens of the Lord

but the Earth He has given to mankind.

Dead men cannot praise the Lord

nor those who sink into silence.

But we will bless the Lord
from now and forevermore.

Halleluyah!

Now's the time!

Let's tell him about our vow.

You distemper the prayer!

For the establishment of Your Residence...

Give us Salvation!

HOSHANA !

Hoshana!

In favour of your house of peace,

Give us salvation!
In favour of Your tabernacle in Jerusalem

We'll tell the Rebbe
right after the prayers.

- Yes.
- What is it you want to tell the Rebbe?

Nisn and I have taken a vow.

Since both our wives are expecting,

if one gives birth to a boy
and the other... To a girl,

we'll marry them off.

What an idea!

Jews!

Where tribes come on pilgrimage,

Such things are not done
without deliberation.

You cannot pledge something as yet unborn.

The angular stone, so precious

Well, it's alright!

Without faith we Jews would be in a bad way.

Zion, city of excellence
In favor of the Saint of Saints

Then my mission here has ended.

Where thy love shall preside,

Where thy splendor shall reside,

On top of the fortress,
HOSHANA!

Safe journey Nisn!

Let me know if it's a boy
or a girl.

Goodbye, Sender!

Get rich and prepare the dowry!

Don't forget... A boy or a girl!

Mazal tov, master Sender!

Happiness to you, my Senderke!

It's a girl!A little beauty!

Frayd?, dear sister, a girl?

Yes, Senderk?,

it's a girl,

but...

Why so sad?

- How's the mother?
- Oh, dear brother...

Why are you so quiet, Frayd?,
my dear sister?

What's happened?

My Khan?l??

Khan?l?l!

In giving life,

she gave away her own life.

That is the way it goes.

One enters the world,

while another leaves it.

How much longer?

Who knows?

We'll sooner reach God than the shore.

- Couldn't you wait?
- No...

My wife is expecting.

Who is crying?

Nisn! Nisn!

Oh, my dear husband!

Blessed art thou, Lord our God,
whose might fills the world.

Sender!
Remember the vow!

Nisn!
Nisn!

Sender!

I could have sworn someone called my name.

Mazel tov!
A son!

Since the Count of Brinnits
is so interested in my land,

why shouldn't I be well paid?

All right. 5,000 more.

No, I want 10,000.

5,000, and not a penny more!

In that case, no deal!

Wait!
Count the money.

Frayde, try to pacify her.
I might miscount the money.

Hush, my darling.

Daddy's counting money.

After ten years, that makes...

Daddy, let me count the money too.

Leyele, please don't bother me.
I might make a mistake!

So, after 18 years I've earned...

Father, I have something to tell you.

Not now, Leyele. Can't you see
I'm busy counting money?

Leyele,

Go to bed...

Reb Sender, haven't you counted enough?

Big deal. It jingles.

Show some respect for your master and his money.

Go harness the horses.

Hurry.

You're on your way to Brinnits.

I wanted to arrive before the Sabbath...

Then you must hurry.

You have a long road ahead.

Good grief!
You nearly ran the boy over!

There is an even greater danger.

The Sabbath may overtake him on the road.

Sir,

take him with you.

You must be headed for the yeshiva in Brinnits.

- Yes.
- Then have a seat.

I'll take you there!

How about you?

I go on foot.

Such is my custom.

Now everything will happen in due course.

Because you have given us Thou Holy Rest
You forgive the good, Lord,

by sanctifying the Shabbat.

Amen!

Drink up!

My wine cellar won't run dry!

I'm coming, I'm bringing...

Here comes Note with the carp.

This is not a carp!

It's a whale!

Are you in partnership
with Elijah the Prophet?

With Elijah?
Never!

He takes credit
for all the miracles himself.

So, Honk'?

you've given up on Talmud

and turned to Kabbalah instead ...
Why?

The Talmud is cold and dry.

So are the commentaries.

But the Kabbalah...

pulls the soul free of the earth.

It uplifts man into the
highest spheres.

There is a great danger
reaching such heights,

for one can easily fall into the abyss.

I shall not fall.

I have a path of my own,

that will lead me to my...

Goal.

Our sages said:

Jerusalem was destroyed

because they did not heed
the laws of the Sabbath.

The Sages also said that

If Israel had correctly
respected the Shabbat...

Do you have brothers or sisters?

No.

I, too, am an only child.

I never knew my father.

He was drowned in a river
during a storm,

on the day I was born.

My mother also died

on the day of my birth.

I must be off.

Please don't go!

When father wakes up,
he'll want to talk to you some more.

I feel as if we've known
each other for so long.

- Don't you?
- So do I.

Everyone's asleep
and here we are talking...

- Maybe it's a sin.
- A sin?

Why's that?

I'll go now.

Father's talking in his sleep.

Dream and reality.

Two worlds.

My father's name was also Nisn.

I meant to ask you...

- Good Sabbath!
- Good Sabbath!

Good Sabbath!

I meant to ask you,
where will you spend the night?

In the synagogue, of course.

Aren't you afraid?

Aunt Frayde says that
the dead pray there at night.

A grave in the middle of the street?

Yes.
Don't you know?

It's a holy grave.

Saturday night,

the whole town walks by here.

HERE LIE BRIDE AND GROOM
HOLY AND PURE

MARTYRED FOR THEIR FAITH
IN THE YEAR 1648.

Are you reading the inscription?

Yes. A bride and a groom
who died as martyrs...

When the murderer Khmelnitsky
attacked our town,

he killed a bride and a groom
as they stood under the canopy.

They were buried right here,
where it happened.

In the same grave?

It has long been our custom

to dance around the grave
after a wedding

to cheer the buried couple.

A noble custom!

Here lie buried
the holy and pure

groom...

And bride.

I'm a drayman
with two fine steeds.

I've no fear of wind or snow.

So long as the wagon's
got its wheels,

no need to worry,
though there's far to go.

Giddyup horsies!

Giddyup and neigh!

Waitin' for you back home,
back home,

is a bale full of hay.

Hue! Pfouh!

I'm telling you, Sender,

you'll not find a better match
than the one from Klimovka.

How about the boy himself?

A fine specimen!

I'll think about it.
What's the rush?

What's there to think about?

Look how your daughter has grown!

Wait...

Maybe you've got your eye on that fellow

who takes his meals at your house?

Who? Khon'ke?

- Are you mad?
- Why not?

I've heard rumors.

After the Sabbath,

we'll go to Klimovka
to see that bridegroom.

Now you're talking!

Good luck to you, then.

Well, look who's here.

Good morning, Reb Sender!

Good morning, Khonnon!

Listen, I want your advice about something.

I've just been talking to Zalmen about Leah.

He has a good match for Leah,
but I can't seem to decide.

Reb Sender...

Of course, Reb Sender's son-in-law
must be wealthy

for my child to have a good life.

What do you think, Khonnon?

What can I think?

Khonnon?

Are you off to the ritual bath again?

- Yes.
- Are you still fasting from Sabbath to Sabbath?

It is harder for me
to eat on the Sabbath

than to fast all week.

What is it you want?

I want...

To reach a clear and sparkling diamond,

dissolve it in tears
and absorb it into my soul.

I want...

Yes...

I must get...

Two barrels of gold coins

for him who can count only coins.

Look out!

Look out, Khonnon,

you're on a treacherous path.

You will not attain all this
by holy means.

And if not by holy means,
what then?

I'm afraid to talk to you.

I'm afraid to stand near you.

Jews!

Over there in the ritual bath...
A student, Khonnon,

is calling out to Satan!

Satan can be summoned

only by that great
doubly-spoken Name

that fuses in its flame

the highest peaks
with the deepest valleys.

- Isn't it terribly dangerous?
- Yes.

In the great yearning
of the spark of a flame

the vessel could burst.

Shouldn't he be warned?

No.

Let each man follow his own road.

Noute!

I'm coming!

- The horses are harnessed.
- Then let's be off.

Just a minute.
Khonnon!

Khonnon!

Here...

Say the blessing and drink.

How do you know I'm thirsty?

How could I know of course?

I only wanted to wait on a scholar.

An extra good deed for the road
is like an extra horseshoe.

Go on, drink.

Blessed art thou

by whose word all things come into being.

Amen!

To your health.

Sender, we're off.

Well, let's go.

Goodbye, daughter.

Be well, sister.

- Have a safe journey!
- Good luck!

May this hour be good and favourable!

- Good day.
- Good day.

Father didn't even tell me
where he's going.

He must have forgotten in the rush.

It's not a secret.

He went to Klimovka to decide
on a bridegroom for you.

A bridegroom?

Leyele! Leyele!
God help you!

Leyele, what's wrong?

Khonnon! Khonnon!

Help!
Into the bedroom!

Water!

Leah.

Woe is me...

Leyele, thank God.

Where is Khonnon?

Why do you need him?

Please, call him in, Aunty.

Khonnon left.

He left?

Khonnon!

Khonnon!

Gone?

Gone...

Oh Aunty...

I don't understand!

We've been bargaining all day
and you're still dissatisfied.

The groom's father agreed
to all your conditions.

No, not at all. I want him
to support them for 10 years.

- I'll agree to 5.
- I insist on 10.

- I say 5.
- Then it's no use.

- I can't stand a die-hard.
- Sender, don't be so rash.

What is it?

The bride's father
will be coming in to test you.

Rebbe, I'm so afraid!

When you study, you're not afraid!

Well!

There, they say...
There, they say...

Unless there has been...

Now what?

I'm afraid of strangers.

I'm terrified when they look at me.

Nothing frightens me so much
as the look of strangers.

I'll charm the evil eye away from you.

On empty fields and forests...

For me and you.

There's no need for a charm.
The match is off!

He's leaving?

Thank God!

'There's a wagon in the forest

And the land's in bloom.

With her face to the wall,
A girl is sifting in her room.

"Tell me Maiden, your desire.

What's the reason for your tears?

The one who has departed

Shall return no more, I fear."

Khon'k?!

Where are you coming from?

We went to look for a bridegroom
for Leyele.

The match fell through.

- Really?
- Why?

What's it to you?

Do you want to marry into the family?

Me?

No..

But where's Reb Sender?

We rich people do things
our own way.

The match, you understand,
didn't go through,

but the fathers made a deal
over oxen instead.

Khonnon... Khonnon...

You should have seen those beauties!

I have won!

Khonnon, what do you mean?

All those spells,

All that harrowing of the flesh,
all the fasts...

I have won again!

Now, all I need are the two barrels of gold.

Sinful words!

Khonnon, you're playing
into Satan's hands!

So what?

In every sin there is holiness.

Holiness in sin?
How is that possible?

All of God's creation has within it
a spark of holiness.

Sin is the creation of Satan,
not of God.

And who created Satan?
God!

The Other Side of God must be holy too.

Be quiet!

They'll hear you!

Look! Reb Senders daughter.

Leyele!

You promised to show her
the curtains for the Ark.

With the greatest pleasure!

Which sin is the most powerful of all ?

The hardest to conquer?

Is it not the sin of lust for a woman?

- Isn't it?
- Yes.

And if this sin is cleansed
in a great flame,

the greatest uncleanliness
turns to highest holiness.

To the Song of Songs.

The Song of Songs

'by Solomon..

Oh, give me of the kisses
of your mouth.

For your love is more delightful
than wine.

For your love is more delightful

Than wine. ..

Your ointment yields a sweet fragrance.

Your name is like finest oil.

Therefore do maidens love you.

Therefore do maidens love you.

The Song of Songs

'by Solomon..

Come Leyele.

Come quickly Leyele.

'By Solomon..

The Song of Songs.

'By Solomon..

Who taught you that?

Khonnon.

Khonnon?

Where did he learn it?

- It's his father's melody.
- His father's?

Impossible.

That melody was once sung
by my friend Nisn.

But he drowned years ago.

His father was also called Nisn.

He, too, was drowned.

Woe is me!

Mazel-tov, Sender!

The whole town is buzzing with the news.

The in-laws are coming.

Whose in-laws?

They're coming!

They agreed to 10 years room and board!

10 years!

10 years!

She's bashful, poor child.

Nisn...

Dear friend,
it's too late now.

Too late...

And Who separates day from night...

Jews! Students!
It's time for a toast and a celebration!

Reb Sender's daughter is engaged!

Let's go, let's go!

Three times he came back
empty-handed.

Engaged?

How can that be?

One... two... three...
four... five... six...

seven... eight...

nine...

Nine scrolls.

The numerical value of the letters T-R-U-T-H

Thirty-six is twice...
the living...

Thirty-six handles on the scrolls...

Thirty-six equals L-E-A-H.

Three times thirty-six is
K-H-O-N-N-O-N.

Leah also spells Lo Hashem:

not God.

If not through God,
then how?

Through Satan!

Satan, I implore you!
Help me!

Come, take my body,
my soul, my wisdom.

Take my learning.

All I ask in return is

the maiden Leah bas Khane.

I see the secret of the doubly spoken Name.

I...See it!

I have won again!

What do you want mister?

I must see Reb Sender.

Is it you again?

I have been sent here.

Jews!
Khonnon!

Where is he?
Invite him here to dance with us.

Khonnon is dead.

Charity saves from death...

Charity saves from death...

He was a yeshiva student.

Ate his meals at Reb Sender's.

Who could have known
he kept company with demons!

He should be buried
among the outcasts.

Charity saves from death!

Enough. It's time to recite
the mourner's Kaddish.

Well?

Henakh, recite the Kaddish.

- I'm afraid...
- Let Meir recite it.

Why me?

There must be someone
best placed to do it.

Let me...
In my simple way.

No, Noute. I should be the one
to recite the Kaddish for my Khonnon.

May His Great Name be magnified and sanctified
In the world he hath created to His will,

May He establish His Kingdom
and may His salvation sprout

and His Messiah come.

In your life and your days
in the life of all the home of Israel.

May His Great Name be magnified and sanctified
In the world he hath created to His will,

May He establish His Kingdom
and may His salvation sprout

in the life of all the house of Israel.
In the near future.

Come on Leyele.

When you leave a graveside,
you mustn't look back.

I want to remember the place.
A weeping willow.

Come on, now.

Sender the wealthy invites all the poor,

and bids them come
to his granary door.

Hurry, you poor folk,
with open palms,

for each, ten groschen
of Reb Sender's alms.

May the hour be good and favourable!

- Oh, how beautiful you are!
- How does it feel to be a bride?

A blessing on your head!

Amen!

Go child,
to your mother's grave.

Shed all your tears there,
and invite her to the wedding.

Tell her that I want her
to accompany me

in leading my child to the canopy.

Tell her

I kept my promise,

to raise you as an honest
and pious Jewish girl.

Now, I've provided you with a husband,

a learned, God-fearing husband,

a...

Come, Leyele...

What's keeping you?

Auntie,

at the graveyard,

may I invite someone who isn't related?

Why do you ask?

- In my dreams, I saw...
- Who?

Khonnon.

What?

He asked me to invite him
to the wedding.

- Who?
- Khonnon.

Oh child...

I'm so afraid.

They say he died an unnatural death.

Auntie ...

Don't cry, my darling.

Don't cry little dove.
Don't cry.

All right.

Invite him.

This once I'll take
the sin upon myself.

Come, darling.

What a beautiful bride!

Empty pail?

May the bad luck be cast
into the wilds. Go away!

Go on, Leyele.

I'll wait here
at aunt Mirele's grave.

But hurry,
we must return soon.

Stop pushing!

There's enough to go around!

For everyone! For everyone!

- He ripped my caftan!
- It's going to bring you bad luck!

- Here, for your caftan!
- Thank you, generous master!

Someone was gifted twice!

You've doled out enough
to make their day.

Here rests the commendable young man,
worthy scholar, Elkhonnon Ben Nisn

deceased on 18 lyar 5596 (spring 1836)

May his soul be bound
to the bouquet of eternal Life.

Knonnon, my bridegroom,

come dance at my wedding.

Bride!

If the bride is left alone before the wedding,

demons come and carry her off.

There are no demons, but souls of people

whose light went out
too early and forever.

Not forever.

The souls of the dead return to the world

and wander about
before they receive purification.

Sinful souls

are transformed into beasts,

fishes and plants.

And there are souls

that enter a living body

of one whom they once loved.

This is a dybbuk.

A dybbuk?

Come my bridegroom.

I'll carry our souls
and those of our unborn children.

Bayu, bayu,

my babies,

without clothes,

without a bed,

unborn children,

never mine,

lost forever,

lost in time.

Khonnon!

Leye!
Leyele!

Leyele!

Leyele!

Leyele!

Leyele! Where are you?

You must not leave a bride
alone in the graveyard.

To honor this first meeting
of the parents on both sides,

let the band strike up a tune

for the royal

groom and bride!

The groom's party has arrived.
They're asking for you.

Why are you so pale?

Look! Your gown is creased...

And stained...

Go! Go!
Leave!

Ley-ye...

If you leave a bride alone
before the wedding,

demons come...

What took you so long?

Come Leyele!

Dance with the poor.

It's a worthy custom.

Go, Leyele.

Go bring joy to the poor.

It's a most worthy deed.

I want to dance with the bride!

For my aunt Etk?,
I have to dance!

It's the same every time!

Why is it coming back to you?
Why?

Dance with me!
I haven't danced for 40 years!

Let's get into the swirl!

More!

You've danced enough.
You'll get dizzy.

Want a drink?

A man must see what he's doing.

My eyes haven't yet been opened.

Please leave these parts!

Man is born out of dust
and unto dust he returns.

In a world of vain pursuits
he sojourns.

To what ends are your ambitions
and pains,

when there is only the grave
to welcome your remains.

Prayer and beseeching
are of no avail.

For in the end,
death must prevail.

All mirth is mixed with dread.

For man's life

is like a dance of the dead.

I'm afraid.

Remember, right after the meal,

the wedding bard calls out:

"The bridegroom will deliver his oration."

- Then you stand up and...
- But Rebbe, I'm afraid!

Of what?

Did you forget your speech?

No.
I didn't.

But I'm terrified...

All those strange people!

About to be married
and afraid of shadows!

Rebbe,

I feel as though
I were being led to the gallows!

See here!

They feed the guests marzipan
and we get bits of khale!

He's so rich!

He could have given
each of us a whole loaf!

What's the difference?
When we die, the worms get it all.

Look!
The wedding bard!

Do not tremble child,
do not be afraid.

'You are guarded by a watch'

'of sixty warriors brave..

Sixty warriors with swords

protect you from misfortune.

You'll be led to the canopy.

Blessed will that hour be.

Your mother,
virtuous and wise,

walks forth from the Paradise.

From the Paradise..

On her robes, gold and silver

Two angels come to greet her

'Yes, to his encounter'

They stand on either side,
to the left and to the right.

?Khanele mine,
Khanele fine,

why on your gown

do gold and silver shine?'

And Khanele answers them
thus and so:

"My joy is great.
Why should my gown not glow?'

My only child,
the crown of my head,

is this day
to the canopy led.?

?Khanele mine,
Khanele fine,

then why is there pain
in those eyes of thine??

And Khanele answers
thus and so:

"Should my heart not grieve,
should it not feel woe?

Strangers to the wedding lead the bride,

while I in sadness
stand on a side.'

Soon to the canopy
they will lead her.

Young and old
will come to greet her.

Elijah will come
and take the great goblet in hand,

and recite a blessing
for the entire land.

Amen and Amen..

'He who is supremely mighty,'

'He who is supremely blessed..

He who is supremely sublime,
He who is supremely joyful.

May He bless the groom
and the bride.

He who is supremely mighty,'

'He who is supremely blessed..

He who is supremely sublime,

He who is supremely joyful

May he bless the groom and the bride.

You exempt the good,
O eternal, King of the Universe

Who creates the fruit from the vines
AMEN!

You exempt the good,
O Eternal, King of the Universe,

Who sanctified us by his commandments
and ordered us to cohabitate,

'Who instructed us to be engaged,'

Who taught us to get married

By the nuptial canopy and the consecration.
You exempt the good, O Eternal,

Who sanctifies the people of Israel
By the nuptial canopy and the consecration

AMEN!

Bridegroom,
drink the wine without a blessing.

Bride,
drink without a blessing.

Repeat after me:

- With this ring,
- With this ring,

No!

You are not my bridegroom!

Leyele!

Holy bride and groom, protect me!

Leyele!

You buried me

but I have come back

to my destined bride

and will not

leave her...

The bride has been possessed
by a dybbuk!

How much longer before
the Rebbe will see us?

He will see you shortly.

Reb Israel of Ruzhin
bore himself like a king.

He used to travel
with ten horses in tandem.

Welcome, Reb Sender.

- It's Reb Sender of Brinnits
- I'll take you right in to see the Rebbe.

Here's the Rebbe!
The Rebbe!

The Rebbe!

The man tells wondrous tales.

Tell us another!

The Rebbe won't be out so soon.

I will tell you...

I will tell you

a parable.

I will tell you a parable
told by my Rebbe.

A wealthy man, a great mister,

once came to see the Rebbe.

The Rebbe led the man
to the window and said:

"Look!"

The wealthy man looked through the window.

And the Rebbe asked:

"What do you see?"

What do you see?

I see people.

"Look again

and tell me what you see now."

What do you see now?

Now, I see myself.

Do you understand?

A window and a mirror

are both made of glass.

But the glass of the mirror
is covered with silver.

And owing to the silver,

man no longer sees others,

and he sees only himself.

Do you mean me?

Oh, woe is me!
Leyle!

What's the matter Leyele?

Leyele!

Rebbe!

Rebb Sender of Brinnits
is here to see you.

Sender of Brinnits?

I know...

A great misfortune
has befallen him.

His daughter is possessed by a dybbuk,
God have mercy on us!

Possessed by a dybbuk.

I know...

He brought her to you.

To me...

To me!

How could he bring her to me,

when the "I" in me
is not here.

Rebbe...

All the world comes to you...

All the world...

It's a blind world...

Blind sheep following
a blind shepherd.

If they were not blind,
they would not come to me,

but to "Him", who can say "I",

the only "I" in the world.

Rebbe,

Sender of Brinnits.

Send him in.

Rebbe.
Rebbe!

Help me!

How did the misfortune occur?

- Immediately after the ceremony...
- That's not what I'm asking.

What caused the misfortune?

A worm can enter a fruit
only when it begins to rot.

Rebbe,

my child is a virtuous
God-fearing Jewish daughter.

Has the dybbuk been asked
who he is?

By his voice, he was recognized
as a student of our yeshiva.

You knew him?

Yes, he ate regularly at my house.

Did you perhaps...

Slight him?

Or cause him grief in any way?

Try to remember.

I don't know.
I don't remember.

Rebbe, I'm only human after all!

Bring in the maiden!

Rebbe!

I've sinned!

Help me to repent!

Don't despair.

Bring in the maiden.

- The Rebbe wants to see you.
- Come, Leyele.

Aunty, I'm afraid.

What will they do to me?

Don't be afraid, Leyele.

Don't be afraid.

The Rebbe won't harm you.

The Rebbe can't harm you.

Child, don't shame me before the Rebbe.

- Go in, Leyele.
- Go ahead.

I want to go in...
But I can't.

Go ahead my child, go in.

I will not go in!

Leyele!

Dear lord!

Mister,

get out of the way.

The child is afraid of you!

Move aside!

Take the maiden to the other room.

Sender!

Rebbe, this is

the sin that weighs
so heavily upon me.

I sinned against my old friend,
Nisn.

I broke our vow.

I didn't know

that the young man
who ate regularly at our house

was his son.

Sender,

what have you done

to your best friend?

Because of you Nisn Ben Rivke
has no one to bear his name,

no memory, no heir,

no one to say a prayer for his soul.

What can I do Rebbe?

You'll have

to answer to Nisn
before a rabbinical court.

A trial?

With a dead man?

You will have to accept
the verdict of the court.

Mikhoel, my staff!

Take my staff,

and go to the cemetery

stop at the first grave, and say:

"Blameless departed!

Azriel,

son of the great Tsaddik
Reb Itchele of Miropole,

asks your pardon
for disturbing your rest,

and bids you to inform

the deceased Nisn Ben Rivke,

that the rabbinical court of Miropole

has summoned him
to a trial this evening,

at midnight.

Blameless departed!

Azriel, son of the Tsaddik
Reb Itchele of Miropole,

asks your pardon
for disturbing your rest.

And bids you,
by the ways that you were given,

to inform the deceased

Nisn Ben Rivke...

It's midnight already,
and the Rebbe's not here yet.

Who can know his ways?

Rebbe...

Now,

let us go!

Blameless deceased,

Nisn Ben Rivke

this court decrees

that you may not step beyond

the partition

that has been assigned to you.

He's here!

- He's here!
- He's here!

- He's here!
- He's here!

This rabbinical court

will now deliver its verdict:

whereas it is not known

whether at the time of the vow between
Sender Ben Henye and Nisn Ben Rivke,

their wives had given birth,

whereas according to the Holy Torah,
an agreement

pertaining to a thing

not yet created is not binding.

We cannot conclude that Sender

was obliged to fulfill the pledge.

This court asks the deceased

to forgive Sender.

Blameless deceased,

Nisn Ben Rivke,

did you hear our verdict?

Do you accept the verdict?

Nisn Ben Rivke,

the trial between you

and Sender Ben Rivke

is over.

The deceased did not answer:
"Amen".

Nisn Ben Rivke

did not accept the verdict.

Even if it had been otherwise decided,
in the worlds above,

I would reverse the decision!

Sender,

send the swiftest horses
for the bridegroom's party.

The wedding will take place tomorrow.

See that the bridegroom
gets here on time.

The bridegroom will get there on time.

Rebbe!

Rebbe!

Is it morning already?

It's morning, Rebbe.

What do they want from me?

I'm old...

And I'm weak...

My soul yearns for solitude.

Yet the misery and anguish
of the world reach out to me.

Every plea pierces me
as a needle does the flesh.

I have no more strength...

I cannot go on...

Rebbe...

I cannot go on...
I cannot...

Rebbe...

You father, Reb Itchele,
of blessed memory,

your grandfather,
the renowned scholar,

Reb Velvele the Great,

who was a pupil of Baal Shem...

Rebbe...

My forebears...

My saintly father, to whom Elijah
revealed himself three times,

My uncle, Reb Meir Beir,

who ascended to heaven
during the "SheMa" prayer.

My grandfather,

Velvele the Great,
who resurrected the dead...

You know, Mikhoel,

my grandfather,

Reb Velvele
used to exorcise a dybbuk

without holy names or incantations:
simply with a command.

At times of need I turn to him,

and he sustains me.

Him...

He will not forsake me now.

- Mikhoel!
- Rebbe...

Open the synagogue,

summon the community

and bring in the dybbuk!

What will you do, Rebbe?

This recalcitrant spirit,

I will excommunicate him.

Loyal Jews,
bow down and pray!

Bow down and pray, loyal Jews!

Creator of all things!

Behold the sorrow of a maiden's soul

writhing in pain.

Holy scrolls,

intercede for a young dove

who was driven from a peaceful nest.

Saintly mothers of Israel:
Sarah, Rivke, Rachel and Leah,

Plead with the almighty!

That a young sapling

not be torn out by the roots!

Master of the Universe,

when I will appear
before thy heavenly throne,

how will I answer to Leyele's mother
when she asks:

"What have you done with the orphan

I left in your care?"

"Why didn't you shield her from harm?"

King of the Universe!

It is my sin!

My negligence!

I will stop at nothing!
I will split the heavens!

I will not rest

until the crown of my head
is restored to me!

Father,

as soon as we left home,

a great fear possessed me.

- A great fear!
- Bah!

Dybbuk,

you departed from our world,

and you are forbidden to return
until the ram's horn is sounded.

I command you

I command you to leave the body
of Leah bas Khane.

Rebbe of Miropole

I know how powerful
and invincible you are.

But you cannot sway me!

For me, every road is blocked,

every gate is shut,

I have nowhere to go.

Do not torment me,

Do not harass me...

Wandering soul,

I feel great pity for you.

And I will try to release you
from the destroying angels.

But you must leave
the body of this girl,

Leave!

I will not leave!

Sacred congregation,

do you give me the authority,

in your name

and with your power,

to expel from the body
of a Jewish maiden

a spirit,

who refuses to leave
of his own free will?

Rebbe,

we give you the authority,

in our name,

and with our power,

to expel from the body
of a Jewish maiden

a spirit,

who refuses to leave
of his own free will.

Dybbuk!

Soul of one who left our world!

In the name of a sacred
congregation of Jews,

I, Azriel Ben Hadas,
command you

to leave the body of the maiden
Leah bas Khan,

If you do not obey,
I will excommunicate you!

I do not fear

your oaths
and excommunications!

There is no more exalted height

than my present refuge!

Mikhoel,

have everyone put on white robes,

bring seven ram's horns,

and prepare the excommunication.

I can't let you in!
No one?s allowed in!

Let me in, Jewish friends!

My Leyele is in there!
My one and only Leyele!

No one?s allowed in, go away!

Rise up,

O Lord,

let thine enemies be dispersed
and scattered before thee.

Like smoke let them be dispersed,

rebellious and stubborn spirit

with the power of God Almighty

in the name of this sacred congregation

I, Azriel Ben Hadas, do sunder

the last threads that bind you
to the living world

and to the body

and soul of the maiden
Leah bas Khane.

Woe is me!

And I excommunicate you
from all of Israel.

Tekiah!

I can struggle no more...

Do you submit?

Recite the Kaddish for me.

Sender,

say the first Kaddish!

May His Great Name
be magnified and sanctified,

In this world that was created
according to his will

May Thy kingdom come,

May Thy salvation sprout
and Thy Messiah come

By the same authority

by which I excommunicated you

I now revoke that excommunication.

Lord of the Universe,

God of compassion and grace,

behold the great anguish
of this tortured and wandering soul.

Avert thine eyes from its sins,

and grant its eternal rest
in thy palaces.

- Amen!
- AMEN!

Sender!

Sacred congregation,

welcome the groom's party,

Remove your white robes!

Put away your prayer shawls.

Faster,
faster,

hurry.

Who sighs here so deeply?

I do.

Who are you?

I have forgotten who I am.

Only in your thoughts
I can remember myself.

Oh, my heart was drawn to you

as to a bright star.

On silent nights
I wept for you.

Why have you forsaken me again?

Why?

I departed from your body

to return to your soul.

Take my soul

My bridegroom,

my husband.

Leyele!

Leyele...

Leyele...

Blessed be the True Judge.

THE END