Casablanca and Bethlehem

            Rick Blaine (played by Humphrey Bogart) is the hero of the film Casablanca, generally considered one of the greatest Hollywood films ever made. While Rick is a character who in his own words is “no good at being noble,” in the end, he loves the heroine (Ilsa Lund, played by Ingrid Bergman) so much that he lets her go.1

            As described in the Book of Ruth, Naomi has a very deep love for her daughter-in-law Ruth. When Naomi decided to return to Bethlehem, after more than a decade in Moab, she pleaded with Ruth to remain in her homeland of Moab. Despite Naomi’s love for Ruth, she perceived (incorrectly, as it turns out) that Ruth’s welfare would be best served by staying in Moab, rather than accompanying Naomi to Bethlehem. Like Rick, Naomi loved Ruth enough to let her go.

            This comparison is far from a trivial matter. Our Sages teach:

Any love which is dependent on something (tangible) - when the thing ceases, the love also ceases. But a love which is not dependent on anything will never cease.  Avot 5:19

Malbim [commentary on Genesis 29:20] comments that love which is dependent on something tangible is not truly love, but egoism.

            The truest indication that love is independent of tangible considerations is the willingness to part from the loved one because it is in the loved one’s best interest.

            I suspect there are not many who can achieve the level of Rick and Naomi.

           

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1.This is Gloria’s insight into the message of the film. These comments are dedicated to Gloria’s memory.