between young Moses and his two
siblings, Aaron and Miriam. Perhaps
one of the most beautiful ideas this
movie brings out is the importance of
Miriam in the entire Exodus history.
Here the midrash develops Miriam's
prominent voice, which goes almost
unheard in the Torah itself The writers
read into the silence of the Torah text
nd create a beautiful story of Miriam's
love for her brother and her people.
As The Prince of Egypt progresses,
we see more and more that although
Moses is the great leader who experi-
ences God in the Burning Bush and
helps God perform His miraculous
Plagues, really it is Miriam who is
the heroine and harbinger of Jewish
salvation.
According to the movie, it is Miri-
am who ultimately forces Moses to
confront his false Egyptian identity.
She helps him to see, albeit painfully,
that he really isn't an Egyptian but an
Israelite who grew up in the Pharaoh's
household. This idea of Miriam's
prominence comes full circle at the
movie's conclusion when Moses him-
elf realizes Miriam's important role
in the Exodus from Egypt.
Another beautiful midrash that is
created by The Prince of Egypt answers
the question of what it must have
been like for Moses to grow up in the
Pharaoh's palace.
We see for the first time the rela-
tionship Moses might have had with
his older brother Rameses. They were
ncredibly close and did everything
together, including causing lots of
trouble around the palace.
This might be one of the few rea-
sons not to take young children to
the movie, for there are a few some-
what violent scenes of people falling
off the scaffolding to their death at
the hands of the reckless young duo.
Although this relationship cannot be
found in the Torah, it makes a lot of
sense. It helps us understand why the
young Rameses, who later becomes the
senior Pharaoh and is in charge when
Moses comes to free his people, so
harshly refuses to let Moses' people go.
Rameses is already angry with
Moses for deserting him in their
youth and cannot believe that, now,
Moses is coming back to oppose him
and take away his slaves. Further-
more, Rameses lives with the ghost of
his father, who always saw Rameses as
the "weak link" in the chain of Egypt-
ian tradition and dynasty.
Now is Rameses' chance to defend
his honor by working the Israelite slaves
harder than ever and defeating Moses.

The Prince of Egypt deals with rela-
tionships on a very high level. Some of
the themes, as reflected through songs,
speak very deeply about the human
condition: "Look at your life through
heaven's eyes"; "when all you've got is
nothinab there's a lot to go around";
and who knows what miracles you
can achieve when you believe."
These are important, universal
messages for people to hear and to
take heed at any age.
"40% of the food from food banks helps to nourish children"
So many times throughout this
The Food Bank of Oakland County pays only for the shipping of wholesome
1 1/2-hour film, I forgot that I was
% :0•NR4.
but unmarketable food donated by the food industry.
watching an animated movie. Amaz-
\77"
Each dollar you contribute will provide 8 meals for a needy neighbor.
ing, breathtaking scenes such as the
•••••••
10th Plague and the parting of the
0
GIVE TO THE FOOD BANK OF OAKLAND COUNTY
Reed Sea (commonly referred to as
r
I
the Red Sea) seemed like actual pho-
)/e,S, Vwe want to help feed the hungry in our community.
tographic footage.
Enclosed is a donation of: ❑ S10
❑ S25
❑ $50
❑ S100
❑ Other
The soundtrack that accompanies
Vwe prefer to contribute S
the movie is dynamic, and it did my
Name
heart good to hear actual Hebrew sec-
Address
tions from Exodus 15 sung as the Chil-
City
State
Zip
dren of Israel left Egypt.
Telephone
And while I thought the movie
Please make checks payable to: Fbod Bank of Oakland Count; P.O. Box 431385. Pontiac. MI 48343
would end with the scene where
Individuals can receive a 50% Michigan Tax Credit for Gifts of S200. Couples filing jointly
Moses stands on a rock by himself and
receive this credit for gifts of $400. Business can claim a credit of up to S5000.
Please make. checks payable to: Food Bank of Oakland County, P0. Box 431385, Pontiac, MI 48343
says, "Goodbye brother," and Miriam
(248) 332-1473
turns to him and says, "Look at your
Thank you for your support
I.
people Moses, they are free" — the
filmmakers chose a different course.
The Prince of Egypt comes to its
r QUALITY IS OUR PRIORITY
dramatic climax with the giving of the
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• 1 coupon
OR
Torah on Mount Sinai. It is with this
per person
BAR-B-Q CHICKEN
conclusion that I really felt the movie
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AND WHOLE SLAB
had both a distinctly Jewish flavor and
OF RIBS
•
Expires
also had come full circle — God had
12-24-98
brought the children of Israel out of
• OPEN 7 DAYS
WHOLE SLAB
slavery to give them the gift of Torah.
OF RIBS &
SUN.-THURS.
With the voices of Val Kilmer, San-
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11-10
BAR•B•Q CHICKEN
dra Bullock, Michelle Pfeiffer, Ralph
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FOR 2!
FRI. & SAT.
Fiennes, Jeff Goldblum and Ofra
11-11
L 544-1211
Haza, to name a few of the shining
stars, and religious consultants such as
Everett Fox and Rabbi Burton
Visotzky, this movie was destined to
be fabulous from the beginning.
From Moses' stunning realization
that "all I've ever known to be true is
•Pizza • Pool
a lie" to God's revelation that "I am
•
Burgers
• Beer • Booze
that I am," The Prince of Egypt is cap-
tivating, humorous, intense and
13791 E. 13 Mile Road
just east of Schoenherr • Warren
delightful all at the same time.
Don't miss this movie — it's a
(810) 415-8889
must see! Watch out, Disney. Here
comes The Prince of Egypt! ❑

'

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