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Corner of Maple (15 Mile) Bloomfield Township (248) 646-8568 r Vud eo few months ago, I spotted a movie poster heralding the coming of Star Wirs: Episode I — The Phantom Menace. It contained the simple image of a young boy standing alone in the desert on some distant planet in a galaxy far, far away, his long shadow stretched out beside him. The shadow is unmistakably that of Darth Vader, the menacing villain who is redeemed in the closing moments of George . Lucas' previous Star Wars film, The Return of the Jedi, Episode VI, released 16 long years ago. We've known for some time now, since the 1980 release of EpisodeV — The Empire Strikes Back, that before he embraced the dark side of the Force, Darth Vader was known as Anakin Skywalker, a Jedi knight and the bio- logical father of twins Luke and Princess Leia. In a long-neglected trip to the ana- lyst's couch, the evil Darth Vader returns to his childhood and the forces ultimately responsible for his develop- ment in. Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace, the prequel which opened to the public on Wednesday. Episode I takes us back in time to Anakin Skywalker's roots, where he is introduced as the son of a slave woman named "Shmi" (a Hebrew word meaning "my name"). But even as a young boy, Anakin's internal power and vision are easily recognized, and his mother sends him off to fol- low his true calling in the care of Jedi knight Qui-Gon Jinn and his appren- tice Obi-Wan Kenobi. I'm reminded of another famous son of slaves, Moses, also given up by his mother, who rises to lead the oppressed Israelites to freedom in the Book of Exodus. The twist here is that Anakin Skywalker, as we already know, will be tempted and swayed by the dark side of the Force. It is Anakin's son, Luke, who will fulfill the family destiny, becoming the people's new hope, and eventually leading them to freedom from the Evil Emperor and his genocidal Death Star. Susan Rzepka is a staff writer for the Cleveland Jewish News. But I'm not only interested in Anakin's roots. The Phantom Menace also offers an opportunity to observe Obi-Wan (Ben) Kenobi in his early years. Twenty-two years ago, when I saw the first Star Wars film, I had a hunch about Obi-Wan Kenobi. Obi-Wan, who plays a huge role in has always been associated in my mind with such important Jews as David Ben-Gurion, Israel's first prime minis- ter, and my own father, whose name also is Ben. "Ben" of Star Wars fame embodies the subtle spirituality of an infinitely wise but world-weary rabbi. Consider, for example, the clergy- like robe he wears or the soft-spoken and patient way he handles the fiery young Luke. Or, more importantly, look at the way Ben guides Luke toward an understanding of the power and ways of the Force, the spiritual energy that surrounds and encompass- es the entire universe. Many religious parallels have been exacted from the Star Wars trilogy, primarily centering upon Luke's faith, his search, struggle and ultimate sur- render to the wisdom of a greater power, the Force. Obi-Wan "Ben" In a recent Time maga- Kenobi (Ewan zine interview with Bill McGregor) and Moyers, George Lucas Anakin "Darth acknowledges that "almost Vader" Skywalker every single religion took (Jake Lloyd): Star Wars and used it as Jewish Jedi? an example of its own religion, relat- the Skyvvalkers' destiny ing it to stories in by instructing both the [Christian] Anakin and Luke in Bible, in the Koran the ways of the Jedi, and in the Torah." was purportedly the From another last of a legendary angle, Lucas says, society of Jedi knights "Star Wars takes all and was introduced the issues that reli- early in Star Wars: gion represents and Episode IV — A New tries to distill them Hope. down into a more By the time Luke modern and easily "discovered" him, Obi- accessible construct Wan had long aban- — that there is a doned his Jedi name greater mystery out and identity and was there." quietly living out his But he adds, "I years in relative isola- would hate to find tion under the name ourselves in a secu- "Ben Kenobi." But the lar world where Force was still with entertainment was him, and I had a nag- passing for some ging feeling there was kind of religious something a little experience." Jewish about him. Do Ben or Anakin Maybe it relates to "Ben," the name turn out to be Jewish in Episode P. I doubt it. Is The Phantom Menace Luke continues to call Kenobi replete with allegory and religious throughout the series. Ben is a Hebrew word meaning "son" and an integral meaning? Of that, I am sure. Analyze part of a male's full Hebrew name. It that, Darth. 1