The Red Tent

One of the movies and books that impressed me the most is “The Red Tent”. I saw first the movie and I got very emotional and then, read the book, which is more descriptive and introspective. I rarely make recommendations for movies (more on books), but this is one of them.

The movie (2 parts; premiered in 2014) is produced by Paula Weinstein and directed by Roger Young. It is based on the novel of the same name written by Anita Diamant. An interview with the author can be found here.

A short brief on the theme: 

It’s Dinah’s story, a character from the Bible, Jacob’s daughter. It presents traditions of ancient womanhood - the world of the red tent. It begins with the story of her mothers (Leah, Rachel, Zilpah, and Bilhah - the four wives of Jacob). They love Dinah and give her gifts that sustain her through a hard-working youth, a talent for midwifery, and a new home in a foreign land. Dinah's story reaches out from a remarkable period of early history and creates an intimate connection with the past.

What I learned and what I felt watching the movie:

• Each of us has some particular qualities for whom people love us
• You can't be courageous without having some fears
• The community feeling - there is a scene when one of the women says “It is OUR daughter” referring to Dinah
• A misunderstanding between a husband and his wife has to be concluded fast
• There are some qualities that we receive from our grandparents. It helps to get to know their stories and embrace them
• We have to accept others' gifts, so they will accept ours
• Being strong comes with a price
• The mother’s memory / learnings who supports the daughter all her life. Listen her voice and make your own
• Understand the laws of your new community and respect them. Also, think if these contest your original laws
• Understand nature’s law
• One of the hardest sins is envy and fights between brothers
• A mother's service is to her son, not to her mother (mother-in-law). God speaks to you when He makes you a mother.
• There is a mission we have in life and, although we try to avoid or forget it, the best thing we can do is embrace it
• We make peace with the past, but we should look to the future. Moving forward with "the space” for the family's benefit
• You can move far away, but there are people with whom you cannot break the bond
• You can pay easily for help with love
• Forgiveness and its power - the father who dies only after he makes peace with his son and daughter; the reconciliation between brothers and between wives
• Find the peace, heal, and then love

Today is my birthday.

Dear 33,

Thank you for the amazing lessons and growth you brought me!

Dear 34,

I am so curious to meet you!

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