IYH Watches A Movie

Movies, Part 2

(updated with Spanish at end of post)

I apologize to all of you. I am sorry. Last time, I complained about movies. It has been only two days, and I have already changed my mind. Movies can be truly amazing.

😔 😐

Thank G-d, I had the privilege of watching an amazing movie today. It was an epic performance, and it was outdoors. Afterwards, everyone in my neighborhood told me that they had also attended. It got rave reviews.

🙏🙏 (Rave reviews applause)

You know, I don't even watch movies. But nothing could have prepared me for the power and drama I experienced. I would gladly buy a ticket to see it again. But that would be impossible.

Because...

It was a thunder and lightning storm.

⛈️

G-d built up the drama slowly. At first, we weren't sure if it was really raining, and held our hands out to try to figure it out. Then there was some drizzling, which rapidly changed into a gentle rain, which intensified unbelievably fast. Soon, you could barely see through the pouring rain.

🌧️ ☔

Along with the gentle rain, there was a distant roar of thunder. I quietly hoped that the storm would come closer. I have always been fascinated by impressive storms. They're incredibly awesome.

⛈️ 🍃 🌪️🌫️

To my increasing delight, the quiet thunder quickly strengthened into louder thunder. Once I was certain that what I was hearing was actually thunder, I got to say the blessing on thunder. “‘Blessed is He whose strength and might fill the world.’(1,1*) I was not sure if there would be lightning, and I wanted to make sure I said the blessing at the first opportunity, in case I never saw any lightning bolts.

🌩️

The lightning was impressive, with multiple bolts, and I got to say the blessing for lightning. ‘Blessed is He who makes the works of creation.’ I hoped to see ball lightning, which according to National Geographic is "weird, mysterious, perplexing, and deadly". Maybe another time, from a safer vantage point. (2)

⚡

I watched this movie for an hour. It aroused my awe of G-d's greatness and the incredible complexity of creation. It also made me feel grateful for having a place to shelter from the storm. I walked away inspired and uplifted.

The best part is, you'll never be able to watch the exact same movie as I saw today. I didn't video it or take any pictures. (It was Sabbath, so I couldn't use my phone, because it uses electricity.) You can look on YouTube for similar ones, but you'll never see the exact same drama as I saw today, enacted in the heavens by G-d.

Overall, it was perfectly conceived and executed. I was a tad annoyed at my view being blocked by other houses, but then I realized it's a good idea to not be the tallest thing around.

If I had to rate this movie, it would get at least five stars. Really, it deserves an infinite number of stars.

✨ ✨✨✨✨

(1)

https://www.brachos.org/brachos/thunder/

(1*)

https://ohr.edu/ask_db/ask_main.php/151/Q2/

The Mishna states: "On comets, earth tremors, thunder, storm winds and lightning, say: 'Blessed is He whose strength and might fill the world.' On mountains, hills, rivers, oceans and desserts, say: 'Blessed is He who makes the works of creation.'"

Tractate Berachot 54a, 59a

Mishna Berurah 227:1

(2)

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/ball-lightning