Watch Four Questions for a Rabbi

Four Questions for a Rabbi is a 2008 independent film written and directed by licensed New York attorney and filmmaker Jay Rosenblatt. The film features an insightful conversation with Rabbi Joseph Dweck in the form of four fundamental questions asked by the filmmaker. The questions touch on spirituality, faith, God, and identity, and the answers provided by the Rabbi are presented in an intellectual and challenging manner.

The movie opens with the filmmaker Jay Rosenblatt, who has a Jewish background, inviting Rabbi Joseph Dweck to answer four questions. These questions are spiritual, personal, and intellectual, and despite having been asked of Rabbis before, they are presented in a personal and engaging context in this film.

The first question asks Rabbi Joseph Dweck to describe his experience of God, spirituality, and religion. The Rabbi responds with an account of how the relationship between him and God is a relationship of shared experience. He talks about his early life and how he came to realize his relationship with God. He also points out that billions of people worldwide have faith in a higher power or God, and yet human beings are still exploring the nature of faith, spirituality, religion, and God.

The second question focuses on the essence of faith and draws upon Judaism-specific elements. The Rabbi shares the importance of covenant, the act of making an agreement or promise, from a Jewish perspective. The idea of covenant embodies the importance of proof-of-concept, where faith is something that is practiced and learned, much like most lessons in life. The Rabbi discusses the idea that faith is not a single event, but one that is a constant journey of learning and discovery.

The third question delves into the personal life of Rabbi Joseph Dweck. When questioned on his identity, he describes his experiences growing up as a Sephardic Jew. The Rabbi talks about how he had trouble fitting in because of his lineage, but how he found solace and peace in understanding where his family came from. It is essential in the film's narrative, the importance of community and how the community can help power someone to move forward in life.

The final question is the most personal and philosophical, as it challenges the Rabbi to provide a cohesive reply to a question that has been plaguing people for centuries. The question of why the Holocaust happened is inquired, and the response is deftly crafted by Rabbi Joseph Dweck. He acknowledges the atrocities of the Holocaust and how it occurred during humanity's darkest hour. Still, he suggests it is incomplete as humans haven't gone through every single event that has ever transpired. He also takes this opportunity to talk about the nature of God's plan and questions if one can go against it or not.

Overall, Four Questions for a Rabbi is a candid, personal and engaging film that provides insightful answers to some of the most common questions on spirituality, faith, God, identity, and the Holocaust. The film creates a personal and academic context to these questions by providing an opportunity for the Rabbi to share his experiences, thoughts, and ideas. The answers given by Rabbi Joseph Dweck are presented in an intellectual and challenging manner that leaves the viewer with more thought-provoking questions. The filming and sound are of rugged quality and not entirely crisp, but the content makes its way into the viewer's heart.

Four Questions for a Rabbi (2008) is not a highly polished film but one that draws you in with in-depth conversations that leave you enlightened, thoughtful and curious. The movie is highly recommended for anyone exploring questions and the nature of religion, identity and spirituality.

Four Questions for a Rabbi is a 2008 documentary with a runtime of 12 minutes.