Based on Truth?
When I was about nine years old, I sat in my room and watched television with my sister every night. We didn't pay much attention to what we were watching. In a way, the television set was just keeping us company. One night, I saw a news report that frightened me so much that to this day I remember every detail. The news reporter said that everyone should stay in their houses or seek shelter - Russia had launched missiles, and they were headed towards the states. The reporter went on to say that this attack might lead to World War III. I was terrified.
I ran into my parents' room, and immediately told them the terrible news. I cried and insisted that we should find somewhere safe to stay. My parents had also seen the report, but they knew something that I didn't. They reassured me that the entire news report was untrue, it was just a movie. No one was hurt and there weren't any missiles heading our way. To me, though, the report seemed so real, so close to truth, that years later, I asked my friend if she remembered the day Russia attacked us. At first, she was completely confused, until I realized that I was referring to the TV program I had seen years ago.
Hollywood movies are so real, so convincing, that our minds tend to hold on to bits and pieces, recording them as truth in our memory banks. My parents told me the news report was just a movie the night I saw it - yet years later, it still seemed so real. For this reason, we should be cautious of watching Hollywood's "Jewish" movies or programs, especially if they are "based on truth".
"What?" You may question, "Shouldn't we watch the movies for that reason? Won't they help us and our children to better understand what really happened to us?" No, they won't help. Actually, it can do just the opposite - it can totally distort your understanding. Based on truth is not the same as truth!
"But," you argue, "I know what's true and what's not." Do you? Here are a few examples of Hollywood's mistakes. See if you know what really happened...
The movie "The Ten Commandments" attempts to show the ten plagues, but in reality, the plagues were much worse. For example, the Midrash says that during the plague of frogs, there was one huge frog (Picture Godzilla the Frog.) that would spit out thousands of tiny frogs. The sound of their croaking drove the Egyptians crazy. Also, whenever they would try to bake bread or other foods, the frogs would jump into the food, not letting go even after the cook would put them in the oven. This ruined their food causing the Egyptians to also suffer from hunger.
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