Kadosh 2000

In the captivating drama Kadosh, the intricate world of Haredi society is brought to life through the complex characters and poignant storylines. The film opens with Meir (Yoram Hattab), a devout young Talmudic scholar, expressing gratitude for not being born a woman in his morning prayers. Initially, Meir’s marriage to Rivka (Yael Abecassis) appears blissful, but as the narrative unfolds, it becomes clear that Meir is consumed by the fact that he remains childless after ten years of marriage. This sense of desperation ultimately leads him to seek guidance from his father, the Rabbi of their community in Jerusalem, who advises him to divorce Rivka, citing her inability to fulfill her supposed purpose as a woman.

As Meir’s relationship with Rivka crumbles, it becomes apparent that he is more concerned with societal expectations than with the well-being of his partner. This decision has devastating consequences for Rivka, leaving her emotionally shattered and eventually leading her to depart from their life. Meanwhile, Malka, Rivka’s younger sister, is forced into a loveless marriage with Yosef, despite her true feelings for Yaakov, a rock singer who has abandoned the religious community. When Yosef’s emotional unavailability drives Malka to seek solace in a night with Yaakov, she returns home to find herself subjected to verbal and physical abuse at the hands of her husband.

As Meir navigates his new life with a second wife, he pays a visit to Rivka on Purim, a day traditionally marked by revelry and intoxication among men. His uninvited presence sparks tension, and Rivka retreats, only to be confronted again when Malka flees her own troubled marriage, seeking solace in Rivka’s arms. The film’s climax is marked by a surreal and poignant sequence in which Rivka appears to Meir in his bed, her grief and longing finally manifesting as physical exhaustion. As she falls asleep on top of him, it becomes clear that her emotional wounds have ultimately proved fatal.

The film concludes with Malka, now alone and heartbroken, gazing out over the city of Jerusalem, a poignant reminder of the devastating consequences of societal pressures and the fragility of the human spirit.