Larry Gopnik quotes from A Serious Man (2009)

Larry Gopnik

The Uncertainty Principle. It proves we can't ever really know... what's going on. So it shouldn't bother you. Not being able to figure anything out. Although you will be responsible for this on the mid-term.

You know Lee Sussman.

Larry Gopnik

Doctor Sussman? I think I - yeah.

Did he ever tell you about the goy's teeth?

Larry Gopnik

No. Uh... what goy?

So... Lee is at work one day; you know he has the orthodontic practice there at Great Bear. He's making a plaster mold - it's for corrective bridge work - in the mouth of one of his patients, Russell Kraus. The mold dries and Lee is examining it one day before fabricating an appliance. He notices something unusual. There appears to be something engraved on the inside of the patient's lower incisors. He vav shin yud ayin nun yud. "Hwshy 'ny". "Help me, save me". This in a goy's mouth, Larry. He calls the goy back on the pretense of needing additional measurements for the appliance. "How are you? Noticed any other problems with your teeth?" No. There it is. "Hwshy 'ny". "Help me". Son of a gun. Sussman goes home. Can Sussman eat? Sussman can't eat. Can Sussman sleep? Sussman can't sleep. Sussman looks at the molds of his other patients, goy and Jew alike, seeking other messages. He finds none. He looks in his own mouth. Nothing. He looks in his wife's mouth. Nothing. But Sussman is an educated man. Not the world's greatest sage, maybe, no Rabbi Marshak, but he knows a thing or two from the Zohar and the Caballah. He knows that every Hebrew letter has its numeric equivalent. 8-4-5-4-4-7-3. Seven digits... a phone number, maybe? "Hello? Do you know a goy named Kraus, Russell Kraus?" Who? "Where have I called? The Red Owl in Bloomington. Thanks so much." He goes. It's a Red Owl. Groceries; what have you. Sussman goes home. What does it mean? He has to find out if he is ever to sleep again. He goes to see... the Rabbi Nachtner. He comes in, he sits right where you're sitting right now. "What does it mean, Rabbi? Is it a sign from Hashem, 'Help me'? I, Sussman, should be doing something to help this goy? Doing what? The teeth don't say. Or maybe I'm supposed to help people generally, lead a more righteous life? Is the answer in Caballah? In Torah? Or is there even a question? Tell me, Rabbi, what can such a sign mean?"

Larry Gopnik

So what did you tell him?

Sussman?

Larry Gopnik

Yes!

Is it... relevant?

Larry Gopnik

Well, isn't that why you're telling me?

Okay. Nachtner says, look. The teeth, we don't know. A sign from Hashem? Don't know. Helping others... couldn't hurt.

Larry Gopnik

No! No, but... who put it there? Was it for him, Sussman, or for whoever found it, or for just, for, for...

We can't know everything.

Larry Gopnik

It sounds like you don't know anything! Why even tell me the story?

First I should tell you, then I shouldn't.

Larry Gopnik

What happened to Sussman?

What would happen? Not much. He went back to work. For a while he checked every patient's teeth for new messages. He didn't find any. In time, he found he'd stopped checking. He returned to life. These questions that are bothering you, Larry - maybe they're like a toothache. We feel them for a while, then they go away.

Larry Gopnik

I don't want it to just go away! I want an answer!

Sure! We all want the answer! But Hashem doesn't owe us the answer, Larry. Hashem doesn't owe us anything. The obligation runs the other way.

Larry Gopnik

Why does he make us feel the questions if he's not gonna give us any answers?

He hasn't told me.

Larry Gopnik

And... what happened to the goy?

The goy? Who cares?

Larry Gopnik

So, uh, what can I do for you?

Uh, Dr. Gopnik, I believe the results of physics mid-term were unjust.

Larry Gopnik

Uh-huh, how so?

I received an unsatisfactory grade. In fact: F, the failing grade.

Larry Gopnik

Uh, yes. You failed the mid-term. That's accurate.

Yes, but this is not just. I was unaware to be examined on the mathematics.

Larry Gopnik

Well, you can't do physics without mathematics, really, can you?

If I receive failing grade I lose my scholarship, and feel shame. I understand the physics. I understand the dead cat.

Larry Gopnik

You understand the dead cat? But... you... you can't really understand the physics without understanding the math. The math tells how it really works. That's the real thing; the stories I give you in class are just illustrative; they're like, fables, say, to help give you a picture. An imperfect model. I mean - even I don't understand the dead cat. The math is how it really works.

Very difficult... very difficult...

Larry Gopnik

Well, I... I'm sorry, but I... what do you propose?

Passing grade.

Larry Gopnik

No no, I...

Or perhaps I can take the mid-term again. Now I know it covers mathematics.

Larry Gopnik

Well, the other students wouldn't like that, would they, if one student gets to retake the test till he gets a grade he likes?

Secret test.

Larry Gopnik

No, I'm afraid...

Hush-hush.

Larry Gopnik

No, that's just not workable. I'm afraid we'll just have to bite the bullet on this thing, Clive, and...

Very troubling... very troubling...

We shouldn't put the kids in the middle of this, Larry.

Larry Gopnik

The kids aren't...

I'm saying "we." I'm not pointing fingers.

Sy Ableman

No one is playing the "blame game," Larry.

Larry Gopnik

I didn't say anyone was!

Well let's not play He said, She said, either.

Larry Gopnik

I wasn't! I-...

Sy Ableman

Aw right, well let's just step back, and defuse the situation, I find, sometimes, if I count to ten. [pause] One... two... three... fou... Or silently. [Long pause]

Really, to keep things on an even keel, especially now, leading up to Danny's bar mitzvah...

Sy Ableman

A child's bar mitzvah, Larry!

Sy and I think it's best if you move out of the house.

Larry Gopnik

Move out?

Sy Ableman

It makes eminent sense.

Things can't continue as they...

Larry Gopnik

Move out! Where would I go?

Sy Ableman

Well, for instance, the Jolly Roger is quite livable. Not expensive, and the rooms are eminently habitable.

This would allow you to visit the kids.

Sy Ableman

There's convenience in its fava. There's a pool...

Larry Gopnik

Wouldn't it make more sense for you to move in with Sy?

Larry!

Sy Ableman

Larry, you're jesting!

Larry, there is much to accomplish before that can happen.

Sy Ableman

Larry, Larry, Larry. I think, really, the Jolly Roger is the appropriate course of action. It has a pool.

We, uh, we decide on Wednesday, so if there's anything you want to submit in support of your tenure application, we should have it by then. That's all.

Larry Gopnik

Submit. What. What do you...

Well. Anything. Published work. Anything else you've done outside of the institution. Any work that we might not be aware of.

Larry Gopnik

I haven't done anything.

Uh-huh.

Larry Gopnik

I haven't published.

Uh-huh.

Larry Gopnik

Are you still getting those letters?

Uh-huh.

Larry Gopnik

Those anonymous...

Yes, I know. Yes.

Larry Gopnik

Okay. Okay. Wednesday.

Okay. Don't worry. Doing nothing is not bad. Ipso facto.

Clive's Father: Culture clash. Culture clash.

Larry Gopnik

With all respect, Mr. Park, I don't think it's that.
Clive's Father: Yes.

Larry Gopnik

No. It would be a culture clash if it were the custom in your land to bribe people for grades.
Clive's Father: Yes.

Larry Gopnik

So... you're saying it is the custom?
Clive's Father: No, this is a defamation. Grounds for lawsuit.

Larry Gopnik

Let me get this straight: you're threatening to sue me for defaming your son?
Clive's Father: Yes.

Larry Gopnik

But it would...

Is this man bothering you?

Larry Gopnik

Is he bothering me? No. I, uh...

Larry Gopnik

See... if it were defamation there would have to be someone I was defaming him to, or I... all right, I... let's keep it simple. I could pretend the money never appeared. That's not defaming anyone.
Clive's Father: Yes. And a passing grade.

Larry Gopnik

Passing grade.
Clive's Father: Yes.

Larry Gopnik

Or... you'll sue me.
Clive's Father: For taking money.

Larry Gopnik

So he did leave the money.
Clive's Father: This is defamation!

Larry Gopnik

It doesn't make sense. Either he left the money or he didn't.
Clive's Father: Please. Accept the mystery.

Larry Gopnik

You can't have it both ways!
Clive's Father: Why not?

Larry Gopnik

Well, you know, the way I look at it, it's an opportunity for me to really sit down and figure things out and look at the world afresh instead of just, you know, settling for the routine, tired old way of looking at things.

Really?

Larry Gopnik

I don't know. Maybe not.

No, of course not. I am the junior rabbi. And it's true, the point-of-view of somebody who's older and perhaps had similar problems might be more valid. And you should see the senior rabbi as well, by all means. Or even Minda if you can get in, he's quite busy. But maybe - can I share something with you? Because I too have had the feeling of losing track of Hashem, which is the problem here. I too have forgotten how to see Him in the world. And when that happens you think, well, if I can't see Him, He isn't there any more, He's gone. But that's not the case. You just need to remember how to see Him. Am I right?

I mean, the parking lot here. Not much to see. It is a different angle on the same parking lot we saw from the Hebrew school window. But if you imagine yourself a visitor, somebody who isn't familiar with these... autos and such... somebody still with a capacity for wonder... Someone with a fresh... perspective. That's what it is, Larry.

Larry Gopnik

Um...

Because with the right perspective you can see Hashem, you know, reaching into the world. He is in the world, not just in shul. It sounds to me like you're looking at the world, looking at your wife, through tired eyes. It sounds like she's become a sort of... thing... a problem... a thing...

Larry Gopnik

Well, she's, she's seeing Sy Ableman.

Oh.

Larry Gopnik

She's, they're planning, that's why they want the Gett.

Oh. I'm sorry.

Larry Gopnik

It was his idea.

Well, they do need a Gett to remarry in the faith. But this is life. For you too. You can't cut yourself off from the mystical or you'll be-you'll remain-completely lost. You have to see these things as expressions of God's will. You don't have to like it, of course.

Larry Gopnik

The boss isn't always right, but he's always the boss.

Ha-ha-ha! That's right, things aren't so bad. Look at the parking lot, Larry.

Just look at that parking lot.

Larry Gopnik

We had, I think, a good talk, the other day, but you left something...

I didn't leave it.

Larry Gopnik

Well, you don't even know what I was gonna say.

I didn't leave anything. I'm not missing anything. I know where everything is.

Larry Gopnik

Well... then, Clive, where did this come from? [raises his eyebrows] This is here, isn't it?

Yes, sir. That is there.

Larry Gopnik

This is not nothing; this is something.

Yes. That is something. [a beat] What is it?

Larry Gopnik

You know what it is! I believe. And you know I can't keep it, Clive.

Yes sir.

Larry Gopnik

I'll have to pass it on to Professor Finkle, along with my suspicions about where it came from. Actions have consequences.

Yes sir. Often.

Larry Gopnik

No, always! Actions always have consequences! In this office, actions have consequences!

Yes sir.

Larry Gopnik

Not just physics, morally.

Yes.

Larry Gopnik

And we both know about your actions.

No sir. I know about my actions.

Larry Gopnik

I can interpret, Clive. I know what you meant me to understand.

Meer sir my sir.

Larry Gopnik

Meer sir my sir?

Mere... surmise. Sir. Very uncertain.

Larry Gopnik

Please. I need help. I've already talked to the other rabbis. Please. It's not about Danny's bar mitzvah - my boy Danny, this coming Shabbos, very joyous event, that's all fine. It's, it's more about myself, I've... I've had quite a bit of tsuris lately. Marital problems, professional, you name it. This is not a frivolous request. This is a ser- I'm a ser- I'm, uh, I've tried to be a serious man, you know? Tried to do right, be a member of the community, raise the- Danny, Sarah, they both go to school, Hebrew school, a good breakfast... Well, Danny goes to Hebrew school, Sarah doesn't have time, she mostly... washes her hair. Apparently there are several steps involved, but you don't have to tell Marshak that. Just tell him I need help. Please? I need help.
[The secretary rises, goes to the door behind her, opens it, shuffles into the dimness where she speaks quietly with the aged rabbi, who is idle. She shuffles back, closes the door and sits down] Marshak's Secretary: The rabbi is busy.

Larry Gopnik

He didn't look busy!
Marshak's Secretary: He's thinking.

Larry Gopnik

She seems to be asking an awful lot. But then, I don't know. Somebody has to pay for Sy's funeral.

Uh-huh.

Larry Gopnik

His own estate is in probate, but why does it have to be me? Or is it wrong to complain? Judy says it is. But I'm so strapped for cash right now, carrying the mortgage, and paying for the Jolly Roger, and I wrecked the car, and Danny's Bar Mitzvah coming up, I...

Something like this... there's never a good time.

Larry Gopnik

I don't know where it all leaves me, Sy's death. Obviously it's not gonna go back like it was.

Mm. Would you even want that, Larry?

Larry Gopnik

No, I- well, yeah... sometimes... or... I don't know; I guess the honest answer is "I don't know". What was my life before? Not what I thought it was. What does it all mean? What is Hashem trying to tell me, making me pay for Sy Ableman's funeral?

Mm.

Larry Gopnik

And did I tell you I had a car accident the same time Sy had his? The same instant, for all I know. I mean, is Hashem telling me that Sy Ableman is me? Or that we are all one, or something?

How does God speak to us? A good question.

Sometimes these things just aren't meant to be. And it can take a while before you feel what was always there, for better or worse.

Larry Gopnik

I never felt it! It was a bolt from the blue! What does that mean! Everything that I thought was one way turns out to be another.

Then-it's an opportunity to learn how things really are. I'm sorry-I don't mean to sound glib. It's not always easy, deciphering what God is trying to tell you.

Larry Gopnik

I'll say.

But it's not something you have to figure out all by yourself. We're Jews, we have that well of tradition to draw on, to help us understand. When we're puzzled we have all the stories that have been handed down from people who had the same problems.