Farmers Weekly Review

By Nick Reiher

So, it was a week before Easter, and for the past few years or so, that means it was time for “The Ten Commandments.”

The 1956 flick narrated solemnly by producer/director C.B. DeMille (in VistaVision, no less), is an annual Easter tradition for me.

Vice-jawed Charleton Heston goes from a bare-chested son/warrior in service to the pharaoh, to a humble shepherd to the savior of a nation, as he walks around mostly in a stupor (with a coiffe Jim Glasgow would envy) after encountering “I AM THAT I AM” (Heston’s voice deepened to sound like Joni Mitchell) on the holy mountain.

By this time, he has dumped the princess of Egypt (Anne Baxter) for the shepherd girl Sephora (Yvonne De Carlo), whom he would pretty much shovel off to the side as he completes his mission to get the pharaoh (the great Yul Brenner) to let his people go.

I have to say here that Moses did not lose any cred by leaving Anne Baxter behind for the woman who would be Lily Munster. She was lookin’ good. (Sephora’s pop, Jethro, has a very interesting story. Look it up).

And, of course, you have Edward G. Robinson as the perpetual stone in the sandal, Dathan. (“What do you think of your Yahweh, mnnooow?”)

But … the parting of the Red Sea. That’s what I wait for. And when it happens, I roll my arm above my head and give a “Whoo, Whoo, Whoo!” That’s serious stuff there.

In the past few years, I’ll turn off the movie at that point. I know, I know. It’s not called “The Parting of the Red Sea.” But I do know what’s coming. Tell ya the truth, though, I wonder how many people do anymore.

We talk about where we can put images of the 10 Commandments in public buildings … or not. I wonder if many people can name them?

Here’s something for you: Did you know there are actually 613 Commandments, including the Top Ten? I first heard that years ago from Rabbi Josef Germaine and confirmed recently by my friend, fellow Kiwanian and scholar, Roman Okrei.

A whole bunch having to do with things like what to eat and what not to, whom to touch or not and when, and some lifestyle choices we still haggle over today.

I am always amazed how clergy can cite chapter and verse, like when County Board Member Herb Brooks, a pastor, pulls them out during his invocation at that board or Forest Preserve meetings.

My cousin, Joel, also a minister, can do the same thing. I know there’s a lot of studying that goes into being a member of the clergy, but wow. To be able to cite that stuff like I used to be able to with batting averages …

Some people, though, use that power to pick and choose the sections of the Bible to back up their beliefs.

Maybe we should watch the movie all the way to the end next time.

 

Nick Reiher is editor of Farmers Weekly Review.