Some descriptions of “The Force” in the fictional Star-Wars would seem quite familiar to those who study Chassidic (or Kabbalistic) teachings. We’ll share a few interesting parallels, and then get to the classic Star Wars wish “May The Force Be With You” and Parsha Shemini connection below.
Obi-Wan Kenobi’s description of The Force (which he says is found within every being and all of existence) as that which “surrounds us and penetrates us; it binds the galaxy together” reflects immediately to any Chassid the Chassidic/Kabbalistic teachings of Sovev & Memaleh, the infinite vs. finite, surrounding vs. penetrating “Lights” of G-dliness which are found throughout creation.
And the more attuned and connected we are with The Force, the more abilities and powers it gives us – true both in Star-Wars and in Judaism.
The Force in Star Wars famously has both a light side and a dark side. The Jedi seek and emphasize the light, the Sith the dark side, but it is impossible one without the other. The Force is comprised of both. This, too, is a famous concept with many dimensions in Chassidic thought (some examples include “the advantage of light that comes from darkness” or “the brighter light vs. the darker light” etc) and in Jewish thought (back to basic Genesis: G-d’s creation of both light and darkness), it even has reference in our daily prayers leading up to the Shema.
And The Force connection to Parsha Shemini (when UAlbany Hillel hosted a post-Passover Star-Wars themed Shabbat in 5783/2023):
Shemini (the 8th Day) was the dedication day of the Mishkan Tabernacle. It was also the day of tragedy when two of Aharon’s sons, Nadav and Avihu entered the innermost sanctum and offered an non-prescribed offering, and their souls took flight and they died. There’s a lot of commentary on this, Alter Rebbe interprets the Talmudic commentary of their intoxication as a spiritual one, they basically got too close to The Force, and it consumed them.
The goal, teaches the Alter Rebbe, is not to become subsumed in The Force and consumed by it, but instead “May The Force be WITH YOU!” (as Star Wars is famous for,) to utilize and incorporate and connect with The Force in our everyday lives, to express The Force WITHIN (not against) our own existence and human experience.