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Severus Snape from a Jewish perspective -
Summary:
Severus Snape from a Jewish perspective
Article:
Thanks to
Wizardnews
As June approaches, much of the world is waiting with bated breath for the release of the third movie in the Harry Potter series to be closely followed (we hope) by the sixth of the seven books. The books' translation into 55 languages attests to the spell J.K. Rowling has cast on the world with her magical creations and her characters seem to have taken on a life of their own. Every one of Rowling's fans has found a character to identify with, relate to, or admire among the denizens of the wizarding world.
My personal favorite is Severus Snape, the mysterious Potions Master at Hogwarts. And I am not alone. The Internet is home to hundreds of sites describing, discussing, and lauding Snape and each has hundreds of fans members. One of the reasons for this acclaim may be that Professor Snape is the most complex and paradoxical of all the characters. This makes him more interesting and ultimately more real. While most of the novel's characters lean heavily towards good or evil, Snape has lurked on both sides. Though his character isn't likely to be resolved (if at all) until the last book, we see someone who had joined the dark side and against difficult odds, seen the light and is now not only allied with good but is a member of the exclusive and venerable Order of the Phoenix working against the dark side and Voldemort's (the Dark Lord's) followers.
"... It may seem inconsistent to be a religious Jew and an avid Harry Potter fan with a favorite character who, to put it mildly, is less than ideal ..."
Snape's loyalties are not always clear but when there's a crisis, Snape, in Dumbledore's absence is the one to take charge and sort it out. He displays a nobility of character and an inscrutable self-control that lend to his already impressive presence. True, he is far from perfect. I, for one, would not like to find myself on the receiving end of one of his caustic remarks or disdainful sneers. On the other hand, he often demonstrates an insight (Harry often feels he can read minds) an imperviousness to ridicule and an ability to put his feelings aside (at least temporarily) for the greater good.
Many people who have drastically changed their lives or thought about doing so can identify with Snape and his struggle. From the little we know about him, we know that he experienced an unhappy childhood and an alienated adolescence. He joined the dark side then left it, at great danger to himself, and now uses the knowledge he acquired to work against its influence. He is a loner and his decisions are not affected by a desire for popularity. In fact, he often has to collude with his personal enemies and even save them in his service of what is virtuous and decent. And like with many people, who have changed direction in life, the sincerity of his motives is always suspect.
The ba'al teshuvah, the one who chooses to leave a secular way of life for a more religious one, contends with the same struggles as Snape: a non-conducive past, resistance from his friends and colleagues, doubts and aspersions cast by people who never experienced being in the position to make the choice and internal struggles that present themselves anew with each new conflict of interest. Contrary to popular belief, the ba'al teshuvah is not someone who suddenly sees the light, severs all ties with his past life and immediately attains a level of spirituality and conduct that renders them flawless and radiating holiness. The person who chooses the path of Torah sets out on a life journey with many obstacles and detours. The path is never smooth, not always clear and we often veer off it.
Voldemort's Death Eaters are portrayed more two-dimensionally that those who are fighting for good. The Order of the Phoenix is made up of a wide array of characters whose ultimate goal might be the same, but whose way of serving it is far from unified. Snape often acts in ways that are vile and contemptible, but we forgive him because he has style but more importantly because he ultimately tries to do what's right, even if he doesn't always succeed in doing it the right way. We cheer him, feel sympathetic towards him, even admire him because we've been there.
Severus Snape is a person whom we vacillate between trusting and doubting, liking and hating who, when the chips are down, demonstrates a righteousness and allegiance greater than that of many who give it a lot of lip-service. We each have a little bit of Snape in ourselves. We all overcome great odds to reach greater heights and no one but us can completely understand or appreciate our struggle. Our failings do not mean that we have not succeeded. Like Dumbledore says, it isn't our abilities that determine who we are, it is our choices.
It may seem inconsistent to be a religious Jew and an avid Harry Potter fan with a favorite character who, to put it mildly, is less than ideal. Perhaps, however, having less than perfection as an ideal may help me get closer to perfection in a paradoxical way because it makes the goal more attainable. Ba'al Teshuvahs also have a great strength: They are able to bridge both worlds, the secular and religious, and bring them together under a spiritual invisibility cloak. I enjoy Harry Potter's world, but because I look at it from a Jewish perspective, I derive Jewish values from it. And one of those values is: If Professor Snape can repent, we all can.
We all struggle with the ramifications of the decisions and circumstances of our pasts and the responsibilities of our presents, the good and bad inside us. Our struggles, like Snape's, are ongoing -- the depth of which is rarely revealed by more than a flicker of our expressions.
Professor Snape may be the archetypal hero but he is a hero. He grapples with the darker side of his nature and resists the lure of gratification that would come at the expense of others. It might be difficult for most of us to see ourselves in the role of the sage and altruistic Dumbledore, the brave and gallant Harry Potter or the upright and studious Hermione Granger. But, we can all see ourselves as Severus Snape, a complex individual hidden in the shadows, but drawn upward by the light.
