Move over Merlin; get outta here Gandalf; and hit the road Harry Potter. David Copperfield puts you guys to shame. Why? Because he performs his magic in the flesh, while you characters prowl only through the pages of books or appear in movies. In fact, 50 million people watched on TV when David Copperfield made the Statue of Liberty disappear in front of a live audience. His other feats are equally astounding: David has walked through the Great Wall of China, levitated across the Grand Canyon, and made a 70-ton train vanish in midair above a circle of spectators.

The magician with the sly smile and mesmerizing eyes performs more than 550 shows per year to sold-out audiences around the world. His mysterious illusions leave audiences scratching their heads in awe of how he performs such impossible feats right before their very eyes. "The secret," David says, "is to consider nothing impossible."

We caught up with David between performances and discovered that he has no illusions about Jewish values.

BABA: Hi, David. You make your living showing people that things aren't always as they appear. Do you think your work teaches us to approach people that way?

DAVID: I hope so. My magic reveals that there's more to life than meets the eye; in other words, something's going on behind the curtain. This fact should teach us to look closer at events of daily life. For example, when you see someone act hurtfully to another, consider that he or she may need some understanding.

BABA: How is judging someone favorably like a magic show?

DAVID: Giving people the benefit of the doubt is similar to suspending your disbelief during a magic show. When you watch a performance, you leave your inhibitions, skepticism, and cynicism at the door. Likewise, if you're open to judging people more positively, if you're fair with them and give the man extra chance, then life can be better for us all.

BABA: Did you ever judge someone unfavorably?

DAVID: I've had employees who I first thought were never going to make it, but when I gave them a chance, I found that they only needed time to adjust.

BABA: Have you ever made a mistake during a performance?

DAVID: It happens all the time. Not a show goes by without some mistake, and I just have to cover it. The worst mistake I ever made was when I was levitating a Ferrari and it fell-almost on me!

BABA: How has being Jewish influenced your career?

DAVID: Before I succeeded in this field, almost nobody was able to make a career as a magician. I stuck to my dream, though, because Jewish history has taught me to cling fiercely to what I believe in. I'm proud of our Jewish heritage and proud that I know where I came from.

BABA: Do you have a favorite Jewish memory?

DAVID: Celebrating my bar mitzvah really changed my life. The day before, I had a high fever because I was so nervous. My parents put ice cubes all over my body to bring down my body temperature. The next day, I read the Haftorah in front of my family, and afterwards there was a huge party. I felt extremely proud and happy, and I wanted those feelings to last forever. I've spent my life making sure that happens.

BABA: Did you perform any magic tricks at your bar mitzvah?

DAVID: No, but I made a lot of $25 savings bonds disappear!

BABA: Thanks, David. Have a Shanah Tovah!