GLOSSARY
GLOSSARY
Alms
"Alms for the poor."
(Reb Nahum, Prologue)
Money or food given freely to impoverished people
Rabbi (RA-bye)
"Most important, our beloved rabbi."
(Tevye, Prologue)
A man appointed as a Jewish religious leader, highly respected by the community. Rabbis taught the Torah, settled disputes, provided religious counseling, and helped the Jewish community celebrate life’s events.
Mule
"When he sold him a horse
and delivered a mule."
(Tevye, Prologue)
An animal that is the offspring of a horse and a donkey and is typically not able to produce its own offspring.
Kopek (KOH-peck)
"Here, Reb Nahum, is one kopek."
(Lazar Wolf, Prologue)
A Russian coin valued at 1/100th of a ruble. Similar to a penny.
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Tsar (SAHR)
"Is there a proper blessing for the Tsar?"
(Mendel, Prologue)
Also tzar or czar, the emperor of Russia. In 1905, this was Nicholas II, who would end up being the final tsar of Russia. He reigned from 1894-1917 and was known for instigating violence against Jewish communities.
Sabbath (SA-bith)
"It's almost Sabbath."
(Golde, Sc. 1)
Also called Shabbat. A day of religious observance (Friday evening to Saturday evening) in which Jewish people abstain from work and spend time eating meals with family and participating in worship.
Reb
"Here, Reb Nahum, is one kopek."
(Lazar Wolf, Prologue)
Yiddish term of respect typically used for married men, equivalent to “Mr.” or “Sir”
Constable
"His Honor the constable."
(Tevye, Prologue)
A peace officer with limited policing authority, typically in a small town. In this context, the constable is Russian and appointed by the tsar’s government.
Shah
"Shah! (spits between her fingers)"
(Golde, Sc. 1)
Yiddish term for “Shh!” or “Hush!”, often used when something “unlucky” is spoken
Evil Eye
"Do you want to tempt the Evil Eye?"
(Golde, Sc. 1)
Jewish superstitious belief that a person or supernatural being can bewitch or harm an individual merely by looking at them, especially if they are envious of that individual (ex. Tzeitel talking about her youth could make someone envious)
Solomon the Wise (Biblical)
"They will ask me to advise them like Solomon the Wise."
(Tevye, Sc. 2)
King of Israel, son of King David. Known for his wisdom, especially authoring Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs, and for building the temple
Abraham (Biblical)
"As Abraham said..."
(Tevye, Sc. 2)
Hebrew patriarch who first settled the land of Canaan for the Hebrew people
Dowry
"With no dowry, no money."
(Tzeitel, Sc. 1)
Property or money given by the bride’s family to the husband’s family on their marriage
Eastern Wall
"And maybe have a seat by the eastern wall."
(Tevye, Sc. 2)
An ancient structure in Jerusalem that is both part of the eastern side of the city wall of Jerusalem and the eastern wall of the ancient Temple Mount. This is a holy pilgrimage site for Jewish people.
Moses (Biblical)
"Moses said that."
(Mendel, Sc. 2)
Considered the most important prophet in Judaism, led the Jewish people out of enslavement from Egypt. He convinced the Pharaoh to release the Israelites from enslavement and led their journey for forty years. Received the Ten Commandments from God on Mount Sinai.
Daidle deedle etc.
"If I were a rich man,
daidle deedle daidle..."
(Tevye, Sc. 2)
Nonsense words meant to vaguely resemble a Hasidic chant, they often change based on the actor portraying Tevye
Kiev
"Kiev. I was a student
in the university there."
(Perchik, Sc. 2)
Also Kyiv, the modern day capital city of Ukraine
King David (Biblical)
"As King David put it..."
(Tevye, Sc. 2)
King of Israel, conquered city of Jerusalem and protected the Ark of the Covenant. Believed to be the forefather of the Jewish Messiah (or ancestor of Jesus, for Christians.)
Yisroel (ISS-roy-ell)
"May you come to be
in Yisroel a shining name."
(Tevye & Golde, Sc. 3)
Yiddish term for Israel, the Holy Land of the Jewish people
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Schnapps
"Vodka? Schnapps?"
(Mordcha, Sc. 4)
Type of distilled alcoholic beverage that can take several forms, often a fruit-flavored brandy or herbal liqueur
Za va sha, Zdarovia
(zah vah shah zuh-drove-yuh)
"Za va sha, Zdarovia, heaven bless you."
(Russian, Sc. 4)
Russian “dlya vashego zdorov'ya”: a toast meaning “to your health”
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Ruth (Biblical)
"May you be like Ruth and like Esther."
(Tevye & Golde, Sc. 3)
Moabite woman known for her devotion to her widowed mother-in-law and her integrity and honesty even in desperate poverty. She married an Israelite man named Boaz and became great-grandmother to King David. Honored as an example for Jewish women to follow.
L’chaim (Luh-*HI-um)
"To life, to life, l'chaim."
(Tevye, Sc. 4)
A Jewish toast meaning “to life”
Nazdrovia (nahz-drove-yuh)
"Heaven bless you both, Nazdrovia."
(Russian, Sc. 4)
Russian “nazdorov'ya” is typically used to mean “you’re welcome”, but in this context is used as a toast
Esther (Biblical)
"May you be like Ruth and like Esther."
(Tevye & Golde, Sc. 3)
Israelite woman forced to marry King Xerxes of Persia, known for saving the Jewish community from a genocide by boldly going before the king at the risk of her own death to plead her peoples’ case. Honored as an example for Jewish women to follow.
Mazeltov (MOH-zul-tahv)
"Mazeltov, wonderful, congratulations."
(Villagers, Sc. 4)
Yiddish term for “good luck”, but more often used as “congratulations’
Pogrom
"A pogrom? Here?"
(Tevye, Sc. 5)
A violent riot incited with the aim of massacring or expelling an ethnic or religious group, particularly Jewish people in Russia or eastern Europe in the late 19th and early 20th centuries
Daniel (Biblical)
"God took a Daniel once again."
(Motel, Sc. 6)
Jewish young man taken into captivity by Babylonians, he assisted King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon but was later thrown to hungry lions by King Darius of Persia, whose advisors were jealous of Daniel’s success. Daniel survived the lion’s den and led Darius to conversion to Judaism.
Goliath (Biblical)
"When David slew Goliath, yes!"
(Motel, Sc. 6)
Philistine warrior giant. He is feared by all of the Israelites and repeatedly taunts them on the battlefield, but is killed by the young and inexperienced David, who hits him in the forehead with a stone from a slingshot and decapitates him.
Canopy
"Is there a canopy in store for me?"
(Hodel & Perchik, Sc. 9)
Also chuppah, a traditional covering under which a Jewish couple stands during their wedding ceremony. Symbolizes the home the couple will build together.
Jericho (Biblical)
"But, like He did so long ago in Jericho..."
(Motel, Sc. 6)
A city near the Jordan River. According to the Torah, Joshua and the Israelites marched around the city seven times, and God made the walls of the city crumble to enable the Israelites to invade and take over.
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Manna (Biblical)
"When God gave us manna in the wilderness."
(Motel, Sc. 6)
Bread that fell from heaven to feed the Israelites during their 40 years wandering in the desert.
Gentile (Jen-ty-uhl)
"Jews, Gentiles, many people
hate what is going on."
(Perchik, Act 2, Sc. 1)
Jewish term for non-Jewish people
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Pharaoh (Biblical)
"When Moses softened Pharoah’s heart"
(Motel, Sc. 6)
Egyptian king who enslaved the Israelites. Moses tried repeatedly to convince the Pharaoh to release the Israelites from enslavement. After the ten plagues ravaged Egypt, Moses finally convinced the Pharaoh to free the Israelites, though the Pharaoh soon changed his mind and gave chase before being drowned in the Red Sea.
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Heinrich Heine
"It’s by Heinrich Heine."
(Fyedka, Sc. 8)
Jewish German poet, writer, and literary critic who lived from 1797 – 1856. His radical political views led to many of his works being banned (particularly in Nazi Germany.)
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Joseph (Biblical)
"What wrongs did Joseph do?"
(Hodel, Act 2, Sc. 3)
Firstborn son of Jacob and Rachel. Was sold into slavery in Egypt by his brothers, but became second-in-command to the Egyptian pharaoh and helped save the Egyptians and Israelites from a famine.