Hodel 7,8 Flashcards
Then enough lessons. We have to do papas work today. How long can he sleep? He staggered home last night and fell into bed like a dead man. I couldn’t get a word out of him. But that away and clean the barn. Call me when Papa gets up.
That was a very interesting lesson, Perchik.
Papa isn’t up yet?
No, mama.
Do you think so?
Although I don’t know if the Rabbi would agree with your interpretation.
And neither, I suppose, would the Rabbis son.
My little sisters have big tongues.
And what do you know about him, except that he is the Rabbis son? Would you be interested in him if you were the Shoemaker’s son, or the tinsmith’s son?
At least I know that he does not have any strange ideas about turning the world upside down.
Certainly. Any new idea would be strange to you. Remember, the Lord said,”let there be light.”
Yes, but He was not talking to you personally.
You have spirit. Even a little intelligence, perhaps.
Thank you.
But what good is your brain? Without curiosity it is a rusty tool. Good day Hodel.
We have an old custom here. A boy acts respectfully to a girl. But, of course, that is too traditional for an advanced thinker like you.
Our traditions! Nothing must change! Everything is perfect exactly the way it is!
We like our ways.
Our ways are changing all over but here. Here men and women must keep apart. Men’s study, women in the kitchen. Boys and girls must not touch, should not even look at each other.
I am looking at you!
I learned it in Kiev… Do you like it?
It’s very nice.
There. We’ve just changed an old custom.
Yes, well, you’re welcome – I mean, thank you – I mean good day…
Bielke, Shprintze, what’s your name?
Hodel, papa.
Where is Tzeitel?
She’s in the barn.
What can she say? My firstborn, a bride. May you grow old with him in fortune and honor… Not like fruma-Sarah, that first wife of his. She was a bitter woman, may she rest in peace. Not like my Tzeitel. And now I must think Yente. My Tzeitel, a bride.
Mazeltov, Tzeitel.
