So Named the Noted Jewish Historian Simon Dubnow, When Referring to the Figure of This Great Writer and Yiddish Literary Classic, Whose Creations Emerge with Profound Knowledge of Talmudic Wisdom, Jewish Tradition, and Folklore.
Rabbi Sholem Rabinovich was born in the province of Poltava in Russia in 1859 and began writing at a young age. Yiddish was the language upon which the illusory universe of Sholem Aleichem was built.
The Master of Jewish Laughter,' as cited by Samuel Rollansky in his book about the author, possesses the extraordinary ability to evoke laughter and humor from characters immersed in stories of pain or bitterness.
Few, like Sholem Aleichem, reflect Jewish wisdom as expressed in the tales and culture of the everyday Jew. Through popular sayings, his characters reveal their thoughts and feelings regarding life, faith, and hope, capturing not only the Jew in their Jewish condition but also the essence of universal humanity. He strongly introduces monologues, as seen in the famous character of 'Tevye the Milkman,' where despite his sorrows, Tevye does not lose his optimistic outlook on life.
He breathed life into his characters as wandering Jews—fearful for their lives—in a Russia plagued by strong anti-Semitism and the scourge of the Tsarist regime. He knew how to depict different social types, be a critical analyst of social changes within Jewish life, and show that the common Jewish person could also dream of exploring the world and leaving their 'place' in search of better living conditions.
As Sholem Aleichem himself said, 'Laughter is healthy. Doctors recommend laughter.' According to many, laughter serves as an antidote to break through tears and elevate the spirit in the face of suffering.
SOURCE: Samuel Rollansky - 'Sholem Aleichem' (Jewish Popular Library)
Published for: Jewish Community Center
Date: October 2016
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