Teyve the Teacher

I was watching Fiddler on the Roof last evening with some friends.  I have to say I love that musical - one of the best movie-musicals in my opinion.  Apart from the wonderful music and comic moments, it has an excellent message, and the character of Tevye has many admirable traits.  I realise there are a few difficulties - one could interpret the insistence of Tradition as being rigid, and that we must move on and abandon it for the sake of love - love of our family who may be leading us to a more tolerant existence - a test Teyve ultimately fails.  But there are other wonderful things.

Teyve is a man of faith, he lives what he professes, and he loves.  He lives a simple life and even though he would like to be rich, he accepts his lot (somewhat) and does the best he can.  As a faithful Jew he follows the Law of Moses most particularly in his hospitality.  Though they do not have much, what he has he shares with his poorer brothers and sisters.  He gives milk to the beggar and apologies when he has overlooked him.  He gives the Marxist Perchik cheese and gives him food and a place to stay. 

I am always impressed with Teyve's prayer - it is authentic - true prayer.  He speaks to God as naturally as he does to another, and his prayer reveals that he is in a real relationship with God.  He praises, implores and yes even complains.  At one moment he is King David and in another Job.  I have sometimes referred to this example of prayer in homilies - if we could pray like Teyve our relationship with God would be so much better.

Most of the songs are religious in nature reflecting the characters's daily lives lived in the presence of God.  They recognise that good things come from God and they are ready to praise him and thank him.  In his song "Miracles of miracles" Motel thanks God for being able to marry Tzeitel, comparing this gift with the miracles of God in Scripture. 

In the face of oppression and then exile from their home, the characters express a sort of fatalistic resignation: "This place was never good to us anyway".  While that may be pessimistic and a means of overcoming their pain, their detachment is remarkable - they just move on.  The Jewish people know all about this - they have wandered all over the earth as others have deprived them of a homeland, so I supposed the best way to deal with this is to wipe the dust of their former home off their feet and move on.  Ultimately if this attitude is combined with virtue we recognise that our true home is in heaven, so we must not plant our roots too deeply in this "vale of tears": our Jewish forefathers and mothers can teach us a thing or two about this.

Of course the musical has much to teach us about oppression and the lack of understanding between peoples.  The harmony between Jews and Orthodox Christians is in reality an illusion - when pushed the constable turns on Teyve whom he is supposed to regard as a friend.   Perchik is trying to create a society in which all people are equal and workers's rights are respected - we see he is an avid apostle of Marxism which will "turn the world upside down" as Teyve remarks not realising he will, but not for the good.  Teyve teaches us that we cannot disregard our most cherished beliefs (Tradition?) otherwise we will break.  However, while he may seem to be rigid and rejects his daughter, his approach is better than Perchik's: without his faith he is nothing.   There is a way for him to be true to his Jewish faith and still accept his daughter, he has yet to find it, but it does not include abandoning the faith of his fathers. 

Just a few thoughts - movies can teach us valuable lessons and be enjoyable.  So if you can, get a DVD of Fiddler on the Roof sit back and enjoy.