Today of all days?
I know, we are the chosen people...
but once in a while, can't you choose someone else?
Anyway...
thank you for sending a husband...
for my Tzeitel.
Now, after Jacob had worked for Laban for seven years...
do you know what happened?
Laban fooled him and gave him his ugly daughter Leah.
So to marry Rachel, Jacob was forced to work another seven years.
So you see, children...
the Bible clearly teaches us...
you can never trust an employer.
And that is what the Bible teaches us?
That is the lesson of Jacob...
if you interpret it correctly.
- Is your papa up yet? - No, Mama.
Enough lessons. Back to the house. There's work to be done.
Go on, children. Another story tomorrow.
That was a very interesting lesson, Perchik.
Do you think so?
Although I don't know if the rabbi would agree with your interpretation.
Neither, I suppose, would the rabbi's son.
My little sisters talk too much.
What do you know about him, except that he is a rabbi's son?
At least I know he doesn't have strange ideas...
about turning the world upside-down.
Good day, Perchik.
- You have wit, even intelligence. - Thank you.
Perhaps. But what good is your brain?
Without curiosity, it is a rusty tool.
- Good day, Hodel. - We have an old custom here!
A boy talks respectfully to a girl.
But that is too traditional for an advanced thinker like you.
Nothing must change. Everything is perfect exactly as it is!
- We like our ways. - Our ways are changing all over.
In the city, boys and girls can be affectionate...
without the permission of a matchmaker.
They hold hands together. They even dance together!
New dances, like this.
I learned it in Kiev.
- Do you like it? - It's very nice.
There.
We've just changed an old custom.
Yes.
I mean... thank you.
I mean...
good day!
So, my prince is finally out of bed.
- Not now. - Open your eyes.
- Go away. - The day's half gone.
Well?
Well, what happened last night besides your drinking like a peasant?
Did you see Lazar Wolf?
Well, what did he say? What did you say?
Where...
Where's Tzeitel?
She's in the barn. Do you have news for me?
Did you talk with Lazar Wolf? Well, what happened?
Woman, patience.
As the Good Book says, good news will stay...
and bad news will refuse to leave.
- And there's another saying... - You can die from such a man!
Did you see Lazar? Was it friendly?
- Sha, woman! - Are you still drunk, or what?
Here she is.
Tzeitel, my lamb, come here.
You are to be congratulated.
You are going to be married.
Married?
What do you mean, Papa?
Lazar Wolf has asked for your hand.
I knew it!
- The butcher? - Dear God, I thank thee.
- I thank thee! - Why do you have to...
What do you say, Tzeitel?
- What can she say? - Let her say one word.
My firstborn, a bride.
May you grow old with him in fortune and honor.
Not like Fruma Sarah, Lazar's first wife.
She was a bitter woman. May she rest in peace.
Not like my Tzeitel.
And now I must thank Yente.
My Tzeitel, a bride.
A bride! I thank thee!
Well, Chaveleh?
Mazel tov, Tzeitel.
"Mazel tov, Tzeitel. "
What kind of a mazel tov is that?
You, Reb Perchik, aren't you going to congratulate her?
Congratulations, Tzeitel...
for getting a rich man.
Again with the rich. What's wrong with being rich?
It's no reason to marry. Money's the world's curse.
May the Lord smite me with it...
and may I never recover!
"The world's curse. "
My Tzeitel knows I mean only her welfare.
Am I right, Tzeitel?
- Yes, Papa. - There, you see?
I see. I see very well.
Well, my child...
why are you so silent?
Aren't you happy with this blessing?
Papa...
What is it? Tell me.
Papa, I don't want to marry him.
I can't marry him.
What do you mean you can't?
If I say you will, you will.
Papa, if it's a matter of money, I'll do anything.
I'll work as a servant.
- Just don't... - But we made an agreement!
And with us, an agreement is an agreement.
Is that...
more important than I am, Papa?
Papa, don't force me, please!
I'll be unhappy all my days!
- I don't want to marry him. - All right.
I won't force you.
Oh, thank you, Papa.
"Thank you, Papa. "
It seems it was not ordained...
that you should have all the comforts of life.
- Reb Tevye, may I speak to you? - Later.
- But I would like to speak to you. - Not now.
I have problems.
That's why I want to speak to you. I think I can help.
Like a bandage can help a corpse. Good-bye, Motel.
At least listen to him, Papa.
All right. You have a tongue. Talk.
I hear you are arranging a match for Tzeitel.
He also has ears.
Well...
- I have a match for Tzeitel. - What kind of a match?
A perfect fit.
Like a glove.
This match was made exactly to measure.
"Made to measure. " Stop talking like a tailor and tell me who is it?
Please don't shout at me, Reb Tevye.
I won't shout.
Who is it?
It's me.
Myself.
It's him. Himself.
Either you're out of your mind or you're crazy!
He must be crazy! Arranging a match for yourself?
Are you everything? The bridegroom, the matchmaker, the guests?
I suppose you'll perform the ceremony yourself!
Please don't shout at me.
Being my own matchmaker... I know it's a little unusual.
Unusual? It's crazy!
Times are changing, Reb Tevye.
Over a year ago, your daughter and I gave each other our pledge...
that we would marry.
You gave each other a pledge?
Yes, Papa.
We gave each other our pledge.
They gave each other a pledge.
Unheard of, absurd.
You gave each other a pledge Unthinkable
Where do you think you are In Moscow, in Paris
Where do they think they are
America
And what do you think you're doing You stitcher, you nothing
Who do you think you are King Solomon
This isn't the way it's done Not here, not now
Some things I will not
I cannot allow
Tradition
Marriages must be arranged
By the papa
This should never be changed
One little time you pull out the prop
And where does it stop
Do I still have something to say about my daughter?
Doesn't anyone have to ask a father anymore?
I've wanted to ask you for some time.
First I wanted to save enough for a sewing machine.
You stop talking nonsense.
You are just a poor tailor!
But even a poor tailor is entitled to some happiness!
I promise you, your daughter will not starve.
He's beginning to talk like a man.
On the other hand...
what kind of a match would that be...
with a poor tailor?
On the other hand, he is an honest, hard worker.
But on the other hand...
he has absolutely nothing.
On the other hand, things could never get worse for him.
They could only get better.
They gave each other a pledge
Unheard of, absurd
They gave each other a pledge
Unthinkable
But look at my daughter's face
She loves him She wants him
And look at my daughter's eyes
So hopeful
Tradition!
Well, children...
when shall we make the wedding?
Thank you, Papa!
You won't be sorry.
- I won't be sorry? - No.
I'm sorry already!
Thank you, Papa.
All right.
They gave each other a pledge.
What shall I tell Golde?
You were wonderful!
It was a miracle!
Wonder of wonders Miracle of miracles
God took a Daniel once again
Stood by his side and miracle of miracles
Walked him through the lion's den
Wonder of wonders Miracle of miracles
I was afraid that God would frown
But like he did so long ago in Jericho
God just made a wall fall down
When Moses softened Pharaoh's heart
That was a miracle
When God made the waters of the Red Sea part
That was a miracle too
But of all God's miracles large and small
The most miraculous one of all
Is that out of a worthless lump of clay
God has made a man today
Wonder of wonders Miracle of miracles
God took a tailor by the hand
Turned him around and miracle of miracles
Led him to the Promised Land
When David slew Goliath, yes
That was a miracle
When God gave us manna in the wilderness
That was a miracle too
But of all God's miracles large and small
The most miraculous one of all
Is the one I thought could never be
God has given you
To me
Good day.
Hello, Sarah.
- Mazel tov, Chava. - Thank you.
- Soon it will be you. - I hope so.
- Give my best wishes to Tzeitel. - I will.
No, don't... Please. I just want to pass.
All right, stop it.
What's wrong with you, Fyedka?
- Just stop it. - We're just having a little fun.
Good-bye, Sasha.
I said good-bye.
I'm sorry about that. They mean no harm.
Don't they?
Is there something you want?
Yes. I'd like to talk to you.
I'd rather not.
I've often noticed you at the bookseller's.
Not many girls in this village like to read.
Would you like to borrow this book?
It's very good.
Thank you.
Why?
Because I'm not Jewish?
Do you feel about me...
the way they feel about you?
I didn't think you would.
And what do you know about me, eh?
Let me tell you about myself.
I'm a pleasant fellow. Charming...
honest, ambitious, quite bright...
and very modest.
Go ahead. Take the book...
and after you return it...
I'll ask you how you like it...
and we can talk about it for a while.
Then we can talk about life...
how we feel about things.
Here.
Thank you.
Good day, Chava.
Good day.
- Help! - Tevye, what's the matter?
- Motel, Tzeitel, help! - Wake up! What is the matter?
Wake up!
- Where is she? - Where? Who?
- Where is she? - What are you talking about?
Fruma Sarah, Lazar Wolf's first wife.
She was standing here a minute ago.
What are you talking about?
Fruma Sarah's been dead for years. Sha!
- You must have been dreaming. - Yes.
Now...
tell me what you dreamt...
and I'll tell you what it meant.
- It was terrible. - Tell me.
All right...
only don't be frightened!
In the beginning...
I dreamt that...
we were having...
a celebration of some kind.
Everybody we knew...
all of our beloved departed...
were there.
All of them...
even your Great Uncle Mordechai...
was there...
and your cousin Rachel was there.
And in the middle of the dream...
in walks your grandmother Tzeitel, may she rest in peace.
Grandmother Tzeitel! How did she look?
Well, for a woman who's dead 30 years...
she looked very good.
Naturally, I went up to greet her.
A blessing on your head
Mazel tov, mazel tov
To see a daughter wed
And such a son-in-law Like no one ever saw
The tailor Motel Kamzoil
A worthy boy is he
Of pious family
They named him after my
Dear Uncle Mordechai
The tailor Motel Kamzoil
Tailor? She must have heard wrong.
- She meant the butcher. - I'll tell her.
You must have heard wrong, Grandma
There's no tailor
You mean the butcher, Grandma
By the name of Lazar Wolf
No, no, no I mean the tailor, Tevye
My great-grandchild
My little Tzeitel who you named for me
Motel's bride was meant to be
For such a match I prayed
In heaven it was made
A fine upstanding boy
A comfort and a joy
The tailor Motel Kamzoil
- Stop it! - We made a bargain with the butcher.
A blessing on your house
Imagine such a spouse
And such a son-in-law like no one ever saw
The tailor Motel Kamzoil
- But he's a butcher! - The tailor Motel Kamzoil
His name is Lazar Wolf! The tailor Motel Kamzoil
- Look - Who is this
- Who comes here - Who, who
What woman is this by righteous anger shaken
- Could it be - Sure
- Yes, it could - Why not
Who could be mistaken
It's the butcher's wife come from beyond the grave
Oh, here she comes.
It's the butcher's dear darling, departed wife
Fruma Sarah
What is this about your daughter marrying my husband
Would you do this to your friend and neighbor, Fruma Sarah
Have you no consideration for a woman's feelings
Handing over my belongings to a total stranger
How can you allow it, How can you let your daughter take my place
Live in my house, carry my keys
And wear my clothes, pearls
How can you allow your daughter to take her place
- Pearls - House
- Pearls - Keys
- Pearls - Clothes
Such a learned man as Tevye wouldn't let it happen
Tell me that it isn't true and then I wouldn't worry
Say you didn't give your blessing to your daughter's marriage
Let me tell you what would follow such a fatal wedding
If Tzeitel marries Lazar Wolf
I pity them both
She'll live with him three weeks
And when three weeks are up
I'll come to her by night
I'll take her by the throat
This I'll give your Tzeitel
Jump!
Here's my wedding present
If she marries Lazar Wolf
Oh, spirit, away!
Such an evil spirit.
May it sink back into the earth.
Such a dark and horrible dream.
It was brought on...
because you went to see that butcher.
My grandmother Tzeitel, may she rest in peace...
took the trouble to come from the other world...
to tell us about the tailor.
All I can say is that it's for the best and couldn't be any better.
- But, Golde... - Amen.
Amen.
Do you like these troublemakers?
- These Christ killers? - Of course not.
I just meant that things have been peaceful here.
I have other villages to visit.
If you don't want to follow orders, we shall get someone else who will.
No, sir.
I'll take care of it, of course.
Quiet down!
Is this the little girl
I carried
Is this the little boy at play
I don't remember growing older
When did they
When did she get to be
A beauty
When did he grow to be so tall
Wasn't it yesterday
When they were small
Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly flow the days
Seedlings turn overnight
To sunflowers
Blossoming even as we gaze
Swiftly fly the years
One season following
Another
Laden with happiness
And tears
What words of wisdom
Can I give them
How can I help to ease their way
Now they must learn
From one another
Day by day
They look so natural
Together
Just like two newlyweds should be
Is there a canopy in store
For me
Quiet down!
That was really beautiful.
Take your places, everybody.
Quiet! Quiet down!
The newlyweds.
Friends...
we are gathered here to share in the joys...
of the newlyweds, Motel and Tzeitel.
May they live together to a ripe old age. Amen!
And now I want to say...
Please! Not here!
Now I'd like to announce that the bride's parents...
are giving the newlyweds the following:
A new feather bed...
two pillows...
Goose pillows.
A Sabbath tablecloth...
and a pair of candlesticks.
Quiet!
Now, we are just here on earth for a short visit.
Even the great and wealthy must die.
In fact, if the rich could hire others to die for them...
we, the poor, would all make a nice living.
Well put.
Lazar Wolf. Talking about the rich.
There sits our good friend Lazar Wolf.
Lazar has everything in the world...
except a bride.
But Lazar has no ill feelings.
In fact, he has a gift for the newlyweds...
that he himself wants to announce.
Come on, Lazar.
Just like he said...
I have no ill feelings.
What's done is done.
I am giving the newlyweds five chickens...
one for each of the first five Sabbaths...
of their wedded life.
Reb Lazar Wolf, you are a decent man...
and on behalf of my daughter...
and her new husband...
I accept your gift.
There is a famous saying that...
I am not marrying your daughter.
I don't have to listen to your sayings.
- If you would only listen... - Why should I listen?
A man who breaks an agreement... I have a right to talk!
What right? It's not your wedding.
It should have been!
But it's not, thank goodness.
- Don't shame Tevye... - He shamed me...
in front of the whole village.
He shamed me!
Rabbi, say something.
I say...
Yeah.
I say let's sit down.
Yes. Well, we all heard the words of the rabbi.
Let's sit down.
Now I'm going to sing a little song.
I don't want that. Leave me alone.
You can keep your diseased chickens!
You leave my chickens out of this!
- We made a bargain! - The terms weren't settled!
We drank on it!
Just sit down, all right?
Once a butcher, always a butcher.
- Once a liar, always a liar. - Sit down!
Those happen to be my chickens. That man...
I had a sign!
Quiet, I'm singing.
Quiet!
What's all the screaming about?
"They drank on it. " "An agreement. "
"A sign. " It's all nonsense.
Tzeitel wanted to marry Motel and not Lazar.
A young girl decides for herself?
Why not? They love each other.
- Love? - Terrible.
- He's a radical. - Musicians, play.
It's a dance. Everybody dance.
- It's a wedding! - Some wedding.
- What is he doing? - Who will dance with me?
- That's a sin. - It's no sin to dance.
- But with a girl? - Yes!
That's what comes of taking a wild man into your house.
He's not a wild man! He is a little bit different.
- Come on. - It's a sin.
It's no sin. Ask the rabbi.
Go on, ask him.
Well, rabbi?
Dancing?
- It's not exactly forbidden, but... - Well, there you see!
- It's not forbidden! - And it's no sin.
Now, who will dance with me?
He's asking her to dance!
It's only a dance, Mama.
Play!
Say something.
She's dancing with a man!
I can see that she's dancing with a man!
And I'm going to dance with my wife!
Mama, no!
- No, I will not. - Tzeitel!
See that? You are responsible for that...
and I can't stand it!
I tried my best!
Everybody dance!
Come on! Dance, rabbi, dance!
All right! Enough!
I said enough!
Come!
Orders are orders, you understand?
Well...
why are you all standing around?
Clean up!
Tradition
Troubles, troubles.
That's all you hear from me, right?
But who else can we simple people...
take our troubles to?
You know, sometimes I wonder.
Who do you take your troubles to?
Go away.
Anyway, Motel and Tzeitel have been married for some time now.
They work very hard.
And...
they're as poor as squirrels in winter.
But they're so happy they don't know how miserable they are.
Motel keeps talking about a sewing machine.
I know. You are very busy now.
Wars, revolutions, floods, plagues...
all those little things that bring people back to you.
But couldn't you take a second and get him his sewing machine?
And while you're in the neighborhood...
as you can see, my horse's leg is...
Am I bothering you too much?
I'm sorry.
As the Good Book says...
Why should I tell you what the Good Book says?
So you must go away?
Yes.
So soon?
Yes.
Tomorrow morning.
- Alone? - No. With a few friends.
We'll be joining others.
- Where? - In the city... Kiev.
Hodel, there are some things I cannot tell even you.
I see.
Don't be upset.
Why should I be upset? If you must leave, you must.
I do have to.
- So you've told me. - Great changes are about to take place.
Tremendous changes.
But they can't happen by themselves.
So you feel that you personally...
Not only me! Many people!
Jews, Gentiles... many people hate what's going on. Don't you understand?
I understand, of course.
You want to leave.
Then good-bye.
Hodel, listen to me!
I have work to do.
The greatest work a man can do.
Don't you understand?
Yes, Perchik.
Wait!
There's a question...
a certain question I wish to discuss with you.
- Yes? - It's a political question.
- What is it? - The question of marriage.
Is this a political question?
Well, yes.
Everything's political.
Like everything else, the relationship between a man and a woman...
has a socioeconomic base.
Marriage must be founded on mutual beliefs.
A common attitude and philosophy towards society.
And affection?
Well, yes. Of course.
That is also necessary.
Such a relationship can have positive social values.
When two people face the world with unity and solidarity...
And affection!
Yes, that is an important element!
At any rate, I...
I personally am in favor of such a socioeconomic relationship.