Tales of Mendele the Book Peddler: "Fishke the Lame" and "Benjamin the Third" (Yiddish Classics Series)

In Jerusalem there is a short street called Mendele Mocher Sefarim Street. The street is in the heart of Jerusalem's bustling Jewish life. From its rooftops, one can see almost see across to the Temple Mount, the source of inspiration for Jews throughout the ages.This volume contains within it some a critical analysis of Jewish life in 19th and early 20th century Europe. Focusing on the down-and-outs of Jewery, Mendele portrays a hypocritical society and one that is much to blame for its misery. Fishke the Lame is a heart wrenching tale. Built as a story within a story, in a manner reminisant of Kabalistic thinking, the book lambasts everything from the poor to Jewish learning and practice. Benjamine the Third is light-hearted and humorous, but the underlying themes are the same - the foolish Jews of Europe living in their insular world.I wonder what Mendele would make of his namesake street? For one that seemingly saw little value in the traditional life of European Jewery, would he be pleased that all around there are Jews whose commitment to the Law is unshaken by the barrage of criticism launched by the enlightened Jews of his age?Despite its themes, this is a worthwhile volume for anyone who cares about the Jewish past and what it means for a jewish future.

This work is certainly a "must" for anyone interested in Jewish fiction. "Tales of Mendele, the Book Peddler" is a rich source of information about a Jewish life all too often forgotten and neglected, life amongst the Jewish vagabonds, rascals, the poorest of the poor. Even within the scoundrel of society you may find the deepest human feelings and faith in the values rooted in Jewish tradionts, here represented by the character Fishke the Lame. What a lovely character! The message is clear: because the Jewish community isolated itself from the rest of the world, a stigma was created which contributed to a growing prejudice against that same community. "The Brief Travels of Benjamin the Third" is indeed brief! Althogh some critics rightly draw a parallel with "Quijote and Sancho Panza," no doubts this novel falls short of Cervantes classic. The initial impetus of the work promises a great journey, but soon it dwindles and the reader is left with the impression the writer gave up and went about into other matters. An "unfinished symphony..."