Fiddler On the Roof. I watched the mo...

Fiddler On the Roof. I watched the movie a couple of weeks ago, I hadn't seen it on film. It has been years since I've seen it on stage and I was too young to appreciate the story. This time, I paid attention and wow! What a great story. It is amazing how this story crosses time and keeps its relevance. Fiddler On the Roof made it's theater debut on September 22, 1964 (just three days before MY debut, on a much smaller but no less significant "stage") and is set in 1905 (Tsarist Russia)...now before I loose you in these little details note the theme of this dear story. A man is forced to confront change and must determine what "traditions" he can bend on and which ones he must adhere to. There is a lot of that going on today in the church and society, ("there is nothing new under the sun") what do we hold dear that is really just tradition and what is sacred? The story has its political side too, unfortunately we are all too familiar with prejudice and oppression. But I don't think I'll make that my focus here.

Tradition vs. inviolability. Where is the line between the two? What is the litmus test that determines? Tevye must choose. We must choose. Tevye was tested three times each within the parameters of choosing his daughter's husbands. The eldest challenged tradition by "falling in love" and asking her father to go back on his arrangements with a prominent business man on her marriage and allow her to marry her choice. The second daughter (he had five, poor guy) challenged tradition by not even asking her father's permission, only his "blessing". The third, by choosing a Russian. Each time Tevye wrestles with tradition. It was his place as "Papa" to choose the husband, but was it essential? He concludes for the first two, no, it was not essential that he choose the husband. But the third daughter, Chava, is a much different story. Here he determines he cannot, must not bend. THIS is more than tradition THIS is sacred, THIS is GOD's law. As a result Chava elopes, has a Catholic wedding and is "dead" to her Papa. I suppose all three of these situations seem a little rediculous to us, 105 years later but are they? Sure not many Americans arrange marriages anymore but what about marrying out of our faith? There was a news report on earlier this week about a father that was being sued because, against court agreements, he took his daughter to a Catholic Church, when the mother wanted to raise her in the Jewish faith. How much grief has been caused by couples marrying outside their faith or denomination even! What about that, is denomination a tradition or is it inviolable? Is faith tradition or is it sacred? How do we decide? How did Tevye decide?

Tevye, a poor milk man was, according to the book/play/movie, a man who loved learning. He knew the Torah, he knew the Talmud and he knew what was going on around him. He knew that the Torah prohibited marriage outside the Jewish faith. He knew that in the Talmud the rabbis had determined that the tradition of a father choosing his daughter's husbands was important and should be continued. The Torah was his measuring stick. Traditions are good but they aren't law. God's law is law, it never changes because the reason God wrote them is still the same...this is what is good for us, what will build us, keep us safe, healthy, and strong. These are the things we must hold true to and not let slide. What are you being tested with? Is it tradition/culture or is it God's Word? What laws have you thrown out as merely culture..."times have changed"..."this isn't realistic"..."this is out-dated". What traditions are you holding to as if they are law? "If it was good enough for _________ it's good enough for me", "we've never done it that way before", "its just not what I'm used to".

Don't get me wrong, there are many "traditions" I love, I love them like I love a family reunion, old stories and really good classic books. But I must resist the temptation to judge a person by what traditions they do or do not up-hold. There is only one Judge, and it's not me. There is only one thing He is going to judge by and it's not traditions, or even the law (Glory to God for GRACE!). God forbid that I toss off as tradition those things that make up godliness: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, justice, graciousness, and love. (yes I know I repeated love, all of these things must be encased in love to be of any value, it is the greatest commandment (Deu 6:5), it is the essential element (1 Cor 13), it is the proof of our dedication to Christ (Jhn 13:35))

Now, this is not in good writing form but it would be tragic for me not to reference the most beautiful scene in this whole story, so I break away from tradition! Ha! It is in Act I, scene 4, Sabbath Prayer. Tevye and his wife Golde sing a blessing over their daughters. It is precious. Oh that we would take the time to bless our children more. Or even better, instead of fighting over traditions, bless each other. "God bless you friend!" (not just because you sneezed), "God make His face to shine upon you", "May the wind be at your back", "God-speed!" or,my favorite Spanish salutation:  Valla con Dios! (Go with God) So I will conclude these rattled thoughts with the lyrics from Sabbath Prayer and sincerely pray that you will be blessed, today and everyday!

Fiddler on the Roof - Sabbath Prayer Lyrics

Send “Sabbath Prayer” Ringtone to Your Cell
May the Lord protect and defend you.
May He always shield you from shame.
May you come to be
In Israel a shining name.

May you be like Ruth and like Esther.
May you be deserving of praise.
Strengthen them, Oh Lord,
And keep them from the strangers' ways.

May God bless you and grant you long lives.
(May the Lord fulfill our Sabbath prayer for you.)
May God make you good mothers and wives.
(May He send you husbands who will care for you.)

May the Lord protect and defend you.
May the Lord preserve you from pain.
Favor them, Oh Lord, with happiness and peace.
Oh, hear our Sabbath prayer. Amen.