Fiddler on the Roof

I recently re-watched Fiddler on the Roof, the 1971 film rendering of the musical by the same name. It had been at least 20 years since I had seen it. A friend termed it very “philosophical.” How right he was. Countless people have watched it through the years, vindicating universal accolades.

The central character, Reb Tevye, battles with himself, his wife, his daughters, and God. In the end he all-but disowns one of his daughters. He is the human mix of ideal with reality, suffering with blessing, injustice with resolution, hard work draped with poverty. But I saw his frailty above all. He insists on being “the man” and then embarrasses his family. He ignores one daughter, shouts at another, then lambastes his wife.

This is a father straining to find footing in the midst of soul trauma. He watched his oldest daughters leave the home, each violating tradition more than the previous. The world he knows and loves is crumbling. Can we blame him if he cracks?

As to the youngest, Chava, who married outside the faith, how should Reb Tevye respond? Should she be hurt at her father's response? What is her responsibility? What is mine? If I deny tradition I should bear the consequences graciously. I may disagree with the tradition and those who hold it. They may even be wrong to hold me at bay for straying. But the rules were known. If one defies the rules one should bear the opprobrium with maturity and dignity rather than scorn or faux shock.

What of Reb Tevye: should he reject his own daughter? I think not. God does not do this to us, so we can not do it to others. When a child lives wrong, rejection is out of line. As to the child, he or she bears the consequences. Unjust consequences compound grief. But crying foul for results known to be in the offing – that is a burden the 'violator' must bear. If you know the movie, you know Reb Tevye and his wife squared this circle with simple, familial love.

What are some other takeaways?

• Celebrate in the midst of suffering, affirming the joy of life itself no matter what falls our lot. “To life!”

• Accept change as inevitable but not inexorable or intrinsically right. Resistance may well be necessary, but has its cost. “Tradition!”

• Affirm family as at the heart of reality, and rules about it, therefore, as fundamental. Matching must be done and we need a lot of help to do it right. “And affection!”

• Confirm married love as a willful vow to stay together until death for the good of one another, children, and the world around. Affection matters as do many other things, but sheer commitment is primary. “Do I love him?”

• Suffer with the idealistic ambitions that go with youth. History shows what came of the Bolshevik dreams. Life is grounded when we work quietly with our own hands, know this world will pass away, live at peace with our loved ones and all else we can help. “Why not stay here and be a teacher?”

In sum, the title tells the story: a man balancing on the roof while playing the violin. Life calls us to attempt, to be, to do; and calamity will come. In the midst of it all we play a violin -- more than any can master and we all fall short. What lets us make sense and keep our balance? Reb Tevye has the answer: Tradition!