by Cathi Palmer

Traditions can either be a harsh taskmaster, a warm, cozy place of remembrance, the essence of ''home,” or somewhere in between. Reviewing the stage play turned movie, Fiddler on the Roof (1971) is one example of the struggle to maintain and hold onto tradition, whether based on religion, family, culture, or community.

Our main character, Tevye (Chaim Topol), states, 

How do we keep our balance? Tradition!

In his, as in many situations, change and threats to one's traditions aren't chosen but thrust upon us. His story focuses on his three eldest daughters. Each one finding a husband in a manner alien to their Eastern European Jewish cultural norm.

Tzeitel (Rosalind Harris), the eldest, has her intended selected by her parents and a matchmaker to an older widower, the neighborhood butcher. She already secretly pledged herself to her childhood sweetheart, Motel (Leonard Frey). Unheard of!

Daughter 2, Hodel (Michele Marsh), falls for Perchick (Paul Michael Glaser), an activist student from Kiev. His grasp of Rabbinical Torah interpretation is questionable. Hodel runs away to marry him as he serves time in a Siberian gulag for political activism.

The youngest, Chava (Neva Small), meets and falls for a Russian Cossack, a non-Jew. She marries him and abandons her Jewish faith.

Father Tavya must choose whether he will bend to the winds of change or hold on to his traditional beliefs.

The overwhelming change of the Communist Revolution during the story (as well as history) results in the Jewish community's persecution in the Pogroms, ending in their eviction from Russia.

People of faith struggle daily with their response to change. Overwhelming societal and cultural change can come in like the proverbial frog in the kettle, or it can hit like a tidal wave.

Some things remain steadfast because the issues of faith are based on eternal truth. They are immutable and unchangeable, such as God's truth, His character, His Word, promises, and covenants.

Traditions, however, change day to day and minute by minute as they are man-made and adapt to culture and generations. For example, no two people groups celebrate Christmas (if at all) the same way; traditions differ from family to family.

The title, Fiddler on the Roof, is a description of humankind,

trying to scratch out a simple tune without breaking my neck.'

It is a search for happiness and satisfaction in balancing tradition and change. But when does it come time to change tradition? When it no longer serves those it is meant for.

Resources

We’ve created a free downloadable PDF to explore the article deeper. It contains discussion questions about the topic in general terms that will give you a jumping-off point for beginning a conversation.

The second page contains a way to see the topic from a biblical perspective.

And finally, to go deeper into the subject, we have chosen a few curated resources to explore from other authors’ and thinkers’ research or perspectives.

Read. Engage. Enjoy!

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Depending on how a gem is held, light refracts differently. At B+PC we engage in Pop Culture topics to see ideas from a new angle, to bring us to a deeper understanding. And like Pastor Shane Willard notes, we want “…Jesus to get bigger, the cross to get clearer, the Resurrection to be central…” Instead of approaching a topic from “I don’t want to be wrong,“ we strive for the alternative “I want to expand my perspective.” 

So, we invite you to engage with us here. What piqued your curiosity to dig deeper? What line inspired you to action? What idea made you ask, “Hmmm?” Let’s join with our community to wrestle with our thoughts in love in the Comment Section! See you there!