The Sabbath in the Olden Times

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How could I write a poem like this without some Yiddish? It would break my heart...

~ Sabbath in the Olden Times ~ (Shabbos in der Alter Tzeiten) The title in the Yiddish language Mama lit the candles Totty blessed the wine Father Tova's white headband Female (here, a girl) first name her hair and face a-shine Duvid sang a zemer Boy's nickname; Sabbath song Totty and the orech pitched in Guest The kneidlach oh-so-delicious Matzo balls (in the soup) On Shabbos eating's no sin We benched grace in style After-meal blessings tender melodies lingered a while... Time to wish a teyere 'Gut Shabbos' A precious 'Good Sabbath' up to bed for a sweet night's rest

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Bj Legros Kelley

Date: 12/23/2023 1:18:00 PM

So very lovely, thank you for sharing this Gershon. :) <3

Shirley Hawkins

Date: 12/22/2023 6:15:00 PM

A charming, cosy, comforting, rhyme. A lovely poem full of tradition and warmth.

Regina Elliott

Date: 12/22/2023 2:53:00 PM

Oh, how charming, Gershon! I can sense the warmth and the family love. Wonderful read. Have a grand weekend. Shalom, good friend. ~

Gershon Wolf
Date: 12/23/2023 7:41:00 PM

Shalom to you, Regina. Wishing you the joy and bounty of the season. :) Gershon

Sam Kauffman

Date: 12/21/2023 10:16:00 AM

Gershon, you have captured both the beauty and the celebration of the Sabbath - "Shabbos." The food, family and the blessings! Thank you for inviting us to your Sabbath celebration. So beautiful. I hope your holidays were filled with blessings - a joyful celebration of light and miracles!

Gershon Wolf
Date: 12/23/2023 7:40:00 PM

Thank you for your nice wishes, Sam. They came true, I tell you. Merriment and Happiness to you too, Gershon

Panagiota Romios

Date: 12/21/2023 10:00:00 AM

You kmust know, I love this write. Those of us who have never had the joy and blessings of being born, Jewish, have little or no idea of the beauty and meaning of that night. I wanted to add, the preparations for Shabbos, are amazingly specific. Pangie Bas Noacch

Gershon Wolf
Date: 12/23/2023 7:38:00 PM

Thank you for the love on this one, Pangie. Thank G-d for Shabbos is all I can say.

Sara Etgen-Baker

Date: 12/21/2023 5:13:00 AM

what a delightful read, Gershon. Thanks for graciously sharing Yiddish...doing so added dept and meaning to the words. I understand that translations are a challenge. I find that's true with my native German language...can't translate word for word...so much culture subtly hidden within the words. Have a blessed day, Sara

Gershon Wolf
Date: 12/23/2023 7:37:00 PM

Right. Translation is an art, and not everyone is an artist. ~ Pick Ass Oh