Traditions!

Jewish Customs, Rituals and Traditions

One of the important things to remember when looking at traditions of the Jewish faith is that it is not a monolith. There are many different Jewish denominations including the Orthodox denomination (the section which the town in Fiddler is a part of) which also has different denominations within itself. The following three denominations are the most mainstream in the United States, however they are not the only denominations. For more information on denominations, see this link.

Reform Judaism

Believes in Jewish Ethical Tradition over strict observation of Jewish law. Has adapted Jewish beliefs to be more "modern" over the years.

Conservative Judaism

The "midpoint" between Reform and Orthodox. Some relaxed beliefs such as allowing driving to synogogue on the Sabbath but also keeping more strict observation of traditions such as keeping Kosher and rejecting intermarriage (although recent years have also changed the approach to intermarriage.)

Orthodox Judaism

Strict interpretation of Jewish law. This is Tevye's denomination. Traditions such as no driving working or handling money on the Sabbath. Currently there are denominations within this denomination that have differing views on dress, prayer, Talmud study for men and roles for women in leadership.

The following traditions are included in Fiddler on the Roof. Please browse the traditions that your character(s) would follow to get an idea of what the tradition is, how it is done and why. This list is loosely based on the list of traditions supplied in the Yiddish Production of Fiddler on the Roof's Study Guide that is provided on the Resources and Further Reading page.