Yidish (1946) is significant as an explicit testament of Weiner’s own devotion to the Yiddish language and to the culture that gave it life.
Editor's note by Neil W. Levin:
The poem contains references to four well-known Hassidic masters or rebbes—rabbinical-type spiritual leaders: the Ba’al Shem Tov (1700–1760), the founder of modern Hassidism, or the mystical-spiritual Hassidic movement; the Mezhirecher Maggid, or the Maggid of Mezhirech (d. 1772), his disciple and successor; the Bratslaver Rebbe—Reb Naḥman of Bratslav (1772–1811), a great-grandson of the Ba’al Shem Tov and the founder of his own splinter sect; and the Berditchever Rebbe—Reb Levi Yitzhak of Berditchev (ca. 1740–1810), a disciple of the Mezhirecher Maggid and an important, original, and influential rebbe in his own right, best remembered for his disputations with God on behalf of the Jewish people.
Poet: Yakov-Yitskhak Segal (1896–1954)
Yiddish, my golden well,
From you did the Ba’al Shem Tov drink,
The holy Mezhirecher Maggid,
The Bratslaver and Berditchever rebbes,
And so have many plain, simple, poor Jews
In their wandering through different lands and territories.
Forever in a world of journeying
Where truth and legends are fused.
Yiddish, my bright source!
Poet: Yakov-Yitskhak Segal (1896–1954)
yidish mayn goldene brunem,
fun dir hot der balshemtov getrunken,
der mezsheritser magid hakodesh,
der bratslaver, barditshever
un azoy fil prost, poshete, orime yidn,
in vogl durkh vegn un lender,
in eybikn velt unter vegns
vu s’tsindt zikh di vor un legende.
yidish mayn likhtiker brunem!
Performers: Ida Rae Cahana, Mezzo-soprano; Yehudi Wyner, Piano
Translations and Transliterations: Eliyahu Mishulovin
Preliminary preparations by Adam J. Levitin
Don't miss our latest releases, podcasts, announcements and giveaways throughout the year! Stay up to date with our newsletter.
