In an in-depth discussion with Eric Cohen, Ruth Wisse describes Yiddish literature’s most beloved and perhaps most brilliant character: Tevye the Milkman. Tevye, the narrator and protagonist of ten stories written by Sholem Aleichem between 1895 and 1915, was based on the real-life village Jew who delivered cheese and milk to the author’s summer home. Here Wisse focuses on the short story “Tevye Strikes It Rich.” (Audio, 44 minutes.)

After several weeks of passionate political conflict in Israel over judical reform, the tensions seem to be defused, or at least dialed down, for the time being. In light of this, and in anticipation of the Passover holiday soon upon us, Eric Cohen considers the way forward for both the Jewish state and the Jewish people. (Video, 8 minutes. A text is available at the link below.)