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.)
More about: Arts & Culture, Fiddler on the Roof, Literature, Sholem Aleichem, Tevye, Yiddish literature