- Hershele Ostropoler
Hershele Ostropoler, also known as Hershel of
Ostropol , is a prominent figure inJewish humor , and the Jewish equivalent ofNasreddin andTill Eulenspiegel . Hershele was aprankster who lived in poverty and targeted the rich and powerful, both Jew and Gentile. Common folks were not safe from his shenanigans, either, but were usually treated with kid gloves. He is also remembered by Ukrainian gentiles as something of an ethnic folk hero, who could take on establishment forces much larger than himself with nothing but his humor.While his exploits have been mythologized over the years, the character of Hershele is based on a historic figure, who lived in what is today the
Ukraine during the late 18th or early 19th century. He may have used his wits to get by, eventually earning a permanent position ascourt jester of sorts to RabbiBoruch of Medzhybizh .In the Hershele stories, he was chosen by members of Rabbi Boruch's court in order to counter the rebbe's notorious fits of temper and lift his chronic melancholy. [Chapin, David A. and Weinstock, Ben, "The Road from Letichev: The history and culture of a forgotten Jewish community in Eastern Europe, Volume 1". ISBN 0-595-00666-3 iUniverse, Lincoln, NE, 2000.]
It is believed that Hershele died of a fatal accident that was brought about by one of Rabbi Boruch's fits of anger. Hershele lingered for several days and died in Rabbi Boruch's own bed surrounded by Rabbi Boruch and his followers. [Wiesel, Elie, 1978, "Four Hasidic masters and their struggle against melancholy:" Univ. of Notre Dame Press, p. 54-56] [Learsi. R., 1961, "Filled with Laughter: A Fiesta of Jewish Folk Humor:" Thomas Yoseloff, p. 183-184.] He is thought to be buried in the old Jewish cemetery in
Medzhybizh , though his grave is unmarked.Hershele was the subject of several epic poems, a novel, a comedy performed in 1930 by the
Vilna Troupe , and a USTV program in the 1950s.Two illustrated children's books, "The Adventures of Hershel of Ostropol", and "Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins", have been published. Both books were written by
Eric Kimmel and illustrated byTrina Schart Hyman .In 2002, a play entitled "Hershele the Storyteller" was performed in
New York City .Tales and Examples
Rolls and Doughnuts:Hershele once entered a restaurant and asked for two rolls. Once these were brought to him he changed his mind and asked for two doughnuts instead. When he finished eating them, he got up and walked out without paying. The owner ran after him and demanded to be paid for the doughnuts. ::- “But I gave you the rolls for them,” Hershele said. ::- “You didn’t pay for the rolls, either,” the owner said. ::- “Well, I haven’t eaten the rolls, have I?” Hershele replied and walked away.
Good Manners:One time Hershele and a vagabond friend bought two loafs of bread. Hershele picked them up from the baker, then handed the smaller of the two loafs to his friend and kept the larger one for himself. ::- “This is very impolite,” his friend said. ::- “What would you have done if you were me?” Hershele asked. ::- “I’d give you the large loaf and keep the small one, of course!” The friend said. ::- “Well, you’ve "got" the small one. Now what do you want?”
On a Dare:On a dare to slap a hated man in his Jewish hometown, Hershele did just that, unprovoked. When the man asked him why he did this, Hershele replied that he thought the man was Berle. ::- “And if I’m Berle,” said the offended man, “does this give you the right to hit me?” ::- “Keep your nose out of mine and Berle’s affairs,” Hershele replied.
The Pig:During the feast of
Passover , Hershele once sat across from a self absorbed rich man who made derogatory remarks about Hershele’s eating habits. ::- “What separates you from a pig, is what I’d like to know,” the man said derisively. ::- “The table,” Hershele replied.Notes
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