Blessings on Your Head
At the beginning of the movie Fiddler on the Roof, Jewish people in the little Russian village of Anatevka ask their rabbi if there is a special blessing for the czar. The czar ruled the country and was no friend to the Jewish people. The rabbi ponders a moment, then breaks into a huge grin as he replies, “A blessing for the czar? May the Lord bless and keep the czar [short pause] far away fromGet More Articles—Subscribe Today!
New Digital & Archive Subscription Options!
Digital Subscriptions are only $9.99/year. Digital + Archive Subscriptions are only $19.99/year.
First-time digital subscriber? Get a FREE, one-year trial at foi.org/digital!
Hi,
I always heard my mom say “a blessing on your head”growing up. I used that recently, with very little understanding apparently. It was meant to be positive but I’ve read it literally means to hit someone on the head, like a threat almost? This confused me. I’m a quarter Jew. My mom was raised Baptist, but she would take us girls to Temple here and there so we could know our roots. Now I’m afraid I may have said something offensive. Did I? Thanks. I’m trying to learn as a 43 year old my roots. I’m woefully I’ll prepared. Thank you