A Song on the Jews of Ashkenaz and Poland

Unknown

16th Century

About This Entry

This anonymous Yiddish poem, which was printed in Prague in an undated edition, is written in the form of an argument between a German Jew and his Polish counterpart. Although scholars agree that it was composed after the Khmel’nyts’kyi massacres (1648–1649) caused masses of Polish Jews to flee to Germany, they disagree as to the origins of its author. The poem begins with an introduction by the narrator, following which the Pole outlines his grievances against German Jewry (perhaps suggesting that the author was of Polish origin). He complains about their stinginess, inhospitable nature, dress, habits, lack of Torah scholarship, and more. The German Jew responds, alleging that Polish Jews are thieves and vagrants and attacking their poor behavior and arrogance. Later verses also introduce a Jew from Prague who is criticized for swindling and greed. This poem reveals that, by the mid- to late seventeenth century, the identities of Ashkenazic subgroups had begun to crystallize and relations between them were fraught with tensions, which, according to the poet, could be resolved only by the coming of the Messiah.

Polyak (Polish Jew) Describing the Ashkenazi (German Jew)

I will raise the matter of trimming the beard

He trims it away like leaven [on the eve of Passover]

He leaves only a small goatee.

One more thing must I tell you

For I cannot bear it:

The Polyak may be a learned man of good family

But the Ashkenazi will not intermarry with him, unless the girl is not blessed at all.

But when the Ashkenazi wishes to obtain a rabbi or a cantor

He must, nevertheless, send to Poland.

With regard to Torah you would be like the dumb and speechless,

If teachers from Poland did not frequently come to you in Germany!

We would not be eager to come to Germany to be shamed

Were it not for the war that came to our land. [ . . . ]

You Ashkenazim also fled to Poland in the past

When war struck you in Germany.

You were treated well with money and in your persons

And were given funds and the best wives.

Therefore do not take it amiss that we come to you [ . . . ]

Another thing lies in my stomach

This I must relate and say:

How the villagers conduct their synagogue-going

Young and old [ . . . ]

When they come together on the Sabbath for prayers

They start laughing

Their mouths do not stand still:

This one talks about his filly, this one about his horse,

Why should I say much?

Often they come to blows in the synagogue.

Ashkenazi Complaining about the Polyak

It is true that in Poland there are many great Torah scholars

But no one can be trusted in money or merchandise. [ . . . ]

We give you food and drink and money thereto;

Nevertheless, we Germans have no rest before you Polyaks.

Ashkenazi in a Debate with a Jew from Prague

To cheat their own children is no shame among them.

He promises his son-in-law three years of maintenance, in addition to a portion of the house;

Four weeks after the wedding, “Son-in-law, do you wish to eat?

Pawn your prayer shawl and robe, your maintenance is at an end.”

Translated by Rebecca Wolpe.

Credits

Author Unknown, “I Will Raise the Matter of Trimming the Beard” (Song, Yiddish, 16th century). Published in: Max Weinreich, “Tsvei yidishe spotlider ’oyf yidn,” Filologishe shriftn (Vilna : kletskin), 3 (1929): cols. 536–557: 540–551.

Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 5.