There is a beautiful Yiddish tune entitled “Vee Nemt Mehn ah Bisseleh Mazel? (Where Can we Get a Morsel of Luck?)” Composed by Benzion Witler, a prolific writer of Yiddish melodies, the message of the song is always relevant because all human beings and other living things need mazel, right?
Here are a few maises (tales) regarding the importance of mazel.
Tale # 1
Zissel Pintle was a merchant who opened his shop at 7 a.m. every morning except for Shabbos.
His merchandise consisted of coal-burning stoves and related hardware. Times
were changing, and stoves were now fueled by gas instead of coal. Therefore,
his business was nebech declining and
becoming a business that was teef ihn
drerd (rock bottom).
One morning Zissel was approached by the leading town shnorrer (beggar), one Lionel (Ligner) Oremsky. He was called Ligner (liar) because he rarely told the truth. “Nu,” said Ligner. “Give me a good nedava (contribution) so that I can have a good Shabbos meal.” Zissel reached for his wallet which had one 50-dollar bill. He had little choice but to give Ligner the money because he, Zissel, had once vowed to never ignore a person in need. He therefore handed the bill to Ligner with a half smile.
A passerby, one Farik Tersky, somehow became aware of the entire episode. Farik was known as the “reicher (rich) Farikter” because he owned several factories in the area which he inherited from his father, der alter (the elder) Farikter. In an act of kindness, he approached Zissel and offered to purchase his shop. Zisslel’s eyes lit up, and he quickly agreed to the sale.
The store was sold, and Zissel was finally content with the bisseleh mazel that he always prayed for. He then thanked Hashem, and his mazel took a positive turn. Farik, meanwhile, turned the store into an antique shop. As for his mazel with the shop – nu, mazel can go in either direction.
Tale # 2
Lemiel Hungrik was a reporter for a newspaper named Rayneh Loshan (clean language), however, the paper’s articles did not always coincide with the name of the publication. Lemiel was writing an article about a recent maiseh that took place in his home town, Yankelville. Nu, you may ask, what kind of name is Yankelville? Iz der enfer (the answer is), the town was founded by one Bob (Beryl) Yankelov, a judge who rarely judged because of his schnapps addiction. When a trial took place, Judge Yankelov staggered to his bench. You can use your imagination regarding the trial. Nu, so much for early history of Yankelville.
Nu, here’s the story: One morning, a vintage katrinka (car) was struggling up a steep mountain road. Suddenly, there was an explosive sound, and the katrinka came to a screetching halt. The driver of the vehicle, one Milty Ferdman, staggered out of the car and began signaling for help, but the speeding drivers merely stared at his waving hand and sped away.
When in difficult situations, Milty always began singing Yiddish tunes, a habit that began in his childhood. So why should this occurrence be different? He began singing, yes. “Vee Nemt Mehn ah Bisseleh Mazel?” Time passed, and he finally decided that his situation was hopeless. He therefore began walking down the road. Surprisingly, a driver actually pulled over and an elderly gentleman stepped out of his car. “Shalom, Uncle Milty,” he shouted. It was his nephew Stanley Yankelov, a great-grandson of the town’s founder. Milty was overcome with joy, and after thanking his nephew he burst out with a new tune thanking the Ribono Shel Olam (G-d) for the good mazel that he received.
Tale # 3
Itzik Shpitzik lived in a European shtetl called Trochenbrod. The shtetl was a typical Jewish village, which included the heliger (holy) rebbe, Harav Yecheskel Yarshen. The shtible (shul) was at the edge of town and consisted of various Yidden, each of whom had a position in the shtetl. There was Bereleh the baker, Mendel the balagawlaw (driver), Pinchus the vahser traiger (water carrier), Avreml the sheester (shoemaker), and other choshuv (important) members of the town.
With that picture in mind,
imagine a magnate from the big city of Lodz
Yosef was quiet for a few minutes. Then, unable to contain himself, he blurted out, “Rebbeh, “Vee nemt mehn ah bisseleh mazel? The Rebbeh stared at him for a few moments and asked, “Voss hawt pahseert (what happened)?”
“The socialist government, zolen zey tsuzetst vehren (may they be obliterated), confiscated my factory and arrested the workers,” responded Yosef.
The Rebbeh pondered for a few minutes and then responded, “When people in a town or in a city are being persecuted, your life, too, is in danger. Therefore, although there are difficulties, it’s time to move from such a dangerous area.”
“Where should I move to?” inquired Yosef.
“To our holy country, to Eretz Yisrael,” responded the Rebbeh.
Yosef followed the Rebbe’s and relocated to a new developing town called Tel Aviv. Using his business acumen, he founded a factory that produced building blocks which were used to construct houses.
A few years later, he visited the holy Rebbeh, who had made aliyah a few years after Yosef’s departure. So where did the Rebbeh move? Right! He moved into one of Yosef’s newly constructed houses!
Yosef thanked the Rebbeh and Hashem (G-d) for giving him not a bisseleh but ahsach (much) mazel.
