The moon is a beautiful heavenly body that is often mentioned in our prayers. And if you are a shul-goer, you know that, once a month, the gabbai of the shul announces the appearance of the levuneh, the new moon, and the congregation goes outside to welcome it. They chant prayers honoring the moon with blessings and pleading with G-d for a long life of peace, happiness, vigor, sustenance, and honor in this new month – a life dedicated to love of the Torah and the fear of sin. This is called Kiddush Levuneh.
More than a few years ago, the moon was mentioned in a song that many Yidden sang or hummed. The song was “Shayn vee dee Levuneh,” and if you remember the tune to the song, you get a free pass to a geriatric center. If not, you can listen to the Barry Sisters’ version on YouTube. Several other musical groups sang the melody as well. The writers were Joseph Rumshinsky and Chaim Tauzberg, Yiddelach, of course.
By now, you’ve probably figured out the meaning of the title. You surely know the meaning of the word shayn, right? Oyb nisht (if not), here it is: shayn means beautiful. Vee dee means “like the.” Put it all together and you get “Beautiful as the Moon.”
Here are a few translated lines from this beautiful Yiddish melody:
You are as beautiful as the moon,
You are as bright as the stars,
You have been sent to me from the heavens,
You are a gift from above.
I found my happiness when I saw you.
You made my heart happy –you are as beautiful as a thousand suns!
Two Shayneh Maises (Beautiful Tales)
Tale #1: Chaim Rhinowitz was a diamond polisher. He had three sons named Phendel, Mendel, and Sendle. One day, while polishing one of his outstanding gems, he suddenly gave a loud, violent sneeze. As fate would have it, the gem in his hand took a flying leap into the space of the room.
“Oy gevald!” shouted Chaim and immediately attempted to locate the pricey gem. After searching for hours, he called his sons Phendle, Mendle, and Sendle, who searched every nook and cranny of the room. The minutes dragged into what appeared to be hours, as things do in times of tsoress (trouble). Finally, the sons concluded that the diamond must have been confiscated by shaydim (spirits)! Very frustrated, they began grumbling and expressing their anxiety.
Suddenly, there was a remarkable happening. Chaim’s wife entered the room with a broom. She looked up in himmel (up) not in drerd (down) and then slowly swung the broom toward the ceiling. Fahrvoss (why)? you may ask. Because she thought that there was an insect in the hanging light fixture. You guessed correctly: It was the diamond!
She handed the gem to Chaim, who was so excited that he looked at his vibel (wife) and at the diamond – and burst into song. And what did he sing? you may ask. “Shayn vee dee Levuneh.” What else?
Tale #2: Beryl Lender worked at the Fahrshpilt Consolidated Bank. His job consisted of loaning big bucks to gain bigger bucks.
One fateful morning, a gahnev (thief) by the name of Bartholomo Smith entered the bank. His demeanor was that of an important macher (big-shot). He wore a $400 suit, a pair of alligator shoes, and a genuine silk shirt produced in vehr vais (who knows) where. An expensive Havana cigar dangled from his lips, and billows of smoke circled above his head.
In truth, Bart was as poor as the proverbial church mouse (you’ll excuse the expression). However, he was an experienced shvindler (swindler) who had many disguises. He possessed stacks of credentials indicating that he was takeh filthy rich. Beryl was certain that the bank would make a fortune from the interest gained from the proposed loan.
His wife Yentel also worked in the bank and listened to the conversation taking place. She “smelled a rat” (you’ll pardon another expression). Yentel checked Bart’s credentials and soon understood that they were as fake as the Turkish president. She alerted Beryl and the loan plan was cancelled.
Beryl gave a sigh of relief and thanked his vibel for saving his job. Unable to contain his joy, he smiled at her and burst out with “Shayn vee dee levuneh…”!
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The song “Shayn vee dee Levuneh” might be old, but it is (almost) as beautiful as the moon, and has that certain pizzazz that makes it a classic. It has cheered many a person during difficult times.
