From the movie Fiddler on the Roof (1971)
[TEVYE]
Tradition, tradition! Tradition!
Tradition, tradition! Tradition!
[TEVYE & PAPAS]
Who, day and night, must scramble for a living,
Feed a wife and children, say his daily prayers?
And who has the right, as master of the house,
To have the final word at home?
The Papa, the Papa! Tradition.
The Papa, the Papa! Tradition.
[GOLDE & MAMAS]
Who must know the way to make a proper home,
A quiet home, a kosher home?
Who must raise the family and run the home,
So Papa’s free to read the holy books?
The Mama, the Mama! Tradition!
The Mama, the Mama! Tradition!
[SONS]
At three, I started Hebrew school. At ten, I learned a trade.
I hear they’ve picked a bride for me. I hope she’s pretty.
The son, the son! Tradition!
The son, the son! Tradition!
[DAUGHTERS]
And who does Mama teach to mend and tend and fix,
Preparing me to marry whoever Papa picks?
The daughter, the daughter! Tradition!
The daughter, the daughter! Tradition!
Not all tradition is Holy Tradition. The movie Fiddler on the Roof does a fine job of pointing that out. It is very clear that the lyrics above speak of mere cultural tradition. But, one only needs to see the Sabbath scene to be left with tears in one’s eyes, because that is clearly not mere cultural tradition. In the movie, one sees that Tevye struggles with the concept of what things must be preserved and what things can be changed. How can a person remain faithful to their faith while allowing change to come? That is a very tough question, but one that is addressed lovingly in the movie.
But, what the movie is also good at subtly pointing out is that it is not an either/or situation. Too many times, we have the tendency to speak of human tradition as though it is always bad. This is not surprising, since the Gospels, in particular, point out the failings of the Pharisees in setting their traditions above the Torah. In fact, once or twice our Lord clearly states that their traditions can actually contradict the Torah and make obedience to the Torah impossible.
When one watches the movie, one sees a couple of scenes in which human tradition receives a very kind and loving treatment. For instance, think of the Cossack dance celebrating the betrothal. What about the Jewish dance that preceded the Cossack dance? Look at the loving way in which the rabbi is pictured. And, though the rabbi is sometimes confused, look at the honor that he is accorded. Sometimes, I can so agree with his prayer about the Tsar, “May God bless him and keep him . . . far away.” I will not tell you of who I may think about when I pray that particular prayer. 😉
When I picture some of our merely human traditions that I look at in a loving way, I need only think of Christmas. Think about the many traditions that are wrapped around Christmas and yet are not “officially” church traditions: the Christmas tree, perhaps some hot apple cider, presents under the tree, caroling, hot chocolate with marshmellows, etc. What about Thanksgiving? That is a holiday that is not a holyday. It is a merely human cultural observance. But, think of the rich traditions that are wrapped around that holiday. Many of those traditions support a Judeo/Christian worldview of giving thanks to God, reconciliation with family, etc.
So, when you think of human tradition and Holy Tradition, do not automatically set them off one against the other, as do groups like the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Rather, evaluate, think, analyze. And, let yourself enjoy those purely human traditions that do not contradict the faith once delivered, but rather can add much joy, peace, and love to our human relationships.
In another post, I will talk about the word paradosis, and how it is used in Scripture. It is the word that we translate as “tradition.”
I love Norman Jewison’s film — and the tales by Sholem Aleichem — precisely because of the loving and respectful way in which Tradition is portrayed. And when Hava, the third daughter, abandons her family for the sake of her love, I am sad. There is probably a religious component to this that I am missing (anyone who does not hate his father and mother cannot be my disciple, perhaps) which would ease my sadness at her turning away from her Tradition. But still, it saddens me. “Change is bad” as Burke might have said…
What is awesome about the musical is the way it works between Tradition and traditions. Yes, when a Jewish child marries a gentile “she is dead to us” but when that gentile turns out to love Jews as much as other Jews, for the sake of his wife, Tevye can forgive. And the Tradition grows as traditions are tossed.
Father Ernesto knows my own struggles in this area are based only on living amongst those who imagine Tradition to be static instead of living, growing and moving
Yes! I believe in a living Holy Tradition. Mind you, there are some parts of Holy Tradition that I cannot imagine ever changing. For instance, the Eucharist as the central act of worship is something that I am convinced will not change. (I think many Protestants are being disobedient.)
But, I think that “at the edges” Holy Tradition can and does show some fluctuation. But, perhaps my canonics teacher put it best. The disciplinary canons are the Church’s practical application of God’s eternal principles using the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. Because culture and human beings are imperfect, the canons cannot be applied in an ideal and legalistic manner but must be applied in a medicinal manner, taking into account what will bring the person back to “full health.”