Hershele Ostropoler

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Hershele Ostropoler (also, Hershel of Ostropol) was a prominent figure in Jewish humor, and the Jewish equivalent of Nasreddin and Till Eulenspiegel. Hershele was a prankster who lived in poverty and targeted the rich and powerful, both Jews and Gentile. Common folks were not safe from his shenanigans, either, but were usually treated with kid gloves.

While his exploits have been mythologized over the years, the character of Hershele is thought to be based on a historic figure, who probably lived in what is today the Ukraine during the early 19th Century. He may have used his wits to get by, eventually earning a permanent position as court jester of sorts to a prominent Rabbi (possibly Barukh of Mezbizh).

Hershele was the subject of several epic poems, a novel, a comedy performed in 1930 by the Vilna Troupe, and a US TV program in the 1950s. Two illustrated children's books, The Adventures of Hershel of Ostropol, and Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins, have been published. Both books were written by Eric Kimmel and illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman. In 2002, a play entitled Hershele the Storyteller was performed in New York City.

[edit] Tales and Examples

Rolls and Doughnuts

Hershele once entered a restaurant and asked for two rolls. Once these were brought to him he changed his mind and asked for two doughnuts instead. When he finished eating them, he got up and walked out without paying. The owner ran after him and demanded to be paid for the doughnuts.

- “But I gave you the rolls for them,” Hershele said.

- “You didn’t pay for the rolls, either,” the owner said.

- “Well, I haven’t eaten the rolls, have I?” Hershele replied and walked away.

Good Manners

One time Hershele and a vagabond friend bought two loafs of bread. Hershele picked them up from the baker, then handed the smaller of the two loafs to his friend and kept the larger one for himself.

- “This is very impolite,” his friend said.

- “What would you do if you were me?” Hershele asked.

- “I’d give you the large loaf and keep the small one, of course!” The friend said.

- “Well, you’ve got the small one. Now what do you want?”

On a Dare

On a dare to slap a hated man in his Jewish hometown, Hershele did just that, unprovoked. When the man asked him why he did this, Hershele replied that he thought the man was Berle.

- “And if I’m Berle,” said the offended man, “does that give you the right to hit me?”

- “Keep your nose out of mine and Berle’s affairs,” Hershele replied.

The Pig

During the feast of Passover, Hershele once sat across from a self absorbed rich man who made derogatory remarks about Hershele’s eating habits.

- “What separates you from a pig, is what I’d like to know,” the man said derisively.

- “The table,” Hershele replied.