Sholom Aleichem
Russian-born American humorist Sholem Aleichem or Sholom Aleichem, originally Solomon Rabinowitz, in Yiddish originally wrote stories and plays, the basis for the musical
Fiddler on the Roof
.
This Jew wrote under this pen name, Hebrew for "peace be upon you."
From 1883, he produced more than forty volumes as a central figure in literature before 1890.
His notable narratives accurately described shtetl life with the naturalness of speech of his characters. Early critics focused on the cheerfulness of the characters, interpreted as a way of coping with adversity. Later critics saw a tragic side. Because of the similar style of the author with the pen name of Mark Twain, people often referred to Aleichem as the Jewish version of Twain. Both authors wrote for adults and children and lectured extensively in Europe and the United States.
“Life is a dream for the wise, a game for the fool, a comedy for therich, a tradegy for the poor.”
“I mention her name and the old pain returns. Forget her, you say? How can you forget a living human being?”
“A bachelor is a man who comes to work each morning from a different direction.”
“Nothing begets friendship so readily as trouble.”