Peretz, Yitzhak Leib (1852-1915)

One of the founders of modern Yiddish literature as well, Peretz was born in Zamosc, Poland, and for the most part educated himself by extensive reading. He became a prosperous lawyer but this profession left him little time for writing. His career, however, came to an end because of a false accusation against him, and Peretz was forced to find another job -- eventually becoming an official in charge of the Jewish cemeteries in Warsaw. Peretz was not unhappy with this position, however, since he was now able to find sufficient time for his many activities. He not only wrote many stories, poems and plays, but he also spent much time encouraging aspiring young writers and he was active in socialist spheres.

Peretz spent much of his time trying to aid the working man, and this compassion for the poor and underprivileged is a theme that runs through his work. In his famous portrayals of Jewish life, the situations, experiences and values which he describes, sometimes so lovingly and sometimes so critically, are just a setting for Peretz's ideas. And his ideas, his characters and their problems are common to all humanity. Not only the Jews in the stories, but all those who are suffering and oppressed are Peretz's real heroes. He understands and sympathizes with their misery and discovers in simple and ignorant people the virtues of love, faith, heroism, gentleness and unselfishness.

Peretz wrote not only in Yiddish but also in Hebrew. Perhaps the best known of his stories is Bontsche Shveig ("Bontsche the Silent"). Here Peretz describes a man who is the most virtuous of people. His entire life is one long nightmare of suffering, but he endures his troubles silently. Then, in the afterworld, he is to be rewarded and is told that he can have whatever he would like best. And poor Bontsche, so miserable was his life on earth, that, seated among the patriarchs and saints of all ages, he can think of nothing better than a hot roll and fresh butter for breakfast every morning as his heavenly reward.

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