| Fiddler on the Roof – Wonder of Wonders Lyrics | 7 months ago |
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The thesis of this endearing song is rooted in ancient Jewish sources. The splitting of the sea as the Jews left Egypt is referred to by commentators like Ramban (see his commentary on Exodus 14:4) as a "wonder of all wonders". The sages of the Talmud state "To match couples together is as difficult as the splitting of the sea." (Babylonian Talmud Tractate Sotah 2a) A fortiori, therefore, a match ought to be celebrated as the greatest of miracles. Indeed, the song associated with the splitting of the sea is specially connected with Miriam (Moses' brother) who, Rashi explains (see his commentary on Exodus 2:1), saved the entire Jewish people by rebuking her father for divorcing her mother and thus causing them to get back together. |
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