Gimpel Beynish the Matchmaker
(Gimpl Beynish der Shadkhn)
Yiddish Comics of the early 20th century

Translation and commentary by Jane Peppler
Click here to read about and order the seven Gimpel books I've published.

Comics read right to left. Click on any comic strip for larger view.

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

In which we see there are needs which transcend the demands of war. 11-8-1915

I've read about this happening in real life - soldiers can appreciate each others' needs for a cigarette.

The soldier calls Gimpl "Reb Korev - Reb is a title of respect and korev is a relative so this is a sweet homey way to address a stranger. A porits is a nobleman and a poritsl is a little nobleman.



November 8, 1914: War is war, but a soldier needs to smoke too.
  1. GB: Oy, a soldier's coming! He'll want to shoot me - may they shoot him in the head.
  2. GB: Sh'ma Yisrael!
  3. Soldier: Why are you running away, uncle? Do you begrudge a match to a heroic soldier?
  4. GB: Dear noble fellow, friend, don't shoot me. What will so many bachelors and unmarried girls do without me?
  5. GB: What do you say to that young guy? The soul practically fell out of me.

11-8-1914
מלחמה איז מלחמה, אָבער סמוקען דאַרף אַ סאָלדאַט אױך.

1
גימפּעל בײניש: אױ, אַ סאָלדאַט געהט! ער װיל מיך אודאי שיעסען – שיעסען זאָל איהם אין קאָפּ.
2
גימפּעל בײניש: שמע ישראל! …
3
סאָלדאַט: װאָס אַנטלױפֿט איהר ר׳ קרובֿ? איהר זשאַלעװעט גאָר אַ מענטש פֿאַר אַ העלדישען סאָלדאַט?
4
גימפּעל בײניש: פּרץ׳ל, מאַמעלע, שיעסט מיך ניט. װאָס װעלען אזױ פֿיעל באָיס און מײדלעך טהוען אָחן מיר?
5
גימפּעל בײניש: װאָס זאָגט מען ניט צו אַזאַ יונג? אַבי דיא נשמה איז מיר אַרױסגעפֿאַלען.

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