Disclaimer: I don't own Fiddler on the Roof


Hodel and Mendel had been friends since they were children. It started as simply a friendship. Mendel was to be the next Rabbi and Hodel loved his sense of humor. After Mendel finished school and homework he would meet Hodel on a hill. They would talk for hours. Eventually it got to the point where Mendel realized he was in love with Hodel and Hodel felt the same way. It just so happened one day that Hodel was walking by the rabbi's house and had the courage to go knock on the door. The Rabbi answered.

"Hodel," he said smiling, "It's nice to see you again."

"Thank you Rabbi," Hodel said, "It's nice to see you too. I happened by the temple today and I couldn't help but hear your sermon about love."

"Did you like it," the Rabbi asked.

"I did. Rabbi, suppose a young girl is in love with a young man. Suppose the young man is in love with her too. Suppose that girl is poor off while the young man is prominent."

"Hodel it's not a sin to be poor," the Rabbi reminded her sitting down.

He gestured for Hodel to sit down too.

"I know," Hodel said sitting down.

"Is this girl kind," the Rabbi asked.

"She is kind," Hodel replied, "and she's obedient to the word of GOD."

"Good," the Rabbi smiled, "and does this young man treat her well?"

"Very well," Hodel replied, "They started off as friends and then…"

Her voice trailed off.

"Then they realized they loved each other," the Rabbi filled in.

"Yes," Hodel replied, "Rabbi suppose that girl was me… and suppose that young man was Mendel."

The Rabbi smiled.

"Hodel," he said, "You have shown great courage coming to me today."

"Thank you," Hodel replied, "but?"

"But nothing. I must talk with my son about this and then if he feels the same way I will arrange it with your father."

Hodel broke into a smile.

She left the Rabbi's home. She ran into Chava.

"What are you so happy about," Chava asked.

"You'll find out," Hodel said smiling.

That night at dinner there was a knock at the door. Tevye went to answer the door. He was shocked to discover it was the Rabbi.

"Rabbi," Tevye said, "It's an honor to have you in my house."

"Tevye," the Rabbi said, "I want to talk to you about a match between Mendel and Hodel."

"My Hodel," Tevye asked, eyes widening.

"It appears they have been falling in love for some time now," the Rabbi said, "and I would be proud to have Hodel for my daughter-in-law."

"It would be my honor," Tevye exclaimed, "But Rabbi we could never afford a proper dowry for the Rabbi's son."

"I am not interested in a dowry," the Rabbi replied, "I want what's best for my son. Your daughter is what's best for my son."

"I approve," Tevye pumped the Rabbi's hand, "Thank you Rabbi."

Tevye and the Rabbi said goodbye. Tevye went in.

"Well," Shprintze asked, "What's going on paapa."

"Hodel is to be married," Tevye exclaimed.

Everyone cheered. There was excitement all around.

"Who is she marrying," Tzitel asked.

"Mendel," Tevye replied.

"The Rabbi's Mendel," Motel asked.

"No- the Czar's Mendel," Tevye quipped, "Of course the Rabbi's Mendel."