The poem by Molodowsky in the earlier part of this reading really stood out to me. First, I thought it was interesting how it was originally written in Yiddish. I know that Yiddish is the language that was used by Jews during the times of the Holocaust, but I do not understand the significance of Yiddish vs. Hebrew. I’m not sure if there is a location difference that led to the development of the two different languages or if maybe there is a religious difference relating to the sects of Judaism. I personally think it would be very fascinating to learn about this because I have always wondered what the reason is behind the two different languages for Jews. I find the poem itself very interesting and it comes across as somewhat rebellious. I like how Molodowsky questions why she should carry the pure blood of her family on her conscience, and why her life should be treated as something sacred yet broken. It is a very rhetorical yet specific poem in my eyes. I really like this line in the text that sort of gives an analysis of Molodowsky’s work, “As they berate her for all the hard work they put into keeping their bloodline kosher for her, she retorts that their very piety and the price they paid for it was what drove her out onto the streets, away from their legacy” (Weimar-Kelman, 4). This line clarified for me the somewhat rebellious/controversial tone I was receiving from the poem. I feel that it is very common for someone to be driven in the opposite direction when they have unnecessary pressures being put upon them, especially from family, trying to mold them into something they do not desire to be.
