Badchen
A badchen or badkhn (
History
There is a long history of entertainers at Jewish weddings dating back to the Talmudic era.[1][2] The traditional role of the Eastern European badchen evolved from older Medieval and Early Modern Jewish wedding entertainers, such as the lets (לץ) or marshalik (מאַרשעליק), taking on a recognizable new form in seventeenth century Poland.[3][4][5] (Some sources may use the terms badchen, lets and marshalik interchangeably, whereas others treat them as distinct.[6][7]) The earlier type of marshalik guided the ceremonies of the wedding in a more serious manner, but the badchen turned the role into that a of a religiously-informed, moralistic comedian.[3][6] In this role they also drew on Yiddish Minstrels and Maggids who had been traveling entertainers in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.[8] The tradition spread across Jewish Eastern Europe and seems to have reached its height of popularity during the nineteenth century.[3]
With emigration from Europe, including to
The modern American badchen tradition was largely reconstituted and developed in Chassidic communities after
Role
Traditionally, the badchen was hired as a professional or semi-professional entertainer for Jewish weddings and other ritual occasions. He would not work alone, but would work with klezmer musicians, who themselves were a kind of professional Jewish entertainer.[3][12] Some badchens also worked as klezmer musicians in other contexts, and hereditary families of both professions often intermarried.[3] Badchens always had a fairly rigorous Jewish education in order to fulfill their role in the wedding; many were also Rabbis.[3]
In the traditional wedding, the badchen acted as a master of ceremonies, comedian, religious guide, and various other functions.
The role of the badchen was also to guide the bride and groom through the various ritual and customary stages of the traditional wedding. These often began with a procession of the wedding party through the streets to the home of the bride, with the accompaniment of the klezmer band and occasionally the badchen.[16] A further procession would take place later in the morning to the place where the wedding was to take place.[16] The next stages often focused on the bride. In various places this phase would be called Bazetsn di kale (seating of the bride), kale bazingn (singing for the bride) kale badekns (bridal veiling), while the badchen sang couplets punctuated by accompaniment by the klezmer musicians.[3][14][16] Often these couplets would include descriptions of a wife's responsibilities combined with phrases such as "kalenyu, kalenyu, veyn, veyn, veyn" (oh dear little bride, weep, weep weep).[16]
After that, the klezmer band would escort the couple to the courtyard of the Synagogue for the legal part of the ceremony.[14][16] Another stages was the mazltov or mitzvah dance where the badchen called up each woman present to embrace the bride,[14] had men symbolically dance with the bride via a handkerchief, or other ritual forms to announce honored guests.[16] The badchen also sang more lighthearted couplets during the wedding feast.[16]
Aside from weddings, badchens have also traditionally had roles in other ceremonies or holidays, such as Hanukkah or Purim, and for Bris (circumcision).[1][2][5] On Purim in particular, Badchens were known to perform in short plays or performances.[3]
Contemporary badchens
Today the tradition of badchens exists mainly in Chassidic communities. Current performers include Motty Ilowitz, Yankel Miller[17] and Yoel Lebowits.[18]
Popular culture
Various forms of modern Jewish entertainment which arose in the Nineteenth century were created by former Badchens, or drew on aspects of the tradition, including
In the world of Jewish literature, badchens often appeared as romantic or colourful figures, including in the works of literary figures such as Lev Levanda, Grigory Isaakovich Bogrov, Ezeldel Kotik, Avrom Ber Gotlober, Pauline Wengeroff and Abraham Cahan.[3]
With the
References
- ^ a b "Badkhonim". YIVO Encyclopedia. YIVO. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
- ^ a b Pietruszka, Symcha (1932). Yudishe entsiḳlopedye far Yudishe geshikhṭe, ḳulṭur, religye, filozofye, liṭeraṭur, biografye, bibliografye un andere Yudishe inyonim (in Yiddish). Warshaw: Yehudiyah. pp. 163–6.
- ^ ISBN 978-3476025012.
- ISBN 9780190244514.
- ^ a b c d e Gordin, Jacob (1901). Suṿenir tsu Yaaḳov Gordin's tsehn-yehrigen yubileum (in Yiddish). New York: [ḥ. mo. l.] p. 19.
- ^ ISBN 9780190244514.
- ^ ISBN 0824601246.
- ISBN 0070541949.
- ISBN 0070541949.
- ^ ISBN 9780914820154.
- ^ "BD"E: Famed Satmar Badchan And Historian Rav Shlomo Yaakov Gelbman Z"L". The Yeshiva World. March 29, 2015. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
- ISBN 9780190244514.
- ^ a b c Pinski, David (1909). Dos Idishe drama eyn iberbliḳ iber ihr enṭṿiḳlung (in Yiddish). New York: S. Druḳerman. pp. 3–9.
- ^ ISBN 0070541949.
- ^ Rivkind, Isaac (1959). Yidishe gelṭ (in Yiddish). New York: ha-Aḳademyah ha-Ameriḳaniṭ le-madaʿe ha-Yahadut. p. XXIII.
- ^ ISBN 9780190244514.
- ^ Editor, Y. W. (February 20, 2018). "World-Renowned Badchan Reb Yankel Miller Hospitalized". The Yeshiva World. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
{{cite web}}
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has generic name (help) - ^ "Meet Yoely Lebovits, The Satmar Hasidic Comedian". Jew in the City. May 29, 2019. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
- ^ "Tsunzer, Elyokem". YIVO encyclopedia. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
- ISBN 9780190244514.
- ^ "Der Badchen/Drushe Geshank". Recorded Sound Archives. Retrieved February 15, 2021.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Chosen (khusn) Kale Besungen". Recorded Sound Archive. Florida Atlantic University. Retrieved February 15, 2021.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Picon, Molly (c. 1950). "Meshiekh in Nyu-York". UW-Madison Libraries. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
- ^ "Der Badchen". Recorded Sound Archive. Florida Atlantic University. Retrieved February 15, 2021.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Kale Besetzins". Recorded Sound Archive. Florida Atlantic University. Retrieved February 15, 2021.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Kapelye". Discogs. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
- ^ "Essays". Budowitz. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
External links
- YIVO Encyclopedia article "Badkhonim"
- This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Cyrus Adler and H. G. Enelow and Joseph Jacobs (1901–1906). "Badhan". In Singer, Isidore; et al. (eds.). The Jewish Encyclopedia. New York: Funk & Wagnalls.