Tevye, sings near the end of the song, “If I Were A Rich Man”

If I were rich, I’d have the time that I lack
To sit in the synagogue and pray.
And maybe have a seat by the Eastern wall.
And I’d discuss the holy books with the learned men, several hours every day.
That would be the sweetest thing of all.

Fiddler on The Roof

I do find it fascinating this line from the song because you may have noticed it doesn’t take any money to do what, Tavye is saying is the sweetest thing of all.

His and our Patriarch, Enoch valued education and prayer and God discussions; that in my view are bearing fruit to this very day. On today’s show we will discuss this and the themes in Genesis that took me to 10,000 feet to see things are not as they appear…. Below is what the Jews tech about Enoch from https://www.chabad.org

Enoch

Only in the time of Enoch (Chanoch), who was the seventh generation removed from Adam, did men improve their conduct. Enoch devoted all his life and work to the service of G‑d. He lived for many years a life of isolation and prayer. When he returned to live among the people, they soon recognized his great wisdom and justice, and elected him their leader. Under his rule there was peace all over the world. He restored faith and law among the people, so that no one stole from his neighbor, or robbed the traveler.

This order lasted till the year 930, when Adam died. Then Enoch again withdrew into seclusion, appearing only occasionally to give advice to the people and to answer the questions that had arisen during the period of his absence. Enoch did not die like any other human beings. He was one of the few who G‑d took away alive.

Enoch’s name from the Jewish perspective means, Educator while most Bible dictionaries tell you it means “dedicated”. Just to throw another twist the word used in Proverbs 22:6 “Train up A Child” that word train up is the root of “Enoch” – Just Saying.

Yet isn’t is true that when you are totally dedicated to something you naturally will find yourself teaching it. No doubt such was Enoch and we we study we too can be Rich.

“Dear God, you made many, many poor people.
I realize, of course, that it’s no shame to be poor.
But it’s no great honor either!
So, what would have been so terrible if I had a small fortune?”If I were a rich man,
Ya ba dibba dibba dibba dibba dibba dibba dum.
All day long I’d biddy biddy bum.
If I were a wealthy man.
I wouldn’t have to work hard.
Ya ba dibba dibba dibba dibba dibba dibba dum.
If I were a biddy biddy rich,
Yidle-diddle-didle-didle man.I’d build a big tall house with rooms by the dozen,
Right in the middle of the town.
A fine tin roof with real wooden floors below.
There would be one long staircase just going up,
And one even longer coming down,
And one more leading nowhere, just for show.I’d fill my yard with chicks and turkeys and geese and ducks
For the town to see and hear.
Squawking just as merrily as they can
And each loud “cheep” and “swaqwk” and “honk” and “quack”
Would land like a trumpet on the ear,
As if to say “Here lives a wealthy man.”If I were a rich man,
Ya ba dibba dibba dibba dibba dibba dibba dum
All day long I’d biddy biddy bum.
If I were a wealthy man.
I wouldn’t have to work hard.
Ya ba dibba dibba dibba dibba dibba dibba dum
If I were a biddy biddy rich,
Yidle-diddle-didle-didle man.I see my wife, my Golde, looking like a rich man’s wife
With a proper double-chin.
Supervising meals to her heart’s delight.
I see her putting on airs and strutting like a peacock.
Oy, what a happy mood she’s in.
Screaming at the servants, day and night.The most important men in town would come to fawn on me!
They would ask me to advise them,
Like a Solomon the Wise.
“If you please, Reb Tevye…”
“Pardon me, Reb Tevye…”
Posing problems that would cross a rabbi’s eyes!
And it won’t make one bit of difference if I answer right or wrong.
When you’re rich, they think you really know!If I were rich, I’d have the time that I lack
To sit in the synagogue and pray.
And maybe have a seat by the Eastern wall.
And I’d discuss the holy books with the learned men, several hours every day.
That would be the sweetest thing of all.If I were a rich man,
Ya ba dibba dibba dibba dibba dibba dibba dum.
All day long I’d biddy biddy bum.
If I were a wealthy man.
I wouldn’t have to work hard.
Ya ba dibba dibba dibba dibba dibba dibba dum.
If I were a biddy biddy rich,
Yidle-diddle-didle-didle man.

If I Were A Rich Man – Fiddler on The Roof – by Sheldon Harnick and Jerry Bock