Disclaimer: I don't own Fiddler on the Roof

Tevya's point of view

Our family is poor but we are rich in love. Bielke, my youngest baby was the very definition of love. Even at seventeen months old Bielke was our most mature child. I can remember once we were reading from the haggadah and it got to the line about the days and nights of the Messiah. My little girl started banging her high chair.

"Dat me," Bielke said, giggling and clapping her hands.
We all had a good laugh at that one.

"Food," Bielke said, quickly losing interest in the haggadah and the previous topic.

"Well," Golde said laughing, "It looks like our Messiah wants to eat."

"Yeah," Hodel said, "smells like she could use a new diaper too."

Golde took Bielke and changed her. After that we sat down at the table together and ate.

Three years later, Tzeitel was pregnant with her first child. Bielke prophesied that Tzeitel was going to have a baby girl. She said the baby would be born at dawn. Nobody thought much about it at the time but seven months later when Rebecca Dawn was born at dawn exactly everyone remembered what Bielke had said.

It was a sunny day several years later when I came home and found Bielke sitting outside. She looked sad.

"Hey Messiah," I said sitting down next to her.
Bielke looked up when I used her childhood nickname.

"Oh paapa," she said, "I was just a baby back then."

"You'll always be my baby," I told her.

"Do you love me," Bielke asked.

"Of course," I told her, "You're my baby. Nothing would stop me from loving you."

"You stopped loving Chava," Bielke said.

Tears streamed down her face.

"I didn't stop loving your sister," I told her, "She stopped loving me."

"No she didn't paapa," Bielke said, "She just fell in love with Fyedka."

"Fyedka isn't Jewish," I pointed out, "It is an abomination before GOD."

"I believe differently," Bielke said, "I believe GOD sent Chava Fyedka. Paapa GOD'S greatest commandment is love."

Hearing my wise daughter's words my heart softened.

"What can I do," I asked.

"Go talk to Chava," Bielke pleaded, "Welcome her back into the family."

I sighed.

"Oh Messiah you have such a beautiful way of looking at things," I told Bielke.

"Please," she begged me.

I sighed again but got into the cart and drove the seven mile drive to Chava's house.

"Paapa," she exclaimed, "What are you doing here?"

"Nice to see you too Chava," I replied.

"I'm sorry," she said, "I'm very happy to see you, just a bit surprised."

I smiled though it didn't reach my eyes.

"Messiah asked me to come talk to you," I said.

"Bielke?"

I nodded.

"Look Chava I love you," I said, "I hate what you did but I love you."

"I love you too paapa," Chava said, "But I also love Fyedka. I cannot change how I feel."

"Well I don't think I will ever be able to welcome Fyedka into our lives," I said, "But you are still welcome into our lives any time you want."

Chava was silent for a moment then she spoke.

"Paapa do you know when I first fell in love with Fyedka? I was in a bookstore and a member of the constable put a knife to my throat."

"What!"

"Fyedka saved me," she told me.

I felt a lump in my throat. I certainly didn't know that.

"Paapa!"

I looked to the entrance of the kitchen and saw Fyedka. I started to say "I'm not your paapa" but then I remembered what he had done for my daughter. He put his own life at risk to save my girl.

"I know what you did for Chava," I said, "I thank you Fyedka."

"I would do anything for Chava," he said sincerely, "I love her."

"Well I must get home," I said, "Sabbath dinner. I will be late if I don't go now."

"Can we come too paapa," Chava asked.

"No," I said, "but you may come tomorrow."

Fyedka put his arms around Chava.

"We'll be there," he said.

I said my goodbyes and left.

It took a little longer to get home then it did to get there.

Bielke was outside waiting for me.

"How did it go paapa," she asked.

"Chava and Fyedka are coming over tomorrow for dinner."

Bielke hugged me.
After the blessing I announced to the family that Chava and Fyedka were coming over tomorrow for dinner. There were cheers from all around the table.

"Perhaps," I said, "I have more to learn then I know."

"That's okay grandpa," Rebecca said, "Maybe we all do."

I smiled. Rebecca was right. We all had a lot to learn. I certainly didn't know where the future would take us. What I did know was that thanks to Bielke our family had been reunited.

"Well," I said, "Let's eat."

Everyone started eating. We all looked forward to the following day.