The character of the Rabbi gives us a peek into the role of this figure for the Jewish community. We see that the Rabbi is consulted on all spiritual matters. He can be asked about technical religious procedures, while also being available to give advice to members of the community. He is not necessarily an intimidating authority, as he jokes with other members.
We see conflicts arrive between members of the community as well as between the community and non-Jewish outsiders. The Jewish members face threats by the non-Jewish military presence, who randomly commit progroms, violent riots against minority groups, to keep them in line and obedient. The military presence shows little respect for the Jewish rituals, even interrupting a wedding with one of these raids. There is a moment where Tevye is warned about the progrom by a military man who sympathizes with the Jews. The man says to him, “You’re an honest, decent person, even if you are a Jew.” To which Tevye later echoes, “If I may say so, it is too bad you aren’t a Jew.” Though the two men have their differences, they can recognize the humanity in each other.
Tevye finds himself caught between religion and his love for his daughters several times. Though none of the daughters denounce their Jewish faith, they go against some common practices of the Jewish community. First, his eldest doesn’t accept the wishes of a matchmaker. The second daughter tells him she will marry with or without his permission. This is difficult for him to accept, as the breach of conduct seems untrue to their religion. He tells her, “Go on, get married and tear out my beard and uncover my head,” relating her decision to other violations of religious symbols. Tevye is lenient with his first two daughters, understanding how their love for their men led them to be unorthodox about wedding procedures. He himself loves his daughters and wants their happiness, so he gives his blessing for both their marriages. Love solves the conflicts.
Tevye rejects Chava for marrying a Christian, comparing accepting them to denying his faith.
The third daughter, Chava commits a blasphemy far worse than the indiscretions of her sisters, she elopes with a Christian boy after her father had told her not to. When she asked his permission, he remarks that the Christian boy, “is a different kind of man. As the good book says, each shall seek his own kind. A bird may love a fish, but where would they build a home together?” He cannot accept that Chava has married outside the faith, as he believes that approving of this would be denying his own faith. Instead he tells his wife that, “Chava is dead to us, we will forget her.” Though Chava’s love has made her look beyond the differences of the Christian boy, it cannot lead her father to put these differences aside.
Tevye explains to us the meaning of the fiddler on the roof for the people of Anatevka. They live with challenges on all sides, poverty, military presence and a changing and invading outside world. Their faith and traditions are what helps them keep their balance as they try to play a harmonious tune of happiness in an unsteady place. He says “Because of our traditions every one of us knows who he is, and what God expects him to do.” In this statement he seems to underline the meaning of religion for so many individuals, regardless of the technicalities of different faiths. Spirituality provides guidance and explanations for those puzzled with the meaning of life’s ups and downs. Though Tevye questions the hardships god puts him through, he never loses his faith.
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