Yentl Page #2

and arms that reach

Unless you're meant to know

there's something more?

If not to hunger

for the meaning of it all

Then tell me what a soul is for

Why have the wings

Unless you're meant to fly?

And tell me, please, why have a mind

If not to question why?

And tell me where

Where is it written

what is it I'm meant to be

That I can't dare

To have the chance

to pick the fruit of every tree

Or have my share

Of every sweet imagined possibility?

Just tell me where

Tell me where

If I were only meant to tend the nest

Then why does my imagination sail

Across the mountains and the seas

Beyond the make-believe

of any fairy tale?

Why have the thirst

If not to drink the wine?

And what a waste

To have a taste

Of things that can't be mine

And tell me where

Where is it written

what it is I'm meant to be

That I can't dare

To find the meanings

in the mornings that I see

Or have my share

Of every sweet imagined possibility?

Papa!

Just tell me where

Where is it written?

Tell me where...

Are you all right?

Or if it's written

Anywhere...

(Woman) Did you hear?

Yentl is learning Talmud!

- It's true.

- David's mother told me.

She should Learn how to get a husband.

(Coughing)

He came all the way from Riga to see you.

Why won't you at least meet him?

- What for?

- I want to dance at your wedding!

- I want to see you happy.

- I'm happy with you, Papa.

I don't want to get married, to bear children

and darn my husband's socks.

You want a husband who will darn

your socks and bear your children?

Go on, turn the world upside down.

You won't have a moment's peace.

Children are more important

than the Talmud.

Without children to pass it on to, the

Talmud dies with old men when they die.

- I'm sorry.

- I'm the one who's sorry.

You're a woman

but I didn't teach you how to be one.

- You taught me everything I know.

- Too much.

You know too much, but not enough.

- And it's my fault.

- Papa, don't say that.

Learning is my whole Life.

Please don't be sorry. I'm not.

- What is it?

- That tree.

That tree was this high when your brother

Anshel died, may he rest in peace.

You were only a baby, could hardily talk,

let alone ask why.

And now look, look how it's grown.

Too late to tell you to play with dolls, huh?

I love you, Papa.

Hear me, O Lord, master of the universe.

Thou hast given me a daughter

who brings me great pride

and pleasure.

And for this kindness,

I thank thee forever and ever.

What's to become of you, Yentl?

(Crows cawing)

Come, Yentl.

You must tear it over your heart.

- Good.

- (Rabbi) Who will say Kaddish?

- I will.

- It has to be a male relative.

- (Reading in Hebrew)

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