and trinkets in the market. Among his wares was a large canvas, that was entirely blank. A customer asked Hershele what it was, and Hershele replied: - "For a silver ruble, I will tell you about this painting. (The man, overwhelmed by curiosity, gives him a silver ruble). Well, this painting is a famous painting, The Jews Pursued by the Egyptians Crossed the Red Sea." - "Well, where are the Jews?" - "They've crossed." - "And the Egyptians?" - "Haven't come yet." - (Getting frustrated at having been duped) "And where's the Red Sea?!" - "It's parted, dummkopf!" The Hat A story from Kehilalinks: Hershele was visiting a distant town. The local Polish lord rode in. The locals removed their hats and bowed. Hershel stood still. "Where are you from?" the nobleman asked. "From Ostropol" Hershele answered. "What about the hat?" asked the lord. "The hat too is from Ostropol." The Rich Miser Hershele was once collecting alms in a large town. The local gvir (rich man) rebuffed him rudely. Hershele responded with a smile, and said "I am sure you will remain wealthy your whole life". The gvir was confused and asked "why?" Hershele said, "Well, even a pauper like me who accidentally drops a few kopeks in the outhouse pit will not bother to fish them out of the waste. Berel, who is a little richer than me, would do the same for a few rubles even. So if the Lord of hosts, who has said "mine is silver, and mine is the gold" dropped fifty thousand rubles into you, He will certainly leave it there." See also Hitar Petar Motke Chabad Nasreddin Păcală Till Eulenspiegel References Jewish comedy and humor Jewish literature Jewish society People from Medzhybizh Jesters Ukrainian folklore Ukrainian entertainers Humor and wit characters Clowns 1757 births 1811 deaths Yiddish-language folklore European folklore characters Ukrainian Jews Jews from the Russian Empire