Act I
Sarah and Rifkele are discovered as the curtain rises. Sarah is a tall, slender, prepossessing woman. Her features have become coarsened, yet they retain traces of her former beauty, which has even now a tone of insolence. On her head lies a wig, through which, from time to time, shows a lock of her alluring hair. She is dressed quite soberly, as befits a mother, yet a vulgar display of jewels spoils this effect. Her movements, too, reveal that she is not quite liberated from the influences of the world out of which she has risen.
Rifkele is a fascinating girl, dressed very neatly and modestly; still in short dresses, with two long braids hanging across her shoulders. She is busy decorating the room.
Rifkele, as she pins some paper flowers to the curtain.
There! That's the way, mamma dear. And now to decorate the mirror. See, mamma dear. Won't this be pretty?
Sarah, busy arranging the table.
Hurry, daughter dear, hurry. Your father has already gone to ask the guests to bring the Holy Scroll home.
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