Der Yudisher Far-Pesach oder Minhag Yisrael [a detailed description of Jewish life in Lithuania in the season between Purim and Passover.]

A satire poking fun at the shtetl life of Litvaks. The anonymous author (who writes under the pseudonym “Hameramez”) was in fact Moses Aaron Shatzkes (1825-99) a Maskillic writer from a prominent rabbinic family. He was known for his earlier Aggadic work HaMaphte’ach (1866-69) which provoked much opposition from traditional circles. In a similar vain, the present satirical book, originally published in 1881, attacked and made fun of hallowed customs. Due to its sharp wit it was highly popular among all classes, indeed it was praised by Sholom Aleichem and other Yiddishists. See EJ Vol. XIV col. 1318; Lexicon fun der Nayer Yiddisher Literatur Vol. VIII p. 550; L. Weiner, The History of Yiddish Literature (1972) p. 175.