Zlateh the Goat

Singer uses cause and effect to highlight the sovereignty of the miraculous God, the theme of the piece. The story is set during the season of Hanukkah, the holiday of miracles. Reuven, Aaron, Zlateh, and the village peasants all need a miracle. The story begins with the lament of the village’s people: “Peasants complained that because of the dry weather, there would be a poor harvest of winter grain” (414). The mild winter makes life difficult not only for them but also for Reuven, a furrier who struggles to provide for his family because few people need furs this season. He begrudgingly decides to sell the family goat, Zlateh. Thus, Zlateh (although unaware of it) needs a miracle to save her from slaughter.

Aaron needs a miracle when a sudden blizzard hits during his journey to take Zlateh to the butcher, a storm hits: “This was no ordinary storm. It was a mighty blizzard” (416). He needs food and shelter for both him and the goat: “Aaron did not want to admit the danger, but he knew just the same that if they did not find shelter, they would freeze to death” (416).

The first miracle is the blizzard.