Research Traces 'Even Fish Tremble in Elul' Saying to Eastern European Jewish Nature Observations

The well-known researcher Ignatz Bernstein documented the Yiddish phrase "Rosh Chodesh Elul tzitert afilu a fish in vaser" ("At the beginning of Elul even the fish tremble in the water") in 1908, describing it as an old proverb originating not from major religious centers but from small-town Jews living close to nature. Bernstein, a bibliophile and collector of Yiddish sayings, linked the phrase to the natural behavioral changes of fish during the Elul season, particularly their increased activity such as migration, territorial fights, and nest digging before spawning.

This folk saying was previously connected to biblical and Talmudic sources, including the prophecy of Hosea and a Talmudic comparison of the severity of the flood generation's sins. The phrase was also popularized by Rabbi Mordechai Schwab of Monsey, who emphasized the heightened spiritual atmosphere of Elul. Further research shows that similar fish behaviors occur across various regions, including Eastern Turkey, Poland, the Baltic basin, and the Romanian Carpathians, confirming the natural basis for the proverb.

Bernstein’s findings, supported by another contemporary writer, suggest the saying emerged from the lived experiences of Eastern European Jews rather than formal religious study halls. The article also notes that the phenomenon of creatures seeking forgiveness during this season is not unique to Judaism but appears in Islamic tradition as well, where all creatures, including fish, ask for pardon.

The research was presented by historian and lecturer Israel Shapira, who highlights the blend of natural observation and spiritual tradition in this enduring folk expression. He invites further engagement and discussion through his contact email.