This entry is part of the Lexicon of Klezmer Terminology (LKT). The LKT compiles a wide array of source materials that shed light on the historical and contemporary state of knowledge about klezmer music. Each entry includes a number of citations from primary and secondary sources that include or refers to the term in question. It also indicates whether musical notation or sound recordings are included in the source. By clicking on the bibliographic hyperlink at the end of each citation, you get the full reference.
“Tvile. In many towns of Galicia (and also in Morocco) they used to have a drink of whiskey and a snack, when the bride would leave the mikve. In other places the klezmorim also used to play.” Ben-Ezra 1963, p. 47.
“[A] bride is led with the ‘klezmer’ to the mikve on the night before the wedding ceremony...” [Jerusalem, nineteenth-century]. Cohen-Riis 1933, p. 60.
“The last day before the wedding was called khasn-mol. And this is the ceremony of that day: after midday the bride was led into the mikve with klezmer and old women danced in front of her.” [Staro-Konstantin, Ukraine, 1820s-30s]. Fridkin 1925, p. 42.
“Tsu tvile un fun tvile -- in some places a custom began of leading the bride during the day before the khupe to the bath to tvile. She was led through the market, and on the way back she was led with a band of klezmorim.” Rekhtman 1962, p. 263.
“The custom of taking the bride to tvile with a crowd, with song and music and klezmorim and even dances, was established not only among the ancient tribes of Israel but in certain times also among Jewish Poland, Lithuania, and Ukraine... ‘The klezmorim waited behind the synagogue until the bride appeared with the in-laws [for the tvile]. They played all the way there and back.’” [Tarnogrod, Lublin, late nineteenth-century]. Rivkind 1960, pp. 20-21.
“One or two generations previously, the bride had been led to the ritual pool accompanied by klemzorim. In the period which we now describe, the procedure was more private. The bride’s only escort to the bath-house were the two mothers and the bath-house attendant.” [late nineteenth century]. Schauss 1950, p. 186.
“For seven days, both before and after the marriage ceremony, the bride performed the ritual ablutions of nidah tevilah (purification of the body). After the last immersion on her wedding day, she and the other women performed the ‘Mitzvah Dance’ (‘Dance of the Precept’).” [New York, 1970s]. Seid 1975, p. 13.
“On Wednesday they bring the bride... with song and dances to the bathhouse for the tvile and they also brought the groom with a group of many people on the Thursday before the khupe...”[Caucauses, 1880s]. Tshorni 1884, p. 160.
“..The night before the wedding (when the bride was a kosher one) they used to lead her at dusk with klezmer to the mikve. (note: I’ve never seen this myself, only heard of it happening forty years ago from old klezmers.) In the evening the... groom’s friends [celebrated], drank beer, and also did a tentsl with the klezmer.” [Vilna, Lithuania, c. 1870s-80s]. Zizmor 1922a, p. 873.