AFter a woman is forced to marry a man befitting her social position, a woman falls into a 27 year long silence.

I listened to this one twice. The first listening I did not care for it as much as I did after the second listening. I give this one 3.5 out of 5 for good. Penance can be a real tough thing!

It's best to listen to this CBSRMT episode twice. The actors are good as always, but the story was standard with not enough mystery in it. I couldn't imagine how it was possible for Veile (played by Carol Teitel) to be silent for 27 years. My guess was that she stayed silent the same way of that TWILIGHT ZONE episode from Season 2 Episode 25 "The Silence" where the character had their vocal cords severed. But no. Instead, Veile stayed silent on her own. If you really want to know the mystery on why the woman was silent for 27 years, the answer is in ACT-3

I suppose the episode reviewer didn't actually listen to this episode. Spoiler alert. This episode made it quite clear in the plot that Veila was NOT forced into the marriage, but married a wealthy man for his gold and silver and the prestige of being first lady in the town, out of her own free will. This is what leads to the climax where her silence is explained. Pay attention to when the Rabbi asked her if she was forced into the marriage, and her answer was No, she turned away from the poor man she was in love with and chased after the gold and silver of the wealthy man.

Within moments after her marriage to a prosperous young merchant, Veile Komar becomes silent. She says not a word to her husband on their wedding night, during the births of her two children, nor even during the marriage of her daughter. Her friends and relatives are convinced she is under some kind of evil spell. Only her rabbi knows the real reason, and he is pledged to secrecy until after Veile dies.

Within moments after her marriage to a prosperous young merchant, Veile Komar becomes silent. She says not a word to her husband on their wedding night, during the births of her two children, nor even during the marriage of her daughter. Her friends and relatives are convinced she is under some kind of evil spell. Only her rabbi knows the real reason, and he is pledged to secrecy until after Veile dies.

This is a really sad, depressing episode. The best thing about it for me personally is some of the folk music. I love the folk music they use in some of the Eastern/Central European episodes. It always adds a nice touch of atmosphere. But back to the story. At least the moral was on the side of true love, for a change. But still, I think what the Rabi did to her was extreme and cruel. Making her stay silent forever was really not a good thing to do to her, even if she married for the wrong reasons. Also, in those days, and especially in that culture, didn't people marry for money anyway, and weren't marriages generally arranged?

*rabbi

I am not disparaging their culture, you understand. It's just my understanding that in the times where this story supposedly takes place, (I get the impression this was long ago in Eastern/Central Europe), parents usually arranged their daughter's marriage, and it was usually based on how wealthy and well-positioned the groom was. It doesn't make sense that the rabbi would hold it against her for making what would be considered the most "sensible" decision. In those days, people either married within ones own class, or married into an upper class to better their social standing. It was expected that the couple would grow to love each other over time. Of course, if the bride happened to already love the chosen groom, no one would complain. :)

F*ck rabbis, in old times all they do is to inflict more tortures on women

I’m guessing one commentator didn’t listen to the entire episode, as her daughter did NOT get married. She died from the plague b4 it could take place. Good episode…if such penances were given today…..how many would actually fulfill them? None, I’m guessing….