Born on 2 January 1836 (The date is uncertain -- see Zalmen Reisen's "Lexicon of Yiddish Literature," Vol. 1, p. 9)) in Kapulye, Minsk Gubernia, White Russia. His father was one of the prominent patrons in the town, was a community leader and assumed the role of crown rabbi, an expert on Tenakh. His father ran the special tax on kosher meat for the town. He was a great polyglot and gave his son a traditional Jewish education.

At the age of fourteen M. already had a great knowledge of the Talmud, and in rabbinic literature. Here his father died, and the relatives sent him to study in the town of Timkovich, then in Slutsk, a certain time also in Vilna in Rameyle's yeshiva and in a Gaon's kloyz.

Now M. settled in with his mother in a village and learned with the young children of his stepfather. With time he made his first literary attempt, including an algorithmic drama in verse, following the style of Moyshe Ḥaim Luzzatto’s "Layesharim tehila (Praise Be to the Upright)."

Soon after, however, he returned to Kapulye, where he settled in again to learn in a Bet HaMedrash. With time there came therein a certain schnorer Avreml der Hinkendiker (Avreml the Lame -- the prototype of "Fishke der krumer"), with whom M. left to wander across the cities and towns of Lita, Volin, Ukraine and Podolia. Finally M. freed himself from his journey and stopped in Kamenietz, where he became a member of the household of Avraham Ber Gottlober, whose daughters taught him Russian, German and arithmetic.

In 1858 M. moved over to Berdichev, where he was serious about literary work in Hebrew. At first in 1864 he published his first thing in Yiddish, "Dos kleyne menshele (The Small Little Story?)," in "Kol mevaser," N' 45-46, 1864), which appeared in the same year in Warsaw, under the pseudonym, "Mendele Mokher Sefarim," which remained his pseudonym for all of his works of fiction in Yiddish and Hebrew.

Since then M. occupied more and more a prominent place in Yiddish literature, and then became counted as the "grandfather of modern Yiddish literature."

In 1869 in Zhitomir there was published M.'s play, "Di takes, oder, Di bande shtodt bale-toyves," which in 1872 was republished in Vilna, then in 1907-08 in New York, and in 1911, 1913 and 1928 in Warsaw.

Although M. alone was a son of a tax-farmer and could have the fabric for his own work of self-creation that served as a template for the Wolf Kamarash's play, "Kool in berdichev (Community in Berdichev?)."

Y. Nusinov, comparing the texts from the various editions of "Di takse," one comes to the decision in that Festgegestelte 37, changes are only dealt with in light word editing, and by no means in any editing or reworking of the work. So there also cannot be any speeches about various variants of the play.

According to Sh.L. Citron, the contents of that play, especially the personnel, led to desirable persecution against the author.

According to M. Margules and Leo Weiner, a Russian troupe in Berdichev wanted to put on the play, but the community (kehal) was disturbed.

During the "Mendele Celebration" in 1910-11 in Manchester (England), through the "Khevrat Zion (sp)," there was staged  (the entire play, or a part of) "Di takse."

In March 1923, the play in a shortened form, under the direction of Braverman, and with music by Shidlovitsh, was staged through the dramatization by the "Berdichev Worker's Club in the name of H' Lozovsky." At the same time there also occurred in Moscow Dramatic Circle by the "Communist" Worker's Club, an offering of several scenes from the play.

In 1928 there was also a school production in Vilna, which staged scenes from the play, under the name, "Amolike belituvus," which was also published in the journal, "Grininke baymelekh," and in the same year issued in a separate publication: "Mendele Mokher Sefrarim (Sh.Y. Abramovitsh.' Amolike baletoyves. Scenes from the "Takse." Cut out and adapted for a school production through Sh. Bastomski. Vilna. "New Yiddish Folks School" Publishers, 1928" (33 pp., 32^o).

In 1884 the full play also was published in Bielotserkov in the Russian translation of Y.M. Petrikovsky, with an introduction by the translator. The author had, on one occasion, expressed himself in favor of the translation.

In 1884 in Peterburg, there was published M.'s play, "Der priziv (The Conscription [Military])," a drama in five acts," which then was republished in New York (1907-08), and Warsaw (1911, 1913 and 1928)

In September 1909, during a "Mendele Celebration" in Lodz, in the presence of the author, there was performed, under the stage direction of Mark Arnshteyn through the members of the "Dramatic Arts" union, the first act of the play.

On 1 February 1918 the play was staged through David Kessler in his New York theatre ("Der priziv, a drama in five acts by Mendele Mokher Sefarim, arranged for the stage by B. Gorin"). The role of "Shmuel, the Retired Nikolayev Soldier" was played by Charles Nathanson. The other roles were played by: Rosa Karp, Bernard Bernstein, Morriis (Maurice) Schwartz, Celia Adler, Louis Birnbaum, Louis Hyman, Isidor Giltman, Ray Schneier, Mary Wilensky, Sara (Sonya) Nadolsky, Fannie Lubritsky, and Bessie Weissman.

On 25 December 1923 the play was performed.

In Warsaw: "Der priziv," a comedy in three acts by Mendele Mokher Sefarim (Sh.Y. Abramovitsh), prologue (and epilogue) by Y.M. Nayman. Scenes and stage direction by Z. Turkow, sets and costumes by Moshe Apelbaum, with the following [personnel]:

In the 1926-1927 season in Krakow's Yiddish theatre, there was performed through Jonas Turkow his own scenes of the play in four acts (Leader -- M. Gerbirtig).

In 1927 in Kharkov there was published: "Mendele Mokher Sefarim. Sh.Y. Abramovitsh. Der priziv (a play in three acts, a play adapted for a drama circle, by stagte director Kh. Shmain, under the editing of H. Kozamevitsh, publisher "Gezkult," Kharkow 1927" (62 pp., 16^o). This adaptation in 1928 was performed through the Kharkov club, "3rd International," under the direction of Shmain, sets by Blank, and music, assembled folk songs by Feintukh."

In February 1928 through a dramatic circle in Vinnytsia, there was performed in the city theatre, the play (which text?), with music by Huberman and Koval, and sets by Fedya Husak.

On 29 December 1895 in new York, there was performed a dramatization of M.'s "Fishke der krumer," about which there is no information.

In 1896 A. Weiter, together with Israel Rabinovitsh, dramatized M.'s "Fishke der krumer," and the dramatization  was performed on Purim 1896 in a Smargon Bet HaMedrash.

On 7 June 1924 in Warsaw, there was performed "Fishke der krumer, a folk piece in three acts, with a prologue, by Mendele Mokher Sefarim, adapted for the state by Jacob Waxman, stage direction by Moshe Lipman, sets by Joseph Galavski," with the following personnel:

On 24 December 1927 in Buenos Aires (Argentina), there was arranged through the "Yiddish Writers and Journalists Union" a "Mendele Celebration," in which there was staged the dramatization of Sh. Freilach a scene from "Fishke der krumer," under the stage direction  of Leo Halpern, with Ben-Zion Polipade as "Fishke." The dramatization soon thereof was published in the collection, "Fun zaydns kval."

On 20 April 1927 in Moscow's Jewish State Theatre there was staged under the direction of Alexander Granovsky, "Masoes Binyomin hashlishi (Travels of Benjamin the Third), an epic in three acts by Mendele Mokher Sefarim, adapted and lead by Y. Dobrushin, music by L. Pulver, sets and costumes by R. Falk" (the main roles: Benjamin -- S. Michoels, "Senderl" -- B. Zuskin, "Mendele Mokher Sefarim -- M. Goldblat). The play later through the troupe was played during its guest-appearance in Western Europe.

On 24 December 1927 in Buenos Aires, under the direction of Leo Halpern, there was staged in the "Mendele Celebration," of the "Yiddish Writers and Journalists Union" an act from the play, "Binyamin fun tuneyadevke, a comedy in three scenes, with scenes and adapted after Mendele Mokher Sefarim's 'Travels of Benjamin the Third," by Selva," with Leo Halpern in the role of "Benjamin." The dramatization soon thereafter was published in the collection, "Fun zaydns kval."

On 25 January 1929 in Vilna, in the dramatization and stage direction of B. Borisov, there was performed  through a dramatic circle M.'s "Travels of Benjamin the Third."

On 26 February 1932 in Lodz there was staged through the Lodz Theatre Studio by "Hazamir," M's "Di rayze fun binyamin dem dritn (The Travels of Benjamin the Third)," a comedy in ten scenes by Mendele Mokher Sefarim. Stage direction -- Idem; sets and costumes -- Yitzhak Broyner; music -- David Beigelman; plastic and dance -- Iza Harari; scenes by Kh. Emes." (The main roles: "Benjamin" -- D. Grinberg, "Mendele" -- Sh. Fishman).

On 24 December 1927 in Buenos Aires, under the direction of N. Tsuker, there was staged in the "Mendele Celebration" put on by the "Yiddish Writers and Journalists Union," fragments of scenes from M.'s "Di kliatshe (The Mare)," a spectacle in five scenes by Nechamya Tsuker (role of "Israel" -- Leo Halpern); which soon thereafter was ublished in the collection, "Fun zaydns kval," and M.'s "Dos vintshfingerl, with scenes by M. Tabakshnayder" (stage director -- M. Tabakshnayder, role of "Reizl" -- Marsela Vays), which was included in the same collection.

In the 1927-1928 season in the Ukrainian Jewish State Theatre in Kharkov there was staged M.'s "Baltshuve (The Pentitent?)," a montage from the text (per Mendele Mokher Saforim's "Takse" and "Priziv"), by Efrim Loyter, stage direction by Efrim Loyter, sets by Zaritsky."

In February 1928 through the studio "Royte blitn" in Biela-Tserkov, there was performed "Di knipih, in nine episodes (mounted from Mendele's "Takse" and "Priziv").

On 30 March 1928 in the Yiddish Sholem Aleichem evening in Riga, there was presented their own scenes or M.'s "Dos kleyne mentshele."

According to B. Gorin, when Goldfaden began to play in Odessa, M. often used to attend the theatre.

During the "Mendele Celebration" in Warsaw (1909), M. participated in a banquet, which the actors arranged for him after the production, and in which  M. spoke out about his feelings about Yiddish theatre: "In order to become an artistic theatre, Don't just be artists, But also piece. The stage is, for literature, the medium between you and the public And with united forces, the Jewish stage needs to be built. "In order to become an artistic theatre, don't just be artists, But also piece. The stage is for literature, the medium between you and the public And with united forces, the Yiddish stage needs to be built." (citation by M. Menachem). He expressed a similar view to Boris Thomashefsky during his visit with him in 1913. M.'s welcome at the first Yiddish artists' conference in Russia was characteristic of him (Kiev, 29 August -- 3 September 1917). (Republished in the "Naye tsayt (New Times),: Kiev, N' 3, 1917, "Forward," N.Y., 27 December 1917, "Der yidisher artist," Kharkov, N' 1, 1918, "Lodzer folksblat," 1918, "Literarishe bleter, " Warsaw, N' 51, 1927).

M. also, together with Mark Arnshteyn, began to write a play with Ferdinand Lasal as hoypthel? Thereof Arnshteyn wrote the first scene, and M. the second scene. About the play, there was conducted negotiations with Boris Thomashefsky. The manuscript of the original play went lost.

On 8 December 1917, M. passed away in Odessa.

Z. Zylbercweig writes:

"If one should consider Mendele's dramatic activity and his relationship to Yiddish theatre only through his two theatre pieces, "Di takse" and "Der friziv," Mendele tried a tight, theatrical staging, but this only was superficial. Very rarely (hardly Sholem Aleichem) have so many dramatized a Jewish writers' fiction works as Mendele's. In addition, Mendele even by a letter,  in conversations and speeches often expressed opinions about Yiddish theatre. ... One thing that Gorin points out, on which the playwright Mendele -- this is his understanding of exploring folk songs for a theatrical piece."

And B. Gorin writes:

"Mendele Mokher Sefarim was a frequent visitor to the Yiddish theatre, and indeed he had the desire to create for the stage. In a dramatic form he had, years earlier, created a work, and he wanted to write such a play, which one would also be able to play. The pieces, which he had seen, did not speak to his heart, and his desire was to give a job, That should have a high, poetic and literary value, Except for the dramatic."

Dr. A. Mukdoni has another account:

"I tried to make a speech with Mendele, about the condition of our theatre, and he wanted to be introduced to me to see if he wanted to get a broader action for the Yiddish theatre. But here I am, unfortunately, punching on a deaf wall. Mendele was so far from the theatre that I soon realized that I don't have to lose any words." And about M. as a playwright, he writes, 'Mendele said, like his predecessors in Yiddish literature, he did not have a concrete stage in mind, actors, etc. He thought nothing of a Yiddish theatre. He himself was not entirely clear why he wrote "Di takse". "Der priziv" in the form of a drama."

M.'s published plays in Yiddish:

(1) Di takse
oder Di bande shtodt balmelokhe
gedrukt bhshtdlus
Mendeli Mokher Sefarim
Zhitomir, 1869.

(1a.) Vilna Trl'b (1872)

(1b.) Ale shriftn fun mendele mokher sefarim
(Sh.Y. Abramovitsh)
Di takse
oder
Di bande shtodt baltshuve
First Volume
Hebrew Publishing Company
New York (1907-8), 99 pp., 16^o)

(1c.) Mendele Mokher Sefarim
Ale verk
Di takse (etc.)
5 band
"Mendele" Publishers
Warsaw (1911, pp. 23+119, 16^o)

(1d.) Premie tsu der tsaytung "Der moment"
Oyfn abonoments yor 1913

(1e.) Mendele Mokher Sefarim
(Sh.Y. Abramovitsh)
Ale verk
Firter band
Naye ferbeserte oyflage
"Mendele" Publishers, Warsaw, 1928 (pp. 120 + IV, 16^o)

(lf.) Mendele Mokher Sefarim
(Sh.Y. Abramovitsh)
Amolkike baltshuve
Stsenes fun der "takse"
Oysgeshnitn un tsugepast far a shul forshtelung
durkh Sh. Bastomski
Vilna Publishing House "Naye Yidishe Folkshul," 1928
(33 pp., 32^o,separat-opdruk fun "grininke baymelekh")

(2.) Mendele Mokher Sefarim
Der priziv
a drama in five acts
St. Peterburg, Trm'h
1884 (87 pp., 16^o)

(2a.) Ale shriftn fun Mendele Mokher Sefarim
(Sh.Y. Abramovitsh)
Volume 1
Der priziv
Hebrew Publishing Company
New York (1907-8, 106 pp., 16^o)

(2b.) Mendele Mokher Sefarim
Ale verk
Der priziv (a.a.)
Volume IX
"Mendele" Publishers
Warsaw (1911, p. 24 + 108, 16^o)

(2c.) Premie tsu der tsaytung "Der moment"
Oyfn abonoment yor 1913

(2d.) Mendele Mokher Sefarim
Volume 10
Der priziv
a drama in five acts
Naye ferbeserte oysgabe
"Mendele" Publishers
Warsaw 1928 (108 pp., 16^o)

(2e.) Mendele Mokher Sefarim
Sh.Y. Abramovitsh
Der priziv
(a play in three acts)
Tsugepast far dramkreyzn, fun regisseur Ch. Shmain
unter der redaktsie fun H. Kozakevitsh
"Gezult" Publishers, Kharkow 1927
(62 pp., 16^o)

(3.) Vintsh fingerl
fun Mendele Mokher Sefarim
stsenirt fun M. Tabakshnayder
(gedrukt in "fun zaydns kval," aroysgeben gun:
yidishn literatn un zhurnalistn fareyn in argentine.
Buenos Aires, 1927, pp. 3-21)

(4.) Fishke der krumer
fun Mendele Mokher Sefarim
Stsenirt fun sh. freylakh
(dort gedrukt, pp. 23-43)

(5.) Binyamin fun tuneyadevke
a comedy in two scenes
Stsenirt un baarbet nokh Mendele Mokher Sefarim
"Travels of Benjamin III" by Selva (dort, pp. 45-61)

(6) Di kliatshe
fun Mendele Mokher Sefarim
Stsenirt in a spektakl fun
5 bilder fun Nekhamya Tsuker
(dort, pp. 63-79)

M.'s published plays in Russian:

(1.)

• Z. Reisen -- "Lexicon of Yiddish Literature," Vol. 1, pp. 8-37.

• B. Gorin -- "History of Yiddish Theatre," Vol. 1, pp. 127-131, 230-31, 235-6; Vol. 2, p. 256.

• M-m (Menachem) -- Mendele mokher sefarim in yudishn teater, 'Der fraynd," Peterburg, 13 Sept. 1909.

• Ben-Zion -- Mendele fayerung in lodz, "Der fraynd," Peterburg, 14 Sept. 1909.

• Boris Thomashefsky -- Interesante yidish shoyshpiler in odes, "Forward," N.Y., 7 Dec. 1913.

• K-y (Kitay) -- Ba r'mendele mokher sefarim, "Naye tsayt," Kiev, 29 Nov. 1917.

• Dr. Y. Vortsman -- Mendele als dramaturg, "Der tog," N.Y., 16 February 1918

• D.B. (Sh. Yanovsky) -- In theater, "Fraye arbeter shtime," N.Y., 16 February 1918.

• Israel the Yankee (Y. Fridman) -- Der nit gelunger "priziv" in kesler theater, "Yidishe tageblatt," N.Y., 8 February 1918.

• N. Mayzel -- Mendele, tsi nayman? "Unzer folkstsaytung," Warsaw, 23 Dec. 1923.

• N. Mayzel -- Mendele mokher sefarim "der priziv," "Unzer fokstsaytung," Warsaw, 25 Dec. 1923.

• SZE -- Teater-notitsn, "Unzer folkstsaytung," Warsaw, 28 Dec. 1923.

• Eyner (A. Einhorn) -- Teatrale notitsn, "Nayer haynt," Warsaw, 28 Dec. 1923.

• A.Y. Goldshmidt -- Izik-meir dervinishtki (A. Weiter)in A. Weichert's "Ktbim" Vilna, 1923, pp. XXX.

• B. Karlinius -- Teater-felieton, ""Der moment," Warsaw, 4 Jan. 1924.

• Z.R. (Reisen) -- Der yidisher teater, "Tog," Vilna, 15 February 1924.

• N.M. (Mayzel) -- "Fishke der krumer" oyf der bine, "Literarishe bleter," Warsaw, 6, 1924.

• J. Appenszlak -- "Fiszka Kuterlawy," "Nasz Przeglad," Warsaw, 8/6 1924.

• Eyner -- Teatrale notitsn, "Nayer haynt," Warsaw, 13 June 1924.

• B. K-s  (Karlinsky) -- Teater notitsn, "Moment," Warsaw, 17 June 1924.

• SZE -- Teater-notitsn, "Unzer folkstsaytung," Warsaw, 18 June 1924.

• Hunty Carter -- "The New Spriit in the Russian Theatre," Brentano's Ltd., London, 1924, p. 239.

• M. Weichert -- "Teater un drame," Warsaw, 1926, Vol. II, pp. 26-29, 74-76.

• Sh.L. Citron -- "Dray literarishe dores," Vol. I, pp. 110-112.

• N.M. -- Mendele briv, "Literarishe bleter," Warsw, 51, 1927.

• 

• Dr. A. Mukdoni -- Tsvey mentshn, "Ale verk fun mendele mokher sefarim," Warsaw, 1928, Vol. 1, pp. 155-166.

• Y. Nusinov -- Fun bukh tsu bukh, "Tsaytshrift," Minsk, 1928, Vols. II-III, pp. 425-482.

• A. Gurshtein -- Sakhakln fun der mendele-forshung, dort, pp. 485-524.

• Zikhroynes vegn Mendele Mokher Sefarim, "Ale verk," 20-ter band, Warwsaw, 1928, 86 pp.

• Y. Shafir -- Bavizn mendeles epokha, "Der shtern," Kharkov, 1 March 1926.

• Ab. -- Mendeles "takse" in barditshever arbeter-klub, "Der stern," Kharkov, 30 March 1928.

• Moshe Teitch -- Di mendele fayerungen in ratnfarband, "Prese," Buenos Aires, 15 April 1928.

• A. Tis -- "Priziv" (loitd Mendele Mokher Sefarim), Kharkov klub 3-ter internatsional, "Yung gvardye," Kharkov, 28, 1928.

• L. Zhitnitsky -- "Funm zaydns kval," "Litearishe bleter," Warsaw, 25, 1928.

• L. L-nov -- A forshtelung in ukrainishn yidishn melokhe-teater, "Oktiabr," Minsk, 31 May 1928.

• A. Blander -- Mendele-shtelungen in provints, a geratener spektakl, "Shtern," Kharkov, 1 March 1928.

• Prince Engel -- Oyffirung fun "masoes binyamn hashlishi" fun moskver yid. melokhe teater, "Frimorgn," Riga, 27 April 1928.

• A. Gurshtein -- Unzer mendele-literatur, "Emes," Moscow, 25 May 1928, "Literarishe bleter," Warsaw, 29, 1928.

• H. Weinstock -- Yidishe-poylishe iberzetsungen, "Bikher-velt," Warsaw, 5, 1928.

• Y. Anilovitsh -- Naye mendele-literatur, 'Bikher-velt," Warsaw, 5, 1928.

• Sh. Niger -- "Tsum tentn yartsayt nokh Mendele Mokher Sefarim," N.Y., 1928.

• Moshe Shalit -- Kritik in bibliografie, "Bikher-velt," Warsaw, 9, 1928.

• M. Erik -- Shrayber un verk, "Di yidishe velt," Warsaw, 1923, pp. 304-306.

• M. Litvakov -- "Vider tsvey oyssirungen, "Emes," Moscow, 6 April 1928.

• Jack -- Masoes binyamin hashilishi loyt Mendele Moyker Sefarim, "Arbeter shtime," Paris, 25, 1928)

• (--) -- Mendele-fayerung in der yid. sholem aleichem ovnt-shul, "Frimorgn," Riga, 2 April 1928.

• Noziere -- "Le Voyage de Benjamin III," "La Reumuer," Paris, 20 June 1928.

• Fortunat Strowski -- "Le Voage de Benjamin III," 20 June 1928.

• Paul Achard -- ""Le Voage de Benjamin III," "La Presse," Paris, 20 June 1928.

• Interim -- "Le Voage de Benjamin III," "Le Figaro," 21 June 1928.

• Lucien Descaves -- "Le Voyage de Benjamin III," "L'intrasigeant," Paris, 21 June 1928.

• Maurice Rostand -- "Le Voyage de Benjamin III," "Le Soir," Paris, 21 June 1928.

• Paul Reboux -- "Le Voyage de Benjamin III," "Paris Soir," 21 June 1928.

• Dr. A. Mukdoni -- Zikhroynes fun a yidishn teater-kritiker, "Archive," Vilna, 1930, 365 pp.

• A. Hindes -- "Masoes binyomin hashlishi" in moskver yidishn melokhe teater, "Shtern," Kharkov, 30 August 1930.

• Y. Lyubomirski -- "Melokhisher yidisher teater in ukraine," Kharkov, 1931, 50 pp.

• Y. Dankin (Israel Rosenberg) -- "Masoes binyamin hashlishi" fun Mendele Mokher Sefarim, "Nayer folksblat," Lodz, 10 March 1932.

• (--) -- "Masoes binyamin hashlishi" fu Mendele Mokher Sefarim, oystsentirt un oyfgefirt in der lodzer yudisher teater stridye bay "Hazamir," "Literarishe bleter," 11 March 1932.

• D-ski (Y. Darguzhansky) -- Muzikalishe un teatralishe notitsn, "Nayer floksblat," Lodz, 23 March 1932.

• Y. K-sh -- Masoes binyamin hashlishi, "Lodzer veker," N' 10, 1932.

• N. H-r -- Di takse (fun mmu's), oysgefirt durkh der "takse," "Nayer morgn," Lemberg, 30 Aug. 1932.

• Zalmen Zylbercweig -- Mendele hot geshribn vegn lasaln, "Literarishe bleter," Warsaw, 39, 1933.

• M. Kitay -- Briv in redaktsie, "Literarishe bleter," Warsaw, 42, 1933.