Yiddish, a Jewish language of the Germanic family
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3answers
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What is the significance of bears in Judaism? Why has Dov (or Dov Ber) been such a common Jewish name?
I understand, to some extent at least, why lions are an important symbol in Judaism. After all, in the beginning of the Shulchan Aruch we are told we should rise like a lion to serve our Creator, and ...
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5answers
762 views
What does Heimishe mean?
Literally it means "homey." My best guess is that it means "midway between Hassidish and Litvak." But given that differences between Hassidim and Litvaks, though they surely exist, are not what they ...
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2answers
702 views
Etymology of the Name Feivel
Where does the Jewish name Feivel (or Feivish) come from?
What does it actually mean?
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2answers
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Noach with seven mistakes
There is a pithy Yiddish description for a simple matter that has been massively bungled:
"Noiach mit zibn greizen" -- [The two-letter name] Noach (נח) spelled with seven mistakes.
Does anyone know ...
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2answers
227 views
Etymology of the word “Kvater”
What is the etymology of the word "Kvater"? Kvater is what we call the person that carries the baby boy into a Bris.
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2answers
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2answers
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What does the word לאַטקעס (latkes) mean?
לאַטקעס is the Yiddish word used for the potato pancakes commonly eaten on Chanukah. Where does the word לאַטקעס come from originally? What exactly does it mean?
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1answer
861 views
Wishes to a mourner in addition to “Hamokom Yenachem Eschem”
I have heard some people say in Yiddish after "Hamokom Yenachem Eschem B'Soch Shaar Aveilei Tzion V'Yerushalayim" ("May God comfort you alongside the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem"), "Zulst Mer Nisht ...
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3answers
166 views
Etymology of “Krepel”
What is the Etymology of “Krepel”?
Krepel is a 3 cornered stuffed piece of dough that we eat on Purim, Hoshana Rabah, and Erev Yom Kippur.
