Questions tagged [yekke]
Questions about German Jews and German-Jewish customs and traditions
39
questions
2
votes
1answer
111 views
Gemara source regarding Levy in Germania
My name is Levy.
Someone I know from France, where we have the same origins, in Alsace / Germany, and profoundly religious and an intellectual, told me that in the Gemara, it is said that after the ...
1
vote
0answers
79 views
Is a traditional Yekke Sargenes similar to the Skver style, all-linen, non-embroidered Kittel? I think so; I'm not sure about the “hood”, though
Below is a link where one can view a
Skver/New Square Style Kittel for sale
1
vote
0answers
58 views
What was a rabbinic מעיל משי?
In the book מנהגים דק"ק וורמיישא, one of the first simonim notes that the rov and chazzan in Worms should wear a Seidenmantel (He: מעיל משי), which the notes explain was rabbinical garb in those days. ...
5
votes
1answer
178 views
Maariv Motzoei Shabbos. Origin of the minhag not to say the verses of “Kedusha Desidra” aloud
The Oruch HaShulchan O. Ch. 132 (1) points out that Chazal did not institute to say “kedusha” at Maariv. Indeed we do not say “kedusha” at Maariv; but on Motzoei Shabbos we do say ואתה קדוש וכ׳ in ...
0
votes
2answers
173 views
Chabad kuntres “Toras Ashkenaz”
What is the Chabad pamphlet Toras Ashkenaz: Frankfurt, Germania ?
Background: A Chabad friend of mine noticed this pamphlet at the Chabad Ohel in Queens. While the title would imply that it is of ...
7
votes
1answer
224 views
Why do yekkes say Shir Mizmor Le'Osof each morning?
There is a very old Minhag Ashkenaz (i.e. practiced by yekkes) that every day after Shacharis (or Musaf) one says Psalm 83 (Shir Mizmor LeOsof).
I have done this for a long time, however I am yet to ...
3
votes
1answer
366 views
Touching the tefillin during Ashrei
Most Ashkenazi siddurim note that some have the custom of touching the arm and head tefillin (and then touching the fingertips to the lips) upon reciting the verse
.פּוֹתֵחַ אֶת-יָדֶךָ; ...
0
votes
1answer
60 views
What is כף הכינוי?
In R' Wiesenthal's Siddur Sefas Yisroel, he talks about the כף הכינוי and different opinions about it. But I have no idea what this actually is. So, what is
כף הכינוי?
1
vote
0answers
208 views
Is there a yekkish minhog regarding peyos?
Is there a yekkish minhog regarding peyos?
Please cite sources.
2
votes
0answers
58 views
Hashem's Name in Hashiva Shofteinu
In the ברכה of השיבה שופטינו, all סידורים that I have seen (including really yekkish ones) have the words "אתה ה' לבדך", all סידורים that is, except the סידור הרוקח. The רוקח does not have Hashem's ...
2
votes
0answers
220 views
Austrian vs Yekkish Minhagim
I'm aware that there are some similarities between Austrian minhagim and Yekkish ones. One example would be that in both communities boys begin wearing a tallis at their Bar Mitzvah, rather than ...
2
votes
1answer
283 views
Distinction between tsere and segol in Yekkish pronunciation?
I've heard that tsere and open-syllabic segol are pronounced the same in Yekkish (Western Ashkenazi) Hebrew. That said, everyone talks about how Ashkenazi is the only pronunciation with distinct ...
1
vote
1answer
248 views
Is there a minhag amongst some to wear a kittel on Rosh HaShanah? [duplicate]
The universal Ashkenazi minhag is to wear the kittel on Yom Kippur.
I have heard of some who wear the kittel also on Rosh HaShanah. Is this a true minhag? I suspect it might be a Jeckishe (German) ...
1
vote
1answer
69 views
Pesukim Before Kaddish Tiskabal
In Western European siddurim there are two pesukim before Kaddish Tiskabal. One from במדבר and one from תהלים. They are present in the Rödelheim/Sfas Emes, the Seligman Baer (page 150 in the pdf), and ...
23
votes
2answers
795 views
Germanic populations in Talmudic and other rabbinic texts?
In the 11th century, Hai Gaon and Rashi refer to the country and language of “Ashkenaz” (referring to the area around the Rhineland, northern France and Germany). By the 12th and 13th centuries, ...
2
votes
1answer
401 views
Yekke Tallit Gadol
I am a Yekke and am unsure about some of the customs such as a good Siddur to use (My Rabbi is Chassidish so I use Nusach Sfard) and also a Tallit Gadol. I'd prefer to use the Tallit that is all ...
2
votes
1answer
144 views
Should I remain silent during kedusha (if it's my minhag) in a kehila which doesn't?
If one's personal minhag is to stay silent during the chazan's recitation of kedusha in the repetition of the 'Amidah (except for "kadosh…", "baruch…", and "yimloch…", which are recited in all ...
0
votes
0answers
164 views
When do German Ashkenazim make havdalah?
I know that there are several opinions regarding the calculation of the time of motsei Shabbas. What method of calculating the time for Havdalah is used in German Ashkenaz minhag?
6
votes
2answers
254 views
Why do Yekkes follow Beis Shammai?
Brachos 8:2 records a dispute between Beis Shammai and Beis Hillel whether one should wash before or after Kiddush. The Yekke minhag is to wash before Kiddush. Why do they follow Beis Shammai?
(In ...
1
vote
1answer
108 views
A piyut refers to the converts: Keni, Na'aman, Ovadiah, Rachav, Na'amah and Ruth. How come?
There is an old Minhag Ashkenaz to sing a piyut by R' Avigdor Kra called Echad Yachid Umeyuchad in honour of a chasan being called to the Torah. The piyut is an acrostic which spells out אביגדור קרא. ...
2
votes
0answers
96 views
Mekor Chaim by the Chavauss Yo'ir
Where can I find a copy of the Mekor Chaim by R' Yair Bacharach זצ”ל (the Chavot Ya'ir)? I read on Wikipedia that Machon Yerushalayim publishes a copy, but a perusal of their catalogue does not turn ...
3
votes
1answer
74 views
National Character affecting its Jewish Community
In pg. 3 of this interview by R' Hamburger שליט“א, he asserts in the name of the Michtav miEliyohu (Dessler זצ”ל) that the character of each nation's non-Jewish majority affected the temperment and ...
1
vote
0answers
64 views
Teacher of the Pnei Yehoshua
What was the name of the rav/teacher of HoRav Ya'akov Yehoshua ben Tzvi, author of the Pnei Yehoshua?
1
vote
2answers
459 views
Sargenes vs. Kittel
This is fairly simple:
Growing up in the US, the only white robes available for wearing during Rosh haShannah and Yom Kippur are standard kittels. I have heard that the kittel worn in Germany prior ...
3
votes
4answers
757 views
Are there any Yekkish wedding customs specifically?
In Yekkish Ashkenaz minhag are there any wedding customs distinct from general Ashkenaz wedding customs?
For example, I've read online that there is a minhag to use the chattan's tallis for the ...
4
votes
3answers
2k views
Yekke Jew customs
I would like to know the customs and unique details of what a Yekke Jew does and stands for. I wait three hours between milk and meat but do not know why I do and what makes it right. Can you speak ...
2
votes
1answer
561 views
Western Ashkenazi Siddur?
Does anyone know where I can find an authoritative Yekkish siddur? I found a siddur Sefas Yisroel on open siddur, but I am unsure it's accurate — meaning one that accurately reflects the nusach of the ...
5
votes
0answers
556 views
Looking for online German (Yekke) Torah Trope practice
As a lad, I often attended a German (Yekke) shul in my neighborhood, where they used the Yekke Torah trope. My main shul sometimes used this trope during Yom Tov readings. (I.e. - the Yekke trope is ...
2
votes
2answers
300 views
What learning style do Yekkes have?
There's a Yeshiva in Washington Heights named after (and supposedly run in the spirit of) R' S. R. Hirsch.
All I could find is a Donation page there.
What kind of learning goes on there (or in ...
1
vote
1answer
137 views
How “modern” is K.A.J?
"Traditionally", K.A.J (Khal Adat Yeshurun, the Yekkishe Kehilla in Washington Heights) was the "successor" Kehilla of R' Hirsh, following the Torah Im Derekh Eretz model.
Do they still follow that ...
4
votes
1answer
231 views
French Minhagim
When I was in France over the summer, I noticed that, in general, the Ashkenazim followed German minhagim. Resultantly, it made me wonder whether there are any major differences between Minhag Rheinus ...
3
votes
2answers
303 views
Do people still celebrate “Frankfurt Purim”?
The people of Frankfurt, historically, have celebrated a mini-Purim ("פורים קטן") on 20 Adar, to commemorate their salvation from threat of extinction (see this article for a summary of the events).
...
6
votes
1answer
296 views
Western Ashkenaz Mishnah Berurah
The Mishnah Berurah was composed with the minhagim of the Eastern Ashkenazi kehillot in mind. Is there an equivalent for the communities of Western Europe*?
*The Ashkenazi communities of the ...
4
votes
1answer
541 views
Judenstern (Jeckische Shabbat lamp)
Historically, German Jews used a lamp like the one shown below for neirot Shabbat. Does anyone still make it? If so, where could it be found?
1
vote
1answer
188 views
Chazzanish Recordings
Are there any recordings of any of the old, German chazzanim singing their nusach? I know that KAYJ.net includes a nusach page, however, the recordings are somewhat lackluster (although they are an ...
1
vote
2answers
270 views
Jekkisch Käppchen (kaepchen)
Is there anyplace on the internet where one could purchase a Jekkische kippah (or käppchen, in German)? I would be looking preferably for ones made out of non-synthetic fabric if possible.
3
votes
1answer
713 views
When do Yekkes first don a kittel?
I read on Machon Moreshes Ashkenaz's forums Wedding Minhagim that it is the German custom not to wear a kittel or sargenes under the chuppah. I know that it is worn on Rosh Hashannah and Yom Kippur, ...
3
votes
1answer
275 views
פ in German Sta"M Script
Does anyone know the German custom for the letter pey in Sta"m sofer? I know that the shape in Litvisch Bet Yosef is influenced by the Mekubalim of Tzfat (The Ari in particular) who said that the ...
6
votes
2answers
659 views
Who are the Yekis?
I once heard someone identifying as a "Yeki", or something like that, and the "Yekis" apparently have an interesting musical tradition where they use a different Yigdal tune before Kiddush at each ...
