Yiddish: Difference between revisions

Yiddish is a Jewish-European language containing various dialects that vary according to different Jewish immigrant groups around the world. Our Rebbes spoke and often taught their Torah in Yiddish, and a large portion of the Rebbe's teachings were originally published in this language.

The language emerged following the migration of many Jews from Ashkenaz (Germany) nearly a thousand years ago, primarily to Eastern European countries, especially Poland. They brought medieval German to Eastern Europe, where it mixed with local Slavic languages. The expulsion of most French Jews in 5154 (except for Provence Jews who were expelled about two hundred years later) and their partial migration to Eastern Europe also influenced Yiddish's development.

Different dialects developed in Yiddish, divided by regions in Eastern Europe. Today, special dialects have also developed in Israel, particularly in Jerusalem. In the United States, Jews' Yiddish has been heavily influenced by English, and many Yiddish speakers speak Yinglish (Yiddish mixed with English). Yiddish has also had some influence on English slang in the United States, particularly in New York where many Jews live.

In 1925, a group of Yiddishists in Vilna, Lithuania, decided to establish uniform writing rules in Yiddish called "YIVO rules." The Orthodox Jewish community did not accept these rules at the time, but today most write almost according to these rules.

However, it was established in Yiddish - and this is accepted by both the Orthodox and YIVO rule founders - that words originating from Hebrew are written as they appear in their original form.

In the Chassidic world, Yiddish holds a special place:

The use of Yiddish in teaching Chassidic concepts has significant importance, as it allows for better comprehension and internalization of the teachings than when heard in Hebrew, which people were less familiar with in daily life.

There are several testimonies from the Rebbe's family encouraging the use of Yiddish. For example, when the Rebbe's emissary in Washington, Rabbi Levi Shemtov, went to receive a blessing from Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka before his wedding, she verified if he was the grandson of Rabbi Ben Zion Shemtov, and upon confirmation said, "If so, very good, because now I'm sure your children will speak Yiddish..."

Regarding the use and teaching of Yiddish in education, the Rebbe wrote that while the main purpose of education is to instill fear and love of God and Torah study, the language of instruction should be determined by what best serves these goals and should be decided by the majority of parents.

The Mitteler Rebbe (Second Chabad Rebbe):

The Previous Rebbe published many articles in Yiddish in the "HaKriah V'HaKedushah" periodicals, as well as numerous articles in the "Chicago Visit" booklet.

When Rabbi Ben Tzion Wishtzky opened Ohalei Torah in Kfar Chabad and brought his child to a private audience with the Rebbe, the Rebbe tested the child in Yiddish about what he had learned in cheder. The child answered in Hebrew because he wasn't fluent enough in Yiddish. The questions had to be translated for the child occasionally. When the Rebbe asked the child "What color is your jacket?" in Yiddish, it became clear that the Rebbe was testing the child's Yiddish knowledge. When the child couldn't answer, his father whispered the translation, and the child answered "brown" in Hebrew. The Rebbe then looked at the father and seriously asked, "How does he know Hebrew so well?" adding with surprise, "Don't they teach in Yiddish in cheder?"