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Oct 7, 2021 · Culture. Updated Feb 11 2022 11:52AM EST. Our favorite over the top Yiddish curses. These curses toe the line between viciousness, wit and tough love. By John Kunza. Yiddish actors perform the comedy "Mezra" in 1921. (Courtesy: American Jewish Historical Society)
Oct 15, 2020 · “Most of the more elaborate curses that you hear these days–either in Yiddish or in English translation–are quoted from books or old recordings, or have been passed along as jokes,” writes Yiddish scholar Michael Wex. But they remain beloved by modern Ashkenazim, perhaps because they offer us something we lost when we assimilated to ...
- Kishka: If it’s someone you like, don’t punch them in the kishka, as you’ll go right for their stomach!
- “Nem Zich a vaneh!” Say this to someone you want to have leave you alone, as it translates to “go jump in the lake!”
- Pisher: Used to refer to someone who is inexperienced, with the analogy being a “pisser,” or “bed-wetter.”
- “Du farkirtst mir di yorn!” Fed up with the kids? Say this phrase to them and you’ll be saying, “You’ll be the death of me!”
Aug 31, 2016 · Recently, the Facebook page We Are The Jews posted a photo of Yiddish curses translated to English, and they’re pretty incredible. These phrases definitely aren’t for the faint-hearted. Here are some of my favorites below: A ruech in dayn zeydn arayn – May your grandfather be possessed by a demon.
- In The Bible
- In Rabbinic Literature
- Post-Talmudic Texts
In the Bible, God has the power to both bless and curse Creation. Both powers are demonstrated in the first three chapters of Genesis. Humans also have the power to curse individuals and whole classes of people. Some biblical authors simultaneously try to limit the use of curses and undermine their formalist assumptions by claiming unjustified curs...
The Sages elaborate upon these biblical beliefs (Makkot 11a; Eruvin 18b-19a; Terumah 3b-4a; Makkot 16a). Demons as well as human beings can utter curses. Using a curse can actually invite unwanted demonic attention on the person uttering the curse. The talmudic sage Rav reportedly had the power to curse others with sterility (Shabbat 108a). At leas...
In Hebrew magical texts of late antiquity, several aggressive or “binding” spells are to be found. Most are aimed at demons, but a few are directed against other human beings. Texts such as Sefer ha-Razim and Sword of Moses, which have moved beyond the constraints of rabbinic prohibitions, are the most flagrant in the kind of curses they record. Se...
- Rabbi Geoffrey Dennis
The 22 Best Yiddish Words to Know. A brief glossary of important and commonly used Yiddish words and phrases. By My Jewish Learning
Feb 12, 2009 · A Book of Insults — Exploring Yiddish Curses. By Teddy Wayne February 12, 2009. If the classic Yiddish imprecation has an inverse, it is the Irish blessing. While the Gaelic bards gaily start...
