Comments on: Admor M’Chernobyl: Hebrew Is Not A Street Language

By: Avi K

Avi K — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 05:53:26 +0000

The Shulchan Aruch disagrees with the Rebbe(Orech Chaim 85:2).

As for Yiddish, it is simply a Judaized German-Slavic, the Yeshivish of yesteryear in Europe. Many gedolim (Haham Ovadia, Rav Mordehai Eliahu, Haham BenTzion, etc.) do not or did not speak it.

By: MDG

MDG — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 06:41:42 +0000

“You are all wrong. Look in Melochim II, 18, that in the times of Yechezkiyohu hamelech, they spoke a language called Yehudis.”

That “Yehudis” is Hebrew, as opposed to Aramaic also mentioned in that passuk.

By: Chelem

Chelem — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 22:14:57 +0000

You are all wrong. Look in Melochim II, 18, that in the times of Yechezkiyohu hamelech, they spoke a language called Yehudis.

By: Ambituous

Ambituous — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 21:07:55 +0000

Israel is not in EUROPE. “Berlin is not Yerushalyim Ir Hakodesh [Either]” -Meshech Chochma.
Hebrew is the rightful language of the land. Not to accept a bachur because he does not speak Yiddish, rather Hebrew is indeed VERY SAD. “Hebrew became the national language to permit Ashkenazim to converse with Sephardim.”
If that is so, ask yourselves why Hashem allowed unbelievable tragedies to take place in the Jewish Community this year..

By: bklynmom

bklynmom — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 20:55:32 +0000

#11 I believe Ger Hassidim (Israel) speak IVRIT/Lashon Hakodesh and not yiddish.

Those of you who have any background in linguist knows that Languages metamorphosis, adding and subtracting words depending on the generation. There was no need for the word electricity in the 16th Century or out house in the 21st.

By: MDG

MDG — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 20:35:21 +0000

So, according to him, should Sefardim speak Arabic or Turkish or Persian?

“…a bachur who does not know Yiddish. “I told the rav that we must pity the bachur…’”
He makes it sound like the bachur got some major problem.

Does he have any source for this from Chazal?

By: apushatayid

apushatayid — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 20:30:57 +0000

“In an address to bochrim the Chernobyl Rebbe Shlita”

The Rebbe Shlita was speaking to the talmidim of his own yeshiva. If you want to disagree with the Rebbe Shlita (despite probably having 4th hand information about what he actually said), fine. Why encourage his talmidim and chassidim to do the same? Why insinuate that he is wrong (a point his talmidim and chassidim wont concede anyway), did the Rebbe tell YOU to do or not do something? I’m beginning to believe someone should take an axe to the “YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem” for all the discord and strife that seems to emanate from it (even if unintentional).

By: torahyid

torahyid — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 18:47:37 +0000

Loshon Hakodesh is in Tnach ,Ivrit is on the street.No body spoke L.H. not even Moshe’s time. When he talked to Klall Yisroel it was in Egyptian or Ivrit L.H is Signon Tenachi. L.H is a language of only Neviim,it never was a common mans language.

By: aryeh_z

aryeh_z — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 18:45:10 +0000

Through out the generation, Jews have needed to know two languages: Loshon Hakodesh so as to have a HELEK in Olam Haba and Loshon Hakesef so has to have a HELEK in Olam Hazeh.

Exactly what is Loshon Hakodesh in no longer 100% certain. There are numerous variation in pronunciation and even in DIKDUK. Its exact nature awaits Eliyahu Hanavi. What is Loshon Hakesef is less problematic. For most Jews in most parts of the world today it is English. In fact, it can be argued that as preparation for Parnosah, parents are obligated to have their children lean English today.

As to Yiddish, I can not think of single reason for anyone to teach it to their children or promote its continued existence as a language for Jews. In fact it can easily be argued that to promote Yiddish is to promote MAKLOKES, which is an ISSUR DEORISA. MAKLOKES means creating artificial divisions amongst Jews. Divisions that G-D never intended to exist. Yiddish is used in Israel as a means of excluding Jews of none Eastern European origin. This happens in educational institutions, housing, jobs and social interactions. Everyone knows this and it has lead to terrible events and HILLUL HASHEM.

By: lazerc

lazerc — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 17:39:56 +0000

The Truth about Yiddish:

Yiddish was used as the language of the masses; through Yiddish ‘literature’ many many yidden were taken away from Yiddishkeit. such authors as Sholem Alechem, Sholem Acsh, Mendel Mocher Sofroem, Bialik, and others influenced the Yidden in a very negative view of Judaism, while having them maintain their secular love of Yiddish, until the Yiddish theater flourished in Vilna and the Torah was hardly visible.

Today things have changed. Yiddish is the spoken language only amongst the observant. Few young people who are secular know the language, therefore it is proposed that they speak and know only Yiddish, with the thought being that they will be only in a very religious environment and thereby remain observant.

Hebrew is the holy language, but they really did speak Hebrew as the day to day language in ancient Israel. All languages go through a morphism process to cope with new ideas, things and conventions. Even the mishna which was written in lashon hakodesh has Greek and Aramaic words in it. Today’s modern language is the hemshich of Hebrew.

Let us not blur the truth to satisfy external needs.