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Frequently Asked Questions on Soc.Culture.Jewish
Part 11: Miscellaneous and References
[Last Change: $Date: 1996/07/11 21:57:39 $ $Revision: 1.7 $]
[Last Post: Sat Feb 7 11:07:11 US/Pacific 2004]
The FAQ is a collection of documents that is an attempt to answer
questions that are continually asked on the soc.culture.jewish family
of newsgroups. It was written by cooperating laypeople from the
various Judaic movements. You should not make any assumption as to
accuracy and/or authoritativeness of the answers provided herein. In
all cases, it is always best to consult a competent authority--your
local rabbi is a good place to start.
[2][Got Questions?] Hopefully, the FAQ will provide the answer to your
questions. If it doesn't, please drop Email to
[3]questions@scjfaq.org. The FAQ maintainer will endeavor to direct
your query to an appropriate individual that can answer it. If you
would like to be part of the group to which the maintainer directs
questions, please drop a note to the FAQ maintainer at
[4]maintainer@scjfaq.org.
The deceased sages described within are of blessed memory, (assume a
Z"L or ZT"L after their names) and the sages alive today should live
to see long and good days (assume SHLITA). May Hashem grant complete
recovery to the ill. Individual honorifics are omitted.
The FAQ was produced by a committee and is a cooperative work. The
contributors never standardized on transliteration scheme from Hebrew,
Aramaic, Yiddish, or Ladino to English. As a result, the same original
word might appear with a variety of spellings. This is complicated by
the fact that there are regional variations in the pronunciation of
Hebrew. In some places, the common spelling variations are mentioned;
in others--not. We hope that this is not too confusing.
In general, throughout this FAQ, North American (US/Canada) terms are
used to refer to the movements of Judaism. Outside of North American,
Reform is Progressive or Liberal Judaism; Conservative is Masorti or
Neolog, and Orthodoxy is often just "Judaism". Even with this, there
are differences in practice, position, and ritual between US/Canada
Reform and other progressive/liberal movements (such as UK
Progressive/ Liberal), and between US/Canada Conservative and the
conservative/Masorti movement elsewhere. Where appropriate, these
differences will be highlighted.
The goal of the FAQ is to present a balanced view of Judaism; where a
response is applicable to a particular movement only, this will be
noted. Unless otherwise noted or implied by the text, all responses
reflect the traditional viewpoint.
This list should be used in conjunction with the Soc.Culture.Jewish
[5]reading lists. Similar questions can be found in the books
referenced in those lists.
There are also numerous other Jewish FAQs available on the Internet
that are not part of the SCJ FAQ/RL suite. An index to these may be
found at [6]www.scjfaq.org/otherfaqs.html
This FAQ is a volunteer effort. If you wish to support the maintenance
of the FAQ, please see [7]Section 20, Question 99 for more
information.
Reproduction of this posting for commercial use is subject to
restriction. See Part 1 for more details.
------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: ORGANIZATION
This portion of the FAQ contains answers to the following questions:
Section 19. Miscellaneous
1. [8]I want to become more observant. Where do I start?
2. [9]Why is "shabbat" spelled sometimes shabbath, shabbath, shabbos,
3. [10]What are some common Hebrew and Yiddish phrases I see on
S.C.J?
4. [11]What do all those abbreviations like Z"L mean?
5. [12]Is "shvartze" offensive? Is "goyim" offensive?
6. [13]What does "shiksa" and "shaygetz" mean?
7. [14]I am going to be in (name your city), where can I eat, stay
for Shabbat?
8. [15]What do bagels, lox, pastrami, falafel, garlic pickles,
kishka, and kasha have to do with being a Jew?
9. [16]What does Warren Burstein's signature mean?
10. [17]Who was the sixth Marx brother?
11. [18]Why do Hebrew clocks run clockwise, not counter-clockwise?
12. [19]I'm not Jewish. How do I show my love for the Jewish people?
13. [20]What is the origin of the word "kike"?
14. [21]What is the meaning of the part of the book of Ruth where the
guy at the gate takes off his shoe?
15. [22]I'm a health care provider? What do I need to know for Jewish
patients?
16. [23]What would be a good housewarming gift for a Jewish friend?
17. [24]What is the meaning and origin of the phrase B'shaah Tova?
Section 20. References and Getting Connected
1. [8]I'd like to learn more? Do you have any books to recommend?
2. [9]What are the different hechsher symbols?
3. [10]Where can I find Jewish-oriented mailing lists?
4. [11]What are the good Jewish search engines?
5. [12]What are some good Jewish links on the WWW?
6. [13]Is S.C.J available via a Listserv or other e-mail means?
7. [14]What divrei Torah are posted to Usenet?
8. [15]Where can I find collected divrei Torah?
9. [16]What software is available for Hebrew applications?
10. [17]What other Jewish software is available?
11. [18]Are there any Jewish Libraries on the Internet?
12. [19]I'm interested in ordering books or music on the internet.
Where should I look?
13. [20]Boy, you did a wonderful job on the FAQ? How do I show my
appreciation?
------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: Question 19.1: I want to become more observant. Where do I start?
Answer:
Coming from a background of nothing, the best thing you can do first
is to find someone who is already observant with whom you are
comfortable and discuss the issues involved.
Join a directed study group designed for "Baalei Tshuva". It is
impossible to be a practicing Jew (of any type) without the knowledge
of what you are practicing. There are groups within many communities
which are set up to do this. Examples include Chabad Lubavitch, Aish
Hatorah seminars, and NCSY youth groups. Non-Orthodox Jews also do
outreach, but in common parlance, baal teshuvah refers to someone who
adopts Orthodox Judaism.
The best advice is often to go slowly, decide what you are going to
do, and don't let difficulties with particular levels of observance
cause you to drop the whole matter. Find a sympathetic rabbi who will
help and advise you. Avoid the "All or Nothing" syndrome.
Most of all remember that you are not alone. If you scan the list of
mailing lists in [5]Section 20.3, you'll even discover there are
numerous Baal Teshuva electronic mailing lists (there is at least one
on Shamash).
------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: Question 19.2: Why is "shabbat" spelled sometimes shabbath,
shabbath, shabbos, shabbes?
Answer:
The Hebrew word is as follows, and it's pronounced in various ways:
___ __ _ _ *
| | . | | | |
_| | __|_ |/_/
T --
"Shabbos" and "Shabbat" are examples. The final letter in the word is
pronounced as "s" by Ashkenazis, as "t" by Sephardim, and as "th" by
Yemenites and (according to some scholars) speakers of Hebrew around
the year 3700. "Sabbath" is an anglicization of the Hebrew.
Ephraimites may have been the actual source of this variant, as in
Judges 12, it is reported that they were not able to pronounce the
letter shin. It's all the same word, and the pronunciations are used
interchangeably in this FAQ. Same with Kashrus/Kashrut/Kashruth.
------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: Question 19.3: What are some common Hebrew and Yiddish phrases I see
on SCJ?
Answer:
Most people are careful to translate their Hebrew and Yiddish, but a
few are common enough that people don't bother. Credit goes to
Meredith Warshaw for compiling much of the list below. [H] indicates
Hebrew, [Y] indicates Yiddish.
* Agunah (literal translation: chained).
A woman who cannot remarry; usually because her husband refuses to
give her a get (divorce), because there is no way to verify
whether or not he is dead, or because he is incompetent to give a
divorce (i.e., mentally ill). [H]
* Assur
Something prohibited. [H]
* Averah (aveira)
Sin, transgression of G-d's will [H]
* Baal Tefillah
Prayer leader [H]
* Ba'al Teshuvah (literal translation: master of return)
A penitent; a Jew who returns to a traditional observant Jewish
lifestyle (also known by the acronym BT) [H]
* B'chor
Firstborn status [H]
* Bamidbar (literal translation: in the desert)
Numbers (4th book of the Torah) [H]
* Bet Din
Court of Jewish law [H]
* Bikkur Cholim
Visiting the ill or hospitalized [H]
* Bracha (pl. brachot)
Blessing [H]
* B'reshit (literal translation: in the beginning)
Genesis (1st book of the Torah) [H]
* B'rit milah
Covenant of circumcision [H]
* B'shaah tova
Congratulations to an expectent mother (literarily "in a good
hour," means "at an auspicious time," i.e. may whatever time your
child is born be a good time.") Also the correct response to
announcement of a marriage engagement. In both cases, it is in
anticipation of a "mazel tov" for something hoped for, that has
not yet occurred. [H]
* Chag sameach
A happy holiday (used as a greeting) [H]
* Chayav
One who is obligated (chiyuv=obligation) [H]
* Chazzan (hazzan)
Cantor [H]
* Cherem
Excommunication (from cessation of aid, boycott) [H]
* Cheshbon Hanefesh (Literal translation: accounting of the soul)
Self-examination of your actions' merit, or accounting of your
soul's good and bad aspects. [H]
* Chevra
Friends; comrades [H]
* Chevra Kadisha (Literal translation: holy society)
The group that prepares a body for burial. [H]
* Chillul Hashem
Desecration of the divine name [H]
* Chok (pl. chukim)
Law from the Torah deemed to be without a humanly-discernable
rationale, e.g., the red heifer. [H]
* Chometz (chametz, hametz)
Leavened food, which is forbidden during Pesach [H]
* Chumash
The five books of the Torah, bound in one volume (not a scroll)
[H]
* Chumra
Stringency -- custom of a community to observe more strictly [H]
* "Dati/lo dati"
Dati = religious, lo dati=not religious, as used in current Hebrew
in Israel, but it is a black and white distinction, meaning
Orthodox and not Orthodox. [H]
* Daven
Pray (from Yiddish, with a particular emotional sense) [H]
* Derech Eretz
Respectful, menschlich, considerate of others [H]
* Din
Law, judgment [H]
* Drasha
Interpretation of a Torah passage (often a creative
interpretation) (from a root meaning "search") [H]
* Dukhn
Perform the kohen's blessing before the congregation [H]
* D'var torah (pl. divrei torah) (Literal translation: word of
Torah)
A Torah discourse, homily or sermon [H]
* D'varim (Literal translation: words, things)
5th book of the Torah (Deuteronomy) [H]
* Emet
Truth [H]
* Emunah
Faith [H]
* Frum
Observant (often with a right-wing Orthodox implication). Derived
from the German/Yiddish word for "pious". [Y]
* Gemara (Literal translation: learning, from the Aramaic)
The later part of the Talmud, which expands upon the Mishna [H]
* Get (pl. gittin)
Document of divorce [H]
* G'milut Chasadim
Acts of loving kindess [H]
* Hachamim (chachamim)
Sages [H]
* Haftarah
The selection from the book of prophets read after the Torah
reading. [H]
* Halacha (Literal translation: path)
Jewish law [H]
* Halbanat Panim (literal translation: whitening the face)
Causing someone to blanch by public embarrassment [H]
* Hashgacha
Ritual supervision, most often used in terms of kashrut/dietary
laws, although it can also refer to spiritual or moral supervision
as in a yeshiva or dormitory [H]
* Heksher
Kosher certification [H]
* Hesed (chessed)
Kindness [H]
* Heter
Permission (usually a rabbinic ruling that permits something) [H]
* Hiddur Mitzvah
Beautifying physical objects involved in a mitzvah, or otherwise
adding to a mitzvah an esthetic sense [H]
* Kabbalat ol Mitzvot (literal translation: acceptance of the yoke
of the commandments)
Acceptance of commandments as binding [H]
* Kabbalat Shabbat
Service welcoming the Sabbath [H]
* Kavanah
Intention, devotion, inner concentration during prayer [H]
* Kevah
Fixed; a fixed time; fixed words or prayer (often contrasted with
kavanah, inner concertration during prayer) [H]
* Kiddush Hashem
Sanctification of the divine name; martyrdom [H]
* Kiddushin
Betrothal (for the purpose of marriage) [H]
* Klal
A general principle [H]
* Klal Yisrael
The Jewish community as a whole [H]
* Koach
Strength [H]
* Kohelet
The book of Ecclesiastes [H]
* Kol Hakavod (literal translation: all honor)
Used idiomatically to express praise or congratulations for an
achievement [H]
* Kol Isha
The voice of a women (considered by the Rabbis of the Talmud to be
distracting to men and thus lewd). [H]
* Kol Tuv
Everything good (may you be blessed with everything good) [H]
* Kulot
Leniencies [H]
* K'vod Hatzibur
The honor of the community [H]
* L'shon Hara (Literal translation: "evil tongue")
Defaming or badmouthing [H]
* Leyn
To read (usually to read Torah) [Y]
* Maariv
Evening; the evening prayer service [H]
* Machmeer
Stringent; one who observes a chumrah (stringency) [H]
* Maftir
The aliyah consisting of the last few lines of the Torah reading,
or the person assigned that aliyah. The person assigned the maftir
aliyah also chants Haftarah. [H]
* Mamzer
A person born from a prohibited union (i.e., from an incestuous or
adulterous union) [H]
* Mara d'atra (literal translation: master of the place)
The local rabbi, whose decision carries the force of law in that
locality [Aramaic]
* Mashgichim
Ritual supervisers of kashrut who watch/supervise on the premises
for dietary supervision of ingedients, food preparation, serving,
dishes and cutlery, etc. [H]
* Mashiach (Moshiach)
Messiah [H]
* Mechitsa
Division; a barrier separating men from women in the synagogue [H]
* Midrash
An interpretation; a story that fills in gaps in the Torah
narrative, or answers questions about the narrative; (when
capitalized) any of several volumes of such stories compiled by
rabbis of the Talmudic era [H]
* Mincha
The afternoon prayer service [H]
* Minhag
Custom [H]
* Minhag ha-makom
Local custom [H]
* Minyan
Quorum of 10 needed for a public prayer service. In traditional
synagogues, only men over the age of 13 are counted towards a
minyan. Liberal (non-orthodox) congregations also include women
over 12 in the count. [H]
* Mishna (Capitalized)
The early core of the Talmud, consisting primarily of case law
decisions. (Not capitalized) one unit, typically a single sentence
or short paragraph, in the Mishna. [H]
* Mishpat (pl. mishpatim)
Law from the Torah that can be rationalized [H]
* Mitzvah
Commandment; not "good deed" in Hebrew, but has come to mean that
in Yiddish, especially among more secular people [H]
* Mutar
Permitted [H]
* Ner tamid
Eternal light [H]
* Nigun (pl. nigunim)
Wordless prayer melody, usually repeated many times over to create
a spiritual mood [H]
* "Nu?"
This is an exclamation used in the same sense as "well" "eh" and
"hey." [Y] It could be used in the Hebrew/Yiddish translation of
any of the following:
1. Well, do you want the egg roll or the knish?
2. Hey! Stop throwing paper airplanes in class.
3. My experimental tofu-liver-garlic cholent tastes good, eh?
4. So, Becca, I hear you and Izzy went out last week. Well?
5. A rebuke (on small kids): "Nu, nu, nu, you spiled all the
milk!
6. To express doubt: "I heard that Rabin met Asad. Nu."
7. When the news ain't new no more: (see #7; the change is in
the tone of the "nu").
8. As "come on": NU BEMET.
9. When one can't talk (i.e. in the middle of Shmone-Esre, after
Netila before Hamotzi, etc.)
* Olam ha-ba
The world to come [H]
* Parsha (N)
The weekly Torah portion (pl. parshiot) [H]
* Patur
Something or someone who is exempt (from an obligation or a law)
[H]
* Pikuah Nefesh
To save a life (usually in context of breaking Shabbat, etc.) [H]
* Posek (pl. poskim) (N)
The rabbi one consults for halachic decisions; an authority on
Jewish Law [H]
* Posken (V)
To render an halachic ruling, usually one that clarifies the law
in a specific case [H]
* Psak (N)
Decision, verdict [H]
* R'chilut
Gossip [H]
* Ribono shel Olam
Master of the universe [H]
* Rosh Chodesh
First day of the new Jewish month [H]
* Ruach
Spirit, wind [H]
* Sedra
The weekly Torah portion [H]
* Shachrit
Morning; the morning prayer service [H]
* Shaliach
Emmisary, appointed agent (male pl. sh'lichim, sh'lichei; fem.
sing. sh'lichah; fem. pl. sh'lichot) [H]
* Shaliach Tzibur
The person leading services [H]
* Sh'lom bayit
Peace in the home [H]
* Shekhinah (Literal translation: that which dwells)
G-d's presence (often associated with feminine imagery, but not
always) [H]
* Shir Ha Shirim
Song of Songs [H]
* Sh'mot (Literal translation: names)
The 2nd book of the Torah (Exodus) [H]
* Shomer (pl. shomrim)
Watchman, guardian [H]
* Shomer shabbat
Observant of the laws of Shabbat [H]
* Shoresh
Root of a word (all hebrew verbs have a 3-4 letter root that is
the basis of conjugation. many other parts of speach (adj, nouns)
are also derived from this same shoresh) [H]
* Shtiebel
A small synagogue [Y]
* Sinat chinam
Gratuitous hatred [H]
* Taharah (pl. taharot)
Ritual purity [H]
* Takkanah (N)
Correction; a rabbinic edict that supersedes the existing halachah
(pl. takkanot) [H]
* Tanach
Acronym for Torah Nevi'im K'tuvim - Torah, Prophets, Writings)
The three divisions of the Hebrew Bible [H]
* Tana'im
Sages of the Mishnaic period [H]
* Tefila
Prayer [H]
* Teshuva
Return, repentance [H]
* T'hillim
Psalms [H]
* Tikkun Olam
Correcting the world, repairing the world; an action promoting
social justice [H]
* Torah misinai
(Definition: lit, Torah from Mount Sinai)
Refers to the doctrine that the entire Torah, including the Oral
Law, was given to Moses at Sinai. [H]
* Tsniut
Modesty [H]
* Tzedakah
Righteousness; used for charitable donations, though the root has
a very different sense from the root of "charity." [H]
* Vayikrah (Literal translation: "and He called")
3rd book of the Torah (Leviticus) [H]
* Yahrzeit (literal translation: year-time)
Anniversary of a death; a 24-hour candle lit to commemorate the
death anniversary of a close relative, also lit on holy days when
Yizkor (prayer of remembrance) is recited [Y]
* Yasher koach (Literal translation: meaning unclear, but poss.
"straight strength")
Used idiomatically to express praise or thanks for serving in a
religious or ceremonial role. Implies "may your stength continue,
go on straight", i.e. "You done good! Do it many times more!" [H]
* Yotzei (Literal translation: gone out)
One who has properly fulfilled an obligation [H]
NOTE on spelling/transliteration: Some people transliterate the letter
"het" as "ch," and others as "h." (Better would be "h" with a dot
under it, but that's not possible in email. This also ignores the
linguists, who prefer "x.") Thus: "hag/chag sameah/sameach," "bikkur
holim/cholim," etc. All the terms beginning with "ch" on the list are
"het" words.
------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: Question 19.4: What do all those abbreviations like Z"L mean?
Answer:
Those abbreviation are shorthand for common Hebrew phrases. Here are
some of the most common ones:
A"H
(Alav (Male), Aleha (Female) Hashalom)
+ For any deceased Jew.
+ Translation: Peace Be Upon Him/Her
+ Sometimes written as PBUH, generally by Muslims.
Admo"r
(Adonainu, Morainu, VeRabbeinu)
+ Translation: Our Master, Our Teacher, and Our Rebbe
+ Honorific title given to scholarly leaders of a Jewish
community, "R' Ploni Almoni, SHLITA, Admor of Chelm.")
+ This is usually a specifically Hassidic term.
AMUSh
(Ad Maia Veesrim Shana)
+ Translation: [He/She should live] for 120 years
+ Used for salutations in correspondence: "Dear Ploni AMU"Sh"
B"H
(Baruch Hashem)
+ Translation: Blessed be G-d (occasionally) (B'Ezras/Ezer
Hashem)
+ Translation: With G-d's help (i.e. at top of papers,
sometimes with an ayin following the beis)
B"N
(B'li Neder)
+ Translation: Without taking a vow
+ Used after a promise, since failure to fulfill a promise is a
serious violation of Jewish law. For example, "I'll check
that reference tomorrow, B"N." (i.e., if I forget, I don't
want to be liable under Jewish law).
BLA"H
(B'li Ayin Hara) or (K'ain Ayin Hara)
+ Translation: "without the 'evil eye'"
+ Meaning: "I'm saying this without hubris"
+ Often pronounced Kanaina horo (Yiddish)
BS"D
(B'siyata d'shmaya) (Aramaic)
+ Translation: With the help of heaven (common)
HY"D
(Hashem Yikom Damo[am])
+ For martyred Jews.
+ Translation: Hashem will avenge his[their] Blood
IY"H, IYH
(Im Yirtzeh Hashem)
+ Translation: If it be G-d's will (very common)
+ Used for referring to future actions: "I'll see you tomorrow
IY"H."
N"E
(Nishmaso(male)/Nishmasa(Female) b'Eden)
+ Translation: His/Her soul should be in Eden/paradise
R'
(Rabbi)
ShLIT"A
(SHe'yikhye Lirot Yamim Tovim ve'Arukim)
+ Used for living prominent Jewish scholars.
+ Translation: That he/she should live to see good and full
days (long life)
YM"SH,Y'Sh,Y"ShU
(Yemach Shmo Vezichro)
+ For deceased enemies of the Jewish people
+ Translation: May his name be wiped out (YH"SH, Y'Sh); May his
name and memory be wiped out (Y'Shu)
Z"L
(Zichrono Livrocho)
+ For deceased prominent Jewish scholars.
+ Translation: Of Blessed Memory
+ Sometimes written as OBM
ZT"L
(Zecher Tzadik Livrocho)
+ For deceased prominent Jewish scholars.
+ Translation: The Memory of the Righteous is a Blessing
------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: Question 19.5: Is "shvartze" offensive? Is "goyim" offensive?
Answer:
"Shvartze" is the neutral Yiddish term for "black", including the
person. There are other derogatory terms--some borrowed from English.
But there are Jews who can make "shvartze" offensive. However, even
though the meaning of the term isn't offensive, that doesn't mean that
the word hasn't acquired an offensive connotation over time. This is
the case with "shvartze". Historically, it was used in a nonneutral
way, regardless of its neutral meaning. In general, the term should be
avoided. Note that "shvartze" is also used to describe strict
observance. [From the black clothing often worn by the very
observance. See [5]Section 11.1, question 6 for more details on this.]
"Goy" [plural: goyim, adjective: goyishe] is the standard Hebrew term
for non-Jew. Literally it is the Hebrew for "nation." Spoken aloud
with a disgusted inflection, it's pejorative. So is the word 'Jew' in
similar circumstances. Better to say "gentile" or "non-Jew" when
writing in English for a multireligious audience, such as SCJ. In
general, the use of judgemental or pejorative terms, even if no
offense is intended, should be avoided. They only serve to incite
anger and side-track the conversation. True conversation comes from
being factual and appropriately neutral.
In the phrase "shabbos goy"--a gentile who does things for Jews on
Shabbos--it is neutral, yet when refusing to do something for someone
by saying "I'm not your shabbos goy", it carries a derogatory tinge.
Some also suggest avoiding the term "Marrano", which means "pig".
Depending on the intended meaning, the terms "Sephardic" or
"Crypto-Jew" are more appropriate.
------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: Question 19.6: What does "shiksa" and "shaygetz" mean? How offensive
are they?
Answer:
Shiksa and Shaygetz are the Yiddish derivative of the respective
feminine and masculine Hebrew words for something unclean, dirty. The
appellations are customarily applied to gentiles who do things
inimical to Jewish interests, such as vandalizing Jewish buildings,
robbing Jewish kids of their lunch money, or becoming romantically
involved with Jews :-). The root is "sheketz", which refers to house
rodents and lizards. They impart ritual impurity, and therefore the
term lends itself to the same kind of idea. Some have taken to using
the term to refer to Christian women in general. If Christians were
using the term against Jews in English, they would be saying "Filthy
Jews" or "Dirty Jews", and we Jews would rightly be offended. Hence,
use of these terms should really be avoided; it is insulting and
inappropriate, even if no bad intent was behind the usage. It is
always better to use neutral, less pejorative (judgemental) terms,
such as non-Jew or Christian.
Note: In Israel, shaygetz is sometimes used to refer to a misbehaving
child.
Note: There are other words for non-Jewish women, "nachriah", and
"goyah", that are more properly used in less judgemental situations.
------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: Question 19.7: I am going to be in (name your city), where can I
eat, stay for Shabbat?
Answer:
Go to your local library and request a telephone directory for that
city. Look up "Synagogues-(your affiliation" and call them up. Ask to
be directed to the Hospitality Committee, which is in charge of such
arrangements. Alternatively, a short post to SCJ can get you
up-to-date information about cities from their residents (and possibly
an invitation to dinner and a friend at the service).
------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: Question 19.8: What do bagels, lox, pastrami, falafel, garlic
pickles, kishka, and kasha have to do with being a Jew?
Answer:
Those are foods popular in some cultures in which Jews lived, but have
zero religious significance. They are sometimes called "Jewish foods"
because of their popularity among Jews, and because they bring back
memories of one's ancestors who ate similar foods.
In Ashkenazi communities, Gefilte fish goes beyond being a food of the
larger community adopted by the Jewish community. In these
communities, there was a custom to have fish, wine, and meat on the
Sabbath. On the Sabbath, one may not separate "bad from good" such as
removing bones from fish. (Good from bad, i.e. fish from bone is
OK...) To simplify matters, it became popular to serve ground fish
from which bones were removed.
Another Jewish dish is cholent, a stew left to simmer throughout
Shabbos, because this a) avoids cooking on Shabbos b) reaffirms the
belief in oral Torah, permitting the use of a fire lit before shabbos,
as opposed to the Karaites, who rejected the oral Torah and didn't use
fire on Shabbos. The cholent is then eaten for the Sabbath afternoon
meal.
One of the problems with Jewish cooking is that you can eat an entire
meal, yet not even 72 hours later, you're hungry for more. (:-)
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Subject: Question 19.9: What does Warren Burstein's signature mean?
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