Jewish catchphrases. The best Jewish proverbs and aphorisms

22.09.2019

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If among your friends there is at least one Jew, then we can say that you are lucky. After all, next to you there is always a real storehouse of all kinds of phrases and words that can easily be applied to any life situation. Jewish expressions are very easy to remember and become part of life; with them you can laugh at any problem or trouble.

Features of the Hebrew language

It is difficult to confuse the Hebrew language with any other; it has bright accent and its own system of word formation. Many experts believe that the language was created artificially by merging several ancient dialects.

In favor of this version, linguists cite a simple fact - the roots of words always consist of three letters. This can cause bewilderment for almost any linguist, besides Hebrew language originally had an alphabet, which is very unusual. According to all the rules, any language is formed and developed from oral speech, later it acquires an alphabet and writing appears among the people. Scientists believe that Hebrew successfully passed all these stages and was originally a complete language with an alphabet. Moreover, over time it continued to develop and be enriched with new words. But what is surprising is the fact that the roots of many words are interconnected. Even without knowing the meaning of a word, you can always intuitively understand what it means we're talking about during conversation.

Modern Jews borrowed many words from foreign languages, but this did not benefit Hebrew. It was filled with phrases that were alien in sound and meaning and which, by their education, could not say anything to Jews. Every year this process deepens, but amazing Jewish expressions still remain in everyday life and delight others with their originality.

Yiddish is a special form of Hebrew

Almost every Jew speaks Yiddish. It's hard to explain what it is. Most likely Yiddish is separate form Hebrew language, which will be understandable even to representatives of different communities. In ancient times, if two Jews could not find words to understand each other, they switched to Yiddish. In this case, any conversation became extremely clear.

Linguists claim that all unusual phrases are part of Yiddish. But the Jews themselves never separate classical Hebrew and Yiddish; they are fluent in both forms of their native language.

If you ask a Jew where all the buzzwords he uses come from, he will simply shrug his shoulders. These phrases were used by his grandparents, which means they will still be in use long years. Although this fact does not detract from the interest in their translation.

You may have heard phrases such as "shlomiel" or "azochen wey". A true Jew does not think about what each of them means, but on an intuitive level he always understands when it is appropriate to insert this or that phrase. It is interesting that many words are used with completely different meanings, which can only be understood by a person who speaks Hebrew fluently.

Jewish expressions can amuse, console and scold. Many Odessa residents have the ability to lift their mood for the whole day with one word. No language in the world has such a message as the famous Jewish expressions in Yiddish.

Linguists believe that if you, for example, can give the phrase “azohen wei” a translation into Russian in the correct interpretation, then you have every chance of learning to correctly use numerous Hebrew expressions. And this can already ensure your popularity in any society that values humor and the ability to laugh at oneself.

"Azohen wey" - what does this phrase mean?

This phrase is the most popular among Jews. They use it on almost every occasion and can give it any emotional coloring. Translation into Russian may take away a little color from the phrase “azokhen wey,” but literally it can sound like “when you want to say oh and wey.” A little unclear, isn't it? But for Jews everything is very clear here; this phrase was originally used only in moments of grief. It meant that things were going badly and were difficult to improve. It is interesting that even in this interpretation it is difficult for a foreigner to understand the meaning of “azokhen wey”. Translating this phrase into the Romance group of languages is almost impossible; it completely loses its meaning.

What is the meaning of “azokhen wey” used in modern language?

Nowadays, young people often use the famous phrase for any reason. It retains its original meaning, but also acquires a new meaning. For example, if you tell a Jew that he doesn’t have time to do something on time, he may well answer you with the phrase “azokhen wei.” Which does not mean regrets about lost time and opportunities, but something like “well, so be it.” Moreover, only foreigners make mistakes in the intonation of this phrase, but Jews always understand what they meant.

In some cases, the phrase is used with an ironic overtone and expresses great doubt. In this case, they will definitely tell you “azokhen wei”, which means “lie and don’t lie.” Linguists advise using Hebrew phrases with great caution, if you fail, you will definitely be laughed at. This is how Jewish people are!

Who are you, mysterious helmet?

Every Jew in childhood was called shlemazl; they don’t even try to think about the meaning of this word. It is used when the child gets into trouble or does something extraordinary. Many adults grow up, but still remain slammers. So what does this mysterious nickname mean?

In its exact translation, the word "shelmazzle" is translated as "complete happiness." No wonder children are named this way. But do not forget that the Hebrew language is very ironic, so the word has a different meaning. In some cases, a loser will be called a slammer, a kind of bungler who tries all the time, but just can’t do everything right. Jews joke that if during a drought a shlemazl decides to sell it into the water, it will definitely start to rain and continue for a whole month.

Shlomiel - a klutz of Jewish origin

If you come to Israel for the first time, you will think that the Jews use the word “shlemiel” to swear. But in fact this is not so, it has a slightly different meaning. If you try to translate "shlemiel" literally, you get something like "useless person." He always tries to do something, but only makes things worse for himself and those around him. This is its main difference from the helmet, which belongs to the breed of people who are completely unlucky.

To people uninitiated in the mysteries of Hebrew, both of these words seem identical, but a real Jew will never confuse one meaning with the other. Israelis say this skill is in their blood.

"Have a nice porno!"

If you hear such a wish from a Jew, then do not rush to be offended, you can say that they wished you wealth and all sorts of things. material goods. This incomprehensible word means “porn” earnings that are not subject to state tax. That is, this is all that in our country will fall under the category of “black cash”.

Originally in Hebrew, "parnas" referred to money that belonged to the community. They were spent only on religious purposes and could not be taxed. Subsequently, the word gradually began to mean any amount of money received in addition to official earnings.

“A huhem a id” - a compliment or an insult?

The phrase "a huchem aid" is often heard in Jewish conversation, usually referring to a person. It’s just that it’s not very clear from its tone what exactly the interlocutors wanted to say to each other. Well, to be extremely precise, the Jews will understand perfectly well what meaning they mean by “a huchem a id.” Let's try to clarify the situation a little.

It's no secret that Jews are considered a very cunning people. Each of them is able to benefit from almost any situation. But there is a special category of Jews, they are “a huchem a id.” These include people who try too hard to outwit others, and in the end this becomes noticeable to everyone around them. So he doesn’t get “a huhem a id” what he wants, for which he always remains ridiculed by his friends and numerous relatives.

Many of us have heard a lot of unusual Jewish words throughout our lives, each of them can make your own language much richer and more interesting. The main thing is not to make a mistake in using them, otherwise in decent society they may simply not understand you.

37 magnificent sayings brought to us through the centuries.

"Love your neighbor as yourself"
Torah, book Vayikra 19, 18

“Enjoy life with the wife you love all the days of your busy life, given to you by Him.”
King Shlomo, Kohelet 9, 9

“If not me for myself, then who for me? If I am only for myself, then what am I? If not now, then when?”
Pirkei Avot 1, 14

“If you feel that you are seething with indignation and are ready to express your grievances with anger to the one who caused this indignation, know that doing so is prohibited. No matter how righteous your anger may be!”
Rabbi Zelig Pliskin, from the book “Take Care of Your Speech”

“Even the one who has already paid the victim what is due must ask for his forgiveness. Even one who has offended his neighbor only with words is obliged to ask to be forgiven.”
Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Laws on the basic principles of the Torah 2, 9

“He who desires life, who loves longevity to see good, guard your tongue from evil.”
Tehillim 34, 14

“You need to think carefully about every thing that you are going to say to a person: can you say it or not? Won't this cause quarrels? Will it be understood?
Rabbi Yitzchak Zilber

"Secret happy life is that each spouse tries to make the other happy. But when one constantly demands something from the other, they will never see happiness.”
Rabbi Eliyahu Eliezer Desler

“He who feels secure in this world is a stranger in heaven. And vice versa"
Rabbi Yechiel Mihl of Zlochev

“He who causes another to turn pale with shame in public has no share in the Hereafter.”
Pirkei Avot 3, 15

“The heart of the wise is in the house of mourners, and the heart of fools is in the house of gladness.”
King Shlomo, Kohelet 7, 4

“Man is given two eyes. One is to see your shortcomings, and the second is to see the virtues of your neighbors."
Rabbi Meir of Premyshlan

“Slander kills three people: the one who speaks, the one who believes the speaker, and the one about whom it is spoken.”
Talmud, Erhin 15b

“Parental self-improvement is the essence of preparing for successful parenting.”
Rav Noach Orlovek

“Love those who reproach and hate those who praise, for these will lead you to life in the world to come, and those will kill you from the world.”
Avot de-Rabi Nathan 29, 1

“Charity and justice are the gates of the Torah. The reward for charity is wealth, and the reward for justice is power."
Vilna Gaon, Perfect Measure, 10

“A person is known in three things: in intoxication, in relation to money and in a moment of anger”
Talmud, Eruvin 65b

“A person should not show cruelty by refusing to forgive the offender; you should be easy-going and not angry"
Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Laws on the basic principles of the Torah 2, 10

“Look not at the jug, but at what is in it: sometimes a new vessel is full of old wine, and sometimes there is no new wine in an old jug.”
Treatise “Avot” 4, 27

“When your enemy falters, do not rejoice, and when he stumbles, do not allow your heart to rejoice.”
Pirkei Avot 4, 9

« Better man to do work that is foreign to him, but not to need the mercy of others.”
V. Talmud, Bava Batra 110a

“The rule of wisdom is silence. The price of a word is gold, silence is two.”
Rabbi Yehuda Ha-Chassid, Sefer Ha-Chassidim 86

“Silence is good for a wise man. And even more so - stupid"
V. Talmud, Psakhim 99

“He who loves money will not be satisfied with money”
King Shlomo, Kohelet 5, 9

"A man of many words will not escape sin"
King Shlomo, Mishlei 10, 19

“What has been is what will be, and what has happened is what will happen, and there is nothing new under the sun.”
King Shlomo, Kohelet 1, 9

“To be afraid of sin is to be afraid of sin, not of punishment”
Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Kotzk

“Why do fingers look like pegs? So that a person, having heard something unworthy, would plug his ears with them.”
Talmud Ketubot 5

“For he who is in the shadow of wisdom is also in the shadow of wealth, and the advantage of the knowledge of wisdom is that it brings life to those who have it.”
King Shlomo, Kohelet 7, 12

“Train yourself to speak softly with all people and at any time, and by this you will avoid anger - a bad trait that leads a person to sin.”
Rabbi Moshe ben Nachman, Letter to his son

"Purity of speech and good qualities character require long-term work on oneself and should become a habit, because habit guides a person.”
Chafetz Chaim, Laws of Evil Speech, 9, note to paragraph 6

“Whoever gives to the poor will not lack”
King Shlomo, Mishlei 28, 27

“When a person wants, he can get out of any mud”
Rabbi Yitzchak Zilber

“He who refrains from punishing his son and protects him in situations where the son deserves punishment hates his son, because in the end he will become corrupted.”
Vilna Gaon, Perfect Measure, 6

“Do not reveal to someone who loves you any secret that you are hiding from a hater, unless you have experienced the fidelity of his love many times.”
Rabbi Yehuda Ha-Chassid, Sefer Ha-Chassidim 85

“Who do people respect? Someone who respects others"
Pirkei Avot 4, 1

All peoples have their own special worldview, and this is best reflected in sayings and proverbs. There are many legends about wisdom Jewish people, and this is all for a reason! Here are some witty Jewish proverbs on different topics, which reflect its entire essence:

Intelligence and stupidity

God gave man two ears and one mouth so that he would listen more and talk less.

Everyone complains about the lack of money, but no one complains about the lack of intelligence.

It is more difficult to remain silent well than to speak well.

Don't be sweet - otherwise they will eat you. Don't be bitter, otherwise you'll be spat out.

The deaf man heard the dumb man say that the blind man saw the lame man run very quickly.

Age

Gray hair is a sign of old age, not wisdom.

As a person ages, he sees worse, but more.

Experience is the word people use to describe their mistakes.

When spinster gets married, she immediately turns into a young wife.

If life doesn't change for the better, wait - it will change for the worse.

Money

It's not as good with money as it is bad without it.

If a problem can be solved with money, it's not a problem, it's an expense.

If charity cost nothing, everyone would be a philanthropist.

God protects the poor at least from costly sins.

When there is no money, they take on great things.

Family

Parents teach children to talk, children teach parents to be silent.

God can't be everywhere at once - that's why he created mothers

Those who do not have children raise them well.

Eggs may be much smarter than chickens, but they quickly go rotten.

Men would do more if women talked less.

Optimism

It's better to die of laughter than of fear.

God! Help me get on my feet - I can fall myself.

A person should live at least for the sake of curiosity.

“And it will come to pass at the end of days: the mountain of the Temple of the Lord will be at the head of all the mountains... and all nations will flock to it.”
Prophet Yeshayahu 2, 2

"Love your neighbor as yourself"
Torah, book Vayikra 19, 18

“Enjoy life with the wife you love all the days of your busy life, given to you by Him.”
King Shlomo, Kohelet 9, 9

“Although selfishness is a passive and not an active evil, it can lead to dire consequences. Therefore, the Talmud calls selfishness one of the most serious sins."
Rabbi Shimshon Refael Hirsch, "Thoughts and Aphorisms"

“If not me for myself, then who for me? If I am only for myself, then what am I? If not now, then when?”
Pirkei Avot 1, 14

“If you feel that you are seething with indignation and are ready to express your grievances with anger to the one who caused this indignation, know that doing so is prohibited. No matter how righteous your anger may be! »
Rabbi Zelig Pliskin, from the book “Take Care of Your Speech”

“Even the one who has already paid the victim what is due must ask for his forgiveness. Even one who has offended his neighbor only with words is obliged to ask to be forgiven."
Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Laws on the basic principles of the Torah 2, 9

“He who desires life, who loves longevity to see good, guard your tongue from evil.”
Tehillim 34, 14

“Who is the righteous? The one who finds an excuse for every person."
Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev

“You need to think carefully about every thing that you are going to say to a person: can you say it or not? Won't this cause quarrels? Will it be understood?
Rabbi Yitzchak Zilber

“Every person, whether Jew or non-Jew, man or woman, servant or maid, can bring the Divine Presence closer to himself, each according to his own deeds.”
Tana Dvei Eliyahu Raba 9

“The secret to a happy life is for each spouse to try to make the other happy. But when one constantly demands something from the other, they will never see happiness.”
Rabbi Eliyahu Eliezer Desler

“He who feels secure in this world is a stranger in heaven. And vice versa"
Rabbi Yechiel Mihl of Zlochev

“He who causes another to turn pale with shame in public has no share in the Hereafter.”
Pirkei Avot 3, 15

“The heart of the wise is in the house of mourners, and the heart of fools is in the house of gladness.”
King Shlomo, Kohelet 7, 4

“Man is given two eyes. One is to see your shortcomings, and the second is to see the virtues of your neighbors."
Rabbi Meir of Premyshlan

“Slander kills three people: the one who speaks, the one who believes the speaker, and the one about whom it is spoken.”
V. Talmud, Erhin 15b

“If a person tells things that, if made public, could cause physical or moral harm to his neighbor, or simply cause him inconvenience, or frighten him, this is slander.”
Rambam, Laws of Deot, chapter 7, law 5

“Parental self-improvement is the essence of preparing for successful parenting”
Rav Noach Orlovek

“Everything that Heaven does is for good”
V. Talmud, Berachot 60b

“Love those who reproach and hate those who praise, for these will lead you to life in the world to come, and those will kill you from the world.”
Avot de-Rabi Nathan 29, 1

“Charity and justice are the gates of the Torah. The reward for charity is wealth, and the reward for justice is power."
Vilna Gaon, Perfect Measure, 10

“Do not rebuke a scoffer, for he will hate you.”
King Shlomo, Mishlei 9, 8

“All service to the Almighty depends on correcting the qualities of character. These qualities are like vestments for the commandments, and they are the basis of the Torah, and all sins have their root in qualities of character."
Vilna Gaon, Even Shlema 1, 1

“A person is known in three things: in intoxication, in relation to money and in a moment of anger”
V. Talmud, Eruvin 65b

“Even someone who denied the existence of G-d all his life but repented of last minute, is awarded a portion in the world to come, as it is said: “Peace, peace to him that is far and near, said the Lord, I will heal him.”
(Yeshayahu 57, 19) » Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Laws of Repentance 3, 14

“If a person respects his father and mother, the Creator, blessed be He, says: This means that he honors Me.”
Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Nida 31a

“A person should not show cruelty by refusing to forgive the offender; you should be easy-going and not angry"
Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Laws on the basic principles of the Torah 2, 10

“Whoever gives a gift to a sage is as if he brings the first fruits to the Temple.”
V. Talmud, Ketubot 105b

“Look not at the jug, but at what is in it: sometimes a new vessel is full of old wine, and sometimes there is no new wine in an old jug.”
Treatise “Avot” 4, 27

“When your enemy falters, do not rejoice, and when he stumbles, do not allow your heart to rejoice.”
Pirkei Avot 4, 9

“It is better for a man to do work that is foreign to him, but not to need the mercy of others.”
V. Talmud, Bava Batra 110a

“The rule of wisdom is silence. The price of a word is gold, silence is two.”
Rabbi Yehuda Ha-Chassid, Sefer Ha-Chassidim 86

“Silence is good for a wise man. And even more so - stupid"
V. Talmud, Psakhim 99

“He who loves money will not be satisfied with money”
King Shlomo, Kohelet 5, 9

"A man of many words will not escape sin"
King Shlomo, Mishlei 10, 19

“Nothing and no one here on earth will frighten me: not an angel, not even an angel of fear. But the beggar's complaints make me shudder."
Rabbi Huneh of Koloshitsy
“What has been is what will be, and what has happened is what will happen, and there is nothing new under the sun.”
King Shlomo, Kohelet 1, 9

“To be afraid of sin is to be afraid of sin, not of punishment”
Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Kotzk

“Why do fingers look like pegs? So that a person, having heard something unworthy, would plug his ears with them.”
Talmud Ketubot 5

“For he who is in the shadow of wisdom is also in the shadow of wealth, and the advantage of the knowledge of wisdom is that it brings life to those who have it
»King Shlomo, Kohelet 7, 12

“Train yourself to speak softly with all people and at any time, and by this you will avoid anger - a bad trait that leads a person to sin.”
Rabbi Moshe ben Nachman, Letter to his son

“Purity of speech and good character qualities require long-term work on oneself and should become a habit, because habit guides a person.”
Chafetz Chaim, Laws of Evil Speech, 9, note to paragraph 6

“Whoever gives to the poor will not lack”
King Shlomo, Mishlei 28, 27

“When a person wants, he can get out of any mud”
Rabbi Yitzchak Zilber

“When a person’s ways are desired by Hashem, even his enemies will make peace with him”
Yalkut Mishley 16

“He who does not feel the pain of a woman in labor suffering on the other side of the earth as his own pain is not worthy of the name “righteous””
Rabbi Mordechai of Nesvizh

“If someone commits a crime and is ashamed of it, his sins are forgiven”
V. Talmud, Berachot 12b

“Who do people respect? Someone who respects others"
Pirkei Avot 4, 1

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20 killer Jewish jokes - be careful not to hurt your stomach! The fact that resilient Jews will most likely remain on earth even after Armageddon does not need to be proven to anyone.

However, we can confidently say: this nation has no sense of humor. Don't rush to object. This does not mean that Jews cannot joke and laugh. It just seems that what we develop and train for years, they absorb with their mother’s milk.

Once in Odessa:

- Rose, do you want to go to the museum with me?
- Yasha! Don't you pronounce the word "restaurant"?

Somewhere on Privoz:

- Sara Abramovna, you have a great gift for attracting men!
- I? For free? Never!

Rosa Lvovna shouts from the window:

- Syoma, go try on sandals.
- Are these the ones dad bought?
- If I had waited for your dad, you would still not be here!

- Sofochka, have you heard: they say that those who actively engage in sex live much longer...
- What did I tell you! This old prostitute Tsilya will outlive you and me!..

Sarochka, I want you!
- Oh, Monya, what do you want from me?! I want perfume and a dress!
- So you want to promote me for a gift?
- Do you want me to have sex?
- So what?
- A nisho! We lie with you like two idiots... I am without a dress, you are without sex...

- Dinochka Isaakovna, I congratulate you on your birthday and wish you all the best!
- Thank you dear! After all, no one congratulated me, not a single bastard, except you!

Old Odessa.

- My God, who do I see! Solomon Moiseevich!
- My name is Solomon Markovich.
- Are you going to tell me what your name is?! I knew your dad since childhood! He was so handsome and curly!
- Nothing like this. My dad was small and bald.
- Oh, go to hell, you don’t know your dad!

Teacher:
- Tsilya Izrailevna, Seoma needs to be washed. Syoma smells bad!
Parent:
- Marya Nikitichna, Syoma should not sniff. This needs to be taught!

- Fima, why are you still winking at me?
- It's a nervous tic.
- Fima, you are a deceiver and a scoundrel... I’m already ready!

I heard your Sarah is getting married.
- Yes. It comes out little by little.

Father checks his son's diary:

So, physics - 2... Tsilya, do you hear? Physics - 2! So, mathematics - 2... Tsilya, do you hear? Mathematics - 2! So, singing - 5... Tsilya, can you hear? He also sings!

Madame Figner, why are you eating so little today?
- I'm taking care of my figure!
- Oh! To preserve your figure, you need to eat, eat and eat!

- Sarah, my darling, where are you going?
- I’ll go to Privoz.
- But we still have everything!
- Ha ha! How about a fight?

Hello! Uncle Shlyoma, is Monya here?
- Here! Just like here!

- Adam Tsesarevich, you know, when you are not there, they say such things about you!
- I am begging you! Tell them: when I'm not there, they can even beat me!

Rabinovich, do you give bribes?
- I give it to my wife.
- Why does she need it?!
- Otherwise it doesn’t.

- But I’ve got my eye on a cool little car, I’ll take it!
- Wow! Sarah, show me the place where you get the money, I want it too!
- No, Izya, you have such a place...

Sarah, how much do you weigh?
- One hundred and twenty kilograms in glasses.
- And without glasses?
- Without glasses I can’t see the scales.

Dialogue in an Odessa family:

- Syoma, what happened in the kitchen?
- Rose, I had an epiphany: I saw the future!
- And what is there in the future?
- We are buying a new sugar bowl.

Jews teach the whole world that healthy laughter at oneself elevates a person above the bustle of days and is the cause of vitality. And try to say something in reproach here - it simply won’t work! Jews were, are and will be, and this means that they will always have a reason to extend our lives.

Artist Vladimir Lyubarov

35 wise Jewish proverbs

If money is missing, lost or stolen, wise Jews say: “Thank you, Lord, for taking it with money!”

It is believed that the Jewish people are the wisest, since the sources of their knowledge come from God himself. Legends have been formed about the wisdom of the “children of Moses” for centuries - and this is not without reason; their insight and wit are really worth learning from.

Every nation has its own vision of the world, and this is best manifested in proverbs and sayings. And getting to know different cultures, their mentality and sense of humor, we begin to better understand our own.

The whole point of the Jewish people is in their witty proverbs and sayings:

If a problem can be solved with money, it's not a problem, it's an expense.

Adam is the first lucky one because he did not have a mother-in-law.

God gave man two ears and one mouth so that he would listen more and talk less.

May God protect you from bad women, save yourself from good ones!

The wine came in, the secret came out.

God cannot be everywhere at the same time - that's why he created mothers.

Don't be sweet - otherwise they will eat you. Don't be bitter, otherwise you'll be spat out.

Everyone complains about the lack of money, but no one complains about the lack of intelligence.

Fear the goat from the front, the horse from the back, the fool from all sides.

Knowledge does not take up much space.

The guest and the fish begin to smell after three days.

If you don't want someone to sit on your neck, don't bow low.

When choosing between two evils, a pessimist will choose both.