Born to Kvetch: Yiddish Language and Culture in All of Its Moods (P.S.)

It is quite wonderful, but I have to wonder, it is really authentic. The dislike, disrespect and denigration of anything goyish goes from cute to alarming! There are a people that wanted no part of assimilation, thought the Christians to be fools, were happy when the Catholic Church formed and removed Jesus as a Jew.... they wanted no part of him and held him in contempt.I don't know if what is the message of Jesus (if indeed there was a message of kindness and brotherhood for all, or if that is just a transient view of convenience)... was ever considered just for it's goodness, a notion of a loving and god with whole one had a personal relationship and mutual affection: that is surely not present in Jewish tradition... yeah, we were slaves, we were strangers, etc, but that is not expressed in the Jewish culture toward non Jews...The character of Jewish humor is presented and the notion of being an aggravating, annoying and complaining people as an essential part of their character I would think would draw some fire... they hold the goy in contempt and treat that synonymously with eating of pork, ignorance...Lewis Thomas, in examining a tribe Africa, the Iks (real or fictitious) whose society had broken down so that each person was separate and uncooperative, said that they seemed to behave as individual nations would, separate, suspicious, protective... that would seem to be the Yiddish Jews... that with their language and customs did indeed constitute a nation within nations. dealing within their own nation and at odds with all but their own...That is informative, but somewhat damning...I wonder, is that a true picture? Does no one have cause or material to object?We are aware of the talmudic problem, should a Jew break the Sabbath in order to help a non Jew in need... this was not a small thing, but some serious matter... perhaps a fire, an injury. There was a lot of discussion, but eventually it came out yes...not for moral reasons but for the animosity and retribution that might befall the Jews for failing to help a person in need... and I don't suppose it was unique to Jews that one must never speak ill of any Jew lest a Gentile hear that and take comfort and beside, the Gentiles had quite enough bad things to say already... to which the Jews would say "that's not true!" or "we're no different from anyone else who all do the same thing so what is special about us that we deserve to be criticized"

Is the man a genius or what?There is so much wit, wisdom and brilliant insight in this book that I am in awe of Wex's accomplishment. I have lived with Yiddish since I was a child. Wex has a very deep grasp of the neshomeh, the soul of the language and of Ashkenazi Jewry. I laughed so hard as I read and reread passages from Born to kvetch. The laughter of recognition.Often I would find myself stopping and shouting, Ot azoy! ( Right on!) Finally, someone has not only gotten it but has the seykhel to put it on paper in a coherent and truly hysterical fashion, one which really represents the best in Yiddish humor. What is this humor? It is a presentation of the facts in a way that reminds us of the absurdity of life. Wex has gotten the Ashkenazi Jewish psyche down pat. Go no further. This is it.But I digress.Yiddish is ( yes, it's still very much alive in spite of what some paskudnyaks have written) one of the most exciting, self-deprecating, honest modes of communication around. If you like to laugh this is your language. If you want to cry ( and possibly kvetch a bit, too - it wouldn't hurt) climb on board. The literature of Yiddish ( much of it untranslated) rivals the best in the world. I used to listen to the news on a NY radio station, WEVD, read in Yiddish. It was hilarious. Jon Stewart, eat your heart out. This is where it all started. Jewish comedians grew up immersed in Yiddish.Notice how many there are and were - Marx Bros, Three Stooges, Jack Benny, Seinfeld, Lenny Bruce, Woody Allen, etc.- not only often often use Yiddish phrases but their entire world outlook is taken lock, stock and bagel from Yiddish.By the way, Wex yearly gives classes in which he expounds on many related themes, all of them from his unique and authentic Yiddish background, at the Klezkamp gatherings in NY. Well worth the price of admission.I learned more about the psychology of the Eastern European Jewish world ( ie. most American Jews) from this book than anywhere else. I also recognized my relatives.And, yes, Wex is the real thing. He grew up in a Yiddish-speaking Canadian home. His Yiddish is not university Yiddish, le-havdil, but the language that Ashkenazi Jews used to eat, laugh, perform carnal acts, and curse. You think that our parents and grandparents weren't human? This book will show you just how human they were .Wex has put the Yid back into Yiddish.

The book was not as I expected yet it did not disappoint. Not only does it give insights into the language but also into the way of life for those Yiddish . History,languages and even a little on food gives one a perspective into this way of life.It may not have been the reading I was expecting but it delivered well providing an insight the t I would have been poor with out.

I have enjoyed this, I learnt the history of origin, which was extremely different to that, which I had expected. I have also established a few phrases that I can use either at work, or at leisure, which will satisfy me, relieve tension and/or frustration, but which nobody else understands, which leaves me free form being accused of inappropriate behaviour.It's a well written book

Excellent service all round, packaging, delivery all spot on and the book is enlightening, entertaining......and good value

I never really understood about kvetching until I read Michael book. A masterpiece of trivia and yiddishkeit

Not for me