Although three months have passed since we have inaugurated Rosh Hashanah, we are reminded that there is another new year that plays a role in our lives as well. Come January 1, the Gregorian calendar calls to our attention yet another new year that shares little, if anything in common with Rosh Hashanah. As a result, there are adages and expressions in the Yiddish language with the word yohr (year) that would not be in keeping with the message conveyed by Tishrei 1.
A shvahrtzyohr oif im (literally “a black year upon him”). Ranking fairly potent on the “curse meter,” a shvahrtzyohr oif im is wishing a plague on him … or anyone else that is deserving of such an imprecation.
A yohr mit a mitvoch (a year and a Wednesday). While it is not a curse per se, a yohr mit a mitvoch speaks disparagingly of one who takes his own sweet time, totally oblivious to all others. Of interest is that a yohr mit a mitvoch finds its origins in the Talmud, regarding the marriage of a virgin bride. After kiddushin (betrothal) is effectuated, the virgin bride is granted a year to prepare for nissuin (marriage). Furthermore, marriages would typically take place on mitvoch so that if the groom learned that he had been duped, he could appear before the beit din of Jewish law which met on Mondays and Thursdays.
Ahzah yohr oif mir (such a year upon me; may such an occurrence befall me). If yohr can be used in an imprecation, yohr can also be used in a supplication. Ever since creation, the human eye tends to take notice of others. Rather than begrudge any good that has come the way of others, an appropriate response of Yiddish speakers might be ahzah yohr oif mir.
Yohrtog (anniversary). Because yohrzeit, literally “time of year,” has been given an exclusive in referring to the anniversary of one’s death, yohrtog refers to all other anniversaries. Only comedians known for their deprecating style such as Rodney Dangerfield (Jacob Cohen) would dare refer to their wedding anniversary as a yohrzeit.
Yohrgelt (annuity). While I sincerely doubt that our eastern European ancestors knew anything about annuities in that their daily challenge was being able to feed their families, yohrgelt shows that Yiddish is able to adapt to a world far removed from the shtetl and economically superior to a lifestyle of abject poverty.
As we continue in the year 5783, we pray that no one finds it necessary to wish a shvahtzyohr on anyone. Similarly, we pray that time goes by neither too quickly nor too slowly, so that there is no need for us to invoke a yohr mit a mitvoch. We pray that there is reason for us to celebrate many a yohrtog, so that each yohrzeit we commemorate is outnumbered. May any yohrgelt that comes our way be well worth the wait. Most important of all, may it be a year worthy of being remembered by bringing to mind azah yohr oif mir.
Rabbi Shawn Zell has recently returned to New Jersey, after serving at a pulpit in Dallas. He possesses certification in teaching Yiddish. Rabbi Zell is the author of three books.
