With Tu B’Shevat mere days away, the time is ripe to look into Yiddish words associated with fruit. Fruit was the first food mentioned in the Torah. In the Garden of Eden, fruit was Adam and Eve’s for the picking. Ironically, fruit—forbidden fruit—also brought about Adam and Eve’s downfall. The Yiddish word for fruit is “froocht.” Just as in the English language we find there are several applications for the word fruit such as “fruitcake,” “grapefruit” and “fruitful,” so too is the case with “froocht” in Yiddish. I take this opportunity to list five of them.
Froochtpehrt Eich Oon Mehrt Eich (you be fruitful, and you multiply). These were the very first words spoken by God to the human He created in His own image. These were also the very same words spoken by God to the birds and the beasts a mere six verses earlier! Yet, unlike the birds and the beasts, the first human was also commanded to subdue the earth. If only God had commanded the first human (as well as all humans to follow) to subdue themselves as well!
Froochtboim (fruit tree). It has been said that “a tree is known by its fruit; a person is known by his deeds.” It should be pointed out however that the name of the forbidden fruit eaten by Eve and then Adam is ominously absent. Shouldn’t the fruit have been known as the “fruit of knowledge?” Then again, however unfortunate it may be, knowledge does not grow on trees.
Froochteiz (sherbet or sorbet). Yiddish does not distinguish between these two frozen treats. A modicum of research on my part leads me to believe that a rudimentary form of froochteiz already existed in the Egypt of our enslaved ancestors. While the Children of Israel were being subjected to excruciating slave labor, Pharaoh was offering visitors ice mixed with fruit juices.
Froochtmesser (fruit knife). As one who admits total ignorance when it comes to culinary knowledge, I have no idea how a fruit knife differs from a paring knife. I do know however that the Comprehensive English-Yiddish Dictionary translates paring knife as “shobmesser.”
Froochthandler (fruit merchant). Like English, Yiddish family names often find their origins in occupations. Froochthandler is one such example. Spelled with a “u” rather than a double “o,” the name suggests that at one time a family ancestor earned a livelihood selling fruit. There are several “fruchthandlers” in the metropolitan New York/New Jersey area.
Come this Thursday, let’s celebrate Tu B’Shevat in the appropriate manner, especially by eating fruit from Israel. Also let’s celebrate Tu B’Shvat knowing the five Yiddish terms froochtpehrt, froochtboim, froochteiz, froochtmesser and froochthandler. Someday, such knowledge might just bear fruit.
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.
