The Declaration of Independence reminds us that all men are created equal. Yet, the Declaration of Independence says absolutely nothing about the equality of death when death beckons. Upon hearing of the recent demise of Pope Francis I, I immediately recalled that depending on who died determines what verb is employed to best describe that death. Just as the English language employs phrases such as “passed away,” “breathed his last breath” and “departed this world,” so too, does the Yiddish language carefully choose different words and expressions best suited for the individual who went the way of all mankind.
What follows are six such examples:
Geshtorben (died): “Geshtorben” is the most commonly used word to describe mortality. It is the past tense of “shtahrben” (die). It’s not all that unusual for “geshtorben” to be followed by “bahgrobben” (buried). When used together, the words serve as a Yiddish equivalent to “dead and gone.” Adopting a fatalistic attitude, it can be said that, “Ah mensch lernt zich zyne gahntz lebben, obber shtahrben shtahrbt eht ah nah—a person spends his entire life learning, yet when it comes to dying, he dies a fool.”
Avehk foon dehr velt (departed this world): Yiddish speaking Jews did a fine job at “softening the blow” when it came to reporting the demise of someone special, particularly a person of renown. Accordingly, when a chief rabbi of an Israeli city breathed his last breath, a Yiddish headline might have described the loss in the following manner: “Hoibt Rov foon Chadera, Benzion Shtahrkmahn avehk foon dehr velt—Chief Rabbi of Hadera, Benzion Shtarkman departed this world.”
Oisgehgahngen dee neshomeh (the soul expired): At the moment of death, there is a practice of opening the windows of the room where the individual breathed his last breath. The reason for doing so is to facilitate the departure of the soul as it makes its way up to heaven. Recently, I discovered that this practice is not limited to our people and that there are regions in Europe where this is also done. Thanks to modern architecture, it is virtually impossible to open a window in a patient’s hospital room.
Nifter gevorren (departed this life): Taken from the Hebrew, it must not go unnoticed that, in the original, there is no need for an auxiliary verb. One simply says, “Ha abba sheli niftar—My father passed away.” In Orthodox communities in this country, the auxiliary verb “was” is employed. Therefore, the same Hebrew statement is now expressed, “My father was niftar.” In Yiddish however, one says, “Myne fotter/tahtteh iz nifter gevorren—My father became niftar.”
Meeseh meshooneh (strange death): Adapted from the Hebrew as well, “meeseh meshooneh” is used to describe an unnatural death. If memory serves correctly, this very newspaper carried a story about the revered Rabbi Aharon Kottler asking the activist/author, Irving Bunim, to arrange a meeting with Mafia figure, Joe Bonanno, to guarantee the escape of 24 rabbis trapped in Italy during World War II. Joe Bonanno gave his word that he would do whatever he could. In return, Mr. Bonanno wanted a blessing from the revered rabbi. “Zogg im ehr zoll lahng lebben oon shtarben in zyne aygenem bett—Tell him that he will live a long life and die in his own bed.” Apparently, Joe Bonanno feared dying a “meeseh meshooneh.” He had every right to.
Payggerin (“croak” or die as a nonhuman): With but rare exceptions, the only interaction with non-Jews the average Jew of Eastern Europe had was with those of the peasant variety. While this in no way impinges on their virtues, it does suggest that the non-Jew was illiterate and uncouth. In the eye of the Jew, the non-Jew appeared to fit into a lower level of humanity. And so, “Ah goy shtahrbt nisht, ah goy payggehrt—A non-Jew doesn’t pass away, a non-Jew ‘croaks.’” Bemoaning the passing of Pope John Paul II in April 2005, a well-meaning Yiddish speaker remarked, “Dehr Poipst hott gehpayggehrt, ahzah gooteh neshomeh—The Pope croaked. Such a good soul!”
May we all be spared a “meeseh meshooneh.” When the time comes, my own personal preference would be “avehk foon dehr velt” instead of “nifter gevorren.” For that matter, I would imagine that most would opt for “oisgehgahngen dee neshomeh” over “geshtorben.” In wishing the new Pope only good things and a long life, it would be interesting to see if Yiddish speakers will use the term “payggerin” when that Pope is, ultimately, called to his Maker.
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.
