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

This is a great book; I was expecting just a fairly usual compendium of Yiddishisms, but Wex has shown how language is related to the philosophy behind the language, and how Yiddish is a window on the worldview of the Jews in their period of exile. But not as a dry academic treatise; at times I was, really literally, laughing out loud.

Only a mad genius could create a work like Born to Kvetch. This book is a potpourris of just about everything but the kitchen sink. A rumination on the language and culture of Yiddish, Wex takes his time translating the Yiddish mindset in hilarious English prose, weighing the two languages against each other with examples from Shakespeare, the Bible,American TV, Yiddish fiction, newspapers, translations of the Bible. His deep knowledge of religious and popular culture shows through in his unlikely combinations of similes which have the capacity to make the reader laugh out loud (a difficult task for a book to do). Wex also had the endearing habit of reinforcing all the stereotypes about Yiddish which its detractors stressed and its critics tried to refute (like it is the language of exile, for example). Wex is happy with Yiddish as a type of German jive, a language created so Jews could have their own nation in exile, a golus of words, and Wex plays with Jewish stereotypes with just enjoy of a deft touch to avoid offensiveness.

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.

Reading has been limited so far, but even in small bits it's enjoyable and memorable.

Kvetch is the art of complaining. The book is written in Yiddish rather
than standard German. The author explains how Jews take their Yiddish
with them into Slavic countries. Acceptance of Talmudic authority
distinguishes Jews from non-Jews. The Fasting of the Firstborn is
described on the eve of Passover in gratitude for G-d having spared
them.

Kosher foods are described in detail. These foods are considered fit,
proper or right. i.e. fish with fins and scales; all birds not forbidden
in the Talmud; mammals with clover hooves that chew the cud or eat
noisily with their mouths open.

Luckily, the volume contains an extensive glossary for the readership.
The acquisition would be excellent for both Jews and non-Jews alike.