Evening star., 1942-06-24
Discusses Origin
Of Yiddish Tongue
Robbi ExpIoins How Language
Of Holland Was Adopted
By Jewish Refueee-SettIers


Of Holland Was Adopted
By Jewish Refueee-SettIers
To the Editor OF The Star:
In letter to The Star, published
June IS, Rabbi c. A. Rubenstein, pre-
sumably from out Of town, severely
scores Frederic j. Haskin for his answer
to question on the derivation Of the
word "Yiddish."
To be frank about the matter, I cannot
see why this fretting and much ado
about nothing" The arguments Of the
critic are as unjustified as they are
irrelevant. There is no slur upon Jewish
character in Mr.. Haskins Interpretation
of the term "Yiddish," which Is about
as nearly correct as one could make it.
Why should Yiddish be regarded as
un-American? 1t Is spoken by millions
of Jews in this country and abroad.
During the past so years 1t has developed
a rich literature with outstanding daily
newspapers and other periodicals COM
parable with the finest and the best
American-Englsh publications and
equally as patriotic and loyal to the
American cause. The Yiddish press Of
this country constantly is engaged in
spreading the ideals of American democ-
racy and promoting the American war
effort in the present world crisis.
So what is wrong with Yiddish? If it
Is objected that its basic elements are
derived from the old Germanic or Dutch
language, it should be said in reply that
English and other Western European
languages are directly traceable to the
same source.
There is good explanation as to how
the Jews came into possession Of the
Dutch language as the main fabric Of
their speaking tongue in everyday use.
During the Middle Ages, when the Jews
were driven about like hunted deer in
all European lands. prosecuted. tortured
and murdered by the Crusaders and by
the agents of the Inquisition, they found
a haven of safety in the Netherlands,
where they were given full freedom to
worship Israel's God unmolested, to live
their own life in accordance with their
ancient traditions, to engage in the study
of the law, the prophets and sages of
old; to organize their schools of learning
and even to establish their own printing
press in Amsterdam for the production
of their sacred books-the first printing
press in Holland-and to raise up scholars
in the Hebrew lore and erudition. These
al CT, Re J,,o ;v,1
ure to the noble efforts of the noted
rabbi, Menasse Ben Israel, who alone
was responsible for inducing the British
government under Oliver Cromwell to
allow the Jews to return to England
G65D after their exclusion for fully 300
years.
In appreciation of the broad tolerance
and generosity of the government and
people OF Holland, the Jews quickly
adapted themselves to the customs and
ways Of the country, acquiring the Ian
guage of the Dutch for their constant
use in place of the Spanish, Portuguese
and Arabic languages hitherto in cir
culation among the Jewish people
With the mass emigration from West
ern European countries to Poland, the
Jews retained the same language in their
schools of learning and its constant use
in their homes. 1t never was relin-
quished even at the time when Russia
took over Poland and Lithuania.
Living and working among Russians
and Poles, the Jews received into their
spoken language many terms of Slavic
origin They also kept noticeable pro-
portion Of Hebrew terms which always
had remained in use among their fathers
In the many lands OF their dispersion.
Later. at the beginning of Jewish mi
grafton to the United States. a goodly
number OF English terms found their
way into Yiddish However, the essen
tials of the language remained un-
changed, closely related with the life
and destiny of the Jewish people hold
ing place within the hearts Of pious
Israelites almost as holy language, next
in importance to the Hebrew Bible
tongue, because it was the language in
which Jews for four or five centuries
had been taught and trained in the
knowledge Of God and the religion of
their forefathers.
The growth and development Of the
Yiddish language and literature during
the past half century have made 1t a
still stronger bond of endurance among
the Jewish people. 1t is principally
through the medium of Yiddish that the
Judeo- English literature in America has
made rapid strides to the benefit of the
advancement and diffusion of Hebraic
and Talmudic knowledge among Jewish
and non-Jewish people in this land.
1t would be well for Rabbi Rubenstein
and others to realize that, while it Is not
good for the Jews to remain silent in
the face Of Hitler propaganda directed
against them, it is equally bad to be-
come hysterical at the least imaginary
sign of slur upon Jewish loyalty and
love for this country.
In my opinion there was nothing to
be excited about In the answer given
by Mr.. Haskin to the question concern
ing the origin Of Yiddish
RABBI J. T. LOEB.
Proposes Use Of Post Offices
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