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Today, I learned a word that is one of the most disparaging words in the yiddish language. In another forum, I was called a “mechutzaf” becuase I discussed that my belief is that Hashem created tobacco for the purpose that it be smoked in a pipe or as a cigar.
I was aggressively attacked at many levels for my ideas and I was denigrated as well as dispagaged for holding this beleif.
This word I do not yet know the exact definition. That said, I looked on google and thought that perhaps it might mean a “religious slider” (going down a slippery slope).
Is this what this term means. Apparantly it is one step below being called an “apikores”.
I must tell you guys that I am a fellow who grew up far from the yiddish speaking world and words like nebach and other derogatory words of the yiddish language make me very aggreived and embarrassed. I do not talk this way myself though I might use the word meshuganah. I do not use the word nebach and I do not use the word “apikores”.
I think that derogatory language is a disgust to the purity of the orthodox speaking tongue as well as a wicked aberration to the orthodox cleaving ears.
I must implore that this fellow is simply agitated becuase the dialogue that he continued to have with me did not go the way that he wished it to go.
This guy went on to say that “If you bag yourself and do a tall building, it’s a lot faster.” in regards to his suggestion that I find a simpler way to “kill myself”.
This is an amazing world that we can communicate with complete starangers on the internet. Things are said that are never said to ones face. That said, I am astonished by the amount of heresy and evil that surfaces on all of the internet forums and places like chat rooms. I have made a donation of 1% of my monthly income to a Jewish charity- Mogen David Adom- in order to scatter the evil that was pegged onto my own light by this other fellow yid. I discuss politics, religion and orthodox beliefs online and I hope that my conversations will stimulate the mind and produce good debate. To make arrogant and demeaning comments to a fellow debater indicates that you can not possibly defend your own position and that you are going to resort to evil to produce a result that you can not attain on your own.
That is my salient essay for you today. I hope that you have enjoyed my company and I hope that you enjoy the commentary I offer here on YWN.
The word that bothered you was “mechutzaf?” That is Hebrew (not Yiddish) for someone who speaks or acts with chutzpah. It has nothing to do with being a step below Apikores, because even someone who learns yomam valeila can be chutzpahdig (a mechitzaf)given the right circumstances (though it says something about his lack of menschlechkeit, but certainly nothing about his belief in Torah). An apikores is a terrible thing to be called. it basically says you are a complete non-believer in Torah or in its being given by Hashem.
basket of radishes, I understand why you’re insulted, but I find the suggestion that someone kill himself even more offensive.
It’s not a compliment to be called mechutzaf, but it is not the worsrt insult ever, either. It’s very simple, if you are called that by someone, I would try and examine my words or actions to see why someone believes I spoke or acted in a nervy way. Apikores is not a Yiddish word in origin, though I am sure people who are speaking Yiddish have referred to someone as an Apikores. Not every Hebrew word has ane xact English equivalent. The word “es” comes to mind, as in “Breishis Bara Elokim es HaShamaying v’es haaretz.” The Torah could have easily simply said, “Breishis Bara Elokin haShamayim v’haaretz. The presence of the word es comes to denote that there is something extra that came from Brias Haolam, but it does not mean the actual word “extra.” Sometimes “es” means “with” in a different context, but that is not its typical meaning.
I did not read the thread in which you feel you were castigated (and probably will not now). As to Apikores, perhaps it is Aramaic, perhaps Greek (from the same word Epicurean?). I do not believe it originates in Hebrew. It basically means someone who denies the Torah or a portion of it, as not being Divinely Written. Mods, am I right about this?
From Wikipedia, Epicurus was a founder and leader of Epicurean thought/philosophy.
Hence Apikous, would be quite a charge and insult. It would intimate that one has completely abrogated the Torah. And denied the divinity of God.
BOR, please don’t take insult from people like that. Asimov said it best. “Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent”.
I would entertain that verbal violence qualifies as well.
I saw the thread. Fear not. Mechutzaf is exactly what the one who attacked you is. He comments anonymously on just about every thread, and because that site thrives on negative comments, they let him brech out his inflammatory nonsense.
mechutzaf = impertinent, impolite, insolent, cheeky.
And although it is not as bad as an Apikores it is meant to be derogatory.
Apparantly it is one step below being called an “apikores”.
No, as oomis pointed out, it has a totally different meaning and connotation.
dude…you wrote an essay about how offended you were…BY THE INTERNET?@?!? its the internet! #sheesh
Rofl bongmaniac 😀 uz lulzy 😀 that was a rather clever insult 😀 Butliekyea…ever heard the expression don’t feed the trollz? Well…don’t feed the trollz.
basket of radishes, if you were asking for a translation there, bombmaniac said (approximately) the following:
“Basket of Radishes, I find your apparently deliberate misspelling of my username quite amusing, and a rather clever insult. In any event, are you aware of the customary attitude towards internet trolls, in which one deliberately does not take their words personally, nor reacts seriously to them? I believe you ought to take that stance here.”
bombmaniac, was that about right?
sounds bout right…and another person on teh werld wide interwebz named bombmaniac!? wow…i mean i DO write articles…but none like that 😀
😀 😀 😀 i wonder what would happen if i brought a bong into teh airport 😛 its ok it was kinda funny 😀 ive been online long enough to never get offended 😛
Joseph
most definitely…but this one is fun 😀
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