belfer

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Definitions

  • n. Assistant teacher of children in a Hebrew school or cheyder.

Example Sentences

  • "The Bal Shem Tov was a belfer in his youth."

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Languages of Origin

  • Yiddish

Etymology

  • בעלפֿער belfer, באַהעלפֿער bahelfer, from root העלף helf 'help'

      • Who Uses This

      • Orthodox: Jews who identify as Orthodox and observe halacha (Jewish law)
      • Ashkenazim: Jews with Ashkenazi heritage

      Dictionaries

      • None

      Alternative Spellings

      bahelfer

Notes

  • Found in the context of a song about mitzvahs, as "belfer-gelt" (monetary contribution to the Hebrew school teachers, who were traditionally young and/or poor).

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