Ask The Rabbi Again III

Kas per diena ...

The history of the Jews in Poland dates back over a millennium. For centuries, Poland was home to the LARGEST AND MOST SIGNIFICANT JEWISH COMMUNITY IN THE WORLD. Poland was the centre of Jewish culture thanks to a long period of statutory religious tolerance and social autonomy. This ended with the Partitions of Poland which began in 1772, in particular, with the discrimination and persecution of Jews in the Russian Empire. 

Poland was the centre of Jewish culture thanks to a long period of statutory religious tolerance and social autonomy...

 Monety polskich Żydów.

Explaining the term "Litvish"

Rabbi Chaim Tabasky

Question:
I wanted to know why is it that all non-hasidic Ashkenazic chareidi Jews are call "Litvish," a term which means Lithuanian. Why wasn’t Poland chosen which many more Jews can trace their roots to? Isn’t it a falsehood to say one is Litvish when one isn’t?

Answer:
Certainly not all Ashkenazim are Litvaks. Probably the misuse of the name is due to the fact or perception that so many poskim leart in Luthuanian Yesivas and standard Ashkenazi psak is called Litvish. However I'm not sure if this perception would stand up under rigorous historical analysis.

Why wasn’t Poland chosen?

Ask The Rabbi Again.

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