‘Doesn’t the Cheder Learn in Yiddish?’

When a student from Oholei Torah of Kfar Chabad came into yechidus with his father, the Rebbe began talking to the boy in Yiddish. When the boy responded in Hebrew, the Rebbe expressed surprised that he didn’t speak Yiddish. After that, the Cheder changed their language to Yiddish.

Oholei Torah Cheder of Kfar Chabad was established in 5733 by a group of Chassidim, led by Reb Mendel Futertfas, with the goal of having a curriculum free of secular studies.

In 5736, the cheder menahel, Reb Bentzion Vishedsky, was in yechidus with his seven-year-old son. Addressing the boy in Yiddish, the Rebbe asked him questions on what he was learning, but the boy struggled to understand and needed his father to translate for him. He gave his answers in Ivrit.

But the Rebbe continued talking to him in Yiddish.

After discussing his learning, the Rebbe asked him what color his jacket was. Now it was already clear that the Rebbe was testing his Yiddish. The Rebbe continued asking the color of his sweater, and the boy responded in Ivrit.

“How does he know Loshon Kodesh so well?” The Rebbe asked Reb Bentzion. “Doesn’t the Cheder learn in Yiddish?”

From then on, Oholei Torah of Kfar Chabad changed its spoken language to Yiddish, and thus became known as “Cheder Yiddish.”

(Choma Zu Torah Teshura 5757)

From The Weekly Farbrengen by Merkaz Anash

Discussion
In keeping in line with the Rabbonim's policies for websites, we do not allow comments. However, our Rabbonim have approved of including input on articles of substance (Torah, history, memories etc.)

We appreciate your feedback. If you have any additional information to contribute to this article, it will be added below.

  1. The Rebbe’s responses about teaching in English was addressing older students who are not inclined to learn a new language. In that case, the Rebbe instructs focusing on the content instead of losing the student. That isn’t relevant to young children who can absorb a language very quickly.

  2. Please read the article.

    You will see it’s talking about elementary kids too.

    On the other hand, if they made total immersion in preschool, then there would be no problem teaching in Yiddish in elementary

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


The reCAPTCHA verification period has expired. Please reload the page.

advertise package