kvitel
Sign in to saveAlso known as kvitl
200px|right|thumb|The graves of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn (right) and Rabbi [[Menachem Mendel Schneerson (left), the sixth and seventh Lubavitcher Rebbes, are piled with kvitelach left by visitors.]] Kvitel or Kvitl ( kvitl, "little note"; plural: קוויטלעך kvitlekh, kvitels, kvitelech, kvitelach / kvitls, kvitlech, kvitlach) refers to a practice developed by Hasidic Judaism in which a Hasid (a follower of Hasidic Judaism) writes a note with a petitionary prayer and gives it to a Rebbe (Hasidic Jewish leader) in order to receive the latter's blessing. This prayer may be a general request
~12 min read
Article
11 sectionsContents
- Origin
- Procedure
- Writing the kvitel
- Giving the kvitel
- Reading the kvitel
- At a grave
- At the Western Wall
- Disposal
- Electronic versions
- References
- External links
200px|right|thumb|The graves of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn (right) and Rabbi [[Menachem Mendel Schneerson (left), the sixth and seventh Lubavitcher Rebbes, are piled with kvitelach left by visitors.]] Kvitel or Kvitl ( kvitl, "little note"; plural: קוויטלעך kvitlekh, kvitels, kvitelech, kvitelach / kvitls, kvitlech, kvitlach) refers to a practice developed by Hasidic Judaism in which a Hasid (a follower of Hasidic Judaism) writes a note with a petitionary prayer and gives it to a Rebbe (Hasidic Jewish leader) in order to receive the latter's blessing. This prayer may be a general request for health, livelihood, or success, or a specific request such as recovery from illness, the ability to bear children, a wedding match, etc.
The writing, giving and reading of a kvitel is treated very seriously by Hasid and Rebbe alike, and is executed according to specific protocols. Because of their inherent sanctity, kvitelach may not be thrown away after use; they are either burned or buried.