Episode Details

It's the language of bagels, bubbes, and Broadway punchlines. In Yiddish in 10 Minutes, we'll explore how a mash-up of German, Hebrew, Aramaic, and a sprinkle of Slavic created a language that millions of Jews once spoke from shtetls to city streets. We'll trace its rise in medieval Europe, its golden age of literature and theater, and its echoes today in phrases like "chutzpah," "kvetch," and "oy vey." More than just words, Yiddish carries the humor, heartache, and resilience of generations. We'll talk about why it nearly disappeared after the Holocaust, how it's been revived in Hasidic communities, and why comedians, scholars, and even TikTokers are giving it new life. Ten minutes, one soulful language, and a whole lot of kvelling over the way words can capture an entire culture.