kvitl

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English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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Borrowed from Yiddish קוויטל (kvitl).

Noun

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kvitl (plural kvitls or kvitlach or kvitlech)

  1. A note with a (general or specific) petitionary prayer, used in Hasidic Judaism.
    • 1991, Gershon David Hundert, Essential Papers on Hasidism, NYU Press, →ISBN, page 525:
      A little way before the tomb a small hut was erected where pilgrims could ask for their kvitls to be drawn up in exchange for a pidyan. It was believed that a kvitl drawn up by the petitioner was contrary to custom and lacked efficacy.
    • 2017, Rhoda Lerman, God's Ear: A Novel, The Overlook Press, →ISBN:
      His father said nothing, sat on his grave, sorted through the kvitls, put certain ones in certain pockets of his coat and his pants. Then a small whirlwind of dust and kvitls swept over him, encircled him, and lifted him away.