kvitl

English

Etymology

Yiddish קוויטל (kvitl).

Noun

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.

Alternative forms

• kvitel, kvittel, kwittel