יום ראשון, 25 בנובמבר 2012


Jewish Iraqi Proverbs - امثال يهود العراق

Proverbs (امثال) defined as a short expressions of popular wisdom, those who say great deal in very few words and reveal many aspects about the cultural traditions of the society. Thousands of common proverbs spoken by Babylonian Jews, during their exile, are the best indication of their popularity, especially when they quoted at the right time and gave support to the statements. The larger portions of proverbs contain manifestation of fact, which express philosophical truth and reality: المثل ما قال شين كذب "A proverb tells no lie".


Many proverbs seem to be common property of other nations: Jewish Arabic proverbs represent the upholstered of Aramaic, Islamic, Classical Arabic, Talmudic, Biblical, Turkish, Persian, English and French influence,


Proverbs of practical understanding and judgment are very numerous.They were used for moral teaching and instruction: اليتعب يلقي   "He who endeavours find" (He who  bears hardship will be rewarded).


Many proverbs are medical advise, prescription and health remedy:                               كل شين عل عيفي حلو  "With good health, everything tastes delicious".                  (سايل لمجغب ولآ تسايل طبيب (حكيم   "Ask the experience one, don't ask the doctor". 

Example of proverbs originated from the Bible: بيغ لشغبت منو ماي لآ تفر بينو حجاغة      "Do not drink from the well and then throw a stone into it"  בור ששתית ממנו מים אל תזרוק בו אבן.  Even William shakspeare (1564-1616), in the "Rape of  Lucrece (1594)", a narrative poem about the legendary Lucretia, wrote: "Mud not the fountain that gave drink to thee"


In grief and sadness, proverbs give support and relief:  كل ويحد وهمو على قدو  "Everybody's worries are in proportion to his endurance"                                   ما تضيق الآ تفرج ِ "After distress comes relieve"


The rapid disappearance of Jewish Bagdadi dialect after their emigration to Israel in the years 1950/1952, prompted me to collect thousands of their proverbs from the mouth of living men, before men and proverbs vanish.                                                                  

  

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