Yiddish Word Of The Week | Luftmensch

BY RABBI BEN NEWMAN, SPECIAL FOR THE JEWISH LIGHT

Luftmensch

Luftmensch: Literally, “air person”.

Someone whose head is in the clouds, usually concerned with intellectual or artistic pursuits while being oblivious to and out of touch with this-worldly concerns like earning a living. Usually refers to a male for historical/sociological reasons.

Eg.- My husband is such a luftmensch. Even though our electricity was disconnected he just studies by candle-light!

Rabbi Ben Newman is the founder and spiritual leader of Shtiebel a new paradigm Jewish community in the Rivertowns of Westchester, NY. He is also the author of several children’s books. Learn more here