Belfer

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A Belfer ( Yiddish בעלפער) was a teaching assistant or sub-teacher in the traditional Jewish elementary school, the Cheder or the Talmud Torah . The word is formed from German "auxiliary".

history

Already in Talmudic times a Resch-duchna ( Aramaic ריש דוכנא, dt. "Bank-First") the Melamed (teacher), especially in larger classes. He repeated the material with slower children and ensured discipline. His other duties included picking up the children at home; It was not uncommon for him to carry the four or five-year-olds on his back to class in all weathers and to supervise them during breaks. It was paid for by the children's parents or by the kehilla (community).

literature

  • G. Herlitz, B. Kirschner (Ed.): Jüdisches Lexikon . Berlin 1928, Volume I, Col. 800 f.
  • Subteacher . In: Gebrüder Grimm: German dictionary . Volume 24, Col. 1669

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