Kvitel

Kvitel or Kvitl (Yiddish: קוויטל kvitl, "little note"; plural: קוויטלעך kvitlekh, kvitels, kvitelech, kvitelach / kvitls, kvitlech, kvitlach)^[1] refers to a practice developed by Hasidic Judaism in which a Hasid (a follower of Hasidic Judaism) writes a note with a petitionary prayer and gives it to a Rebbe (Hasidic Jewish leader) in order to receive the latter's blessing. This prayer may be a general request for health, livelihood, or success,^[2] or a specific request such as recovery from illness, the ability to bear children, a wedding match, etc.^[3]

The writing, giving and reading of a kvitel is treated very seriously by Hasid and Rebbe alike, and is executed according to specific protocols. Because of their inherent sanctity, kvitelach may not be thrown away after use; they are either burned or buried.

The practice of giving kvitelach continues today in all the Hasidic courts.^[4] Kvitelach are also placed on the graves of Rebbes and tzadikim (plural of "tzadik," or Jewish holy man) with the hope that the soul of the deceased will intercede for the petitioner in Heaven.^[5]

It is a centuries-old custom for Jews to place kvitelach containing personal prayers to God between the stones of the Western Wall in Jerusalem.^[6] This practice has been also adopted by Christian pilgrims^[7] and foreign dignitaries as well. More than a million prayer notes are placed in the Western Wall each year.^[8]

^ Heschel, Susannah (2003). Abraham Joshua Heschel: Man of Spirit, Man of Action. Jewish Publication Society. p. 63. ISBN 0-8276-0758-X.
^ Blutal-Prifer, Dr. Hersh (2009). "The Shabos Seminar of Shlomo the Baker". jewishgen.org. Retrieved 9 January 2011.
^ Rabinowicz, Tzvi (1988). Hasidism: The movement and its masters. J. Aronson. p. 323. ISBN 0-87668-998-5.
^ Kolakowski, Rabbi J. "Hasidic Life Today". jewishanswers.org. Retrieved 8 January 2011.
^ Trachtenberg, Joshua (2004) [Originally published 1939]. "The Spirits of the Dead". Jewish Magic and Superstition. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press. p. 64. ISBN 978-0812218626. Retrieved Apr 24, 2023. An observant visitor to the tomb of Simon bar Yoḥai, for instance, at Meron, Palestine, will discern a host of written entreaties for the saint's aid heaped about his sepulchre.
^ Katz, Lisa. "What is the origin, process and reason behind placing notes in the Western Wall?". about.com: The New York Times Company. Archived from the original on 20 January 2013. Retrieved 18 January 2010.
^ Cite error: The named reference abc was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference leaked was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[1] Heschel, Susannah (2003). Abraham Joshua Heschel: Man of Spirit, Man of Action. Jewish Publication Society. p. 63. ISBN 0-8276-0758-X.

[gen-2] Blutal-Prifer, Dr. Hersh (2009). "The Shabos Seminar of Shlomo the Baker". jewishgen.org. Retrieved 9 January 2011.

[3] Rabinowicz, Tzvi (1988). Hasidism: The movement and its masters. J. Aronson. p. 323. ISBN 0-87668-998-5.

[4] Kolakowski, Rabbi J. "Hasidic Life Today". jewishanswers.org. Retrieved 8 January 2011.

[5] Trachtenberg, Joshua (2004) [Originally published 1939]. "The Spirits of the Dead". Jewish Magic and Superstition. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press. p. 64. ISBN 978-0812218626. Retrieved Apr 24, 2023. An observant visitor to the tomb of Simon bar Yoḥai, for instance, at Meron, Palestine, will discern a host of written entreaties for the saint's aid heaped about his sepulchre.

[origin-6] Katz, Lisa. "What is the origin, process and reason behind placing notes in the Western Wall?". about.com: The New York Times Company. Archived from the original on 20 January 2013. Retrieved 18 January 2010.

[abc-7] Cite error: The named reference abc was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[leaked-8] Cite error: The named reference leaked was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

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