I must say that being a reform Jew, I have been secluded from some of the uglyness of the "religious" communities in my days. When I became more aware of people in the religious communities in my later 30s, I have learned that they have their own special system of some yiddish curses that they elicit to describe the unfortunate and unwelcome soul in their life.
I have since termed this Voodoo Judaism.
The most prevalent term that I have learned is the term "Nebach". This is a horrible name to call a fellow jew. It basically means that one should pity that person.
I disagree that this is the proper way for a Torah Jew to act and believe and conduct ones verbal affairs.
I was extremely offended when I was once called a Nebach at a dinner party becuase I chose to close my eyes for a moment or two during a conversation where the host was basically making a fuss about something or other.
In truth, the host implied to me that I was pitiful because I was in her home and that I did not wish to entertain all of her notions of sleaziness or stealthy conversation about something that is really not relevant or noteworthy in any sense. I needed a moment to escape from the situation. I heard her say "nebach" to me and then I was woken back into the moment and fit to show them that "I was wise and intelligent" in response. I am sure I did.
But this is VooDoo Judaism. Mark my words.
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