What is the difference between a livak and a galitzianer?

Answer 1

A ton.

Litvaks are from lithuania and held to the style of Judaism that came to be named after them. Galitzianers are from SOuther Poland, an area that was taken over by the Chasidim. The difference between Chasidim and Lithuanian Judaism are too complex to get into here, and short answers tend to vonfuse the issue; but that was a major difference.

They alos speak a different Yiddish and Hebrew. Litvaks speak Eastern Yiddish and Lithuanian Hebrew, and Galitzianers speak SOuthern Yiddish and Hungarian Hebrew.

The difference? Take the opening line of Jewish blessings. A Litvak would say, "Barookh ata HaShem Elokeynu Melekh HaOlam." A Galitzianer would say, "Bureekh utah HaShime Eloikienee Mylikh haOilim." Very differnet.

Synagogue designs were different. Galitzianers preferring smaller more intimat house like synagogues over the more established houses of worship. Learning styles differed. Litvaks liked deep study of one topic for a long time, Galitzianers went for broad study that allowed a person to be converscent in many aspects quickly.

Galitzianers were more open to amulets, and omens then Litvaks.

It could go on and on. They were, in short, different cultures.

Answer 2

When we were children we were told that Galiitzianers spoke differently saying "shhel" instead of "shul" and the like. My dad was a Litvak while my mom was a Galitz.. I am doing research on this topic for a presentation at my Reform Temple. But so far, I found only the kugels to be different. Is someone out there knows more about the traditions of both groups that would help. For exampled, did your Bubby circle the candles when lighting them or not? That would be a help. I don't know who did what, but my mother circled them three times and she was the Galitz -- or was that just my mom??? J. Goldstein

Answer 3

Galitzianer Yiddish

Answer 4

Litvaks eat their latkes with sour cream, Galitzianers with applesauce. Or is it the other way around? :-) This differentiation I remember from my former spouse who was Jewish and his parents were one Litvak and one Galitzianer.