Frum
Encyclopedia
The Yiddish adjective frum , from the German
fromm, meaning "devout" or "pious", is a Yiddish
word meaning committed to be observant of the 613 commandments, or Jewish commandments, specifically of Orthodox Judaism
. This appellative is used in reference to Orthodox Jews.
The opposite of frum is frei (Yiddish and German "free") meaning someone who is "not religious" and "free" from the yoke of the 613 commandments, or feels "free" to do whatever they feel like doing.
The Yiddish adjective frum can have other specific meanings depending on the context in which it is used. Often the terms frum and frei indicate one's social associations as much as his/her actual religious commitment.
Someone who is extremely frum or devout is known as a frummer.
"Frummer" can also have a negative connotation similar to "Hasid Shotah" (pious idiot), which is how the Talmud
(Sotah 21B) describes a man who sees a woman drowning, however refuses to save her for he says, "it is not proper to look at her, and rescue her." A frummer in that sense is a person displaying a disproportionate emphasis on technical aspects of religion at the expense of worldly or practical concerns.
"Frum" can be used in a negative sense for: "hypocritically pious", "holier-than-thou", "sanctimonious"; or in a positive sense for: "pious", "devout", "God-fearing" and "upright". A combination is sometimes used to describe someone as "frum and ehrlich", which captures all the positive attributes of these words and would roughly mean "upright" or "righteous
" (tzadik).
In orthodox communities, the acronym "FFB," meaning "Frum From Birth," is sometimes used to refer to a person who was born into a religiously observant family and has maintained this lifestyle; it contrasts with "BT" which refers to a baal teshuva
- a Jew from a secular background who has become religious later in life.
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
fromm, meaning "devout" or "pious", is a Yiddish
Yiddish language
Yiddish is a High German language of Ashkenazi Jewish origin, spoken throughout the world. It developed as a fusion of German dialects with Hebrew, Aramaic, Slavic languages and traces of Romance languages...
word meaning committed to be observant of the 613 commandments, or Jewish commandments, specifically of Orthodox Judaism
Orthodox Judaism
Orthodox Judaism , is the approach to Judaism which adheres to the traditional interpretation and application of the laws and ethics of the Torah as legislated in the Talmudic texts by the Sanhedrin and subsequently developed and applied by the later authorities known as the Gaonim, Rishonim, and...
. This appellative is used in reference to Orthodox Jews.
The opposite of frum is frei (Yiddish and German "free") meaning someone who is "not religious" and "free" from the yoke of the 613 commandments, or feels "free" to do whatever they feel like doing.
The Yiddish adjective frum can have other specific meanings depending on the context in which it is used. Often the terms frum and frei indicate one's social associations as much as his/her actual religious commitment.
Someone who is extremely frum or devout is known as a frummer.
"Frummer" can also have a negative connotation similar to "Hasid Shotah" (pious idiot), which is how the Talmud
Talmud
The Talmud is a central text of mainstream Judaism. It takes the form of a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, philosophy, customs and history....
(Sotah 21B) describes a man who sees a woman drowning, however refuses to save her for he says, "it is not proper to look at her, and rescue her." A frummer in that sense is a person displaying a disproportionate emphasis on technical aspects of religion at the expense of worldly or practical concerns.
"Frum" can be used in a negative sense for: "hypocritically pious", "holier-than-thou", "sanctimonious"; or in a positive sense for: "pious", "devout", "God-fearing" and "upright". A combination is sometimes used to describe someone as "frum and ehrlich", which captures all the positive attributes of these words and would roughly mean "upright" or "righteous
Tzadik
Tzadik/Zadik/Sadiq is a title given to personalities in Jewish tradition considered righteous, such as Biblical figures and later spiritual masters. The root of the word ṣadiq, is ṣ-d-q , which means "justice" or "righteousness", also the root of Tzedakah...
" (tzadik).
In orthodox communities, the acronym "FFB," meaning "Frum From Birth," is sometimes used to refer to a person who was born into a religiously observant family and has maintained this lifestyle; it contrasts with "BT" which refers to a baal teshuva
Baal teshuva
Baal teshuva or ba'al teshuvah , sometimes abbreviated to BT, is a term referring to a Jew who turns to embrace Orthodox Judaism. Baal teshuva literally means, "repentant", i.e., one who has repented or "returned" to God...
- a Jew from a secular background who has become religious later in life.