Dear Matzav Inbox,
Recently, I overheard a conversation where someone referred to their group as “anshei shlomeinu.” Actually, it was “anshei shlomeini.”
Now, maybe I’m oversensitive, but that term bothers me. Actually, it really bothers me. Because it screams, loud and clear: “We’re in, and you’re out.”
Let’s think about this. In a generation where Klal Yisroel is under attack from every direction—spiritually, physically, and emotionally—how can we afford to talk like this? How can we afford to put up walls between one Yid and another? By using the term “anshei shlomeinu,” it feels like you’re saying, “This group of Yidden is mine, but everyone else? Not really my problem.”
Is that achdus? Is that how a nation that stood together at Har Sinai should act?
We’re one Klal Yisroel. Eilu v’eilu divrei Elokim Chaim. The Baal Shem Tov, whose teachings are the root of Chassidus itself, was all about loving every single Yid. He didn’t walk around saying, “Oh, these are my anshei shlomeinu, and those? Eh, not so much.” He taught that every Yid has a chelek Elokah mima’al, regardless of where they daven or what they wear.
Let’s be honest. We all need each other. No one group has it all figured out. Each of us brings something unique to the table. And guess what? Hashem needs all of us, not just “your people.” So why use a term that divides instead of unites?
I’m not saying to change ior stop being proud of your mesorah. Of course not. But words matter. The way we speak to and about each other matters. Instead of saying “anshei shlomeinu,” how about just saying “Yidden”? Because at the end of the day, that’s what we all are—Yidden. And if we can’t start seeing each other that way, how do we expect Hashem to see us as one nation worthy of the geulah?
This is not a small thing. The words we use shape the way we think. And the way we think shapes the way we act. So, let’s stop building fences where there don’t need to be any. Let’s stop with the “anshei shlomeinu” language and start using words that build bridges instead. Because at the end of the day, we’re all anshei shlomeinu in Hashem’s eyes.
May we be zocheh to true achdus and to greet Moshiach speedily in our days.
Sincerely,
A Yid Who Cares
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I agree with your feeling but I don’t agree that it’s a big a. Deal to write a letter about it
I agree with the letter writer Let’s toss out Hundreds of years of Mesorah. We should no longer have our own specific groups and Minhagim.
While we’re at it, we should force chasidim to eat Gebtokts on Pesach, make staunch Litvaks pray Mincha after shkiah.
The author obviously writes from a place lacking any sort of knowledge of history.
This word that offends you so, is one that has kept the rich diversity of Yiddishkeit from throughout history, strong after World War II.
Never heard of it
Do i care?
NO
Ok. This is a comment so your thought provoking deep analysis shouldn’t be without a comment.
The Madison Ave neophyte who changed things from Anshei Maasei to Anshei Shlomazel has no more influence. Why hasn’t the ad moniker changed, who cares. It’s not what you say it is.
They want to make sure that “Behemtom Lo Yamit” LOL
Achdus doesn’t mean live and let live, that everybody can do whatever they want, as this letter writer seems to think.. Achdus mean all of Klal Yisroel serving Hakadosh Baruch Hu together. We want all Yidden to join Anshei Shloimenu, they all have the ability to, and we try hard to show them the way. When they all will that will be true Achdus.
BINGO! This is the key.
We may need each other and even learn from each other, but, for example, I absolutely don’t think it’s okay to daven after zman tefilah. We can learn a lot from chasidim but there’s a line
I don’t think it’s okay to teach evolution to feeble minds (though in reality I have nothing against the theory). I think we can learn a lot from the MO, but there’s a line.
I don’t just stick to my mesorah because I like to. I stick to it because I agree to it.
Was recently really the first time you heard this expression? C’mon this is getting a bit ridiculous. I think there are people who sit around all day thinking “ok, what’s the next major issue affecting Klal Yisroel that I can write a letter about to Matzav.” Anshe Shlomeini is a glorified way of saying “members” of my community. It has zero connotation of looking down on anyone who isn’t. I’m not sure of the source of the expression, but it’s likely quite an old saying thats been around, and frankly no one in generations a little smarter than us ever had a problem with it.
My guess is you are innocent or obtuse .It’s of course snidely condescending
Oh stop
Anash HAS BEEN USED FOR OVER 200 YEARS TO MEAN MEMBERS OF A CERTAIN cHASIDUS. iTS AN IDNTIFICATION, NOT AN EXCLUSION.
Of course it’s an exclusion. who you kidding ?!
Does the word “Heimish” make you feel better??
Hymish, or Haymish?
I feel the same way with reference to bnei torah only as kollell. I’m a working person but not a ben Torah. But a guy in kollel who is learning is automatically a ben Torah? A guy who wears a blue shirt who follows halacha and has a Dass Torah unlike many learners he’s a ball hsbos?! It’s messed up
The abbreviation Anash (אנ”ש) is used by Chasidim of the Lubavitcher Rebbuh shliteh.
The lubavitcher rebbe is dead he died 40 plus years ago
No he didn’t…
He died 30 years ago
No, the Rebbuh MH”M died just over thirty years ago, in 1994.
Dear confused writer.
I suggest that before you go off on a tirade, you should first take 5 minutes to research that bee that got in your bonnet.
The term “Anshei Shlomeinu” literally means “the people who say ‘Shalom’ to us” – the people around you with whom you have close contact and greet on a frequent basis. It is most certainly not a term of exclusion.
Like most things,cute,but little connection to usage on the ground reality
Ironically, dear misguided letter-writer, by highlighting the fact that the person you heard used the haavara “shlomeini,” you went needlessly out of your way to make it obvious that it was a chasidishe Yid. So perhaps you’d best look in the mirror before whining about others?
Come on, who else uses the term
With regards to Amshei Shelomainu, the phrase simply means members of our group or community. It was popularized by the first Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbaynu Schneur Zalman, and the phrase appears several times in his Sefer Tanya, including the very first line! Must I excuse myself for using the term Lubavitcher, since it is exclusionary. Isn’t the term Yidden or klall Yisroel exclusionary? Doesn’t every single word imply a degree of exclusion? If I say apples, I exclude oranges. Can you think of an all-inclusive word without self referencing the word inclusive? Communication is only possible with terms that are specific and exclusionary. Reading unintended paternalistic, ethnocentric or condescending meaning into words or phrases that were not implied, diminishes the value of having words. Words are nice to have. Be kind to them. Judge them kindly, both the words and the folks that use them.