ViewMate - Image Archive, Image 96342 - Translation


	The Genealogical Research Division of

About Mission Our Team Get Involved Learn more about our organizational leadership, mission, and values. There are numerous opportunities to get involved yourself! Research Search All Records Country & Topical Databases Holocaust Database Burial Registry (JOWBR) Cemetery Discovery Project Memorial & Plaques Database Shul Records America Family Trees (FTJP) Sephardic Text Search Search millions of records from around the globe, including more than 4 million records related to the Holocaust, and more than 4.2 million burial records. Records are continually added each month - check back often for new information! Discover Blog Town Finder (Communities Database) Yizkor Books KehilaLinks Regional/Topical Research Divisions JewishGen Press Publications Discover your ancestral town, explore geographic/regional based sections of the JewishGen site (Research Divisions), and explore what daily life was like for your ancestors - and what we can learn from them today. Learn Online Classes Search Methodologies & Research Advice Student Program in Poland Study & Service Tour of Poland Peter and Mary Kalikow Center Enhance your research with online classes and dozens of helpful articles. University students can apply for the Bennett & Robin Greenspan L'dor V'dor Legacy Program, and those "out of school" can help preserve Jewish Heritage in Poland with unique study & volunteer experiences. Connect Family Finder Discussion Group Jewish Genealogy Portal ViewMate Success Stories Yahrzeit reminders Connect with tens of thousands of other JewishGen members via the Family Finder, Discussion Group, Facebook Group, and ViewMate. It's a great way to share success, ask questions, and stay informed of the happenings throughout the Jewish genealogical community. Donate General Support Specific Projects Planned Giving Wall of Honor The JewishGen site is offered as a free public resource. However, it costs a lot of money to maintain and expand our services. If you are in a position to do so, please consider a contribution today - your support will make a difference!

Information

Picture

Question

Category: Translation - Tombstone
Approval Date: 12/12/2021 12:11 PM
Family Surname:

Click the picture to enlarge

A translation of the Hebrew is much appreciated ..thank you
Marcella Shames

Response

12/12/2021 1:15 PM

Here lies

A simple and honest man, trustworthy

and one acted justly

Fearing of G-d all his days

Reb NACHMAN son of Reb Tanchum Layb

He passed away at a satisfactory old age in the 72nd year

of his life

And was buried with a good name [reputation]

Marcheshvan of the year 5693

May his soul be bound up in the bond of life.

=====================================================
'Reb' is an honorific; it does not mean rabbi.

He is described with the adjective 'tam'. This word has a number of possible translations, of which I chose 'simple'. This is not a negative term, but means that he was a "regular person" who did not put on airs.

The precise date of death is not given. He died in the month of Marcheshvan (also known by the shorter name Cheshvan) of the year 5693. This month ran from approximately October 31st through November 29th, 1932.

12/12/2021 3:48 PM

Here is Buried
A pious and upright man -

A note on the word "תם": We try to get into the mindset of whoever composed the wording to be engraved on their loved-one's tombstone. Which of the several meanings for the word "tam" was their intention? Logically, a person wouldn't summarize a departed loved one to have been a "simple" person. We therefore move on to the "other" Hebrew-English dictionary translations of the word "tam" to see which fits: complete, wholesome, integrity, pious, innocent. The words that follows on this stone, "וירא אלקים" – which translate to "and G-d fearing," tells that the person was “pious,” and this would be the most fitting translation, thus – [A] pious and upright man

12/15/2021 1:01 PM

I like the word 'pious' and would love to use it in my translations, except that I have not found this as a translation of תם in any of several dictionaries that I consulted (whereas the other choices that you list do appear).

ViewMate Posting VM 96342

Submitted by Marcella Shames

Learn more about our organizational leadership, mission, and values. There are numerous opportunities to get involved yourself!

Search millions of records from around the globe, including more than 4 million records related to the Holocaust, and more than 4.2 million burial records. Records are continually added each month - check back often for new information!

Discover your ancestral town, explore geographic/regional based sections of the JewishGen site (Research Divisions), and explore what daily life was like for your ancestors - and what we can learn from them today.

Enhance your research with online classes and dozens of helpful articles. University students can apply for the Bennett & Robin Greenspan L'dor V'dor Legacy Program, and those "out of school" can help preserve Jewish Heritage in Poland with unique study & volunteer experiences.

Connect with tens of thousands of other JewishGen members via the Family Finder, Discussion Group, Facebook Group, and ViewMate. It's a great way to share success, ask questions, and stay informed of the happenings throughout the Jewish genealogical community.

The JewishGen site is offered as a free public resource. However, it costs a lot of money to maintain and expand our services. If you are in a position to do so, please consider a contribution today - your support will make a difference!

ViewMate Posting VM 96342

Submitted by Marcella Shames