How to Write and Give a Kvitel וויאזוי שרייבט מען און גיט מען א קוויטל

What is a kvitel?

A kvitel, meaning "a little note", is a Chassidic custom: a Chassid writes his request on a slip of paper and gives it to the Rebbe to receive a blessing ^[1]. The request may be general, such as health, parnassah and success, or very specific, such as a refuah sheleimah, children, a shidduch and the like ^[1]. Among Chassidim this is a holy thing; therefore a kvitel is never thrown away after use, but burned or buried ^[1].

It is not clear when the custom began; it is first mentioned in the days of the holy Baal Shem Tov ^[1]. Some have cited a source in the Ramban on the verse (Bamidbar 1:45) that Moshe Rabbeinu had every Jew come before him to be counted; that personal appearance before the tzaddik foreshadowed the giving of a kvitel ^[1].

How to write it

• Write the full Jewish name with the mother's name, for example "Ploni ben Plonis", even if the Rebbe already knows the person ^[1].
• Also write the names of family members, each with his mother's name, along with the request for each one ^[1].
• The custom is to write on clean, unlined paper ^[1].
• Try to write without mistakes, as Chassidim believe a kvitel holds deep secrets ^[1]. The Satmar Rebbe, Rabbi Yoel Teitelbaum zy"a, was known to scrutinize every kvitel and point out errors in the names of people he had never met ^[1].
• It is considered a bad omen if a kvitel falls to the ground ^[1].

Who writes it? Each court differs: in some the gabbai writes for the Chassid, in others there is a dedicated writer, and many write it themselves ^[1].

The pidyon

The kvitel is usually given together with a sum of money called a "pidyon". The Rebbe uses it for the upkeep of his court or distributes it to charity ^[1]. Some Rebbes asked for twice "chai", that is 36, and others for an amount by the gematria of the names ^[1]. Simple advice: ask the gabbai what the custom is in that court.

At the Rebbe

The kvitel can be given in person, or sent by messenger or by mail. When sent, the gabbai reads it to the Rebbe; when the Chassid is present, the Rebbe reads it himself and then gives a blessing ^[1]. Rebbes put their whole being into reading a kvitel ^[1]. Practical advice: write clearly and briefly, have the kvitel ready in your hand, and come with a clear mind.

At the kevarim of tzaddikim

A widespread custom among Chassidim is to place kvitlach at the resting place of a Rebbe or tzaddik, believing that the soul of the tzaddik will pray for them ^[1]. One usually sits beside the grave, writes the kvitel and reflects on the request, then tears it and throws it onto the grave ^[1]. Many tziyunim are even built with special openings for kvitlach ^[1].

At the Kosel HaMaaravi notes are also tucked between the stones, but there the prayer is written directly to Hashem ^[1]. May all requests be fulfilled for the good!