possul

English

Alternative forms

• passul, pasul, posl, posul

Etymology

Borrowed from Yiddish פּסול (posl), from Hebrew פָּסוּל (pasúl).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈpɒsl̩/

Adjective

possul (not comparable)

1. (Judaism) Invalid for ceremonial or official purposes.
   • 1990 December 13, David Suna, “MARRIAGE VIA INTERCOURSE”, in soc.culture.jewish‎ (Usenet):

     You should not use your best friends as witnesses as they may be considered prejudiced and may possibly be considered posul as witnesses.

   • 1994 July 25, Matthew P Wiener, “Why are Hasidim speaking for all Orthodox”, in soc.culture.jewish‎ (Usenet):

     Perhaps you should avoid this Chabad house--by your standards their sefer torah is probably possul, since it's only been checked and fixed by a chalav stam drinker.

   • 1998 March 9, Gabriel Z. Wasserman, “Purim stuff”, in soc.culture.jewish‎ (Usenet):

     I’ve seen many taleisim before, dose of Chayim and Yossel.
     But as for your tallis, I must say, dis iz definitely possul.
     I could vork on your tallis some more, but it really doesn’t pay.
     If I vere you, I vould buy a new tallis, and throw dis old von avay.

2. (Jewish law) Not permitted for consumption

   Antonym: kosher

See also

• haram, equivalent in Islam