how to say “doorpost” in Hebrew
having trouble seeing the print?
The Torah portion to be read tomorrow by Jews the world over tells of the Exodus from Egypt – יְצִיאַת מִצְרַיִם (yeh-tsee-AHT meets-RAH-yeem).
One of the best-known symbols of the Exodus is the animal blood smeared on the doorposts of the Israelite homes, meant (in my understanding) as a sign to the Israelites about to leave their bondage that they themselves would have been at the mercy of the calamities brought forth upon Egypt had they not been chosen and protected by G-d. The blood on the posts was sobering… and thus fostered a deep sense of gratitude in the hearts of the about-to-be-redeemed.
The Hebrew word for the upper part of the doorpost – the lintel – is מַשְׁקוֹף (mahsh-KOHF), of the root שׁ.ק.פ (sh.k.p) meaning looking through or looking down from above. The משקוף is upper part of the portal of the home, as though watching, looking down from above at all those coming in and going out.
Other words of the same root in Modern circulation include שָׁקוּף (shah-KOOF) – transparent, לְהַשְׁקִיף (leh-hahsh-KEEF) – to look out over something, and the Modern creation, שְׁקוּפִית (sheh-koo-FEET) – a transparency slide (pre-PowerPoint).
שבת שלום, וסוף שבוע נעים לכולם!
Shabbat Shalom, and a pleasant weekend to all!
