how to say “to bring other people close” in Hebrew
לְקָרֵב
Yesterday we saw the simple usage of the root ק.ר.ב (k.r.b), with the verb, לִקְרַב (leek-RAHV) – to draw close. An example would be הוּא קָרַב אֵלֶיה (hoo kah-RAHV eh-LEH-hah) – He drew close to her. לִקְרַב is a “simple” (“קל”) usage of the root.
Today I’ll introduce you to a more intensive usage of the root, in the פיעל (pee-EL) form. לְקָרֵב (le-kah-REHV) is to draw others close. A example from the Mishnah
(first chapter of פִּרְקֵי אָבוֹת – peer-KEH-ee ah-VOHT – Ethics of the Fathers) is the one calling upon Jews to “be among the students of Aaron: loving peace, chasing after peace, loving the people and drawing them close to Torah – אוֹהֵב אֶת הַבְּרִיּוֹת וּמְקָרְבָן לַתּוֹרָה (oh-HEV et hah-bree-YOHT oo-me-kah-reh-VAHN lah-toh-RAH).
(first chapter of פִּרְקֵי אָבוֹת – peer-KEH-ee ah-VOHT – Ethics of the Fathers) is the one calling upon Jews to “be among the students of Aaron: loving peace, chasing after peace, loving the people and drawing them close to Torah – אוֹהֵב אֶת הַבְּרִיּוֹת וּמְקָרְבָן לַתּוֹרָה (oh-HEV et hah-bree-YOHT oo-me-kah-reh-VAHN lah-toh-RAH).In Modern Israeli society, the word לְקָרֵב (le-kah-REV) is in common use. People throughout the country often grapple with issues of faith, while many make it a priority to do קֵרוּב (keh-ROOV), drawing people close (to faith and Jewish practice).
