an expression meaning “don’t go it alone”
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אֵין הַבּוֹר מִתְמַלֵּא מֵחֻלְיָתוֹ
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In the Torah portion to be read tomorrow by Jews around the world, Moses passes his leadership of the People of Israel on to Joshua, assuring him that G-d will be with him – that the burden of leadership will not fall on him alone.
An ancient Talmudic expression that found its rightful place in modern Hebrew language and culture expresses the sentiment of the person who recognizes that he cannot accomplish it all himself, but that he rather must receive help in order to survive and to thrive.
The expression is:
אֵין הַבּוֹר מִתְמַלֵּא מֵחֻלְיָתוֹ.
The meaning:
In ancient Israel, communities would dig a hole in the ground in which to store rainwater. Covering this hole was a large stone with a smaller hole in it, into which rainwater would be collected from higher ground through a series of pipes. The hole in the cover alone could not collect the necessary water; help was needed from surrounding areas.
Thus a person must receive help from the outside as well – she cannot go it alone.
Breaking down the expression:
בּוֹר
hole
מִתְמַלֵּא
is filled up (a variation of the reflexive-intensive הִתְפַּעֵל verb form)
מֵחֻלְיָתוֹ
from/through (the hole in) its cover
(meh-khool-yah-TOH)
…where חֻלְיָה means cover – in Modern Hebrew more commonly, a link in a chain or a segment of the spinal cord)
In plain English, The hole is not filled up through its cover.
Make this dose of Hebrew yours by using it in a sentence. You can write your sentence on the wall of our Facebook page, and we’ll correct it for you if it’s got errors.
שַׁבָּת שָׁלוֹם וְסוֹף שָׁבוּעַ נָעִים לְכֻלָּם!
Shabbat Shalom, and a pleasant weekend to all!
(shah-BAHT shah-LOHM, veh-SOHF shah-VOO-ah nah-EEM leh-khoo-LAHM)
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