how to say “generous” in Hebrew
נָדִיב
The Hebrew root נ.ד.ב (n.d.v) is the concept of generosity. The name נָדָב (nah-DAHV) is a common one among Israeli boys and men.
This week’s Torah portion, read by Jews around the world tomorrow morning, tells about the Children of Israel pooling their resources together to build the Tabernacle, “each man whose heart so moves him to generosity” – כָּל אִישׁ אֲשֶׁר יִדְּבֶנּוּ לִבּו (kohl eesh ah-SHEHR yeed-eh-VEH-noo lee-BOH).
To describe a male as generous, you’d use the word נָדִיב (nah-DEEV). This is also sometimes used as a name.
To describe a female as generous, you’d use נְדִיבָה (ne-dee-VAH). I haven’t met anyone with this name, but I wouldn’t rule out its existence.
A new campaign
Next week, I’ll be calling upon each person whose heart so moves them to נְדִיבוּת (ne-dee-VOOT – generosity), to participate in a fundraiser I’m launching for a family of five boys, immigrants from Ethiopia, who recently became orphaned.
But that’s next week.
For now, I wish a שבת שלום וסוף שבוע נעים לכולם – Shabbat Shalom and a good weekend to all!
