how to say “I swear” in Hebrew
This one’s for Zach-נָחוּם. We (I can only speak for the extended family) are proud of you.
On Friday Blogger went down, so I wasn’t able to put out the Daily Dose of Hebrew. I hope everyone used the time normally spent reading these doses reviewing for the exam next week.
Just kidding.
The word I wanted to write about on Friday is to swear. On Thursday evening, I had the honor of attending a swearing-in ceremony – טֶקֶס הַשְׁבָּעָה (TEH-kes hahsh-bah-AH) – of my relative, Zach Waxer. I was filled with pride and excitement as I navigated my way among thousands of people – among the soldiers and among those who came to honor them.
 |
| Zach and I at the entrance to the Western Wall Tunnels |
At this ceremony, hundreds of cadets became full-fledged soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces as they responded to their charge to protect the people of Israel with “I swear!” – אֲנִי נִשְׁבַּע (ah-NEE neesh-BAH).
They said that because they’re all male at this particular טקס השבעה. A female at another טקס would have said אֲנִי נִשְׁבַּעַת (ah-NEE neesh-BAH-aht).
To swear is לְהִשָּׁבַע (leh-hee-shah-VAH). It’s a נפעל (neef-AHL) verb.
