how to say “preparedness” in Hebrew
In spite of existential threat, life goes on in Israel. Of course, we prepare for whatever calamity may threaten us, including setting up an “iron dome” and an alarm system so that the residents of towns bombarded daily from Gaza have a safety plan.
Likewise, the people living on the eastern seaboard of the United States stand in preparedness.
The Hebrew expression preparedness or readiness is כּוֹנְנוּת (koh-neh-NOOT). For example, צָהָ”ל עוֹמֵד בּכוֹנְנוּת בִּפְנֵי כָּל אִיּוּם – the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) stands in preparedness in the face of any threat (TSAH-hahl oh-MED beh-khoh-neh-NOOT beef-NEH-ee kohl ee-YOOM).
כ.ו.נ (k.w.n), the root of כוננות, is the same as that of a list of words that may be familiar to you:
כֵּן – yes (ken)
נָכוֹן – correct (nah-KHOHN)
מוּכַן – ready (moo-KHAHN)
לְהִתְכּוֹנֵן – to get ready (leh-heet-koh-NEN)
מְכוֹנָה – machine (meh-khoh-NAH)
מְכוֹנִית – car, automobile (meh-khoh-NEET)
and more.
This ubiquitous root means establishment or firmness. Thus our word, כוננות, can be understood as standing firm or poised, well established in the wake of alarm.
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