how to say “to protect” in Hebrew
Today was the first of what’s known in Jewish circles as the “three weeks.” These mark the three weeks of Jerusalem’s impending destruction twice in Biblical and Classical history.
They say that the second Temple was destroyed as a result of hate; and that the third Temple will be rebuilt, heralding world peace, as a result of love.
Over the next three weeks, I’d like to take a journey through Hebrew words connected to the theme of love… and I invite you to join me.
I’m reading bits and pieces of the chapter on attachment in Daniel J. Siegel’s book, The Developing Mind. Tonight I read about how that the powerful instinct an infant has to attach to a parent/caregiver actually serves a vitally important function: to keep the infant safe. The infant protects itself (himself) – הוּא מֵגֵן עַל עַצְמו (hoo meh-GHEN ahl ahts-MOH), by seeking closeness to, and there the protection – הַהֲגָנָה (hah-hah-gah-NAH) – of the parent/caregiver.
This seeking of הגנה is one of the motivators of love.
ההגנה – The Defense – is also the name of the paramilitary organization that preceded the Israel Defense Forces prior to the 1948 liberation.
להגן is an active-causative הפעיל (heef-EEL) verb.
I’ve seen his amazing art at Hechal Shlomo and even acquired a piece myself.
It’s open throughout the summer.
