עצמאות The Hebrew word עַצְמָאוּת (ahts-mah-OOT) comes from the root ע.צ.מ (a.ts.m.), which carries the basic meaning of essence or that which stands out. An independent political entity stands out as unique in the world; it waves a flag of its own: Incidentally, these are the colors on the Ulpan La-Inyan website. …
זיכרון Tomorrow is יוֹם הַזִּכָּרוֹן (yohm hah-zee-kah-ROHN), Israel’s Memorial Day (literally, Day of Remembrance). In the States, some people have a somber Memorial Day, but the vast majority see it as an excuse for a getaway, a barbecue, or a shopping spree. Not so in Israel. יום הזיכרון (the root ז.כ.ר., in this context, is…
.ע.ר.ב I’m again in the Ethiopian-Jewish absorption center Beit Alpha, and it’s right before Shabbat. In Hebrew, Sabbath Eve or the day right before the Sabbath, is called עֶרֶב שַׁבָּת (EH-rev shah-BAHT) – the eve of Sabbath. How do you say west in Hebrew? מַעֲרָב (mah-ah-RAHV). If you look closely, you’ll see that it’s got the…
יום You probably know that יוֹם (yohm) means day. You also probably know that the Book of Genesis (סֵפֶר בְּרֵאשִׁית – SEH-fehr beh-reh-SHEET) presents the story of creation in a six-day sequence – and that this contradicts modern science… at least on an initial reading. On top of that, the second chapter of…
ה If you know a bit of Hebrew, you probably know the Hebrew equivalent of the English definite article, the. It’s הַ (hah), and at times הָ (also “hah”, but pronounced a bit differently by some speakers) or הֶ (heh). What you may not have noticed is that almost always in the letter…
אדישות Apathy can be dangerous, especially regarding things like the Holocaust and people like Gilad Shalit (גִּלְעַד שָׁלִיט). Apathy tends to go against the basic human need/function of love. The Hebrew word for apathy is אֲדִישׁוּת (ah-dee-SHOOT). You might describe a man as אָדִיש (ah-DEESH) or a woman as אֲדִישָׁה (ah-dee-SHAH). See if…
להירשם On the occasion of the upcoming session of Ulpan La-Inyan (in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv!!!!), today’s dose of Hebrew is לְהֵרָשֵׁם (le-heh-rah-SHEM) – to register. For example, you might say something like אֲנִי כָּל כַּךְ רוֹצֶה/רוֹצָה להירשם לַקּוּרְס שֶׁל אוּלְפָּן לָעִנְיָן! (ah-NEE kohl KAHKH roh-TSEH/roh-TSAH le-heh-rah-SHEM lah-KOORSS shel ool-PAH lah-een-YAHN) – I…
עצם The עֶצֶם (EH-tsem) means bone, but it also means essence. The 70s and 80s rock group that brought us the popular Bar-Mitzvah dance song, “Yo Ya,” also have a song called “פֹּה קָבוּר הַכֶּלֶב” (poh kah-VOOR hah-KEH-lev) – “This is Where the Dog is Buried.” I bring you this song because …
זהירות Driving conscientiously, defensively and carefully prevents car accidents (I think money should be spent developing an automated personal transport system – that would really save lives). As an Israeli parts from his friend who has a drive ahead of him, he is likely to say to him, סַע בִּזְהִירוּת (sa biz-hee-ROOT), or…