Little by Little: Mandrakes, Water and a ‘Few’ Biblical Phrases
As the 1950’s song says, little things mean a lot. And this includes the many Hebrew words that describe littleness.
Hebrew: Beautifying Sukkot With an Etrog
What is the connection between beauty and citrus fruits, editors and Talmudists? They come together in a Hebrew root that sometimes provides dubious pairings.
Adapting to Good Fortune, and Purple Cabbage
What do Passover, the Chosen People, the color purple, a vowel sound, bees, a hamsa and university faculty have to do with each other?
A Prayer For Our Friends and Family
One of the fiercest quarrels in the history of Jewish linguistics was between medieval Hebrew lexicographers.
A Hebrew Kingdom of Priestly Words
The Hebrew root kaf-heh-nun, to serve, officiate or hold high office, is the source of the noun כְּהוּנָָה (kehuna), priesthood, the family name Cohen and the term for
Uneasy Lies the ‘Koteret’
The Hebrew word 'keter,' which means crown, is also used in discussing false teeth, the stem-winder of a watch and the decorative flourish on a pillar.
The Hebrew Uses of Usefulness
The Hebrew root samekh-khof-nun, to be of service, brings together travel agents, knives, danger and classic Israeli songs.