new phrases
‫ְּב ֵר ַרת מֶ ְּחדָּ ל‬
B’rerat Mekhdal
Literally: The choice of an oversight
Idiomatically: Default
This phrase causes some confusion. Technically it has a negative connotation except when
referring to computers. The word "chadal" (root: chet-dalet-lamed) as to cease is found in
Genesis referring to Josef when he ceased to count (41:49). In the army, when you want to stop
shooting at a firing range you will hear the command “Chadal Aish” - cease fire! The word
"chadal" or "mechdal" can therefore also mean not acting when there is something to be acted
upon, which is a stronger meaning than its usual translation as an oversight or omission.
"B’rerah" is simply a choice (Jerusalem talmud 10:2). So when your computer goes crazy and
begins to do things you didn’t ask for, you would “tell” it to cease and use the default. Or if you
wish go back to pencil and paper.
‫ְרׁשּות הַ ִּדּבּור‬
Reshut Hadibur
Literally: Permission to speak
Idiomatically: Given the floor
"Reshut" in this case means permission (Berachot 28a). It can also refer to ownership – "reshut
hayachid" (private property). It can even refer to an authority: " Reshut Mechokeket" (the
legislature). In our phrase, we are talking about a person given permission to speak at a meeting
or in the Knesset. In English they use the phrase “to be given the floor” which stems from the
practice in England of a person who would move from his/her chair in parliament to stand on the
floor and address the assembled representatives. "Natnu lo reshut hadibur " - They gave him
permission to speak. Of course that doesn’t mean that anyone will listen to him.
‫הֹוד מַ לְ כּותֹו‬
Hod Malchuto
Literally: His royal glory
Idiomatically: Your royal highness
This is really not a phrase you are going to use daily, at least not in my circles. Any word with
the prefix "Hod" is going to mean something similar: "Hod maalato," or Hod romemuto." Btw
the correct, if obsequious way to greet a religious leader would be "Hod Kedushato." "Hod" is
usually translated as glory or splendor, as in "Hod Vehadar" (Psalms 96:6). "Malchut" is a
kingdom or royalty. "Hod Hasharon," a city in central Israel could be translated as the Splendor
of the Sharon, and considering the ongoing rise in the price of houses there, you may soon need a
bit of royalty or a friend at a bank to buy something.
‫ל ֹא נָקַ ף אֶ צְ ּבַ ע‬
Lo Nakaf Etzba
Literally: He didn’t strike (lift) a finger
Idiomatically: He did nothing
The phrase, Talmudic in origin, refers to divine providence (Chulin 7b). The word "nakaf" (root:
nun-kuf-pei) usually means to strike or knock, but in our case it should be seen as to stir or lift.
The phrase is definitely negative in its usage. "Habayit haya mevulgan aval af yeled lo nakaf
etzba lesader oto" - The house was a mess but not one of the kids lifted a finger to straighten it
out. At least until I pulled the TV plug out of the wall and tossed their cell phones into the pool.
‫שֶ טַ ח הֶ פְ קֵ ר‬
Shetach Hefker
Literally: Ownerless land
Idiomatically: No man's land
The literal translation of this phrase is a bit misleading. "Shetach" can mean a track of land such
as "Shetach banui" which is built-up land . "Hefker" in the Talmud (Peah 6a) refers to something
that is ownerless. As such, a waif or abandoned child would be referred to as a "yeled hefker."
But "hefker" has a darker meaning as well and can refer to lawlessness or anarchy - the word
"hefkeirut" is just that. "Shetach hefker" may mean unclaimed land but it may also refer to land
in conflict which unfortunately would encompass both meanings.
‫עֹוד הַ ּיֹום גָדֹול‬
Od Hayom Gadol
Literally: The day is still big
Idiomatically: There’s plenty of time
I used to really like this phrase, at least until I came to live in Israel. The phrase comes from the
Bible (Genesis 29:7) by the story of Jacob's first meeting with Rachel. But unfortunately the
phrase has been hijacked by my mechanic. I bring in the car at 7:30 he promises it will be ready
at 10. Then 12. Then 2. Finally he asks with full righteousness, “Ma habaaya shelcha, od hayom
gadol" - What’s your problem, there is still plenty of time left in the day. That’s what happens
when you live in a country where the mechanic can quote the Bible better than you.
‫עַל כָל צָ ָרה שֶ ל ֹא תָ בֹוא‬
Al Kol Tzara Shelo Tavo
Literally: Against any problem that will never come
Idiomatically: To be on the safe side; just in case
When you translate this word for word it sounds a bit convoluted, but it is taken directly from the
Talmud (Ta’anit 3:8). In modern Hebrew you could say "Al kol tzara shelo tavo tzahal patach
betargil peta" - To be on the safe side the army began a surprise exercise. You could also use the
original Talmudic phrase: "Al kol tzarah shelo tavo al hatzibur matrien aleha chut meirov
geshem" - For every disaster which the community may never be visited with you sound an
alarm except on account of an excess of rain. And then goes on with the story of Honi who
prayed for rain. Al kol tzara shelo tavo - carry an umbrella. Murphey agrees.
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