Jewish Ethics

To Share the Burden with One's Friend - Middah Nosay B'ol Im Chavayro

Barbara Binder Kadden, RJE

The phrase nosay b'ol im chavayro means "to share the burden with one's friend." Nosay is based on the Hebrew root nun-sin-aleph that means "to lift up" or "to carry." The word ol means "yoke" or "burden." Im means "with" and chavayro translates as "one's friend."

Jewish Ethics

To Learn by Repetition - Middah Mishnah

Barbara Binder Kadden, RJE

Mishnah comes from the Hebrew root shin-nun-hey which means "to repeat." The word mishnah, influenced by Aramaic, took on the meaning "to learn." One can translate mishnah as "to learn by repetition." The middah—Jewish value—of mishnah means both "the study of Scripture" (the Written Law, which is Torah) and "the study of Mishnah" (the Oral Law).

sacred texts

To Determine Exactly what One Hears - Middah Mechavayn et Sh'muato

Barbara Binder Kadden, RJE

Mechavayn et sh'muato means "to determine exactly what one hears." The root of mechavayn is chaf-vav-nun, which means "to determine exactly" or "to be firm." Sh'muato has as its root shin-mem-ayin and means "to listen" or "to hear."

Jewish Ethics

To Attend to the Sages - Middah Shimush Chachamim

Barbara Binder Kadden, RJE

Shimush Chachamim means "to attend to the Sages." Shimush comes from the Hebrew root shin-mem-shin and means "to serve" or "to attend." A related word is shamash—the servant candle used to kindle the lights of the Hanukkiah—the Hanukkah menorah. Chachamim translates as "sages" and usually refers to the rabbis of the Talmud. The word Chachamim is the plural form of chacham, coming from the Hebrew root chet-chaf-mem meaning "wisdom."

The Study of Torah - Middah Talmud

Marlene Myerson

Talmud translates as "the study of Torah." The word Talmud comes from the Hebrew root lamed-mem-dalet meaning "to learn."

sacred texts