Jewish Ethics

Fear - Middah Ayma

Barbara Binder Kadden, RJE

"My heart shudders within me, and the terrors of death have befallen me. Fear and trembling penetrate me, and I am overcome with horror." (Psalms 55:5-6) These words were spoken by King David. David's son, Absalom, posed an enormous threat against him, for Absalom had organized a revolt.

sacred texts

Distance Yourself From Honor - Middah Mitrachayk Min HaKavod

Marlene Myerson

Mitrachayk Min HaKavod translates as "distance yourself from honor." Mitrachayk comes from the Hebrew root reish-chet-kuf which means "to keep far away" or "to distance yourself." Kavod means "honor."

Jewish Ethics

Contentment with One's Lot - Middah Samayach B'Chelko

Barbara Binder Kadden, RJE

The word samayach comes from the Hebrew root sin-mem-chet and means "happiness," "joy," or "contentment." The word chelko is based on the root chet-lamed-kuf and means "portion," "lot," or "piece." The phrase samayach b'chelko means "contentment with one's lot" or "contentment with one's portion."

sacred texts

Concentrate on One's Studies - Middah Mityashev Libo BeTalmudo

Barbara Binder Kadden, RJE

Essentially this middah means "to concentrate on one's studies." It may be translated in several ways, each having related meanings, but presenting a unique facet of understanding. These different interpretations will be presented in the commentary section.

sacred texts

Cleaving to Friends - Middah Dibuk Chaverim

Marlene Myerson

Dibuk Chaverim translates as "cleaving to friends." The word dibbuk comes from the Hebrew root dalet-bet-kuf meaning "to cling, be attached, glued." Chaverim translates as "friends" and comes from the Hebrew root chet-vet-reish meaning "to be joined" or "to unite."

sacred texts