By Philologos
Neil Tuchten, a South African judge, asked about the well-known verse in the book of Proverbs: “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.”
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By Philologos
In Biblical times, the Yom Kippur fast was known as the fast. It helped mariners keep track of the seasons, especially since storms usually came later in the year.
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By Philologos
Philologos offers a timely refresher on Hebrew’s feminine nouns. He explains when their plural takes the masculine ending and when they don’t, like shanot tovot
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By Philologos
An upcoming Talmudic study period is described as a “bridal month,” or a honeymoon with the Torah. Our language columnist, Philologos, explains.
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By Philologos
Was Moses a stutterer or was he simply unable to make certain sounds? Philologos investigates the Biblical clues to his ‘heavy toungue.’
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By Philologos
Turkey wants Israel to apologize for its handling of the 2010 Gaza flotilla. Philologos asks whether their understanding of the word apology may be getting in the way.
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By Philologos
Our language columnist answers a reader who wants to know the nuance of ‘potchkie’ — a slap, a dawdle or a waste of time.Read More
By Philologos
Is it a cliche to call Amy Winehouse a ‘nice Jewish girl’? No, says Philologos, who argues that the term actually has a special meaning imported from the Yiddish word sheyne.
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By Philologos
Richard Falk isn’t a self-hating Jew, he is a self-lover of the I’m-not-one-of-you variety, argues Philologos. If you can think of a catchier term, let him know.
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By Philologos
God took the soul of a reluctant Moses with a kiss. To this day, Hebrew speakers say someone who has died at a ripe old age, without suffering, has had a mitat neshika.
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