A Word about Words
The word “etymology” refers to the study of the origin of words and the way in which their meanings have changed throughout history. Where do words come from? Often other languages. But where did those words come from? I don’t know, but let’s not get crazy here. This is a light column, and I’m not ready to do any heavy research.
Words Borrowed and Built
Often, when people needed a word for something and they didn’t have one, they made one up. They’d take a word from another language that had a certain connotation, and build off of that. For example, the English word, “whiskey” can actually be traced back to the Gaelic word “uisge beatha,” which literally means “water of life.” I can see why that might make sense.
Words that Cut Deep
If you’ve ever felt hurt by a sarcastic remark someone made to you, now you know why: the word “sarcasm” actually comes from the Greek verb “sarkazein,” which literally means “to tear flesh like dogs.”
Not My Mazel
“Disaster” is derived from Latin and Greek, with dis meaning “bad” and astron meaning “star.” The word got its name because the Greeks often blamed unfavorable and terrible conditions on the stars and the movement of planets. The next time you want to kvetch about bad mazel, consider this.
Not What Words Mean—But How Much
These are all very interesting, but I’m not really here to talk about WHAT words mean, as much as about HOW MUCH they mean. You may not realize it, but it’s not only what you say, but what you don’t say, that can speak volumes.
A Trip to the Shipping Store
This all started when I went to drop off a package at a shipping store. The store has changed hands a couple of times, but I recently noticed something about the new owner. To explain, when you have a package to ship, but you already have a shipping label, you need a place to drop it off, even if you don’t need their help to create the shipment.
If you’re returning a purchase to Amazon, or you’ve prepared a UPS or FedEx label at home and sealed up your box, you don’t need their cardboard or tape. You just need a location where the carrier has a regularly scheduled stop to go.
At this store, when you walk in, there’s a table. You put your box or boxes down, and you’re done. If you want a receipt they’ll scan it on the spot, but if not, you can just walk away. At some point, they will go scan it and place the box with the others waiting for that specific carrier.
Invisible Customer
The past few times I’ve walked in, I noticed the new owner sitting there at his desk, looking at his screen. When I open the door, he doesn’t even turn to look at me. The silence is awkward as I lay my package on the table, mumble, “Thank you” and walk out. Finally, it struck me what was wrong. He doesn’t say hello! He doesn’t say anything to me. It’s like I’m invisible.
Even though I don’t need his interaction to get my transaction done, and UPS will take the box even if I don’t have a cheery good morning from the fellow (I’ve tried giving them… he’s not interested), it still seems like a cold, cruel place, and I wished there was someplace else I could do business.
A Word Can Mean the World
It made me realize just how important a word can be. It doesn’t need to be much, but it’s an acknowledgement that I exist. If I get a smile when I walk in, I feel like the other person is happy I’m on this planet, and that’s a real esteem booster. It also made me realize what I might be doing to others if I DON’T take a moment to give them a word.
Amor in the Torah
Let’s do one more etymology piece. In French, the word, “amour” means love. Do you know this word appears in the Torah? When Hashem told Moshe about the Priestly Blessing the Kohanim (Priests) are to give, it says, “Speak to Aharon and his sons saying, “So shall you bless the Children of Israel, say to them.”” (Bamidbar 6:23)
The word for “say” is Amor, very similar to the word amour, meaning love. R’ Moshe Dovid Vaali (a student of the Ramchal, author of Mesilat Yesharim) says this is to teach us that the brachah (blessing) must be given with a heart full of love. The Kohanim must think of their fellow Jews warmly and then give the blessing.
Speak Love
What I realized from my (non-)interaction with the store owner is something deeper. One way of expressing the love we have for others is simply by speaking to them! By giving them the time of day, and engaging with them, we let them know they matter to us. Kohanim, do you want to bless the Jews? Then talk to them!
What’s in a Word?
What’s in a word? Lots. There is love, approval, and belief in others, in the words we say to them. If not getting a kind word from the shopkeeper who really doesn’t play a role in my life made me feel bad, imagine how a nice word from you to someone who cares can make a word… I mean… a world of difference.
By Rabbi Jonathan Gewirtz
Rabbi Gewirtz (Operation Inspiration) welcomes comments and feedback. Write to him at info@JewishSpeechWriter.com to share your thoughts. You never know when you may be the lamp that enlightens someone else.
