{"id":12443,"date":"2025-06-05T15:29:01","date_gmt":"2025-06-05T15:29:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.torahmates.org\/jewish-resources\/?p=12443"},"modified":"2025-06-05T15:29:03","modified_gmt":"2025-06-05T15:29:03","slug":"whats-in-a-word","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.torahmates.org\/jewish-resources\/whats-in-a-word\/","title":{"rendered":"What’s in a Word"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A Word about Words<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The word \u201cetymology\u201d 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\u2019t know, but let\u2019s not get crazy here. This is a light column, and I\u2019m not ready to do any heavy research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Words Borrowed and Built<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Often, when people needed a word for something and they didn\u2019t have one, they made one up. They\u2019d take a word from another language that had a certain connotation, and build off of that. For example, the English word, \u201cwhiskey\u201d can actually be traced back to the Gaelic word \u201cuisge beatha,\u201d which literally means “water of life.” I can see why that might make sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Words that Cut Deep<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve ever felt hurt by a sarcastic remark someone made to you, now you know why: the word \u201csarcasm\u201d actually comes from the Greek verb \u201csarkazein,\u201d which literally means \u201cto tear flesh like dogs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not My Mazel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDisaster\u201d is derived from Latin and Greek, with dis meaning \u201cbad\u201d and astron meaning \u201cstar.\u201d 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<\/em>, consider this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not What Words Mean\u2014But How Much<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

These are all very interesting, but I\u2019m not really here to talk about WHAT words mean, as much as about HOW MUCH they mean. You may not realize it, but it\u2019s not only what you say, but what you don\u2019t say, that can speak volumes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Trip to the Shipping Store<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019t need their help to create the shipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re returning a purchase to Amazon, or you\u2019ve prepared a UPS or FedEx label at home and sealed up your box, you don\u2019t need their cardboard or tape. You just need a location where the carrier has a regularly scheduled stop to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At this store, when you walk in, there\u2019s a table. You put your box or boxes down, and you\u2019re done. If you want a receipt they\u2019ll 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Invisible Customer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The past few times I\u2019ve walked in, I noticed the new owner sitting there at his desk, looking at his screen. When I open the door, he doesn\u2019t even turn to look at me. The silence is awkward as I lay my package on the table, mumble, \u201cThank you\u201d and walk out. Finally, it struck me what was wrong. He doesn\u2019t say hello! He doesn\u2019t say anything to me. It\u2019s like I\u2019m invisible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though I don\u2019t need his interaction to get my transaction done, and UPS will take the box even if I don\u2019t have a cheery good morning from the fellow (I\u2019ve tried giving them\u2026 he\u2019s not interested), it still seems like a cold, cruel place, and I wished there was someplace else I could do business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Word Can Mean the World<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It made me realize just how important a word can be. It doesn\u2019t need to be much, but it\u2019s an acknowledgement that I exist. If I get a smile when I walk in, I feel like the other person is happy I\u2019m on this planet, and that\u2019s a real esteem booster. It also made me realize what I might be doing to others if I DON\u2019T take a moment to give them a word.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amor in the Torah<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s do one more etymology piece. In French, the word, \u201camour\u201d 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, \u201cSpeak to Aharon and his sons saying, \u201cSo shall you bless the Children of Israel, say to them.\u201d\u201d (Bamidbar 6:23<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The word for \u201csay\u201d is Amor, very similar to the word amour, meaning love. R\u2019 Moshe Dovid Vaali (a student of the Ramchal, author of Mesilat Yesharim) says this is to teach us that the brachah <\/em>(blessing) must be given with a heart full of love. The Kohanim must think of their fellow Jews warmly and then give the blessing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speak Love<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s in a Word?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s 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\u2019t 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\u2026 I mean\u2026 a world<\/em> of difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Want to learn more about Passover and other Jewish holidays? Join TorahMates today to learn Torah from home, with your own study partner!<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

By Rabbi Jonathan Gewirtz<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rabbi Gewirtz (Operation Inspiration<\/a>) welcomes comments and feedback. Write to him at info@JewishSpeechWriter.com<\/a> to share your thoughts. You never know when you may be the lamp that enlightens someone else.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A Word about Words The word \u201cetymology\u201d refers to the study of the origin of words and the way in which their meanings have changed throughout history. 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