“But on the tenth day of this seventh month, it is a Day of Atonement, a holy occasion for you; you shall afflict (v’ee-neetem) yourselves…” (Leviticus 23:27).

The Hebrew word for ‘afflict’ – v’ee-neetem, is a complex term.

Rabbi Matityahu Clark’s “Etymological Dictionary of Biblical Hebrew” based on the commentaries of Rabbi S.R. Hirsch offers 20 possible meanings of the root form of this word! He suggests they all relate to the concepts of responding or making dependent.

One shade of meaning that I found interesting is that it could mean to sing or lead in song. We see this in Exodus 15:21 Va’ta’an lahem Miriam – Miriam led them in a response (of song). Or, Eh’nu LaShem B’todah – call out to Hashem with (song) of thanks (Psalm 147:7).

What might the connection be between fasting and song?

Perhaps when we afflict/humble ourselves by separating from the physical, our souls – the spiritual side of who we are – is liberated and can more fully sing and express itself.

It is customary to wish each other a Tzom Kal – an easy fast. Kal also means ‘light’. Maybe the ultimate wish is that we become lighter during the fast day, less encumbered and weighted down by our physical side so that our souls can fly and sing!

마이클 스코박 랍비 지음

Follow the link for more “Verses from Tenach”
More of Rabbi Michael Skobac

© 저작권, 모든 권리 보유. 이 글이 마음에 드셨다면, 다른 사람들과 공유해 주시면 감사하겠습니다.

저희 블로그에는 저작권이 있는 자료를 포함하는 텍스트/인용문/참고 자료/링크가 포함될 수 있습니다. 메콘-맘레.org, 아이쉬닷컴, 세파리아닷컴, 차바드닷컴, 그리고/또는 AskNoah.org, 저희는 해당 업체들의 정책에 따라 이를 사용합니다.