Splitting the Sea

With Shevii shel Pesach around the corner, which marks the splitting of the Yam Suf, here is an astonishing observation.

The term "keria," splitting, which is how the miracle is known, i.e. kerias Yam Suf, קריעת ים סוף, does not appear in Tanach. It is a much later word used by the Sages almost exclusively scores of times and is quoted by Rashi.

What is used in Tanach to refer to the splitting of the sea is the root בקע as the verse that describes the event says, ""נטה את ידך על הים ובקעהו" stretch out your hand and split it," and גזר as in "לגוזר ים סוף לגזרים."

When googling this, you can find articles that explain why this is so.

Word Usage

Have you noticed that these days, writing that you were shocked is not enough? You write, "I was beyond shocked."

"Beyond thrilled."

"Beyond disappointed."

I can't help but think, really? What is "beyond shocked" and "beyond thrilled" and "beyond disappointed" like, as opposed to just plain shocked, thrilled, and disappointed?

*****
Have you noticed the new adjective used in the frum world? It appears in articles regularly.  I can't say I have heard it in conversation.

Examples:

She has solid hashkafos.
He's a solid learner.
They're a solid family.

They have a solid marriage

He is a solid ben Torah

That yeshiva has solid bachurim.

He has a solid chance at ...

I am told this is a term bachurim have been using for years.

Avoiding the "Whatchamacallit Syndrome"

Rabbi Pam z"l was very particular about using lashon nekiya (clean language).  He once addressed the talmidim in beis medrash and said I don't understand how someone can use the words "stupid" and "crazy."

He also said, I don't understand how someone can say whatchamacallit.  A talmid went over to him after the schmooze and asked, what's wrong with whatchamacallit? R' Pam said, if you are saying whatchamacallit, it means you didn't think before you spoke.

The person delivering the talk I was listening to, this talmid of R' Pam, said: Let's not fall into the "Whatchamacallit Syndrome," whether it's our brachos or how we talk to one another.  In every aspect of our lives, if it's a whatchamacallit life, it means we didn't think before we did it, and that's dangerous.

We can guess what R' Pam would think about the usage of "whatever," and "you know" and the other fillers we use.

I Was Touched

The person took my hand in their two hands and the blessings poured forth.  I was overwhelmed.  What an intense experience.  What heartfelt brachos.  More and more. 

What a beautiful thing it is to bless people, with all our heart.  Let's do it now, before Rosh Hashana.  Anytime. 

Kesiva v'chasima tova, shana tova u'mesuka, to all.

Power of Words, part 2

Shortly after writing the previous post, I read that Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetzky understood the words of the mishna in Pirkei Avos, "Lo matzasi la'guf tov ele shtika" (I didn't find good for the body except for silence) as follows:

Speaking is hagshama - it makes something megusham-tangible, it invests physical dimensions to a thought.  A thought is not yet in the realm of the physical.  Allow the thought to remain in its sublime spiritual state.

I thought this was an interesting understanding of these words, a more mystical one than I would have expected from him.  It fits nicely with the points in the previous posts.

Words Create a Reality

Point #1
On the day that Rabbi Yehuda Ha'Nasi was dying, his devoted students and colleagues decreed a public fast and prayed for him. Furthermore, they announced that whoever said that Rabbi Judah was dead would be stabbed with a sword.  Why? Because once the news spread, it would take an open miracle to bring him back to life (says the Shitah Mekubetzes).  As long as the news wasn't announced, he could be brought back to life through tefilla! Amazing!

Point #2
We've been learning about the Metzora lately.  The halacha is that the person, garment or house is not tamei until the kohen declares it tamei.  Even if a talmid chacham who is an expert in the laws of tzoraas knows it is tzoraas, it only becomes tamei on the kohen's say-so.

Point #3
Many people don't go to a cemetery or drink wine for 30 days, so what makes a nazir a nazir and a kadosh? R' Tzadok explains that the nazir utters the words, “hareini nazir” (I am a nazir) and this creates the kedusha.

What makes one cow different than another? If a Jew said, “harei zu ola” (this animal is designated as an Olah sacrifice), now you have to be careful with this cow for there are special laws that pertain to it.

How do fruits become teruma and fit only for a kohen? By our setting it aside and designating it as teruma.

Point #4
In the book "Aleinu L'Shabeiach" Shemos p. 375-376 there is a story of someone very ill and a family member consulted with a rav who told them all would be fine.  The man recovered and when the rav was later asked how he knew all would be well, he said: I have a tradition from my teachers that as long as the information is not conclusive and the doctors have not determined the diagnosis 100%, that means that in Heaven the outcome has not been determined with finality.  The words a person uses have great power to determine what will happen.  After a diagnosis, prayer can help but you need an open miracle.  Fascinating!

New Terminology

These are terms that we did not use thirty years ago, even twenty:

take it to the next level

paradigm shift

meltdown

get in touch with

tap into

breaking the cycle

get with the program

give someone space

open lines of communication

to be on the same page

issues ("he has issues" instead of saying "problems")

enhance

self esteem

at the end of the day

let's not go there

I'm good (for I'm all right, doing fine)

be proactive

bottom line (as in the final result)

freak out

duh

get over it

get a life

good to go

my bad

in your face

like (I was like, so happy)

chill (relax)

wicked (excellent)

newbie

hot (not in the sense of temperature)

24/7 (exaggerated way to refer to all the time)

he's the man

I googled it.

to put it out there

These aren't new but are used over and over and over ...

spiral downward or downward spiral

vicious circle/cycle (even when the thing they are talking about is not a circle or cycle)

Got any to add to either category? Any observations about these new ways of expressing oneself?