×
Friend,    With Purim right around the corner, Sefaria is busy preparing for the “Purim bump” — the increase in users who visit Sefaria to celebrate the holiday. Last year, more than 100,000 people visited the library or used the app to connect with the holiday or read along with Megillat Esther. This year we’re expecting even more.    To help with our text and tech preparations ahead of this busy time, a generous Jewish foundation is matching all gifts to the library up to $36,000.    Please give today to help us meet your learning needs!     
Save "Parashat Mishpatim: A Moment of Hebrew"
Parashat Mishpatim: A Moment of Hebrew

רֶגַע שֶׁל עִבְרִית A Moment of Hebrew

…וְהִגִּישׁוֹ אֶל הַדֶּלֶת אוֹ אֶל הַמְּזוּזָה וְרָצַע אֲדֹנָיו אֶת אׇזְנוֹ בַּמַּרְצֵעַ…
…the master shall bring the eved (servant) to the door or the doorpost, and the master shall pierce the eved’s ear with an awl...
לִרְצֹעַ (lirtzo’a) (שֹׁרֶשׁ ר.צ.ע)
To pierce (make a hole using a sharp instrument)
מַרְצֵעַ (martzei'a) = Awl
רְצוּעָה (retzu’a) =
  • Strip
  • Strap
  • Leash (for a dog)
  • Ligament in the body
  • יָצָא הַמַּרְצֵעַ מִן הַשַּׂק (yatza ha-martzei’a min ha-sak) =
    A secret was revealed (literally means: the awl came out of the sack)
    Find the Word!
    In Hebrew, the tool used for piercing and the action of piercing have the same שֹׁרֶשׁ (shoresh, root). This is true for many tools in Tanakh! Can you find these tools in these pesukim: pliers (Yeshayahu 6:6), plow (Shmuel Alef 13:20), a kind of hammer (Shoftim 4:21). Can you figure out the shoresh for each of these tools?
    The שֹׁרֶשׁ (shoresh, root) ר.צ.ע appears only in one other place in the Tanakh, also about the rules for an eved! Can you find it in Parashat Ki Teitzei? (Hint: Look at Devarim 15:17.)
    We use cookies to give you the best experience possible on our site. Click OK to continue using Sefaria. Learn More.OKאנחנו משתמשים ב"עוגיות" כדי לתת למשתמשים את חוויית השימוש הטובה ביותר.קראו עוד בנושאלחצו כאן לאישור