Since it is the month of Adar, this is a good time to discuss the interesting root Z-Ch-R.
As we all know, the letters zayin- kaf-resh generate two different words in Hebrew: male and remember. Is there a connection or is this merely a coincidence? Numerous are instances of husbands forgetting their wives’ shopping instructions. Surely those wives will deny any connection! But most likely there is a connection, and our task is to uncover it.
One suggestion is that it is only through males that the family’s name and memory are perpetuated. (One who makes this suggestion is Solomon Mandelkern. See his concordance, p. 355.)
Alternatively, Rav S. R. Hirsch writes (comm. to Ex. 23:17): “The special function of [males] … is zocher, to form the chain of tradition of the human race, by which the achievements of each age are handed down from generation to generation.” Similarly, Rav Matityahu Clark, in his Etymological Dictionary of Biblical Hebrew (a book based on the commentaries of Rav Hirsch) defines Z-Ch-R as “male; bearer of tradition.”
A farfetched suggestion is that Z-Ch-R originally meant “to be called to worship.” The word then became a reference to males because only males were competent to worship.
Finally, a widely quoted suggestion is that the root Z-Ch-R may have originally meant “to pierce,” related to the function of the male biological organ. Something that is remembered is pierced into the mind. See Ernest Klein, “A Comprehensive Etymological Dictionary of the Hebrew Language for Readers of English,” p. 198. Supporting the idea that Z-Ch-R may have originally meant “to pierce” is that the Aramaic root for remember is D-Ch-R and this may be related to D-K-R (dalet, kof, resh) which means “to pierce.” (See, e.g., the story of Pinchas, at Num. 25:8.)
We just mentioned an approach to Z-Ch-R based on the idea that something that is remembered is pierced into the mind. Others take a different approach to Z-Ch-R and remembering. The suggestion is made that Z-Ch-R is related to S-G-R and S-Ch-R, which both mean “closed.” Something that is remembered is closed up and sealed within the mind. See Mandelkern, p. 353, and Rav S.R. Hirsch, comm. to Gen 1:27. (As to the rare root S-Ch-R, see Gen 8:2 and Ps 63:12.) Finally, a very unusual approach to Z-Ch-R is taken by Samuel David Luzzatto (comm to Lev. 2:2). Citing Hosea 14:8, he theorizes that the root originally meant “to smell the scent of.” He argues that remembering is like smelling the scent of something that is no longer there. Why do all these scholars suggest concrete meanings for the original meaning of Z-Ch-R (pierce, closed up, smell the scent)? This is because roots normally begin with concrete meanings before they develop abstract ones such as “to remember.”
Another interesting word in Parshat Zachor is ayef (=tired). This word appears many times in Tanach, but so does yaef, which also means tired. One is spelled ayin, yod, pe. The other is yod, ayin, pe. What is going on here? Are there two different kinds of tiredness? Most likely, this is just a case of metathesis (=switching of letters). The original word was probably yod, ayin, pe (as we recite it in the morning blessings). Because this is hard to say, the variant ayin, yod, pe arose, slightly easier to say. Another likely example of metathesis in Tanach is the case of keves and kesev. It is unlikely that these are two different kinds of lambs. Rather, keves is the original form and kesev is merely a later arising variant.
By Mitchell First
Mitchell First is an attorney and Jewish history scholar. His recently published book: “Esther Unmasked: Solving Eleven Mysteries of the Jewish Holidays and Liturgy” (Kodesh Press, 2015) is available at the Judaica House in Teaneck and at Amazon.com. He can be reached at [email protected].
For more articles by Mitchell First, and information on his books, please visit his website at rootsandrituals.org.
