In honor of Israel’s 75th birthday, Israel365 is excited to launch a new series of essays that will unlock the secrets of the Hebrew Bible!
Excerpted from Rabbi Akiva Gersh’s forthcoming book, 75 Hebrew Words You Need to Understand the Bible, these essays illuminate the connection between related Hebrew words, revealing Biblical secrets only accessible through Hebrew.
Enjoy the series – and happy 75th birthday to the State of Israel!
IVRI
IV-REE
HEBREW
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Godās chosen people have gone by many names. They are referred to as āIsraelites,ā the children of Jacob whose name was changed to Israel. And they are commonly referred to as Jews, for after the destruction of the first Temple and their exile to Babylonia, most of the Israelites who did not assimilate and disappear descended from the tribe of Judah. But before they received either of these names, they were known as Ivrim, āHebrews.ā
What is the meaning of this name? Some explain that Abraham is referred to as an Ivri because he was a descendant of Eber. Others highlight the linguistic connection between ivri and the Hebrew word Eiver, meaning āside,ā for Abraham immigrated to Israel from the other āsideā of the Jordan River, having come from the East.
A deeper message emerges from the connection between Ivri and Eiver. From a young age, Abraham was unlike any other people of his generation. As it related to religious beliefs, morality and ethics, it can be said that the whole world was on one side, and Abraham was on the other. He was not afraid to be different and didnāt shy away from speaking out against evil. For him, living a life of truth mattered more than receiving the approval of others. This made Abraham worthy of bringing Godās message to the world.
God tells Moses to refer to Him as the āGod of the Hebrewsā when he confronts Pharaoh and cries out, āLet my people go!ā For by using this name, Moses conveyed a critical message to Pharaoh: that Mosesā people were unlike any other nation! The Hebrews believed in God, and they would not be afraid to stand up against those who sought to oppress them, a strength they inherited from Abraham, the very first Ivri.
