(ג) וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ אֵלָ֗יו כֹּ֚ה אָמַ֣ר חִזְקִיָּ֔הוּ יוֹם־צָרָ֧ה וְתוֹכֵחָ֛ה וּנְאָצָ֖ה הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֑ה כִּ֣י בָ֤אוּ בָנִים֙ עַד־מַשְׁבֵּ֔ר וְכֹ֥חַ אַ֖יִן לְלֵדָֽה׃
(3) They said to him, “Thus said Hezekiah: This day is a day of distress, of chastisement, and of disgrace. The babes have reached the birthstool [mashber = crisis], but the strength to give birth is lacking.
Unto the breaking/delivery chair [ad mashber]. Crisis that is likened to a woman sitting on the birthstool [mashber], but not having strength to give birth.
Dr Melila Hellner-Eshed points out that the Hebrew word for birthing stool (mashber) is from the root for “to break.”
Questions for Discussion:
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What is being born/ breaking/ breaking open: in this country? In your own life?
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What is your experience of this birthing/breaking, and what is your role in it?
