Parashat Shemini: A Moment of Hebrew
Illustration Credit: Rebecca Kerzner

רֶגַע שֶׁל עִבְרִית A Moment of Hebrew

וְאֵ֣ת ׀ שְׂעִ֣יר הַֽחַטָּ֗את דָּרֹ֥שׁ דָּרַ֛שׁ מֹשֶׁ֖ה וְהִנֵּ֣ה שֹׂרָ֑ף וַ֠יִּקְצֹ֠ף עַל־אֶלְעָזָ֤ר וְעַל־אִֽיתָמָר֙ בְּנֵ֣י אַהֲרֹ֔ן הַנּוֹתָרִ֖ם לֵאמֹֽר׃
Then Moshe inquired about the goat of the sin offering, and it had already been burned! He was angry with Elazar and Itamar, Aharon’s remaining sons, and said…
לִדְרֹשׁ lidrosh (שֹׁרֶשׁ ד.ר.ש)
  • To demand, to inquire, require, or desire
מִדְרָשׁ = Midrash
בֵּית מִדְרָשׁ (beit midrash) = A place of Torah study
מוֹדַעַת דְּרוּשִׁים (moda'at derushim) = Classified ad
דְּרִישׁוֹת תַּפְקִיד (derishot tafkid) = Job requirements
דְּרִישַׁת שָׁלוֹם (ד"ש) (derishat shalom) = Regards or greetings
דְּרִישָׁה וַחֲקִירָה (derishah va-hakirah) = Investigation
Find the Word!
There are several examples in the Torah where this שֹׁרֶשׁ (shoresh, root) is used when people seek an answer or guidance from God. One of the most well known examples is when Rivkah is pregnant with twins who are struggling within her. Can you find it in Bereishit 25? (Hint: Start looking at the beginning of Parashat Toldot, 25:19).