as Shabbat draws near... the Hebrew (and Arabic) connection between "west" and "evening" - http://ktzat-ivrit.ulpan.com

.ע.ר.ב

I'm again in the Ethiopian-Jewish absorption center Beit Alpha, and it's right before Shabbat.

In Hebrew, Sabbath Eve or the day right before the Sabbath, is called עֶרֶב שַׁבָּת (EH-rev shah-BAHT) - the eve of Sabbath.

How do you say west in Hebrew? מַעֲרָב (mah-ah-RAHV). If you look closely, you'll see that it's got the same three-letter root as ערב.

What's the connection?

Think about it - the sun sets in the west - the sun evenings in the west.

Likewise, the sun rises - or, זוֹרַחַת (zoh-RAH-haht) in the east; the word for east is מִזְרַח (meez-RAH).

Now, check out this Hebrew love song called An Evening of Roses by HaParvarim. The lyrics are based loosely on שִׁיר הַשִּׁירִים (sheer hah-shee-REEM) - the great biblical multi-meaning love poem, Song of Songs.


Listen to the song, and repeat after the singers as they translate the title for you into Hebrew.

(can't see the video?)