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Post by alon on Jan 25, 2016 9:47:25 GMT -8
L'chai'im! This toast is one of the best known Jewish expressions in the English world. Ask almost anyone what L'chai'im means and they will enthusiastically answer- "To life!" But I got to thinking about it and as usual the common interpretation seems wholly inadequate, even wrong.
When we say "to life" it conjures up hedonistic ideas of vivaciousness, happiness, parties and good times. All this may be a part of the meaning, however consider that "chai" is the word for life, and "im" on the end of this word makes it plural. "To lives." Now what is the imagery in your mind?
Joy, yes. But I get a sense of community; of lives shared. People meeting their potential, experiencing fulfillment. A sense that every life matters, as does every soul. Freedom as well as  observance are in this toast; our decision to walk with God, "a life in Christ" as the Christians would say. "L'chai'im, To Lives!" To life, in the plural sense. Inclusive.
Just my thoughts on the subject.
Dan C
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Post by rroath on Jan 25, 2016 12:37:39 GMT -8
Yes and in addition.... "To Life" gives the connotation that it is a "personal" thing and "To Lives" gives the connotation that....it takes more than Just You, your concern/focus should be for or include others, this is a "family thing" (Bnai Israel - Children not Child), etc.
Thank you Alon - thought provoking...
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Post by jimmie on Jan 25, 2016 15:42:52 GMT -8
Elohim = Gods???
Ahavat Elohim = For the love of Gods???
Now what is the imagery in your mind?
I am Pro-Life. Does that tell you that it is only my life that I am concerned with?
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Post by alon on Jan 25, 2016 16:49:24 GMT -8
Pluralizing some nouns is common in the TNK. Thus, the plural Elohim should be interpreted in light of the way the ancient Hebrews wrote and thought, and not as we think today. Usage suggests Elohim is used to show a "plural of honor" or "plural of fullness," the “im” suffix giving greater honor to God. Like “God” vs. “god,” or writing “LORD." The Hebrews amplified the term, signifying theirs was the only God who embodied all definitions of the title Eloah. So Elohim doesn't mean "Gods." More like the only God to embody all the positive traits ascribed to every god.
"Elohim" is used for: the true God, false gods, spirits and human leaders (kings, judges, the messiah). The "im" suffix denotes a plural masculine noun. Contrary to the rules of Hebrew grammar however, when used for the true God it usually has singular masculine verbs. Linguists say this type of use denotes plural of majesty, honor, or fullness; God in the fullest sense of the word. He is "GOD of gods" or literally, "Elohim of elohim."
Deuteronomy 10:17 (ESV) For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe.
Elohim is supreme over all elohim. He is "Lord of lords: Adonim of adonim." So pluralizing goes beyond Elohim. When God is called “Adon”- Lord or Master, the word is usually occurs plural: Adonim or Adonai. Like Elohim, God is LORD in the fullest sense, Master of all.
Four words are translated "God" in the TNK: El, Elah, Elo'ah, Elohim. "El" is the Strong One, or THE God. It is first used in Genesis 14:18 in the phrase "God Most High" [El Elyon]. Elah is used in the Aramaic portions of Daniel, Ezra and Jeremiah. The plural Elahin is used of God in Dan 5:23. Elo'ah is used mostly in the book of Job, and is likely the singular form of Elohim.
Some creatures take on mythically large dimensions. Behemoth is feminine plural of behemah, the common word for animals or livestock. Leviathan is also known as the plural Tanninim.
Our God is the fullness, the greatness or totality of deity, having all the powers and manifestations embodied in the word "God." Calling Him Elohim emphasizes this supreme stature as deity.
Dan C
edit: as to what you are concerned with, I'm sure I don't have the faintest idea. L'chai'im! 
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Post by jimmie on Jan 26, 2016 6:18:30 GMT -8
I agree with what you said in regards to Elohim/God. The same applies to L'chai'im/life.
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Post by Elizabeth on Jan 26, 2016 7:55:32 GMT -8
I think it is ultimately about knowing life is more than just about yourself or any one self, whether it be the people around you or even a more cross-generational definition. In that way the singular in English is actually pretty illuminating and could potentially achieve the same thing as long as the people saying it have a G-dly outlook on life. As long as "to life" in English is said remembering the vast interconnection and generational continuation of lives, the singular is a pretty cool idea saying much the same thing I think.
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Post by alon on Jan 26, 2016 9:47:11 GMT -8
Yes, the term “life” in English can mean life in the broader, or plural sense. That is my point. However that is not how we typically realize the term when given in a toast. This fact can get lost in the translation.
What we do not do in English is pluralize proper names. We tend to elevate people with titles instead. For example, we don’t say “Alexanders,” we say “Alexander the Great.” So your analogy of “Gods” above is wrong. The proper way to translate the Hebrew plural “Elohim” is “God,” singular when speaking of the God of Israel, based on context and sentence structure. That is one the translators did get correct. Of course elohim may mean a plurality, as in pagan gods which we denote with a small “g” and the “s” suffix. In fact, the term “God” can be either a proper name or a title, neither of which we would pluralize under any circumstances. Even Trinitarians do not say “Gods.”
Dan C
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Post by jimmie on Jan 26, 2016 10:26:43 GMT -8
as long as the people saying it have a G-dly outlook on life. That hits the nail on the head. |
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observance are in this toast; our decision to walk with God, "a life in Christ" as the Christians would say. "L'chai'im, To Lives!" To life, in the plural sense. Inclusive.
