Balashon
“Balashon – Hebrew Language Detective” is my blog where I investigate the meanings and histories of Hebrew words and phrases. I’ve been writing it since 2006.
Posts explore Hebrew from Biblical, Rabbinic, Medieval, and Modern sources, including slang, and often trace how meanings develop over time. I also compare Hebrew to related languages such as Aramaic and Arabic, and examine loanwords as they enter Hebrew from Greek, Latin, and English. Sometimes, these words even travel in the other direction as well, entering European languages from Hebrew and other Semitic sources.
Selection of Popular Posts
Here is a selection of popular posts:
- ish and isha
- artzot habrit
- mazal tov and besha’a tova
- tallit
- eshkolit
- sandak
- bira
- agvania
- pardes and paradise
Other Publications
I also write about Hebrew language and words in other publications:
- 929 Project
- The Jewish Press – Word Prompt
- HaMizrachi Weekly – where I explore language issues connected to the weekly Torah reading
- My essays in the Mizrachi print journal can be found on my Academia.edu page