Famous Jewish sayings: where they come from and what they mean
The lines you've heard at weddings, funerals and on Instagram, traced to their exact source and explained in plain English.
- Gam zu l'tova: meaning and the story behind itWhat gam zu l'tova means, the Talmud story of the jewel chest full of dirt behind it, and how it differs from "this too shall pass."
- If I am not for myself, who will be for me? Meaning and sourceWhere "If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If not now, when?" comes from, the original Hebrew, and what each of its three lines really means.
- Love your neighbor as yourself: meaning and sourceWhere "love your neighbor as yourself" is in the Bible (Leviticus 19:18), what each word means in Hebrew, and the verse right before it nobody quotes.
- It is not your duty to finish the work: meaning and sourceWhere "It is not your duty to finish the work" comes from in Pirkei Avot, what each half means, and how it applies to burnout and big goals today.
- Is 'This too shall pass' in the Bible? The real source'This too shall pass' isn't in the Bible. Where it really comes from, what it means, the King Solomon ring story, and the Bible verses closest to it.
- What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow: the sourceWhere "what is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow" comes from in the Talmud, what each phrase means, and the part of the line most people leave out.
- Who is wise? He who learns from everyone: Pirkei Avot 4:1Where “Who is wise? He who learns from everyone” comes from, what all four of its lines mean in plain English, and the twist in the verse it quotes.
- Whoever saves a life saves the world: source and meaningWhere 'whoever saves one life saves an entire world' comes from, what it meant in an ancient courtroom, the 'of Israel' question and the Quran parallel.