The Colorful Names of Hebrew Insects
Ever wondered what Israelis call a ladybug? It's Parat Moshe Rabbenu (פרת משה רבנו) which literally means "the cow of our Rabbi Moses." Sounds strange at first, right? But there's actually some interesting reasoning behind it. The ladybug, like Moses, is humble and unassuming. And like a cow, this little spotted beetle is hardworking and super helpful for agriculture by eating harmful pests.
And how about the mantis? While many languages call it a "praying mantis" because of how it holds its front legs, Hebrew takes a different approach. In Hebrew, it's Gamal Shlomo (גמל שלמה) or "Solomon's Camel." Where did that come from? Well, in the Bible, King Solomon prayed by stretching his arms toward heaven (1 Kings 8). And the camel part? According to an old midrash, Solomon punished his stubborn camel by transforming it into this peculiar insect!
These two insects are just the beginning! Hebrew is packed with fascinating words that connect to biblical stories and ancient traditions. If you're curious about word origins and want to connect with the roots of language, Hebrew offers an incredible journey.
Ready to dive deeper? Enroll in the Rosen School's live online courses and you'll learn with internationally acclaimed teachers straight from Israel.
