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NAStree  ·  4352 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: What phrases do we often say that have a deeper meaning? (All languages)

"אחריות" in Hebrew means responsibility. But if you break down each letter, and go in order from right to left you get some really cool ideas about the importance of the word. First off, it starts with "א" the first letter in the Hebrew alphabet. Next you have "אח" which means brother, as in be mindful of your brothers and be responsible for them. The next one is "אחר" which is different/other, so be responsible for your other brothers, those that might be different from you. "אחרי" means after, with a little bit different of a stress when pronouncing. The next one is "אחריו" meaning followed by, and we end with the finished word and also the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet, "ת".

We begin and end with the beginning and the ending. When we use a word like this, it is no light idea. We are speaking of our brothers/sisters, of others that differ from us that may follow us or we may follow them.

I learned this from my good friend and guide when I was visiting my home 2 years back. The Hebrew language has many of these interesting quirks and is actually full of meaning in each word.