The word fast in Hebrew is tsowm and comes from the word tsuwm which means “to cover the mouth.” I’ve always assumed that this covering of the mouth was referencing abstaining from food or drink. However, a recent reading of Isaiah 58 led me…

This question or a form of it has come to my attention many times. Translation usually involves understanding the source language and rendering the meaning as best as one can in another language.

For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an…