In Hebrew: 'Don't Go Together'

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December 16, 2012, 8 PM ET

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לֹא עוֹלֶה בְּקָנֶה אֶחָד

In the Torah portion to be read this Shabbat by Jews around the world, Pharaoh dreams about wheat, cattle and the future of Ancient Egypt: וְהִנֵּה שֶׁבַע שִׁבֳּלִים עֹלֹת בְּקָנֶה אֶחָד, בְּרִיאוֹת וְטוֹבוֹת... (בראשית מ"א:כ"ב) And behold, seven heads of grain growing (literally, rising) on a single stalk - (they were) healthy and good... (Genesis 41:22)

This imagery of different heads of grain growing together (at right) lends itself to the Hebrew expression used today to mean different ideas cooperating - לַעֲלוֹת בְּקָנֶה אֶחָד

(literally, to rise in one stalk). Far more commonly, however, speakers will use the opposite expression: הַדֵּעוֹת שֶׁל הַשְּׂמֹאל וְהַיָּמִין לֹא עוֹלוֹת בְּקָנֶה אֶחָד. The opinions of the left and the right don't go together.

שַׁבָּת שָׁלוֹם וְסוֹף שָׁבוּעַ נָעִים לְכֻלָּם! Shabbat Shalom, and a pleasant weekend to all!

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