Word Prompt – LECHEM – Asher Yablok

Hashem yilachem/will fight for you; you tacharishun/remain silent. My grandfather would always say there is a secondary message. “Yilachem” has a root of lechem which means fight, but lechem also means bread. Tacharishun has the root choresh which means silent, but it also means to plow. As such, the pasuk can also be read, Hashem will provide you bread; you simply plow.

It is a fun play on words and a cherished thought from my grandfather. However, the profound simplicity of the message takes on more significant meaning as my life progresses. The play on words emphasizes two fundamental elements that perhaps characterize the lasting message of the generations that came before us. Trust in Hashem’s ability and desire to provide for us and focus our efforts on simply providing avenues for him to do so.