Passing Phrase - www.learnhebrew.org.il

Kol Hakodem Zocheh

Literally: Whoever is first wins
Idiomatically: First come first served

"Kodem" means before or previously, and there are many variations as in the words "Kadam" (Ethics 3:9) or "Kedem" (Psalms 88:14). In this case, the phrase itself is Talmudic and is meant to praise someone who moves quickly and doesn't procrastinate (Ketuvot 8:7). Looking at modern day Israel and the lines (or the lack of them) at your local bus stop makes me think that our forefathers would have second thoughts on using this phrase. Today we may have more knowledge, but "kodem kol" (first of all) we need more manners.

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