Passing Phrase - www.learnhebrew.org.il

Katav al Keren Hashor

Literally: He wrote (it) on a bull's horn
Idiomatically: Wrote it for posterity

Before we start, we are talking about the horn of an actual bull and not a bullhorn. The phrase is from the Midrash (Bereishit Rabba 16:4) and is similar to the phrase "al keren hazvi," on the horn of a deer or gazelle. The Greeks wanted Jews to write a proclamation denying the "God of Israel" in an effort to separate Jews from Judaism.

כתבו לכם על קרן השור אין לכם חלק באלוקי ישראל.

"Kitvu lachem al keren hashor - ain lachem cheilek be'elokei Yisrael."

Write on the horn of a bull that you have no part in the God of Israel

They wanted it written on something which would last - but why a bull? According to various commentaries, the Greeks use of a bull is both symbolic (it is slow, stable and has a mythical connection) and also practicable since whatever is carved on a horn will probably last longer than a parchment. Today this phrase refers to a statement or proclamation which is meant to last. Hopefully longer than the latest cell phone.

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