Passing Phrase - www.learnhebrew.org.il

Befnei Atsmo

Literally: By one's self
Idiomatically: In itself / per se

The phrase as is can be found in Ethics of our Fathers (Avot 2:13) as well as in other places in the Talmud (Baba Kama 47a, Chulin 80a). "Bifnei" on its own translates as in front of, and comes from "Panim," a word which literally has dozens of facets. Our first reaction would be to translate it as a face. As the face is the front of our body, it is easy to see how it would also be understood as in front of. This can be found both in the Bible (Deut.7:24) and the Talmud (Baba Metzia 3a).

היכולת לעזור הוא גמול בפני עצמו .

"Hayecholet la'azor hu gemul bifnei atsmo."

The ability to help is a reward in itself.

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