Passing Phrase - www.learnhebrew.org.il

Be'idna Deritcha

Literally: At a time of boiling
Idiomatically: In the heat of the moment, in a moment of anger

This phrase is comprised of two words in Aramaic: "Idna" which in Hebrew would be "idan" (עידן), meaning time (Daniel 6:12), and "ritcha" from the Hebrew "roteach" (רותח) meaning to boil (Jerusalem Talmud Shabbat 4:2). The phrase itself can also be found in the Talmud (Baba Kama 60b). There is a wonderful Talmudic sentence (Ketuvot 106a), which in Hebrew would read

בשעת הכעס (בעידן רתחא) לא התפלל וביקש רחמים - אני אבקש רחמים.

In a moment of anger (he) did not pray and ask for mercy. I will ask for mercy.

In modern usage you would say

אין לדון אדם בעידנא דריתחא.

"Ain ladun adam be'idna deritcha."

Do not judge a person in his moment of anger.


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