Passing Phrase - www.learnhebrew.org.il

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The word "Orech" is from "Orach" which can mean to set up, edit, organize, or arrange. What follows is that "Orech Din" can also mean an arranger of the law, but we don't want to go there. The word by itself, Orech is used for anyone who is an editor. "Orech Rashi" would refer to the editor-in-chief of a publication. The great book of Jewish-Law codification by Joseph Karo, the Shulchan Aruch (prepared table) is familiar to many of us. Though that is not the original name, it is a metaphor for his arrangement of law so that we can all see it and understand it. In the same vein, "La'aroch Shulchan," a common Friday afternoon phrase, simply means to set the table.

Back to lawyers: Job used this phrase (13:18) like any accused while pleading not guilty. Do you remember the powerful prayer on the High Holy days, "Le-eil Orech Din"? Only there, it is being used as a verb "to the one who issues Judgment." One last point: There is a similar word with the same letters – "erech" which means value. There is no relation between the two words.

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