When I arrived in
word “baal” bothered me. Although the word “baal” in Modern Hebrew refers to
husband, the traditional definition is master or owner. I asked a Hebrew Ulpan
teacher who was about to be married if she was going to use the term “baal” to
refer to her husband. She said that she had no problem with the word “baal”
which in her mind was the Modern Hebrew word for husband.
I don’t have a problem with the English word “husband” which
in Old English meant master of the house since today the word husband is
defined as a married man. I can therefore see where the teacher is coming from.
However, there are women today who prefer not to use the word husband due to
the Old English definition and prefer to use a different word such as spouse.
Despite her answer, there are many men and women in
uncomfortable with using the term “baal”.
The relationship between God and the Jewish people is often
compared in the Tanach to the relationship between a husband and wife, this
week’s Haftarah (Hoshea 2:18-19) is no exception where we read: “It shall be on
that day-the word of God- you will say ‘ishi’ (my Husband) and you will no
longer say ‘baali’ (My master).
Rashi explains that “ishi” is an expression of marital
relationship and young love while “baali” is an expression of lordship and
fear.
Radak points out that the word “baal” also refers to the
heathen idol.
In 1953, David Ben Gurion wrote a letter stating that on
government documents and forms the word “ishi” should be used as opposed to the
word “baali” since “baali” conjures up images of the husband being the master
as well as a god of idol worship and does not show respect for women. Ben
Gurion then quoted our pasuk from Hoshea to prove his point.
David Ben Gurion took the Tanach and Biblical Hebrew
seriously. Today, unfortunately many Israelis are not as well educated in
Biblical Hebrew and are only familiar with Modern and spoken Hebrew.
If more women use the word “ishi” to describe their husbands,
the word may eventually become standard. From looking at our Haftarah it is
clear that “ishi” is the word that God prefers.
