This column has recently called attention to the proliferation in Israeli media of Hebrew roots dealing with war. Relatedly, the use of the root ע-ס-ק (ayin-samekh-kof), to deal with or do business with, has escalated from Jewish law and lore—halakha and aggadah—into modern Zionism itself. This is especially true in reports of protests demanding an עִסְקָה (iskah), deal, be made for the return of all hostages abducted by Hamas.

Strangely, the root is not found in the Bible. According to 20th century etymologist Ernest Klein, it is derived from another root, ע‭-‬ש‭-‬ק (ayin-sin-kof), that appears in Scripture once, in Genesis 24:20, where the Philistines הִתְעַשְּׂקוּ (hitasku), “fought with,” our forefather Isaac over the ownership of a well.

This belligerent use of our root is found in an aggadah on the Creation. God’s ministering angels were מִתְעַסּקִין (mitaskin), quarreling, as one group of them was opposed to the creation of humanity. God took advantage of their argument and inattention to His actions and created Adam.

Uncomfortable with possible misuse of rabbinic secrets, the Talmud (Hagigah 13a) proclaims אֵין‭ ‬לְךָ‭ ‬עֵסֶק (ein lekha esek), “You have no business,” getting enmeshed in “hidden things.” The rabbis also use our root to find a way to grant a sort of legal immunity, stating that הָעוֹסֵק‭ ‬בְּמִצְוָה (ha-osek be-mitzvah), “one engaged in a religious act,” is exempt from performing a different mitzvah at that time. Maimonides (Mishneh Torah, Avoda 7:11) uses our root to paint a colorful tableau of the agricultural ceremony associated with the barley harvest. He writes that multitudes from the surrounding villages would gather to witness the scene בְּעֵסֶק‭ ‬גָּדוֹל (be-esek gadol), “with much flourish.”

Today’s lenders may use an ancient Jewish document, הֶתֵּר‭ ‬עִסְקָא (heter iskah), business permit, to create a legal way to circumvent the biblical decree against taking interest. Aramaic becomes modern Hebrew when a newcomer to a discussion asks: הָכָא‭ ‬בְּמַאי‭ ‬עָסְקִינַן (hakha be-mai askinan), “What exactly are we dealing with here?” An עַסְקָן‭ ‬מִפְלַגְתִּי (askan miflagti), political fixer, always knows with whom לַעֲשוֹת‭ ‬עֵסֶק (la-asot esek), to make a deal, even if it means one must deal with an untrustworthy עַסְקוּנָה (askuna), band of foes. A criminal lawyer might request an עִסְקַת‭ ‬טִעוּן (iskat tiyun), plea deal, while your accountant will remind you to list all your הוֹצָאוֹת‭ ‬עִסְקִיּוּת (hotsa’ot iskiyyut), business expenses.

Today, we are hopeful for less stressful times, when one can say about life, הָעֲסָקִים‭ ‬כָּרָגִיל (ha-asakim ka-ragil), “It’s business as usual.” And, on a personal level, that one’s מַעֲסִיק (ma’asik), employer, however occupied by Zionist עַסְקָנוּת (askanut), communal service, will never be too עֲסוּקָה (asukah), busy, to take your call. 

Joseph Lowin’s columns for Hadassah Magazine are collected in HebrewSpeak, Hebrew Talk and his most recent book, Hebrew Matters.