Is there any connection between the words ra’al רַעַל - “poison, toxin” and re’ala רְעָלָה - “veil, scarf”?There are three primary theories. Let’s review them.The first suggests a connection between the root רעל and the root ערל, via a metathesis (a rearrangement of the letters). The adjective עָרֵל arel means “uncircumsized”, and this theory proposes a common sense of both roots meaning “to cover.” A veil covers the wearer, poison (in this view) “covers” the heart, and the orlah עָרְלָה - “foreskin” - is a type of cover. Support for this view is found in this verse:שָׂבַעְתָּ קָלוֹן מִכָּבוֹד שְׁתֵה גַם־אַתָּה וְהֵעָרֵל תִּסּוֹב עָלֶיךָ כּוֹס יְמִין ה' וְקִיקָלוֹן עַל־כְּבוֹדֶךָ׃“You, sated by scandal rather than filled with glory, now you too drink from the poisoned cup and become exposed; the cup of the Lord’s right hand will turn upon you, and shame will replace your glory.” (Habakkuk 2:16)While there are other translations to the word וְהֵעָרֵל here, and some scholars don’t see a…
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