The Blogs: Sivan’s Hidden Lesson

Yesterday we ushered in the Hebrew month of Sivan (סִיוָן). What is its origin?

Linguists trace Sivan back to the ancient Akkadian word simanu, meaning a fixed season or an appointed time. Because the consonants m and v frequently interchange across Semitic languages, Si-m-an naturally evolved into Si-v-an (milononline.net).

This beautifully mirrors the Hebrew word siman (סִימָן)—a sign, symbol, or marker (as in the song Siman Tov u’Mazel Tov!).

When we look to Arabic, we find a closely-related Proto-Semitic root flourishing with remarkably similar meanings:

* wasm (وَسْم) = mark, brand

* sima (سִمَة) = sign, feature, design

* mawsim (مَوْسِم) = appointed season, festival time

These linguistic parallels remind us that we share the same roots. They point to a fundamental truth: no people can build a moral or safe society on the ruins of another.

Endless subjugation, violence, and devastation may demonstrate raw power, but they cannot create reconciliation or lasting security. If Sivan is an appointed time, let us work hard to make it a marker for a new direction: one where we recognize our shared humanity and interdependence.

Chodesh Tov!