Hebrew Language Academy Offers Correct Term for Pomegranate Seed Extraction
As Rosh Hashanah approaches, the Hebrew Language Academy has clarified the proper term for separating pomegranate seeds from the fruit. Contrary to common usage of "to break apart" (lefarek) or "to peel" (leklaff), the Academy states the correct verb is "lefarred" (לְפָרֵד).
The Academy explained that the individual pomegranate seed is called "pered" (פֶּרֶד) or "prida" (פְּרִידָה) in rabbinic literature. To extract these seeds, the verbs "lefarret" (פָּרַט), "leparad" (פָּרַד) in the simple conjugation, or "lepered" (פֵּרֵד) in the intensive conjugation are appropriate.
Examples from classical Jewish texts are provided to support this usage. A Mishnaic text states "poretz be-rimon" (פּוֹרֵט ברימון), meaning "extracts from a pomegranate." Another Mishnaic passage mentions "ha-rimon she-prado" (הרימון שפְּרָדוֹ), referring to a pomegranate that has been separated. A Tosefta text uses the phrase "mefardin rimonim le'asotam pered" (מְפָרְדִין רימונים לעשותן פרד), meaning "separating pomegranates to make them pered."
