Word of the Day, October 26, 2026 – בחירות

בחירות — From Choosing to Elections

A Hebrew word from today's reading: בחירות (bechirot) — elections.

Today's article discusses elections to the Knesset, Israel's parliament, and how citizens take part in choosing their representatives.

But the Hebrew word for "elections" actually comes from a very familiar root.

It's part of the root family ב־ח־ר (B-Ḥ-R), which expresses the idea of choosing or selecting.

Let's look at a few words from this family:

• לבחור (livchor) — to choose, to elect
• בחירה (bechira) — choice
• בחירות (bechirot) — elections
• נבחר (nivchar) — chosen, elected
• נבחרת (nivcheret) — selected team, national sports team
• מבחר (mivchar) — selection, assortment

What's especially interesting is the link between בחירה and בחירות.

בחירה means "a choice."

בחירות is technically the plural form, but in the political context, it means "elections."

You’ll find this same root in many different situations:

אני בוחר ספר
I choose a book.

היא נבחרה לכנסת
She was elected to the Knesset.

נבחרת ישראל
The Israel national team.

There’s also an interesting phrase:

בחירה חופשית (bechira chofshit) — free choice, or free will in some philosophical contexts.

So, with just one Hebrew root, you can talk about shopping, sports, philosophy, or politics.

לבחור → בחירה → בחירות

To choose → a choice → elections.

A great example of how Hebrew builds political concepts from everyday words.

Do you know any other Hebrew words whose everyday meaning also has a political use?