Everyone in Israel is talking about March 17. Any idea what’s happening on that date? That’s right, b’chirot – ‘elections.’

A b’chira is a ‘choice.’ Guy Sharett teaches us how to choose, elect, and select in Hebrew, in time for March 17.

New Words and Expressions:

Bchirot – Elections, choices – בחירות

Bchira, bchirot – Choice, choices – בחירה, בחירות

Bacharti becha – I chose you – בחרתי בך

Livchor be- – To choose something or someone – בחרתי ב

“Ki banu bacharta” – Because you chose us – כי בנו בחרת

Ha-am ha-nivchar – The chosen people – העם הנבחר

Nivchar – Chosen – נבחר

Ha-sikuy shel peres lehibacher gavar – Peres’ chances of being elected was higher – הסיכוי של פרס להיבחר גבר

“At lo nivchart ki at isha?” – You were not elected because you’re a woman? – את לא נבחרת כי את אישה

Ha-nivcheret ha-israelit – The Israeli delegation – הנבחרת הישראלית

Nivcheret kaduregel – Football team – נבחרת כדורגל

Mutsar chalav – Milk product – מוצר חלב

“Nivcheret shel rechivim tzoonatiyim” – The ultimate selection of nutritious ingredients – נבחרת של רכיבים תזונתיים

“Ha-bchirot shelach tamid nigmarot ba-enayim sheli” – Your choices always end with my eyes – הבחירות שלך תמיד נגמרות בעיניים שלי

Playlist and Clips:

Ayala Ingedashet – Bacharti becha (lyrics)

Kiddush (Ashkenazi version)

Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach – Kiddush

Who is the chosen people / Avi Becker – London & Kirschenbaum, TV10

Collette Avital – interview, Knesset TV Channel

1956 football game, USSR vs. Israel, The Nathan Axelrod Newsreel Collection

Israeli Dairy Council commercial

Noi Roithenberg – Ha-bchirot Shelach (lyrics)