אפרכס
Grammatical information: noun m.
Grammatical information: noun f.
Translation: funnel; hopper; grain receiver [of a millstone]
Translation equivalent: πρόχοος(Greek)
כותי אחד שאל את ר' מאיר אמר לו אפשר המים העליונים תלוים במאמר, אמר לו הן, אמר לו הבא לי ארפכס, הביא לו ארפכס, נתן עליה טס שלזהב ולא עמדו המים, טס שלכסף ולא עמדו, כיון שנתן אצבעו עמדו מים, אמר לו אצבעך אתה נותן, אמר לו מה שאני בשר ודם אצבעי מעמדת המים, אצבעו שלהקב"ה על אחת כמה וכמה
4,4 [I 27: 5]
A Samaritan asked R. Meir: “Is it possible that the upper water is suspended by [God's] word?” “Yes,” he answered. “Bring me a funnel,” he added. When he brought the funnel, he placed a gold plate upon it, but the water did not stand still; then a silver plate, but the water did not stand still. But as soon as he placed his finger [upon the aperture], the water stood still. “But you have put your finger there,” he objected. “If my finger stays the water, though I am but flesh and blood, how much more so the finger of the Holy One, blessed be He! Hence the upper waters are suspended by [God's] word.” (Cf. Freedman / Simon I 28-29).
= Yalq 5 [3b: 48] (אפרכס); Yalq Ps 789 [463b: 23] (אפרכס)
According to Krauss, LW II 116b, and Levy I 153ab, the correct reading in GenR. Cf., however, ארפכס. The word אפרכס is used in the talmudic idiom עשה אזנך כאפרכס “make your ear like a hopper” (bḤag 3a, bḤul 89a and other), where it is certainly the correct reading. For hopper as part of a millstone cf. Krauss, TA I 96-97 and TA II 289. Cf. חלף סידרה
Bibliography:
Heijmanns (2013), 61-62.
How to cite: Art. אפרכס in: Dictionary of Loanwords in Rabbinic Literature. Eds. . https://lrl.acdh.oeaw.ac.at/aparkas.html. 2024.
