Uncle

Dod means uncle, but the word carries a fascinating double meaning in Hebrew — it also means 'beloved.' This dual significance is on full display in the Song of Songs (Shir HaShirim), where the beloved is called 'dodi' (my beloved). The famous verse 'Ani l'dodi v'dodi li' (I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine) is inscribed on countless wedding rings and ketubbot. The connection between uncle and beloved may seem strange, but in ancient Near Eastern culture, marriage between cousins was common, and an uncle could indeed be a figure of both familial authority and romantic association. King David's name (David, from the same root) means 'beloved,' making Israel's greatest king literally 'the beloved one.' In modern Israeli families, the dod plays an important role. Israeli extended families tend to be closely knit, and uncles are regular presences at Shabbat dinners, holiday celebrations, and family milestones. The informal Israeli culture means that children often address uncles by first name with the title 'dod' — 'Dod Moshe,' 'Dod Yossi' — creating a blend of respect and warmth. The phrase 'Dod Sam' (Uncle Sam) is used in Hebrew to refer to the United States, while the Star of David is called 'Magen David' — shield of David/the beloved — connecting the word dod to both national and international symbolism.