Since the time of Moses: how the word "ballot" appeared in Hebrew

The article traces the history of the Hebrew word "petek" (note, ballot) from biblical times to the present. The first mention is linked to Moses' selection of 70 elders by lot. It examines the word's meanings in Midrash, Kabbalah, and modern Hebrew, including the wish "Pitka tava".

The article, prepared with the assistance of the MASHAV channel, explores the etymology and cultural significance of the Hebrew word "petek" (note, ballot). The author connects the first mention of notes to a biblical story: Moses, faced with the need to fairly select 70 elders, prepared 72 notes (70 inscribed "elder" and 2 blank), mixed them in an urn (kalpi), and had the candidates draw lots. It then examines the word's evolution in Midrash and Kabbalah, where "petek" acquired the meaning of a divine document with a verdict, including in the context of "Eve's note" and lists for heaven and hell in the book of Zohar. The custom of wishing "Pitka tava" (good note) after Yom Kippur is described, expressing hope for a favorable inscription in the Book of Life. The article concludes with a reference to the upcoming elections on October 27, urging readers to leave their mark by casting a ballot.