[Avodah] Billions and Millions

[David Riceman]

Micha Berger wrote:
> The problem AIUI, was understanding why domeone would say the parallel
> to "billions and millions and thousands". Elef alfei alafim is a
> billion. Rivei revados is 1/10 that, 100mm. "1000, 1bn, 100mm times..."
> sounds weird. As I wrote, I personally think that since "pe'amim"
> only appears once, it's not a keifel lashon, but it's all one number,
> just like "one hundred thousand" is 100*1000 and in long scale (most of
> Europe) "one thousand million" is not one billion, but a number in its
> own right.
Whether it's one or two numbers is a machlokes rishonim.  See Mahzor 
Vitri ad. loc. (in the part containing texts - - it's in volume 1 p. 271 
of the new edition).

I prefer translations of prayers which get the "feel" right rather than 
the precise meaning, but of course it depends on the function of the 
translation and on the intended audience.

David Riceman