<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html charset=windows-1252"></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;">In any language idioms are interesting and often fascinating. <br>Though they are figuratively understood, the literal meaning <br>can be quite instructive. One of the common meanings of <br>the word <i>ba’al</i> is master or husband. It is idiomatically used <br>often in phrases such as <i>ba’al t’filla</i>, master of prayer, <br><i>ba’al midot</i>, master of good traits, <i>ba’al habayit</i>, master of the house. <br>Another idiom we would all want applied to us is <i>ben Torah</i>, son of Torah <br>or <i>choson Torah</i>, Bridegroom of the Torah. <br>Now here is what is particularly noteworthy: Though ben Torah means someone <br>who has mastered learning, the expression <i>ba’al Torah</i> is never<br>used. <i>Ba’al Torah</i> is not used because man is never the master <br>of the Torah. At best, man can only become the son or bridegroom of the Torah.<br>The Law is forever <b><u>his</u></b> master!<br><br><i>Regarding the creative: never assume you're the master, only the student. Your audience will determine if you’re masterful. </i><br>Don Roff American Writer and Filmmaker <br><br></body></html>