Kan Opinion | Anat Korol Doesnt Want to Use the Word Husband

In the video "Kan De'a," Anat Korol opens a discussion on a linguistic and social issue that has preoccupied many Israelis in recent years: the use of the Hebrew word *Ba'ali* (my husband). Korol questions why the Hebrew language, despite its immense richness, still clings to a term that implies legal ownership and property rights between partners. This serves as a critique of how language preserves ancient patriarchal structures—where a woman was considered a man's possession—and suggests a re-examination of the words we choose to define our most intimate relationships. Historically and etymologically, the word *Ba'al* in Jewish sources and ancient Semitic languages is linked not only to marriage but to mastery, lordship, and ownership (as seen in the terms for "landlord" or "animal owner"). In the modern era, where the pursuit of gender equality is a core value, many men and women feel an inherent discomfort with this semantic baggage. The debate Korol ignites touches on whether language shapes our reality or merely reflects it, and whether a change in terminology can lead to a deeper conceptual shift within the family unit. Alternatives to the word *Ba'ali* are gaining momentum in Israeli society, ranging from *Ishi* (my man) to *Ben Zugi* (my partner) or *Shutafi La'chayim* (my life partner). Each of these alternatives carries a different weight: *Ishi* is perceived as a more poetic and intimate option, while *Ben Zugi* is seen as neutral and egalitarian. The video examines the resistance to this change—from linguistic habit to critiques of excessive "political correctness"—and holds a mirror up to the Israeli public regarding the everyday words we take for granted. This is not merely a discussion about grammar or syntax, but part of a broader movement to renew the Hebrew language and adapt it to 21st-century values. Through Anat Korol’s sharp monologue, viewers are invited to reflect on the power of words and our ability to redefine the language we use to describe love and partnership, as we strive to break free from linguistic shackles that no longer represent our world.

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