Am haarez

noun

Am ha·​a·​rez

ˌäm(ˌ)häˈäˌrets

plural Amme haarez or Ame haarez

¦ämə(-

1

: the inhabitants of ancient Palestine as distinguished from the Israelites

also : the country people as distinguished from the inhabitants of Jerusalem

2

or am haarez in rabbinic literature : the Jews not ritually as strict as the Pharisees

3

or less commonly am haarez : one who is ignorant of Jewish custom, law, or ethics

Word History

Etymology

Hebrew ʽam hā'āreṣ the people of the land

First Known Use

1729, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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