Howard Silverman asked:
What is the exact English translation of the very first word, "mei'eimasai" and how is it derived? (i.e. root word, prefix, suffix).
Thank you!!
The Kollel replies:
In Hebrew, the root word would be "Masai" which means "when." In Aramaic, the root gains an Alef to become "Eimasai," as in Targum to Bereishis 30:30, or alternatively "Eimas" (Berachos 2a etc.). The former appears to be used in Targum Onkeles and Mishnaic Hebrew. The latter appears to be the term preferred by the Gemara in the Gemara frequently, even in Berachos 2a.
The "Mem" in the beginning means from, that is "from when."
Good luck!
Mordecai Kornfeld