שָׂכַל I (b. h.; v. סָכַל I) to be bright.
Hif. - הִשְׂכִּיל 1) to be wise, understand; to consider, deliberate. Midr. Prov. to I, 3 כיון … צריך להַשְׂכִּיל היאך וכ׳ when a man is appointed judge, he must deliberate how to acquit the innocent &c.; צריך להשכיל ולדקדק וכ׳ he must study and investigate the law, that he may not sin or lead to sin; Yalk. ib. 929 צריך להשכיל היאך לדקדק וכ׳ he must deliberate how to carry out the law exactly &c. Midr. Till. to Ps. XXXII (ref. to I Sam. XVIII, 14, sq.) ומפני שהיה מַשְׂכִּיל היה כסוי חטאה and because he was wise, his sin was covered; a. fr. —2) to look towards, face; (cmp. סָכַם, a. כּוּן) to be directed. Num. R. s. 145; Pesik. R. s. 3 (ref. to שִׂכֵּל את ידיו, Gen. XLVIII, 14) הִשְׂכִּילוּ ידיו … לרוח הקדש Jacob’s hands were directed towards (pointed to) the holy spirit.