רֹתֶם, (b. h.) a species of broom, growing in deserts. Gen. R. s. 98, end מעשה בר׳ אחד וכ׳ it is told of a broom which men made fire with, and it burnt twelve months; Midr. Till. to Ps. CXX; 120; a. e.—Pl. רְתָמִים. Ib. לכך נמשל לה"ר כגחלי ר׳ therefore is the evil tongue compared to the embers of broom fire; Gen. R. l. c. גחלי ר׳ אע"פ שהוא כבה וכ׳ a fire of broom coal, although it is extinguished on the surface, continues to burn within. Ib. s. 53 (ref. to השיחם, Gen. XXI, 15) שכן דרך הר׳ וכ׳ for the rothem shrubs usually grow in the desert; a. e.