Jewish greetings
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
There are several Jewish and Hebrew greetings, farewells, and phrases that are used in Judaism, and in Jewish and Hebrew-speaking communities around the world. Even outside Israel, Hebrew is an important part of Jewish life.[1] Many Jews, even if they don't speak Hebrew fluently, will know several of these Hebrew and some Yiddish greetings.[1]
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[edit]Shabbat
For the Sabbath, there are several greetings that Jews use to greet one another.
| Phrase | Hebrew script | Translation | Phoneticized | Language | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shabbat Shalom | שַׁבָּת שָׁלוֹם | PeacefulSabbath | shah-BAHT shah-LOHM | Hebrew | Used any time on Shabbat, especially at the end of a shabbat service.[2] |
| Gut Shabbes Good Shabbos | גוּט שַׁבָּת Good Shabbos | Good Sabbath | GUT SHAH-biss; gut rhymes with put Good SHAH-biss | Yiddish/English | Used any time on Shabbat, especially in general conversation or when greeting people.[2] |
| Shavua Tov | שָׁבוּעַ טוֹב | Good Week | shah-VOO-ah TOHV | Hebrew | Used on Saturday nights (after Havdalah) and even on Sundays "Shavua Tov" is used to wish someone a good coming week.[2] |
Popularized among Generation X and Millenial college students, "Shabbas, yo" became a standard greeting a Hillel Shabbat services and dinners.
[edit]Holidays
| Phrase | Hebrew script | Translation | Phoneticized | Language | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chag Sameach | חַג שָׂמֵחַ | Happy Holiday | KHAHG sah-MEHY-ahkh | Hebrew | Used as a greeting for the holidays, can insert holiday name in the middle, ex. Chag Chanukah Sameach.[2] Also, for Passover, "Chag Kasher V'Same'ach" (חַג כָשֵׁר וְשָׂמֵחַ) meaning wishing a happy and kosher holiday.[2] |
| Gut Yontiv Good Yontiv | גוט יום־טובֿ | Good Yom Tov | GUT YAHN-tiv; gut rhymes with put GUT YAHN-tiv | Yiddish/English | Used as a greeting for the Yom Tov holidays.[2] |
| L'Shanah Tovah | לְשָׁנָה טוֹבָה | To a Good Year | leh-shah-NAH toh-VAH | Hebrew | Used as a greeting during Rosh Hashanah and the Days of Awe, Also used, simply "Shanah Tovah" (שָׁנָה טוֹבָה), meaning "A Good Year", or "Shana Tova U'Metukah" (שָׁנָה טוֹבָה וּמְתוּקָה) meaning "A Good and Sweet Year".[2] The phrase is short for "L'Shanah Tovah Techatemu VeTikatevu" (לְשָׁנָה טוֹבָה תֵּחָתֵמוּ וְתִכָּתֵבוּ) meaning "May You Be Inscribed and Sealed (in the Book of Life) for a Good Year".[3] A shorter version is often used: "Ktiva VeChatima Tova" (כְּתִיבָה וְחֲתִימָה טוֹבָה), meaning "(Have a) good signature (in the Book of Life)!" and literally "Good Inscribing and Signing!"[3] |
| Tzom Kal | צוֹם קַל | Easy Fast | tzom kal | Hebrew | Used to wish someone well for Yom Kippur. The word "happy" is not used because Yom Kippur is meant to be somber holiday, not a happy one.[2] |
[edit]Greetings and farewells
There are several greetings and good-byes used in Hebrew to say hello and farewell to someone.
| Phrase | Hebrew script | Translation | Phoneticized | Language | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shalom | שָׁלוֹם | Hello, goodbye, peace | shah-lohm | Hebrew | A Hebrew greeting literally meaning peace and used for hello and goodbye.[4] A cognate with the Arabic-language salaam. |
| Shalom aleichem | שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם | Peace be upon you | shah-lohm ah-leh-chem | Hebrew | This form of greeting was traditional among the Ashkenazi Jewish communities of Eastern Europe. The appropriate response is "Aleichem Shalom" (עֲלֵיכֶם שָׁלוֹם) or "Upon you be peace." (cognate with the Arabic-language "assalamu alaikum") |
[edit]Phrases
These are Hebrew phrases you're likely to hear in Jewish communities both inside and outside of Israel.[1]
| Word | Hebrew script | Translation | Phoneticized | Language | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazel Tov | מַזָּל טוֹב | Good Luck | mah-zahl tohv | Hebrew/Yiddish | Used to mean congratulations. Used in Hebrew (Mazal Tov) or Yiddish. Used on to indicate good luck has occurred, ex. birthday, Bar Mitzvah, a new job, or an engagement.[1] Also shouted out at Jewish weddings when the groom (or both fiances) stomps on a glass. In Israel, at a restaurant when someone accidentally breaks a glass or a dish, the restaurant shouts out Mazal Tov in unison.[1] |
| B'Karov Etzlech(m.) B'Karov Etzlecha(f.) | Soon so shall it be by you. | buh-kah-rohv ehtz-lehch buh-kah-rohv ehtz-leh-chah | Hebrew | Used in response to "Mazal Tov".[1] | |
| B'Ezrat HaShem | בְּעֶזְרָת הַשֵּׁם | With God's Help | beh-ehz-raht hah-shehm | Hebrew | Used in by religious Jews when speaking of the future and wanting God's help (similar to "God willing"). [1] |
| Yishar Koach | יְשַׁר כֹּחַ | You should have strength | yih-shahr koh-ach | Hebrew | Meaning like "good for you, way to go, or more power to you." Often used in synagogue after someone has received an honour. The proper response is Baruch Teheyeh (bah-rooch teeh-hee-yeh) (m)/Brucha Teeheyi (bh-roo-chah tee-hee-yee) (f) meaning "You Shall be Blessed."[1] [5] |
| Nu? | ?נו | So? | nuuuuuuu | Yiddish | A Yiddish interjection used to inquire about how everything went at something.[1] |
| Kol HaKavod | כֹּל הַכָּבוֹד | All of the honour | kohl hah-kah-vohd | Hebrew | Used for a job well done.[1] |
| L'Chaim | לְחַיִּים | To life | lecha'im | Hebrew/Yiddish | Hebrew and Yiddish equivalent of saying "cheers" when doing a toast.[1] |
| Gesundheit | געזונטהייט | Health | g'-SUND-hahyt | Yiddish | Yiddish (and German) equivalent of saying "bless you" when someone sneezes. Also sometimes "tsu gezunt" or SU g'SUNDT.[2] |
| Labriut | לבריאות | Good Health | la-bree-OOT | Hebrew | Hebrew equivalent of saying "bless you" when someone sneezes.[5] |
[edit]See also
[edit]References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Hebrew For Dummies: "Speaking of Favorite Hebrew Expressions"
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Jew Faq: "Judaism 101: Expressions and Greetings"
- ^ a b High Holidays 1: Rosh Ha-Shana, Hebrew: Virtual Ulpan
- ^ Hebrew For Dummies: "Greeting and Saying Good-bye in Hebrew"
- ^ a b Jewish Holiday Greeting Chart on Patheos
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