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Honorifics in Judaism
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
There are several traditions surrounding naming and speaking of the dead in Judaism. The honorifics in Judaism used for the deceased vary depending on the title of the person. This article will cover four of them.
Contents |
The following chart shows an overview of four different types of honorifics used, along with their abbreviation in Hebrew and English, their translation, the masculine and feminine forms, and the kind of person for which each is used. These abbreviations are found on gravestones, on memorial walls inside the sanctuary of synagogues, in speech, and in writings for those who have departed.
| English abbreviation |
Hebrew abbreviation |
full phrase in Hebrew | English translation | when used | |
| for a man | for a woman | ||||
| Z"L or O.B.M. |
ז״ל | זיכרונו לברכה zichrono livracha |
זיכרונה לברכה zichrona livracha |
of blessed memory; or may his/her memory be blessed |
non-rabbinical figure |
| A"H | ע״ה | עליו השלום alav ha'shalom |
עליה השלום aleha ha'shalom |
may peace be upon him/her | |
| Zt"L | זצ״ל zatzal |
זכר צדיק לברכה zecher tzadik livracha |
may the memory of the righteous be blessed |
rabbi or righteous person |
|
| Zk"L | זק״ל | זכר קדוש לברכה zecher kadosh livracha |
may the memory of the saintly be blessed |
saintly person or martyr |
|
This is the most common honorific. It is written in English as an abbreviation as Z"L or O.B.M. The translation means "of blessed memory". In Hebrew, it is "זיכרונו לברכה" (zichrono livrachah) for males, and "זיכרונה לברכה" (zichronah livrachah) for females. The abbreviation is written in Hebrew as "ז״ל". It is not used for Rabbis as they are given a higher honour.
This is an alternative to the one above. "Peace be upon him/her" is a common honorific. It is also used in Islam after saying the name name of a prophet in Islam (See Peace be upon him in Islam). It is written in English as an abbreviation as A"H. In Hebrew, it is "עליו השלום" (alav ha'shalom) for males, and "עליה השלום" (aleha ha'shalom) for females. The abbreviation is written in Hebrew as "ע״ה". Like O.B.M, "Peace be upon him" is not used for Rabbis as they are given a higher honour.
This honorific is used specifically for Rabbis or righteous persons. The abbreviation is spoken "zatzal". It is written in English as an abbreviation as Zt"l. The translation means "may the memory of the righteous be blessed". In Hebrew, it is "זכר צדיק לברכה" (zecher tzadik livrachah). The abbreviation is written in Hebrew as "זצ״ל". It is generally not used for Rabbi's who died a long time ago, such as Rambam who died in 1204.
This honorific is used specifically for saintly persons and martyrs. It is written in English as an abbreviation as Zk"l. The translation means "may the memory of the saintly be blessed". In Hebrew, it is "זכר קדוש לברכה" (zecher kadosh livrachah). The abbreviation is written in Hebrew as "זק״ל".
In writing, the name, followed by the abrieviation of the honorific either in Hebrew or English is the most common. For instance, a Rabbi who died in recent memory would have his name written as, "Rabbi Avraham Cohen Zt"l".
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| Birth | Shalom Zachor · Brit milah · Zeved habat · Hebrew name · Pidyon HaBen |
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| Coming of age | Upsherin · Wimpel · B'nai Mitzvah · Yeshiva | |
| Daily life | Ritual washing · Prayers and blessings · Grace after Meals | |
| Marriage | Bashert · Matchmaking · Role of women · Niddah · Mikvah · Tzniut · Divorce | |
| Religious practice | 613 commandments · Customs · Torah study (Weekly portion • Daf Yomi) · Jewish holidays · Tzedakah | |
| Religious items | Sefer Torah · Tzitzit · Tallit · Tefillin · Mezuzah · Kippah · Menorah · Shofar | |
| Culture | Diaspora · Israel · Immigration into Israel · The Holocaust | |
| Death | Chevra Kadisha · Shiva · Kaddish · Tehillim · Yahrzeit · Yizkor · Honorifics in Judaism | |