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Stands for: Rabbi Moshe (Moses) Ben Nahman, also commonly known as Nahmanides, a 13th-century Spanish scholar. Stands for: Rabbi Moshe (Moses) Ben Maimon, also commonly known as Maimonides, the prolific and influential 12th-century scholar originally from Spain. What it means: Hebrew for “the owner/master of a good name,” this was the title given to Israel ben Eliezer (1698‑1760), the founder of Hasidic Judaism. What it means: Hebrew for “May his/her soul be bound up in the bond of life.” Pronounced: tuh-HEE neesh-mah-TOE tzroo-RAH beh-TZROHR ha-khaye-EEM What it means: Hebrew for “here lies” or “here is buried.” A variation on this is pay tet (פּ״ט), which stands for po tamun, “here is hidden.” Pronounced: pay noon (the two Hebrew letters) or POH neek-BAHR What it means: Hebrew for “Let his/her rest be paradise (Eden).” Pronounced: noon ayin (the names of these two Hebrew letters) or noo-KHAH EH-den (for women) or noo-KHOH EH-den (for men) When it’s used: Usually appears in parentheses after the name of a person who is deceased. What it means: Hebrew literally for “memories for blessing,” usually translated to “may his or her memory be a blessing.” Pronounced: zahl, or zee-chroh-NOH luh-brah-KHAH or zee-chroh-NAH luh-brah-KHAH What it means: The Hebrew Bible, which Christians refer to as the Old Testament. Stands for: Torah (תורה), Nevi’im (נביאים), Ketuvim (כּתובים) - known in English as Torah (also Five Books of Moses), Prophets and Writings What it means: Hebrew for the person leading a prayer service (literally “public emissary”). Pronounced: SHAHTZ or shah-LEE-ahkh tzee-BOHR When it’s used: Often said after the name of a prominent living rabbi. What it means: May he (or she) live for many good days, Amen. Stands for: Sh’yichyeh l’orekh yamim tovim amen. When it’s used: When writing a letter to someone who is alive. What it means: Hebrew for “his/her candle should burn bright.” Pronounced: noon yood (the two Hebrew letters), or neh-ee-ROH yah-EER (for a man), neh-ee-RAH yah-EER (for a woman) What it means: Hebrew for “if it will be God’s will” or “if it is God’s will.” Stands for: Im yirtzeh hashem (אם ירצה השׁם) When it’s used: Some traditional Jews put these letters on the upper corner of every piece of written material. What it means: Aramaic for “with the help of Heaven.” Note: This acronym also stands for Baruch HaShem (בּרוך השׁם) or Blessed is God. What it means: Hebrew for “with God’s help.”

When it’s used: Commonly said to a mourner upon learning of their loss. What it means: Hebrew for “blessed is the true judge.”

Stands for: Baruch dayan emet (ברוך דיין אמת) When it’s used: Following the name of someone who is dead. What it means: Hebrew for “peace be upon him.” Alternately “upon her” or “upon them.” Pronounced: ah-LAHV hah-shah-LOHM, ah-lay-HAH hah-shah-LOHM Did we miss an important one? Leave it in the comments below or email us at Acronyms and Abbreviations If no English initials appear, that means English initials aren’t used for this term. (Stands for for Sherut Habitakhon Haklali, or General Security Service.)īelow are some of the most common acronyms and abbreviations organized alphabetically (in English transliteration) by category. Modern Hebrew has its own ever-growing roster of acronyms, such as its FBI equivalent, Shabak (שׁבּ״כּ), also known as the Shin Bet. Even books themselves, like the Hebrew Bible are often identified in this abbreviated manner. Famous rabbis are frequently referred to by their acronyms.

My Jewish Learning is a not-for-profit and relies on your help Donateįor centuries before text-messaging and emailing birthed ubiquitous linguistic shorthand terms like LOL, TTYL and IMHO, Jews were not just the People of the Book, but the People of the Acronym.Īcronyms - in Hebrew, Aramaic and transliteration - appear frequently in Jewish correspondence, books, spoken conversation and even on gravestones.