עם ישראל חי
am yisrael chai
The Hebrew phrase for "long live israel" is עם ישראל חי (am yisrael chai).
The phrase עם ישראל חי is used as a declaration of solidarity, resilience and Jewish continuity. It serves as an expression of hope and pride in the enduring survival of the Jewish people.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase translates to "the people of Israel lives": am means people, yisrael means Israel and chai means lives or is alive.
How does it change in a sentence?
In this context, the word חי (chai) functions as an adjective meaning "alive" or "living".
How do you pronounce it?
am yisrael chai
When do people say it?
עם ישראל חי is a common slogan used in both religious and secular contexts to express Jewish national and cultural identity.
Did you know?
- The word חי (chai) is so closely associated with life and luck that it is common to give gifts in multiples of 18, because the numerical value of the letters in חי equals 18.
- The word עם (am) shares a linguistic root with the ancient Egyptian word ꜥꜣm, which was used to describe 'an Asian' or 'a member of Semitic tribes'.
- In many Jewish communities, the word חי (chai) is written as a symbol on jewelry to represent the concept of 'life' itself.
Examples in context
- זה היה מרגש לשמוע עם ישראל חי.Ze haya meragesh lishmoa am Yisrael chai.It was moving to hear 'long live Israel'.
Example conversation
Two friends are attending a community celebration.
- נועם Noamאיזה יום מרגש, נכון עגור?Eize yom meragesh, nachon Agur?What an emotional day, right Agur?
- עגור Adiכן, אני מרגישה גאווה גדולה.Ken, ani margisha ga'ava gdola.Yes, I feel a great sense of pride.
- נועם Noamבואי נצעק עם ישראל חי!Bo'i nitz'ak Am Yisrael Chai!Let's shout long live Israel!
- עגור Adiעם ישראל חי!Am Yisrael Chai!Long live Israel!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries חי, ישראל, עם, CC BY-SA 4.0.
