תהא נשמתו צרורה בצרור החיים
tehe nishmato tsrura bitzror hachayim
תהא נשמתו צרורה בצרור החיים (tehe nishmato tsrura bitzror hachayim) is the Hebrew way to say "rest in peace".
This specific phrase is a traditional Jewish blessing used primarily in religious or highly formal contexts when mourning a male.
Meaning: blessing or expression of hope (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "May his soul be bound in the bundle of life".
Which one should you use?
While תהא נשמתו צרורה בצרור החיים is the default, you may encounter other formal variations such as תִּהְיֶה נַפְשׁוֹ/נַפְשָׁהּ צְרוּרָה בִּצְרוֹר הַחַיִּים (May his/her soul be bound in the bundle of life) or יהי/תהא זכרו/זכרה ברוך/ה (May his/her memory be blessed).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a more modern, formal way to express 'may he rest in peace' often used in literature or formal eulogies, you can use נוח על משכבו, which means "May he rest in his bed".
How do you pronounce it?
tehe nishmato tsrura bitzror hachayim
Did you know?
- The word נשמה (soul) in this phrase is often used in modern slang to mean 'a sweetheart' or 'a lovely person', creating a strange linguistic gap between the sacred and the colloquial.
- While English speakers might say 'rest in peace' during a funeral, traditional Hebrew mourning focuses on שבעה, a seven day period of intense communal support.
- While English uses the concept of 'peace' or 'sleep', this Hebrew tradition uses the concept of 'binding' or 'tying' the soul to the source of life.
Examples in context
- תהא נשמתו צרורה בצרור החיים.Rest in peace.This sentence shows how to use the phrase תהא נשמתו צרורה בצרור החיים.Tatoeba #11893713 by shekitten, translation #692884 by CM
Example conversation
Agur and Daniel are attending a funeral service.
- עגור Adiזה היה אדם טוב מאוד.Ze haya adam tov me'od.He was a very good man.
- דניאל Danielהוא באמת היה אדם מיוחד.Hu be'emet haya adam meyuchad.He really was a special person.
- עגור Adiתהא נשמתו צרורה בצרור החיים.Tehe nishmato tzerura b-tzror ha-chayim.May his soul be bound in the bundle of life.
- דניאל Danielאמן, כך יהיה.Amen, kach yihye.Amen, so let it be.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
