Did you know that you have two birthdays and possibly a second name? Let us double your gift intake this year by helping you learn about your Hebrew birthday. There are two ways to measure a year: using the solar calendar (as we do in the West) or the lunar calendar, as is the case in many Eastern cultures. Judaism splits the difference and uses both. This has the advantage of keeping the holidays in their proper seasons. If you find out which Hebrew month you were born in, then voila, you will have another birthday.

What Is A Hebrew Birthday?

Judaism believes that the day and time a person is born influences his or her mazal (constellation) and that, like in astrology, people born in certain months tend to have certain character traits. Fortunately, we also believe that despite this, we can “rise above the stars” and change who we are. Your Hebrew birthday will also determine when you officially become a bar or bat mitzvah.

Happy Birthday In Hebrew

To impress a native Hebrew speaker, try this at the next big party: יום הולדת שמח (yom huledet samayach), which is the literal translation of Happy Birthday. Another perennial favorite is the tried and true מזל טוב Mazal Tov (good luck or, as we’ve learned, good constellations). A nice third option is Ad Meah V’Esrim Shana, which means we wish that someone should reach the very ripe old age of 120 עד מאה ועשרים שנה (literally “until 120 years”).

What Is A Hebrew Name?

Hebrew names are fascinating and can convey a wealth of information about us. Judaism teaches that something’s name reflects its essence. For instance, the Hebrew name David comes from a root meaning “beloved.” The name Yitzchak means “he will laugh,” and Sarah means “princess.” Many Hebrew names are taken from strong or beautiful animals, like Tzvi (deer), Rachel (sheep), Devorah (bee), and Yonah (dove).

A Hebrew name is used in important documents like the Ketubah (the wedding contract) or on a loan document. It is also written for posterity on a gravestone, used to call someone to read from the Torah, and used to pray for people in times of need.

Did you know that you have two birthdays and possibly a second name? Let us double your gift intake this year by helping you learn about your Hebrew birthday. There are two ways to measure a year: using the solar calendar (as we do in the West) or the lunar calendar, as is the case in many Eastern cultures. Judaism splits the difference and uses both. This has the advantage of keeping the holidays in their proper seasons. If you find out which Hebrew month you were born in, then voila, you will have another birthday.

What Is A Hebrew Birthday?

Judaism believes that the day and time a person is born influences his or her mazal (constellation) and that, like in astrology, people born in certain months tend to have certain character traits. Fortunately, we also believe that despite this, we can “rise above the stars” and change who we are. Your Hebrew birthday will also determine when you officially become a bar or bat mitzvah.

Happy Birthday In Hebrew

To impress a native Hebrew speaker, try this at the next big party: יום הולדת שמח (yom huledet samayach), which is the literal translation of Happy Birthday. Another perennial favorite is the tried and true מזל טוב Mazal Tov (good luck or, as we’ve learned, good constellations). A nice third option is Ad Meah V’Esrim Shana, which means we wish that someone should reach the very ripe old age of 120 עד מאה ועשרים שנה (literally “until 120 years”).

What Is A Hebrew Name?

Hebrew names are fascinating and can convey a wealth of information about us. Judaism teaches that something’s name reflects its essence. For instance, the Hebrew name David comes from a root meaning “beloved.” The name Yitzchak means “he will laugh,” and Sarah means “princess.” Many Hebrew names are taken from strong or beautiful animals, like Tzvi (deer), Rachel (sheep), Devorah (bee), and Yonah (dove).

A Hebrew name is used in important documents like the Ketubah (the wedding contract) or on a loan document. It is also written for posterity on a gravestone, used to call someone to read from the Torah, and used to pray for people in times of need.