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Among the honorifics in Judaism, there are several traditional honorifics for the dead which are used when naming and speaking of the deceased. Different honorifics might be applied depending on the particular status of the deceased. These honorifics are frequently found on gravestones, on memorial walls inside the sanctuary of synagogues, in speeches, and in writing such as in obituaries.
In writing, it is most common to use the name followed by an abbreviation of an honorific either in Hebrew or English. For example, a Rabbi who died in recent memory might be referred to as "Rabbi Avraham Cohen ZTz"L."[1]
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[edit] Comparison chart
The following chart shows different honorifics used, along with their abbreviation in Hebrew and English, their translation, the masculine and feminine forms, and the type of person which the honorific is applied to.
| 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 zikhrono livrakha | זיכרונה לברכה zikhronah livrakha | of blessed memory; or may his/her memory be for blessing | 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 zekher tzadik livrakha | may the memory of the righteous be for blessing | rabbi or other righteous person | |
| ZK"L | זק״ל | זכר קדוש לברכה zekher kadosh livrakha | may the memory of the saintly be for blessing | saintly person or martyr (including those murdered by enemies of the Jews) | |
| n/a | זצוקללה״ה | זכר צדיק וקדוש לברכה לחיי העולם הבא zekher tzadik v'kadosh livrakha, l'chayei ha'olam ha-ba | may the memory of the righteous and saintly be for blessing for the world to come | select group of historical characters | |
| ZY"A | זי״ע | זכותו יגן עלינו z'khuto yagen aleinu | may his merit protect us | rabbis of great piety | |
| HY"D | הי״ד | השם ינקום דמו Hashem yinkom damo (fem. damah) | May Hashem avenge his / her blood | Martyred Jews or Jews killed by anti-Semites | |
[edit] General honorifics
Some honorifics may be used for any individual. These honorifics are generally not used for rabbis or other special persons, since the specific honorifics for those people are used instead, as a sign of honor and respect. (see below)
[edit] Of blessed memory
The most common honorific is "of blessed memory," a translation of the Hebrew "zikhrono livrakha" (m.) / "zikhronah livrakha" (f.) (Hebrew: זיכרונה לברכה / זיכרונו לברכה). It is often abbreviated in English as "Z"L" (for the Hebrew rendering) or "O.B.M" (for the English). The Hebrew abbreviation is "ז״ל."
[edit] Peace be upon him
An alternative honorific is "Peace be upon him/her." The Hebrew version is "alav ha-shalom" (m.) / "aleha ha-shalom" (f.) (Hebrew: עליה השלום / עליו השלום). It is sometimes abbreviated in English as "A"H." The Hebrew abbreviation is "ע״ה."
This phrase is the same as the Islamic honorific "peace be upon him" (which is used for all prophets of Islam). However, the English abbreviation "PBUH" is not commonly used for the Jewish honorific.
[edit] Rabbis and the righteous
[edit] Memory of the righteous / Zatzal
The honorific "zekher tzadik livrakha" (Hebrew: זכר צדיק לברכה ; "may the memory of the righteous be for blessing") is appended specifically to the names of deceased rabbis or other righteous persons. Often, the abbreviation "ZTz"L" ("זצ״ל") is used, and is pronounced as "zatzal."
"ZTz"L" is used primarily in reference to rabbis who have been deceased in recent memory. Thus, one is likely to say "Rabbi Moshe Feinstein ZTz"L" (d. 1986) but far less likely to speak of "the Rambam ZTz"L" (d. 1204).
[edit] Memory of the saintly
"Zekher kadosh livrakha" (Hebrew: זכר קדוש לברכה ; "may the memory of the saintly be for blessing") is used specifically for saintly persons and martyrs. In this sense, martyrs can also include Jews killed in times of persecution (for example, in the Holocaust). It may be abbreviated as "ZK"L" ("זק״ל").
[edit] May his merit protect us
"Z'khuto yagen aleinu" (Hebrew: זכותו יגן עלינו ; "may his merit protect us") is used specifically for rabbis of great piety or renown. It may be abbreviated as "ZIY"A" ("זי״ע").
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