Simcha

For other uses, see Simcha (disambiguation).

Simcha (Hebrew: שִׂמְחָה‎ śimḥāʰ; Hebrew pronunciation: [simˈχa], Yiddish pronunciation: [ˈsɪmχə]) is a Hebrew word with several meanings. Literally, the word "simcha" means gladness, or joy. It comes from the root word "sameyach," which means glad or happy.

Uses

Happiness and joy

Main article: Happiness in Judaism

The concept of simcha is an important one in Jewish philosophy. A popular teaching by Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, a 19th-century Chassidic Rabbi, is "Mitzvah Gedolah Le'hiyot Besimcha Tamid," it is a great mitzvah (commandment) to always be in a state of happiness. When a person is happy they are much more capable of serving God and going about their daily activities than when depressed or upset.[1]

Name

Sometimes, the word "simcha" is also used as a name. It could be both a male or a female's name. In the Ashkenazi Jewish tradition, the name Simcha is most likely to be used for a boy, while in the Sephardic/Israeli tradition it would be a girl's name.

Celebration

Jews often use simcha in its capacity as a Hebrew and Yiddish noun meaning festive occasion. The reason for it is that any celebration is a happy occasion. The term is used for any happy occasion, such as a wedding, Bar Mitzvah, Brit Milah or engagement.

Other expression includes: simcha music, which means: celebration music, usually wedding music.

Holidays

The day of Simchat Torah, "Rejoice in the Law", which marks the completion and beginning of the annual cycle of reading the Torah.

Other uses

Simcha is also the name of a kosher beer from Saxony, Germany.[2] It was also a slang term used in Jewish-American organized crime circles to refer to a pimp.[3]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Likutei MoHaran
  2. ↑ Simcha - Koscheres Bier aus Sachsen
  3. ↑ Free-wheeling U.S. spirit stoked gangsters, prof says, Jewish Bulletin of Northern California, December 4, 1998
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