Am Yisrael Chai meaning in English and Hebrew and origin explained

Am Yisrael Chai meaning in English and Hebrew and origin explained

Am Yisrael Chai meaning in English and Hebrew explained

On April 20th, 1945, when the Jews of Bergen-Belsen concentration camp were liberated, they raised their voices in a rendition of Hatikvah.

Am Yisrael Chai meaning in English and Hebrew and origin story explained

Following the anthem’s conclusion, British Army Chaplain Rabbi Leslie Hardman exclaimed, “Am Yisrael Chai – the People of Israel live!”

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In 1948, as Israeli Ambassador Golda Meir visited the Great Synagogue in Moscow, a jubilant crowd of 50,000 welcomed her with resounding cries of “Am Yisrael Chai!”

Meaning of Am Yisrael Chai

In 1965, to invigorate the Soviet Jewry movement, Shlomo Carlebach was tasked with composing a song, leading to the creation of the renowned version of “Am Yisrael Chai.”

In 2009, during a visit to the Wannsee Villa in Berlin, where Hitler and Third Reich leaders devised the Final Solution for Europe’s Jews in 1942, Prime Minister Netanyahu inscribed just three words in Hebrew in the visitors’ book, followed by their English translation: “Am Yisrael Chai – The people of Israel live.”

Am Yisrael Chai Signifies?

As a motto, “Am Yisrael Chai” signifies that despite systematic attempts to exterminate and annihilate the Jewish people, they endure tenaciously, guided by God’s hand and their own resilience. God’s eternal covenant with the Jewish People serves as their unwavering support.

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A Prayer

“Am Yisrael Chai” is also a prayer, expressing the desire for a unified Jewish people living in safety, security, and harmony.

Explaining the phrase “I will take you to Me as a people” (Exodus 6:7), Rabbi Soloveitchik notes that the political-historical unity as a nation is rooted in the covenant forged in Egypt, even before the giving of the Torah at Sinai. This covenant binds them to a shared historical destiny, where the Hebrew word “עם” (Am), meaning nation, is akin to “עם” (Im), signifying “with.”

This unity is evident through an unavoidable connection in their historical fate. No Jew can disavow their part in this unity, whether they are religious or irreligious, as they all belong to one nation navigating a world that can be vast and at times adversarial.

Aftermath of the Crematoria

In the aftermath of the crematoria, the ashes of Hasidim, pious Jews, radicals, and atheists were intermingled. All must confront an enemy who does not discriminate between believers and non-believers.

The key to a resilient “Am Yisrael” lies in embracing “Im Yisrael,” standing together, unified, loyal, affording one another the benefit of the doubt, and offering favorable judgments of each other. During these trying times, may the people of Israel learn to coexist in harmony and unity. Am Yisrael Chai!

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