Mazel tov
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"Mazel tov" or "mazal tov" (Hebrew/Yiddish: Template:Hebrew, Hebrew: mazal tov; Yiddish: mazel tov; lit. "good fortune") is a Jewish phrase used to express congratulations for a happy and significant occasion or event.
Etymology and pronunciation
The expression comes from the Mishnaic Hebrew mazzāl, meaning "constellation" or "destiny", which may be related to nazal, meaning "to flow down".[1][2][3]
The Mishnaic word derives from Biblical Hebrew mazalot (2 Kings 23:5).[4]
While the words mazal (or mazel in Yiddish; "luck" or "fortune") and tov ("good") are Hebrew in origin, the phrase is of Yiddish origin, and was later incorporated into Modern Hebrew.
Although the Yiddish pronunciation of mazel has the stress on the first syllable, the modern Hebrew word "mazal" has the stress on the last syllable, as is standard in modern Hebrew.
The phrase "mazel tov" is recorded as entering into American English from Yiddish in 1862.[4][5]
Similarly the Yiddish Template:Hebrew, transliterated as shlimazl ("misfortune"), also made its way into US English (as shlemozzle, schlimazel) in the 20th century (e.g., via Laverne & Shirley).
The same words were also lent to German, as Massel ("luck"), and also as the verb vermasseln ("to ruin, screw up") and "schlamassel " ("misfortune, disaster").
In Czech, the word šlamastyka means a "pickle" ("awkward situation").
In Polish, the word ślamazara, also derived from Yiddish shlimazl, denotes a person who is slow, sluggish, or lifeless.
In Hungarian the informal mázli means luck, and slamasztika means an unpleasant, distressful situation.
The words mazzel ("luck"),[6] tof/toffe ("nice, great")[7] and the verb mazzelen ("to have luck") have entered Dutch.
The American English pronunciation is /ˈmɑ zəl ˌtɔv/ or /ˈmɑ zəl ˌtɔf/.[5]
Translation
Although mazel tov is literally translated as "good luck", it really means "good luck has occurred" or "your fortune has been good" and is an acknowledgement of this fact (i.e., "lucky you"). It is similar to the word "congratulations!" and conveys roughly that "I am pleased this good thing has happened to you!"[citation needed]
The phrase for wishing "good luck" in Hebrew, meaning the same as English "good luck", is b'hatzlacha (Template:Hebrew), literally meaning "with success."[8]
Usage
In the diaspora, "mazel tov!" is a common Jewish phrase, such as after a bar or bat mitzvah or a wedding, when the congregation may be inclined to shout "Mazel Tov!" For instance, at a Jewish wedding, after the groom breaks the glass everyone yells "Mazel Tov!" In Israel, "mazal tov" is used for all sorts of happy occasions, whether they be a new driver's license, a birthday, or getting a new job.[9]
See also
References
- ^ "Jews Without Borders - Jewish Holidays". Jewish Holidays. Orthodox Union. 13 February 2018.
- ^ "Above the Stars". www.chabad.org. Chabad.
- ^ "Ain Mazel L'Yisrael: There is No Fate Among Israel". Congregation B'nai B'rith. B'nai B'rith.
- ^ a b "Mazel tov - Define Mazel tov at Dictionary.com". Dictionary.com.
- ^ a b "Mazel Tov - Definition of mazel tov by Merriam-Webster". merriam-webster.com.
- ^ Etymologiebank: Mazzel (geluk), (het beste)
- ^ Etymologiebank Tof (leuk, aardig)
- ^ בְּהַצלָחָה, Google Dictionary
- ^ Wedding ceremonial by Rabbi Daniel H. Gordis
External links
The dictionary definition of mazel tov at Wiktionary
Media related to Mazel tov at Wikimedia Commons
- Moss, Aron. "What Does 'Mazel Tov' Mean?". Chabad.org. Retrieved 2009-06-02.