Chai (symbol)

Chai Chai ( "living" ḥay ) is a Hebrew word that figures prominently in modern Jewish culture ; the Hebrew letters of the word are often used as a visual symbol.¹ According to the secular, Socialist affiliated The Jewish Daily Forward , its use as an amulet is very recent, originating in stories from 18th century Eastern Europe first used in amulets from the mid 20th century. Chai as a symbol goes back to medieval Spain at the latest. Letters as symbols in Jewish culture go back to the earliest Jewish roots, the Talmud states that the world was created from Hebrew letters which form verses of the Torah. In medieval Kabballah; Chai is the lowest (closest to the physical plane) emanation of God. According to 16th Century Greek rabbi Shelomo Hacohen Soloniki ; in his commentary on the Zohar, Chai as a symbol has its linkage in the Kabalah texts to God's attribute of 'Ratzon', or motivation, will, muse. The Jewish commentaries give an especially long treatment to certain verses in the Torah with the word as their central theme. 3 examples are Leviticus 18 וָחַי בָּהֶם 'Chai Bahem', 'and you shall live by [this faith]' (as opposed to just doing it), this is part of the section dealing with the legacy of Moses Our Teacher following his death. Deuteronomy 31:9 " רְאֵה נָתַתִּי לְפָנֶיךָ הַיּוֹם, אֶת-הַחַיִּים וְאֶת-הַטּוֹב, וְאֶת-הַמָּוֶת, וְאֶת-הָרָע. 15 "Verily, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil,in that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His ordinances; then thou shalt live." There is nigh an ancient Jewish commentator who does not comment on that verse. The Shema prayer as well speaks of the importance of Chai, to live and walk in the Jewish cultural lifestyle. Two common Jewish names used since Talmudic times, are based on this symbol, Chaya feminine, Chayim masculine. The Jewish toast (on alcoholic beverages such as wine) is l'chaim, 'to life'.²