Semichah
/səˈmiː.xɑː/noun
The Jewish rabbinic practice or institution of ordination, traditionally associated with the laying on of hands.
Did you know?In ancient Jewish usage, semichah was connected to the biblical gesture of placing hands on someone, symbolizing the transmission of authority rather than merely granting a certificate.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Semitic
Proto-Semitic
*s-m-k
“To support, uphold, or lean upon”
Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew
סָמַךְ (sāmakh)
“To support, sustain, or place a hand upon someone”
Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew
סְמִיכָה (semikhah)
“The act of laying on hands or supporting”
Mishnaic Hebrew
Hebrew
סמיכה (semikhah)
“Laying hands on an animal or person; rabbinic authorization”
Medieval Hebrew
Hebrew
סמיכה (semikhah)
“Ordination or formal transmission of rabbinic authority”
Modern English
English
semichah
“A transliteration for Jewish rabbinic ordination, especially the conferral of rabbinic authority”