Smicha
/หsmiหxษ/noun
Rabbinic ordination or certification, especially in Jewish religious study and law.
Did you know?The Hebrew term refers to ืกืืืื, the laying on of hands, a biblical gesture associated with transferring authority, responsibility, or sacrificial status.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Semitic
Proto-Semitic
*s-m-k
โTo support, lean upon, or provide a foundationโ
Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew
ืกึธืึทืึฐ (sฤmakh)
โHe supported, upheld, or laid a hand uponโ
Second Temple Period
Hebrew
ืกึฐืึดืืึธื (semikhah)
โThe act of laying on hands; an investiture or transfer of authorityโ
Mishnaic Hebrew
Hebrew
ืกืืืื
โOrdination or authorization, especially the conferral of judicial or rabbinic authorityโ
Medieval Period
Hebrew/Aramaic
ืกืืืื (semikhah)
โRabbinic ordination and the authorization to issue legal rulingsโ
Modern English
English
smicha
โA transliteration used for rabbinic ordination or advanced rabbinical certificationโ