semikah

noun

se·​mi·​kah
variants or semicha or less commonly semichah
səˈmiḵə
plural semikahs or semikoth
-ˌḵōt(h),
-ōs
or semichas
-ḵəz
or semichoth
-ˌḵōt(h),
-ōs
: rabbinical ordination : the traditional rabbinical degree conferred by Orthodox rabbis

Word History

Etymology

Late Hebrew sĕmīkhāh, from Hebrew, laying on of hands, leaning on, from sĕmōkh to lean on

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Cite this Entry

“Semikah.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/semikah. Accessed 11 Dec. 2024.

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