Mazel tov

"Mazel Tov!" written on a wine glass

Traditionally, after the groom breaks the glass, the guests shout "Mazel Tov!".

A birthday cake, iced with the words "מזל טוב" (mazal tov), as is often done in Israel. Here the phrase is written in Hebrew cursive.

"Mazel tov" or "mazal tov" (Hebrew/Yiddish: "מזל טוב", Hebrew: "mazal tov"; Yiddish: "mazel tov"; lit. "good luck") is a phrase used to express congratulations for a happy and significant occasion or event.

Etymology and pronunciation

Main article: Mazalot

The expression comes from the Mishnaic Hebrew mazzāl, meaning "constellation" or "destiny" (compare English "one's (lucky) stars"). The Mishnaic word derives from Biblical Hebrew mazalot (2 Kings 23:5).^[1]

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.

While the Yiddish pronunciation of mazel has the stress on the first syllable, the modern Hebrew one has the stress the second syllable, as such is standard in modern Hebrew.

The phrase "mazel tov" is recorded as entering into English from Yiddish in 1862.^[2][1]

Related is Yiddish שלימזל, transliterated as shlimazl, "misfortune",^{[citation needed]} loaned into US English (as shemozzle, schlimazel) in the 20th century.

The same words were also loaned into German, as Massel "luck" (whence also the verb vermasseln "to ruin, screw up") and Schlamassel "misfortune, disaster".^{[citation needed]}

In Polish the word ślamazara, also derived from Yiddish shlimazl, denotes a person who is slow, sluggish or lifeless.

Translation

Although mazel tov literally translates to "good luck", the phrase is not used in the way that the expression "good luck" is used in English (typically as "I wish you good luck"). It rather means "good luck has occurred" or "your fortune has been good" and is an acknowledgement of this. The phrase "mazel tov!" parallels the use of the phrase "congratulations!" and conveys roughly that "I am pleased this good thing has happened to you!".

The phrase for wishing good luck to occur in Hebrew, in the way "good luck" does in English, is b'hatzlacha (בהצלחה), literally meaning "with success".^[3]

Usage

In the diaspora, "mazel tov!" is a common Jewish phrase, such as after a bar or bat mitzvah or a wedding, 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 addition it is one of the most well known cultural references that non-Jews know regarding Jews.^[4]

In Israel, "mazal tov" is used for all sorts of happy occasions, whether they be a new driver's license, a birthday, or the end of military service. Another common use is to acknowledge a bad event or experience being over—for example, after a very hard test.

See also

• List of English words of Yiddish origin

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Mazel Tov, Random House Dictionary
2. ^ Mazel Tov: Merriam-Webster
3. ^ בְּהַצלָחָה, Google Dictionary
4. ^ [1], Music Lovers Group

External links

• Moss, Aron. "What Does 'Mazel Tov' Mean?". Chabad.org. http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/160965/jewish/What-Does-Mazel-Tov-Mean.htm. Retrieved 2009-06-02.