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Question 19.4:
What do all those abbreviations like Z"L mean?

Those abbreviation are shorthand for common Hebrew phrases. Here are some of the most common ones:

A"H

(Alav (Male), Aleha (Female) Hashalom)

• For any deceased Jew.
• Translation: Peace Be Upon Him/Her. Sometimes written as PBUH by Muslims.

Admo"r

(Adonainu, Morainu, VeRabbeinu)

• Translation: Our Master, Our Teacher, and Our Rebbe
• Honorific title given to leaders (often scholarly, but not always) of a Jewish community, "R' Ploni Almoni, SHLITA, Admor of Chelm.")
• This is usually a specifically Chassidic term.
• Often used to refer to the Rebbe that leads a particular Chassidic group.

AMUSh

(Ad Maia Veesrim Shana)

• Translation: [He/She should live] for 120 years
• Used for salutations in correspondence: "Dear Ploni AMU"Sh"

B"H

(Baruch Hashem)

• Translation: Blessed be G-d
• More commonly used in the sense of "Thank G-d" to indicate gratitutde or acceptance of something.

(B'Ezras/Ezer Hashem)

• Translation: With G-d's help
• Often used at top of papers, sometimes with an ayin following the beis.
• Sometimes included to indicate that a desired outcome, like anything else, is (or was) dependent on G-d's will.

B"N

(B'li Neder)

• Translation: Without taking a vow
• Used before a promise, since failure to fulfill a promise is a serious violation of Jewish law. For example, "I'll check that reference tomorrow, B"N." (i.e., if I forget, I don't want to be liable under Jewish law).

BLA"H

(B'li Ayin Hara) or (K'ain Ayin Hara)

• Translation: "without the 'evil eye'"
• Meaning: "I'm saying this with the thought that this is good and I don't want anything to harm it."
• Often pronounced Kanaina horo (Yiddish)

BS"D

(B'siyata d'shmaya) (Aramaic)

• Translation: With the help of heaven (common)
• Also used in the written "top of page" form as B"H, but not as commonly in conversation or the text of the letter.

Chazal

(Chachameinu Zichronam Livracho)

• The authorative opinion of the Talmud
• Translation: Our Sages of Blessed Memory

HY"D

(Hashem Yikom Damo[am])

• For martyred Jews.
• Translation: May Hashem avenge his[their] Blood

IY"H, IYH

(Im Yirtzeh Hashem)

• Translation: If it be G-d's will (very common)
• Used for referring to future actions: "I'll see you tomorrow IY"H."
• In other words, this is a recognition that while we may plan for the future, we don't fully control it, as our plans can only come to fruition if G-d wants that to happen.

N"E

(Nishmaso(male)/Nishmasa(Female) b'Eden)

• Translation: His/Her soul should be in Eden/paradise

R'

(Rabbi)

• This can also stand for "Reb" or "Rav", a general title of respect that can be applied to any male (or if in Reform usage, female) Jew deserving of such respect.

R"L

(Rachmana litzlan) (Aramaic)

• Translation: May the All-Merciful save us [from such things]
• Translators usually replace it with the English parallel: G-d forbid.

ShLIT"A

(SHe'yikhye Lirot Yamim Tovim ve'Arukim)

• Used for living prominent Jewish scholars.
• Translation: That he/she should live to see good and full days (long life)

YM"SH,Y'Sh,Y"ShU

(Yemach Shmo Vezichro)

• For deceased enemies of the Jewish people
• Translation: May his name be wiped out (YH"SH, Y'Sh); May his name and memory be wiped out (Y'Shu)

Z"L

(Zichrono Livrocho)

• For deceased Jews of good character.
• Translation: Of Blessed Memory
• Sometimes written as OBM
• The female form would have Zichrona (Pl: Zichronam for males or mixed groups, or Zichronan if an all female group)

ZT"L

(Zecher Tzadik Livrocho)

• For deceased Jews of outstanding (the emphasis is on tzadik) character and behavior.
• Translation: The Memory of the Righteous is a Blessing

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