Z"L, H"YD, A"H:
The Language of Israeli Memory
(Understanding Hebrew Expressions for the Deceased)
Z"L, H"YD, A"H - are Common Hebrew additions to a Jewish person's name after their death.
The most common one is Z"L, an acronym for Zikhrono Levarakha (for a male) and Zikhra Levarakha (for a female), which means "May his/her memory be a blessing."
The acronym Z"L is engraved on tombstones, and appears in obituary notices in newspapers, in books, on the internet, and wherever the name is written. When mentioned in speech – the full, detailed version is typically used: Zikhrono/a Levarakha ("Our high school teacher, Mr. Dan Levi, zikhrono levarakha, was admired by all the students").
Z"L is just one of the common additions given as an expression of respect to those who are no longer among the living, and it is also the most widely recognized. The others are connected to the manner in which they died, and to the sector they belong to.
Such is the expression of respect: H"YD, an acronym for Hashem Yikom Damam (May God avenge their blood), which is given to those killed by an enemy of the State of Israel.
IDF soldiers killed in war and civilians murdered in terror attacks are not ordinary casualties. Israeli society grants them a unique addition, Hashem Yikom Damam, and in short: H"YD. This is an addition with a religious/Jewish character that accompanies their name on memorials and unofficial tombstones, and in any verbal or written mention.
H"YD – an emotionally powerful and poignant term that carries a deeply historical and national significance. It gives national validity to their memory, expresses the heart's yearning for the fulfillment of divine justice, and it is part of the Israeli story, which is filled with wars and acts of terror. This is a special gesture, a verbal salute to bereaved families who may derive a form of small comfort or some relief from it.
The addition H"YD is common among the masses, even though it is not official and is not included in the standardized text on the gravestones of fallen IDF soldiers. This is because of the need to adhere to a uniform protocol for all military and security forces casualties, including those who were killed in accidents or died from illnesses.
In the religious and especially the ultra-Orthodox sectors, the deceased are granted various titles, according to their place in the social hierarchy:
Ordinary people who have passed away are content with the expression Z"L. A person who was considered a role model in his life will at least be Ztz"l – Zekher Tzadik Levarakha (May the memory of the righteous be a blessing). One degree above him is Ztzuk"l – (May the memory of the righteous and holy be a blessing), or Ztzuklaha"a – (May the memory of the righteous and holy be a blessing for life in the world to come).
The prestigious ultra-Orthodox title accompanies the deceased for many years after their death and in every mention of their name. In contrast to the regular Z"L, which expires after a few years, because "ordinary" people tend to be forgotten, and they are not of importance to the legacy passed down from generation to generation.
All these prestigious titles are attached to the names of men.
Women in the ultra-Orthodox society are never righteous or holy to the same degree as the man. They were modest and virtuous in their lives, and after their death are content with the less prestigious title: Aleha HaShalom – and in short: A"H (Peace be upon her).
There are other expressions of respect in Hebrew for the deceased:
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Ha-manouach – "the deceased" – an expression of respect added in legal discussions for a person who has passed away.
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Allah Yarhamo – an expression of respect accepted in Islam and common in the Arab sector in Israel.
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Alav/Aleha HaShalom – and in short: A"H, common among religious and Jews.
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Nishmato/a Eden: a more poetic and religious expression, used to wish the deceased to ascend to heaven.
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Yehi Zikhro Baruch – "May his memory be blessed" – an expression that also has a religious character with a prayerful tone.
Common usage rules for all the above expressions of respect:
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Each of these additions is attached after the deceased person's name, both in speech and in writing. The place before the mention is reserved for titles they acquired in their life. For example: Member of Knesset (MK) Ploni Almoni, z"l.
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The addition Zikhrono Levarakha completely cancels out the negative traits of the deceased. He is Z"L and may his memory be a blessing even if he was a stingy, arrogant, racist, or even a criminal person. According to the accepted tradition in Judaism, a person becomes holy after their death and it is forbidden to speak ill of them.
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Z"L and all the common additions are especially relevant in the first few years after a person's death – these are the years they are still remembered and talked about.
Sometimes mentioning a person's name with the addition Z"L reveals information that can surprise or embarrass. The man or woman behind the name has passed away, but there are those who don't know about it, and are surprised to see the name they are familiar with accompanied by the Z"L addition.
The meticulous use of epithets and titles after a person's death can indicate that death is very present in the daily life in Israel.
There are two main reasons for this:
a. Such additions are common in different religions, and here in Israel, the Jewish religion and tradition are part of daily life. Although it is worth noting that the multiplicity of expressions is unique to Judaism or, more accurately: very prominent in Jewish culture and language.
b. The State of Israel shed much blood until it gained its independence. Since then, it has continued with wars and military operations that have claimed tens of thousands of victims, about whom it is customary to say in patriotic and ornate Hebrew: "Bemotam Tzivu Lanu Et HaHaim" (In their death, they commanded us life). They are part of the Israeli narrative. Their names and the story of their lives and deaths are commemorated on memorial days, in ceremonies, and in the public discourse all year long.
This is part of "The Israeli Story 1948-2025" project.
What is "The Israeli Story"?
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