What does Chai mean?
Chai (חי) means life, or alive, in Hebrew. It is written with two letters: chet (ח) and yud (י). You hear it in L'chaim, to life, the toast at weddings and births, and in Am Yisrael Chai, the people of Israel live.
“Therefore choose life, that thou mayest live.”
Deuteronomy 30:19
Why does Chai equal 18?
In Hebrew, every letter also stands for a number. This system is called gematria.
| Letter | Name | Value |
|---|---|---|
| ח | Chet | 8 |
| י | Yud | 10 |
| חי | Chai | 18 |
Why Jewish gifts come in multiples of 18
Because 18 spells life, gifts of money for a wedding, a Bar or Bat Mitzvah or a donation are often given as $18, $36 (double chai), $54 or $180. It is a way of wishing the person a long life.
How do you say it?
Chai rhymes with “high”. The “ch” is said in the back of the throat, like the “ch” in the Scottish “loch” or the German “Bach”, not like the “ch” in “chair”.
Who wears a Chai necklace?
Men and women, often from childhood. It became especially popular as a necklace in America from the 1960s and 1970s. It is given for a birth, a birthday, a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, or after an illness, as a wish for life.
Choosing a Chai necklace
Look at the letters first: chet and yud should be clearly formed and the right way round, with the chet on the right, since Hebrew reads from right to left. Gold-tone steel suits everyday wear and water; sterling silver suits a first real piece of jewelry.