Chai (symbol)

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In Judaism, the Chai symbol consists of the letters of the Hebrew alphabet Het (ח) and Yod (י). In the Hebrew language, the word chai (חי) spelled by these two letters means "living", and is related to the word for "life", chaim, and also appears in the slogan am yisrael chai (עם ישראל חי, "The people of Israel lives!", referring to all Jews). There have been various mystical numerological speculations about the fact that according to the system of gematria, the letters of chai add up to 18 (see "Jewish use of the Tetragrammaton" and "Lamedvavniks"). Many Jews give gifts of money in multiples of 18 as a result.

The Chai symbol is often worn by Jews as a medallion around the neck (along with the Magen David or Star of David and the Chamesh).

Occasionally also spelled "Hai" (or as "Kai" among Black Hebrews). The usual modern pronunciation of this word (in terms of IPA symbols) is [xai], while a transcription of the more original pronunciation would be [ħai] (with pharyngeal consonant).

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