Above Mazel written in Hebrew
Mazel is “luck” , “fortune” & “ success.”
Mazel Tov means ‘Good Luck’ .
In Hebrew the word Mazel is luck, good fortune and the word Tov is good.
The phrase “Mazel Tov” is recorded as entering into American English in 1862.
The word Mazel is a fabulous word !
The word Mazal originally appears in the bible meaning of a “good star/constellation” or what we would understand today as saying that someone was “born under a good sign” or the stars were “in position” .
“Through the influence of astrology, the term came to be associated with a person’s fate… luck and fortune”
It progressed from there to a wish, with today its translation in English – “ luck ”.
MAZEL IS A WISH FOR BOTH A LUCKY STAR AND LUCKY FATE!
Mazel מזל – Word History The Stars & Astrology
מזל Mazel in Biblical Hebrew mazzāl, mazalot (plural) meaning: constellation of stars or “destiny”.
Mazel refers to the effect the placement of various planets and stars in the Heavens at the time of one’s birth have on each of us.
The Word Mazalot (Biblical Hebrew) interpreted as a term for the Zodiac or the Constellations came to be used in the sense of “astrology” and “destiny”, (hence mazel = ‘good star, lucky’) over time the expression “mazel tov,” became the meaning “good luck.”
Mazel related to nazal, meaning “to flow down” – divine energy flows forth (in Hebrew, “nozel“, directly related to the word “mazel“).
The word “Mazel” is derived from the Hebrew verb “nozel” which means to flow. Mazel is the energy which flows to us from Above, and thus we often wish each other “mazel tov,” which really means, “may you have a flow of positive energy.”
Jewish tradition sees the constellations (to flow down) as directing the destiny of individuals and nations down below. Then Mazel is the influence (luck) dripping down from the stars.
Mazel affects every area in life.
Mazel does not occur in a vacuum. A person must make “space” (positive energy) for mazel to flow the blessings of luck.
Thank Your Lucky Stars
Stars (mazalot) are considered good luck in many cultures. In Tarot cards, the star represents someone attaining inspiration and insight, hope and spiritual enlightenment. Mazel is luck.
The Talmud says ‘on your your birthday your Mazel is strong’.
Borrowed from Hebrew
The Hebrew word Mazel was lent to a number of European languages, to mean “luck”;
German, as Massel; Hungarian, as mázli; Dutch, as mazzel and the verb mazzelen (“to be lucky”). The word tov also entered Dutch as tof/toffe (“nice” or “great”).
Can you just say Mazels ?
Yes, “Mazels” is used as short for congratulations. “Mazels” a common abbreviation among young hip Jews.
It is similar to the word “congratulations!” and conveys roughly that “I am pleased this good thing has happened to you!” … Mazels !
Mazel Jewish Mysticism
The term “mazel” is used in Jewish mysticism to describe the soul’s source. Only a ray of our soul, according to mystics, resides in our body. Our mazel, the most important element of our soul, remains above us, shining down on us from afar.
When we say Mazel Tov to someone, we’re giving them a blessing: May this drip of inspiration from your soul above not go away, but instead have a beneficial and enduring influence, causing you to live your life with higher consciousness from now on.
We should be aware of the blessings in our life, and be ready to receive more and more. In other words, Good Mazel. Good fortune and luck.
MaZeL as a Hebrew Acronym
Makom – place, Zman – time, and Lashon – speech.
If you can be in the right place at the right time and say the right thing, that’s Mazel.
Mazel in Prayers
Kiddush Levanah Sanctification of the Moon is a Jewish ritual, in which a series of prayers are recited to bless the new moon.
‘Siman tov u’mazel tov y’hei lanu ud’khol Yisra’el!’
A good omen and a good sign (luck) for us and for all Yisra’el!
Since the prayer is about the moon, perhaps some of the astrological significance of mazal tov is implied.
Mazel in the Bible
- The phrase mazel tov itself first appears in Rashi commentary Bereshit 30:1
- Mazel originally referred to stars and their positions “constellation” or “destiny” – the zodiac constellations are called mazalot in Melachim II/Kings 2 23:5
- The Talmud talks about the influence of the stars (Shabbat 156a & Moed Katan 28a)
- Tiferet Yisrael commentary to mishna kiddushin 4:10 for a discussion
- Rashi commentary Shabbos 53b a persons mazel is his angel
- “The midrash says “ Everyone and everything needs mazel, even the Sefer Torah in the Ark.” The simple understanding of this is that there often numerous Sifrei Torah in a shul, but not all of them are “lucky” enough to be read from regularly. “
