yigdal
Very LowFormal, Religious
Definition
Meaning
A Jewish liturgical hymn (piyyut) praising God's greatness, traditionally sung at the conclusion of Sabbath or festival evening services.
Refers specifically to the hymn based on Maimonides' Thirteen Principles of Faith; can also refer metonymically to the concluding part of a Jewish religious service.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is a proper noun (the title of a specific hymn) but can be used in a common noun sense to refer to the act of singing it. It is almost exclusively used within Jewish religious contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
Carries identical religious and cultural connotations in both Jewish communities.
Frequency
Equally rare in general English, but familiar within Anglo-Jewish communities in both the UK and US.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Congregation/Service] + conclude with + Yigdal[Cantor] + leads + the YigdalVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in religious studies, theology, or musicology papers discussing Jewish liturgy.
Everyday
Extremely rare outside of specific religious practice or discussion.
Technical
Used in liturgical guides, prayer books, and cantorial music notation.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- After the prayers, they sang Yigdal.
- The service concluded with a heartfelt rendition of the Yigdal hymn.
- The cantor's melodic interpretation of the Yigdal, based on Maimonides' principles, provided a profound end to the Sabbath liturgy.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'YIGDAL' = 'Yahweh Is Greatly Deserving All Laud' (acrostic for the hymn's theme).
Conceptual Metaphor
THE CLOSING OF WORSHIP IS A SUMMATION (The Yigdal summarizes core beliefs at the service's end).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with Russian 'игдал' (non-existent). It is a transliterated Hebrew term, not a Russian one.
Common Mistakes
- Mispronouncing the 'g' as soft /dʒ/ (it is /ɡ/).
- Using it as a common verb (e.g., 'to yigdal').
- Confusing it with 'Kiddush' or other Jewish ritual terms.
Practice
Quiz
In what context is the word 'Yigdal' primarily used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is the first word of the hymn in Hebrew (יִגְדַּל), meaning 'May He be magnified'.
No, it is exclusively a proper noun referring to the specific hymn. Using it as a verb (e.g., 'to yigdal') is incorrect.
It is common in Ashkenazi and some Sephardi traditions, but practices vary. Some communities sing 'Adon Olam' instead or in addition.
It is a poetic summation of the Thirteen Principles of Jewish faith as formulated by the medieval rabbi Maimonides.