Ribono shel olam

Pronunciations

Ribono shel olam (ree-boh-NOH shehl oh-LAHM) listen

Definitions

  • n. A name for God meaning 'Lord of the Universe'.

  • n. The name of a song sung by Chassidim in times of soul searching.

  • interj. (positive or negative) Oh God!

  • interj. Thank God!

  • interj. God willing.

Example Sentences

  • "Although Ribono shel olam means ‘Master of the Universe’, in Chasidic and neo-Chasidic circles, this is a colloquial way of addressing God, and indicates a personal and warm relationship." (source)

  • "Don't let it depress you. The Ribono shel Olam has His own ways..." (Glinert)

  • "Ribono shel Olam! How can they have Chanukah lights and a tree!" (Glinert)

  • “Reboyne Shel Oylem, just look at that rain come down!” (NJY)

  • “We were finishing when—Reboyne Shel Oylem, in walked their lawyer!” (NJY)

  • “If only she would recover, Reboyne Shel Oylem!” (NJY)

Languages of Origin

  • Textual Hebrew
  • Yiddish

Etymology

  • TH רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם‎ ribono shel olam > Y רבונו־של־עולם reboyne-shel-oylem

    • Who Uses This

      • Orthodox: Jews who identify as Orthodox and observe halacha (Jewish law)
      • Older: Jews who are middle-aged and older
      • Ashkenazim: Jews with Ashkenazi heritage

      Regions

      • North America

      Dictionaries

      • The New Joys of Yiddish, by Leo Rosten and Lawrence Bush (New York, 2003[1968]).
      • The Joys of Hebrew, by Lewis Glinert (New York, 1992).

      Alternative Spellings

      Ribono shel olom, Ribohno shel ohlom, Reboyne Shel Oylem, Reboine Shel Oilem, Reboyneh Shel Oylem, Reboineh Shel Oilem

Notes

  • Sometimes abbreviated to RSO.

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