Definitions

  • v. To force.

  • v. To compel.

Example Sentences

  • “The Rosh Yeshiva was mechayev him to eat supper to keep his strength up.” (Weiser)

  • “His feeling of gratitude was mechayev him to call his grandparents every week.” (Weiser)

  • "It must be that the Torah wants to be mechayev the brother for violating two prohibitions." (source)

Languages of Origin

  • Textual Hebrew
  • Yiddish
  • English

Etymology

  • partial English calque of Y מחייבֿ זײַן mekhayev zayn 'necessitate'

    • Who Uses This

      • Orthodox: Jews who identify as Orthodox and observe halacha (Jewish law)

      Regions

      • North America

      Dictionaries

      • Frumspeak: The First Dictionary of Yeshivish, by Chaim Weiser (Northvale, 1995).

      Alternative Spellings

      be mekhayev

Notes


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