Barchu

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Pronunciations

Barchu (BAR-khoo) listen

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Definitions

  • n. The prayer that introduces the main part of Synagogue services.

Example Sentences

  • "Never thought of the Barchu as our invocation in the same sense as the Muslim "yodeling" from the minarets, but you are totally right. I wonder if the Barchu was ever chanted as a literal call to prayer." (source)

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Languages of Origin

  • Textual Hebrew

Etymology

  • ברכו

      • Who Uses This

      • Religious: Jews who are engaged in religious observance and have some Jewish education

      Regions

      • North America

      Dictionaries

      • The JPS Dictionary of Jewish Words, by Joyce Eisenberg and Ellen Scolnic, (Philadelphia, 2001).

      Alternative Spellings

      Barkhu, Barechu, Barekhu, Borchu, Borkhu

Notes

  • "[T]he Barchu is recited at every morning and evening service. It is also known as the “Call to Worship.” The prayer takes its name from the Hebrew word for “knee.” It is traditional for worshipers to bend slightly and bow their heads when reciting the Barchu." (JPS)

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