bayit

Bayit is the transliteration of the Hebrew word בית, meaning house or home. The root B-Y-T denotes dwelling or building, and the term is used across modern and biblical Hebrew with related phrases and place names. In everyday Hebrew, bayit refers to a private residence as well as a building or establishment.

In common usage, bayit appears in many compound terms and landmarks. Beit Knesset is the synagogue or house of assembly, Beit Midrash is the house of study, and Beit Sefer is a school. Biblical and historical phrases also use the root, such as Beit HaMikdash for the Temple in Jerusalem, and Beit Lehem for Bethlehem, literally “house of bread.” The word therefore functions both as a simple noun and as a productive element in naming buildings, institutions, and locations.

Bayit also features in cultural and political contexts. In modern Israel, the phrase Bayit Yehudi, literally “Jewish Home,” was the name of a political party established in 2008 and later involved in mergers and rebrandings. Outside politics, the concept of home and dwelling is central in Jewish thought and daily life, influencing family, housing policy, and community organization.

Transliteration varies in English-language texts. You may see bayit, beit, or beyt, reflecting differences in how Hebrew letters are rendered in Latin letters. In general use, the word denotes home, house, or a building, and appears frequently in both secular and religious contexts.