levhaya

Levhaya is a transliteration variant sometimes encountered in English-language texts for what is more commonly spelled levaya or levayah (לוויה) in Hebrew. The term refers to the funeral procession and, more broadly, to the act of accompanying the deceased to burial in Jewish tradition.

Etymology and meaning: Levhaya derives from the Hebrew root related to accompanying. The noun levaya expresses the act of accompanying someone to their burial, and it encompasses the ceremonial elements that accompany a funeral in many communities. The different spellings reflect transliteration practices from Hebrew to Latin characters rather than distinct concepts.

Usage and customs: In Jewish practice, a levaya typically proceeds from the deceased’s residence or funeral home to the cemetery and may include the eulogy (hesped), processional prayers, and observances by mourners. Ethical and ritual customs surrounding levaya can vary by community, but the procession and burial are generally conducted with reverence and in accordance with communal norms. A chevra kadisha ( Burial Society ) often participates in preparing the body and organizing the rites.

Variants and recognition: Levhaya is not the standard English spelling for the term, and it may appear as a transliteration variant or a misspelling of levaya/levayah. Outside of transliteration, levhaya has no widely recognized independent meaning in major reference works. In contemporary usage, the concept remains the funeral procession and associated rites within Jewish tradition, expressed most commonly as levaya or levayah.