pirsumei nisa

/pɪəɹsʊˈmeɪ niˈsɑː/

noun

The mitzvah of publicizing the miracle of Purim or Hanukkah.

OriginAramaic פִּרְסוּמֵי נִיסָּא →
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Meanings

nounpirsumei nisa (uncountable)
  1. uncountableThe mitzvah of publicizing the miracle of Purim or Hanukkah.

    Another reason for lighting the Hanukkah candles first is pirsumay nissa ("publicly proclaiming the miracle"), which should take place as soon as possible.

    1996, Macy Nulman, The Encyclopedia of Jewish Prayer, page 171
    1 more example

    According to the beraitot in Shabbat and Pesikta Rabbati, if there is mortal danger [from persecution], one places the Hanukkah lamp on his table and that is enough, even though one is not fulfilling the mitzvah of pirsumei nisa.

    2024, David Golinkin, “Are Thee Ways Of Hidinng A Mezuzah In Times Of Danger?”, in Responsa in a Moment, volume 4, page 209

Origin

  1. Aramaicפִּרְסוּמֵי נִיסָּא
  2. Englishpirsumei nisa

Borrowed from Aramaic פִּרְסוּמֵי נִיסָּא.

More words from Aramaic

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

pirsumei nisa. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/pirsumei%20nisa

MLA

“pirsumei nisa.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/pirsumei%20nisa. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “pirsumei nisa,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/pirsumei%20nisa.

Source: pirsumei nisa on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.