Pronunciation of the Word Chametz

Question

I always thought the word “chametz” was pronounced as CHA-MAYTZ, with a kamatz and a tzere and the accent on the second syllable. But I hear people pronouncing it as “choomitz,” with the OO pronounced as in “book” and the accent on the first syllable.

How did that get to be?

0

Answers

  1. The Just Ask! - AskTheRabbi.org Team

    What you are describing is the Chassidic way of pronouncing Chametz. I have never really understood the source for the Chassidic pronunciation, but it is very distinctive and often very different from the way non-Chassidic Jews pronounce words.

    Best wishes from the AskTheRabbi.org Team