Rika Zarai (born 19 February 1938, Jerusalem - died 23 December 2020 Paris)… Read Full Bio ↴Rika Zarai (born 19 February 1938, Jerusalem - died 23 December 2020 Paris), was an Israeli singer, who performed in Hebrew, English, French, Italian, Spanish and German.

Zarai became famous in 1969 with Casatchok and Alors je chante (the french version of Vivo Cantando). She popularized Israeli classic songs such as Hava Nagila, Yerushalayim shel zahav and Hallelujah.

She has a daughter named Yael, born in 1959.

Hava Naguila
Rika Zaraï Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hava naguila, hava naguila, hava naguila, venishmecha
Hava naguila, hava naguila, hava naguila, venishmecha

Hava naranena, hava naranena, hava naranena, venishmecha
Hava naranena, hava naranena, hava naranena, venishmecha

Uru, uru achim,
uru achim, belev sameach

Uru achim belev sameach,
uru achim, belev sameach
Uru achim!

uru achiiiiiim
Belev sameeeeaaaaach

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Rika Zaraï's song "Hava Naguila" are in Hebrew and call for a joyful celebration. The repeated phrase "Hava Naguila" is an invitation to come celebrate together and rejoice. The word "Hava" means "let us" and "Naguila" means "rejoice." The addition of "venishmecha" means "and let us exalt you" or "and let us praise you." The song then invites the celebration to include singing and dancing, hence the repeated phrase "hava naranena." This phrase roughly translates to "let us sing and be joyful."

The last segment of the song introduces a call to action, encouraging "brothers" to wake up and come together with a happy heart. This segment is repeated several times, building in intensity with every repetition. The overall message of the song is one of joy, unity, and celebration.

Line by Line Meaning

Hava naguila, hava naguila, hava naguila, venishmecha
Let's rejoice, let's rejoice, let's rejoice, and be happy

Hava naranena, hava naranena, hava naranena, venishmecha
Let's sing, let's sing, let's sing, and be happy

Uru, uru achim,
Awake, awake brothers,

uru achim, belev sameach
Awake brothers, with a happy heart

Uru achim belev sameach,
Awake brothers, with a happy heart,

uru achiiiiiim
Awake brooooooother

Belev sameeeeaaaaach
With a haaaappy heaaaaart

Contributed by Gabriella N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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