A form of poetry that has a total of
18 syllables.
The term is inspired, in part, by the Japanese poetry "Haiku" which usually has
17 syllables.
"
Chai" is a Hebrew word denoting "life".
"
Chai" also represents the number 18
based on the values of its 2 Hebrew letters.
The number 18 is valued in Jewish culture because of Judaism’s focus on the importance of life.
Monetary gifts are often given in multiples of 18.
The word “
Chai” is often displayed on pendants and other items.
"Ju" is a Japanese character and word that refers to flexibility of mind and body to adapt to circumstances spontaneously.
"Ju" also is suggestive of the Jewish nature of the word "Chai".
A Chai-Ju
may have any number of lines as
long as the number of syllables equals 18. More than one Chai-Ju
may be connected to form a longer poem or writing.
Subject matter is virtually unlimited.