Smicha (Hebrew: סמיכה‎, "leaning [of the hands]"), also smichut (Hebrew: סמיכות‎, "ordination"), smicha lerabbanut (Hebrew: סמיכה לרבנות‎, "rabbinical ordination"), or smicha lehazzanut (Hebrew: סמיכה לחזנות‎, "cantorial ordination") is derived from a Hebrew word which means to "rely on" or "to be authorized". It generally refers to the ordination of a rabbi or cantor within Judaism.