apikoros

heretic, non-believer, especially one with great knowledge of Judaism

Aramaic

Judeo-Aramaic, a northern Semitic language related to Hebrew.

chad gadya

The name of a song sung at the end of the Passover seder.

chavruta

learning partnership; joint study session. "The person with whom one studies religious texts" (Weiser)

chevra kedisha

burial society - volunteers who sit with the dead and prepare their bodies for burial

davka

even; despite expectations to the contrary -- often with a slightly amused or ironic feeling of "wouldn't you know it?" or "of all things" ("of all people" ... etc.)

"definitely or exactly stated; specifically" (Weiser)

just to annoy, just to be contrary

duchen

A ritual where the kohanim recite the Priestly Blessing (Num. 6:24-26), blessing the rest of the congregation.

dugma

example

gam zu l'toyve

"This too is for the best."

girsa d'yankuta

That which was learned as a young child.

halevai

If only

I wish!

"Would that it be so" (Steinmetz, Yiddish and English)

havurah

A group of friends, frequently a social or religious group, either within a synagogue or apart from one.

heicha kedusha

abbreviated version of the repetition of the Shmona Esre / Amidah

kaddish

Prayer of mourning; prayer separating parts of the service; lit. "sanctification"

la kashya

Not a problem, no difficulty. When two (Talmudic) opinions appear to contradict each other, "la kashya" signals that a resolution is at hand.

masechta

Talmudic tractate

mise meshune

horrible, violent, or unnatural death, often used as a curse

Psukei d'Zimrah

the first part of morning services, after the morning blessings mostly comprised of Psalms [lit. "verses of praise"]

sugya

passage from the Talmud

"A distinct matter for consideration in discussion, thought, or study" (Weiser)

ushpizin

transcendent "guests" welcomed into the sukkah during Sukkot, one per day