Showing 375 of 375 words, page 1 of 1
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acharon acharon chaviv
"The very last one is beloved."; "Last but not least."
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achron
"Latter-day religious authorities... scholars of the Renaissance and later times" (Glinert).
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Adar
The sixth month of the Jewish calendar year.
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adon olam
a hymn in the traditional Jewish liturgy, usually recited before Shacharit and often sung after services in synagogue, made up of traits attributed to God
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afikomen
a piece of matzah from the Passover seder traditionally hidden by adults, found by the children (or vice versa), and then ransomed for gifts after the meal. "The last piece of matzoh...eaten at the meal." (Steinmetz)
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aggadah
Parts of the Talmud and Midrash that do not deal with law, including stories, fables, and sayings. "Talmudic stories or philosophical material" (Glinert).
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Akedah
The binding of Isaac (episode in the Torah)
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al hanisim
A one-paragraph prayer added to the Amida on Chanukah and Purim.
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al het
"A Yom Kippur prayer that asks forgiveness for a multitude of sins committed during the previous year" (JPS).
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al regel achat
lit. "on one foot"; off-the-cuff; "To answer a question or deal with a query very briefly and cursorily." (Glinert)
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al tiftach peh lasatan
"Don't tempt Providence" (Glinert), or do not tempt fate.
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Aleinu
"A prayer in praise of God, Aleinu acknowledges the unique relationship between God and the Jewish people" (JPS)
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aleph-bet
"A name for the Hebrew alphabet" (JPS)
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aliyah
ascent of the soul of a deceased person to a higher level, as is believed to happen on their yartzeit
ascent
immigration to Israel
"calling to the reading of the Torah" (Glinert)
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amen
Agreed. "The word used at the end of prayer to signify affirmation." (Rosten)
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Amida
The Shemoneh Esrei prayer, which is said while standing [Amida, lit. "standing".]
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Anim Zmirot
"A hymn composed of an alphabetic acrostic of 31 lines, generally sung in front of the open ark at the conclusion of the Musaf service on Shabbat." (JPS)
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apikoros
heretic, non-believer, especially one with great knowledge of Judaism
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Arava
"The dry lowland area of the eastern Negev, often called the Aravah Vallet" (JPS)
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aravot
"the branches of the willow that are part of the lulav used on Sukkot" (JPS).
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arba kanfot
A tallit katan (see tzitzit)
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arba kosot
"The four glasses of wine drunk on Passover" (Glinert).
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arba minim
"The four plant species used on Sukkot" (Glinert).
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aron kodesh
"Literally, "holy ark"." (JPS)
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Asara B'Tevet
"A minor fast day that falls on the 10th of Tevet. It commemorates the start of the siege of Jerusalem by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia in 586 B.C.E., which is considered the beginning of the destruction of the First Temple" (JPS).
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aseret y'mei teshuvah
"Ten Days of Penitence" (Glinert), the ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
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Ashkenazi
pl. Ashkenazim. "The name given to the group of Jews who were originally from Germany and France (and their descendants)... The Ashkenazim migrated to Central and Eastern Europe during times of oppression" (JPS).
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assur
forbidden
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Av
"The fifth month in the Jewish calendar, it usually corresponds to July or August" (JPS).
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aveil
"Someone who is in mourning" (Glinert).
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aveilus
Mourning (Glinert)
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averah
religious transgression (Glinert: "An aveirah is an infringement on the Torah, the opposite of a mitzvah.")
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Avinu Malkeinu
"A High Holy Day prayer in which God is asked to 'be gracious to us and answer us, even though we have not done all the good that we might have'" (JPS).
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Avraham Avinu
"Our father Abraham" (Glinert)
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ayin hara
The evil eye
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b'ezras hashem
With God's help.
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b'sha'ah tovah
Literally "at a good hour." All in good time. Good luck. Response to a pregnancy announcement--meaning may all go well.
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b'shem omro
"Giving credit for an idea" (Glinert)
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b'vakasha
JPS: "Literally, 'please'. It can be used in various ways, including "please go ahead" and at the end of a sentence as 'you're welcome'."
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ba'al tekiah
"The title for the person who blows the shofar on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur" (JPS).
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ba'u mayim ad nafesh
"Things are critical; it's make or break" (Glinert)
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baal koreh
The individual who chants Torah from the scroll at a synagogue. Sometimes used to refer specifically to a person capable of learning and chanting an entire parsha, or to a professional/paid reader as opposed to an amateur.
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baal-teshuva
A Jew from a secular background who chooses to become observant.
"Newly religious Jew; penitent" (Glinert)
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bal tashchit
Do not be wasteful, do not destroy.
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balagan
"a disorderly, confusing, and/or overwhelming situation" (Glinert)
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Bamidbar
The Book of Numbers, [lit. "in the wilderness"] (Glinert)
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bar mitzvah
Jewish coming-of-age ceremony/celebration for a 13-year-old boy; the boy who has come of age.
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baruch dayan haemet
"'Blessed be the True Judge!' (said on news of a bereavement)" (Glinert)
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baruch haba
"Welcome!"
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bat mitzvah
in gender egalitarian communities, the ceremony of a 13- (or 12-) year-old girl's first calling up to the Torah, symbolizing her adulthood in Jewish life. can also refer to the girl herself. In Orthodox communities, refers to celebration of girl turning 12. "Celebration of a Jewish girl's coming of age; a girl who has reached that age." (Glinert)
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batel b'shishim
"Of no significance" (Glinert)
A concept in kosher laws where if a small amount of forbidden food is mixed with a permitted one (such as dairy in a meat dish), the dish is still kosher provided that the prohibited item it is only one sixtieth of the total.
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batlan
"Someone without a trade or regular means of livelihood" (Rosten).
"One who consistently wastes time: Bum, FaineÌant" (Weiser).
"A misfit, such as a Talmud student of no promise" (Rosten).
"naive, impractical person" (Steinmetz)
"Someone with intellectual pretensions and half-baked ideas" (Rosten).
"Layabout" (Glinert)
"An unemployed or lazy man" (Rosten).
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bechira
free will
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bechiya ledorot
"A cause for eternal regret" (Glinert)
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bedikas chametz
"The ceremony immediately before Pesach in which family members conduct a ritual search of the home for hametz, pieces of bread or leavened food that are forbidden on Passover" (JPS).
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beis hamikdash
The Temple in Jerusalem
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beit din
A rabbinical court of law that makes judgments on matters of Jewish religious life, especially conversion and divorce.
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Bereshit
The Book of Genesis [lit. "in the beginning"]
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besamim
"Modern Israeli slang for illegal drugs" (JPS).
"Literally, 'spices.' It almost always refers to the spices in the spice box used for the Havdalah ceremony" (JPS).
Spices
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beseder
allright; fine. [lit. "in order"]; "OK" (Glinert)
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beteavon
bon appetit; enjoy your meal; dig in. Glinert: "Literally, 'bon appetit!'"
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bikur cholim
visiting the sick
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bimah
pulpit; "A raised platform or stage in a synagogue from which the Torah is read and services are led." (JPS)
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Birkat Hamazon
The blessing after food, referring to the four blessing Grace After Meals said after consuming bread. Referred to in many communities as "bentching," or simply as "birkat" in some Jewish summer camps.
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biur chametz
Ceremonial burning chametz before Passover.
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bli neder
"Literally, 'without vowing', this is added to any casual promise to avoid it being taken as an absolute undertaking." (Glinert)
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bracha
blessing (in the technical or figurative sense)
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bris
circumcision ceremony; the celebration surrounding it. Lit. covenant.
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burekas
A Turkish pastry filled with potatoes, other vegetables, and sometimes cheese.
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busha
"Disgrace" (Glinert), shame, embarrassment
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chad gadya
The name of a song sung at the end of the Passover seder.
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chag
holiday
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chag sameach
"Literally, 'Happy Holiday.' The traditional, all-purpose greeting exchanged on almost any Jewish holiday" (JPS).
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chai
"Literally, 'life'" (JPS); 18 (see note)
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chalitzah
"Ceremony releasing a man from levirate marriage" (Glinert)
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chalutzim
Pioneers in the building of the State of Israel.
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chametz
Leavened food.
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chanukiah
Nine-branched menorah / candelabrum used on Chanukah
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charoses
Sweet, mushy mixture that represents mortar at the Passover seder.
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chas v'sholom
"heaven forbid" (Glinert)
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chashash
"A fear, a danger" (Glinert), a worry
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chasidei umot haolam
"The pious of the world" (Glinert), non-Jews who have been particularly righteous and/or follow the seven Noahide Laws.
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chassidus
"Chasidism" (Glinert)
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chatan
Bridegroom
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chatan bereshit
"Bridegroom of Genesis" (Glinert), an honor given to an important member of the community on the holiday of Simchat Torah where the honoree is called up to the Torah for the last reading, which contains the first lines of the Torah.
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chatan torah
"Bridegroom of the Torah" (Glinert), an honor given to an important member of the community on the holiday of Simchat Torah where the honoree is called up to the Torah for the penultimate reading, which contains the last lines of the Torah.
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chatuna
wedding
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chavruta
learning partnership; joint study session. "The person with whom one studies religious texts" (Weiser)
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chazak u'baruch
"be strong and be blessed," usually said to someone who participated in a religious service in some way (for example, has an aliyah, makes a donation, opens the ark, etc.)
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chazakah
"Automatic presumption" (Glinert)
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Chazal
a collective term that refers to all Jewish sages of the Mishna, Tosefta and Talmud eras
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chazan
The official at a synagogue who leads the congregation in prayer and song (JPS)
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chazir
1. pork 2. a pig, greedy person (JPS)
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cheder
Hebrew and religious classes (often on Sundays) for elementary school children.
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cherem
"excommunication; ostracism" (Yiddish)
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cheshbon hanefesh
"Soul-searching, self-accounting" (Glinert).
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chevra
"society; close-knit group" (Yiddish)
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chevra kedisha
burial society - volunteers who sit with the dead and prepare their bodies for burial
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chevreman
"One of the guys" (Glinert)
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chidush
innovative idea; an insight; discovery; novelty
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chillul Hashem
disgracing God's name; an action that might be looked down upon; an action that might make Jews look bad
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chinuch
Jewish education
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chochmah
"Brains; wisdom; a brilliant idea" (Glinert)
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chol hamoed
"the intermediate days of the weeklong holidays of Pesach and Sukkot" (JPS)
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cholov yisroel
"milk which has been milked under Jewish supervision" (Glinert)
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chosid shoteh
"Pious fool; blind follower" (Glinert)
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chumash
"A bound book containing the Five Books of Moses that is used in synagogue or for study." (JPS)
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chumrah
a religious stringency
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chuppah
wedding ceremony (not including reception)
"The Jewish wedding canopy; that is, the cloth under which the Jewish wedding ceremony is conducted." (JPS)
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chutz la'aretz
Outside of Israel; the disapora, lit. "outside the land."
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chutzpah
nerve, audacity, the quality of over-stepping boundries with no shame (negative)
guts (positive)
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Cohen
"A made descendent of the family of Aaron, of the tribe of Levi. Aaron and his descendants were consecrated to the service of God... in the Tabernacle... in the desert and later the Holy Temple" (Steinmetz). Often poorly translated as "priest," though the term "Levite" or "Aaronite" is more accurate, especially due to Christian usage (Steinmetz).
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daf yomi
Lit. "page of the day", refers to the program of study of a page of Talmud every day
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daled amos of halacha
Idiomatically, "the four walls of the law" (Glinert)
the four (square) cubits of the law
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David Hamelech
King David
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davka
just to annoy, just to be contrary
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)
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daya letzara besha'ata
"Don't try to find crises!" (Glinert)
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derech
(lit. "path") usually refers to an ethical lifestyle or the traditional, halachic Jewish lifestyle
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derech eretz
Participating in modern society.
"Good conduct; normal, polite behavior in a social setting." (JPS). Manners, respect.
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Devarim
"the Book of Deuteronomy", [lit. "words"] (JPS)
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Diaspora
"The term for Jewish communities and their residents who live outside of the State of Israel" (JPS).
The extensive settlement of Jews outside the land of Israel after the Babylonian Exile in 586 BCE.
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drasha
"Sermon, learned address." (Glinert)
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duchen
A ritual where the kohanim recite the Priestly Blessing (Num. 6:24-26), blessing the rest of the congregation.
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dveykus
spiritual ecstasy; lit. "cleaving"
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eema
mother
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Eichah
"The Book of Lamentations" (JPS)
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ein breira
"there is no alternative." (Glinert)
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Elul
The twelfth month of the Jewish calendar, just before the High Holidays season (or sixth, if one starts counting at Nissan).
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emunah
"faith"; sometimes contrasted with practical striving in the material world
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erev
"Eve of." (Glinert) Evening, or the day before a Jewish holiday
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eruv
area in which a token enclosure enables one to carry on the Sabbath [without breaking the prohibition against carrying in a public space]." (Glinert)
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eshet chayil
"woman of valor" (JPS); poem about such a woman in Proverbs 31.
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etrog
Citron (lemon-like fruit) used ritually on Sukkot
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falafel
a Middle Eastern sandwich featuring a deep-fried ball made of chick peas and spices inside pita bread, often served with other vegetables, hummus, and techina
the deep-fried chick pea ball itself
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g'mar chatima tova
"A customary greeting among Jews on Yom Kippur [and the period between Yom Kippur and Rosh haShanah]" (JPS). lit. "a good end of [the process of] sealing [in the Book of Life]".
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gabai
verb: to serve as gabai
noun: The officer of the synagogue who determines which congregants are to receive Torah honors at the service.
noun: The (lay) person who calls Jews to say blessings over the Torah reading and follows along with the Torah reading to correct any mistakes.
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gashmiyus
materialism, in contrast with spiritual concerns; "indulgence in earthly pleasures" (Weiser)
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gemara
"A compilation of 300 years of rabbis' legal and ethical commentaries on the Mishnah...together, the Gemara and the Mishnah comprise the Talmud." (JPS)
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gematria
"An ancient system of Hebrew numerology," (JPS), in which each Hebrew letter possesses a numerical value, allowing words or phrases to express possible "hidden" meaning (when one adds up the letters' values)
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gemilut chasadim
"Literally, "acts of loving kindness"", (JPS) often used in reference to charitable activities
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get
a writ or deed of divorce
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girsa d'yankuta
That which was learned as a young child.
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golem
"A creature of Jewish medieval folklore, a golem is a figure made into the form of a human and given life." (JPS)
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golus
literally "exile" (JPS); outside of the Land of Israel; away from a vibrant Jewish community; the time period since the destruction of the Second Temple at Jerusalem (Glinert)
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gonif
thief
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goy
"most often used among Jews to refer to someone who is not a Jew" (JPS)
a nation, but not the Jewish nation
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hachnasas orchim
hospitality (lit. "bringing in guests")
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hachnosas kallah
charitable support for poor young women to get married
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haftorah
"A reading from the biblical book of Prophets that is recited in synagogue immediately following the reading of the Torah" (JPS)
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haggadah
"The small book of liturgy, prayers, songs, and rituals used at a Pesach seder" (JPS)
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HaKadosh Baruch Hu
God, lit. "The Holy One, Blessed Be He"
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halacha
"Jewish law" (JPS)
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hanukkah
The winter-time festival that commemorates the rededication of the Temple after the Maccabean revolt in the second century B.C.E. (lit. "dedication")
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Haredi
Adjective or noun referring to an individual, institution, or practice associated with strictly Orthodox (non-Modern) Jews.
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Hashem
God, lit. "the name"
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hashgacha
Rabbinic supervision designating food as kosher
Divine providence, interference, attention
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hashkafah
ideological outlook; point of view; "philosophy" (Weiser)
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Hasid
Pious person
A disciple of a rabbi, not only a member of a Hasidic group.
Adherent of a Hasidic Jewish group ("A mystical religious movement founded in Poland" (JPS)
A follower in a non-religious sense (ironic).
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Haskalah
19th century Jewish Enlightenment, in which modern philosophy and literature entered Jewish consciousness
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hatikvah
literally "the hope." "The Israeli national anthem." (Glinert)
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havdalah
"literally 'separation'. The ceremony that marks the end of [the Sabbath] on Saturday evening" (JPS)
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hazzanut
"Cantorial singing" (Glinert)
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hechsher
(Rabbinic) stamp or seal of approval-- typically designating a product as kosher
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hesped
eulogy, funeral oration
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hiddur mitzvah
"Literally, 'beautifying the mitzvah.' The tradition of putting extra time, style, or resources into a mitzvah so that it is performed as beautifully as possible" (JPS).
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Hillel
a rabbi often quoted in Pirkei Avot and the Talmud, famous for his disputations with Shammai
an organization for Jewish college life, especially in North America
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hizuk
"Encouragement" (Glinert), inspiration, strengthening, uplifting
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hummus
A purée of ground chickpeas and sesame seeds.
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im yirtzeh hashem
if God wills it, God willing (used when making plans for or describing the future)
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ipcha mistabra
"the opposite is more reasonable"; "you have it backwards"
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isru chag
"The day after the end of Pesach, Sukkos, and Shavuos, regarded as a semi-holiday on which mourning is curbed and fasting prohibited" (Dictionary of Jewish Usage)
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Kabbalah
a Jewish mystical work, sometimes used as a catch-all term for Jewish mysticism. "The Jewish mystical tradition" (JPS)
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Kabbalat Shabbat
"Special prayers and songs included as part of Friday night services to welcome in Shabbat."
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kaddish
Prayer of mourning; prayer separating parts of the service; lit. "sanctification"
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kashrut
"The body of Jewish dietary laws and regulations that specify what and how a Jew who keeps kosher can eat." (JPS)
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kedusha
holiness, sanctity
a responsive prayer sung/recited by the shaliach tzibbur (prayer leader) and congregation as part of the Amidah in a minyan
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kehillah
"A Jewish community" (JPS)
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kein yirbu
"So they may increase in number"
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kesiva vechasima tova
"A good writing and sealing (in the Book of Life)!" Formal Ashkenazi greeting on Rosh Hashanah.
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ketubah
"The Jewish marriage contract, traditionally written in Aramaic." (JPS)
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kibbutz
"[Israeli agricultural] collective" (Glinert) Most settlements in Israeli which originally began as kibbutzim now function as regular municipalities.
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kiddush
"blessing recited over wine" (JPS) on Sabbath or holidays at the beginning of the meal or ceremony. Reception after services. "The refreshments, usually including wine, juice, and pastries, that are offered after [the Sabbath] and holiday services in the synagogue." (JPS)
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kippah
"small, round headcovering" (JPS)
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klal yisroel
"synonym for the Jewish people" (JPS)
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Knesset
Israel's parliament
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Kol ishah
lit. 'The voice of a woman'. Refers to the prohibition of men hearing the voice of a woman singing.
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kol tuv
"all the best" (JPS), a closing or farewell
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kosher
"acceptable according to Jewish [ritual] law" (JPS); "trustworthy, reliable" (Rosten); acceptable according to dietary laws
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Kotel
"The Western Wall"/wailing wall (Glinert)
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koved
"honor, dignity, respect" (JPS)
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krias Shema
"The reading of the Shema" (Glinert)
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l'chaim
traditional toast. [lit. "to life" (Rosten)]
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labriut
"bless you" (after someone sneezes) [lit., "to health"] (Glinert)
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lehitraot
"Goodbye for now, see you again soon" (JPS) "see you later."
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lulav
palm branch used ritually on Sukkot
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ma pitom
expression of surprise: What the heck?
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machloket
disagreement, dispute, argument, conflict, especially one about a halachic issue
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machzor
High Holiday prayerbook, used for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
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madrega
level, especially spiritual level
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madrich
1. Youth counselor or supervisor 2. A teacher's assistant for elementary and middle schoolers during classes in religious schools.
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magen david
"star of david", a symbol that has commonly been associated with Jews and Judaism; [lit. "shield of david"]
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mamish
"1. As though true to fact...2. Surely or certainly...3. Actually, genuinely...4. To a high degree...5. Enthusiastic response: WOW." (Weiser)
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mamzer
bastard [see note]; "A detestable [person] like the colloquial English "He's a bastard"" (Rosten)
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maror
bitter herbs placed on the seder place on Passover
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matzeivah
headstone
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matzoh
unleavened bread eaten on Passover
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mayim achronim
ritual hand-washing before saying the prayer after a meal
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mazel tov
congratulations [lit. "good fortune"]
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mazik
a mischievous person, often a child
(with verb "to be") to ruin partially; damage (Yeshivish usage)
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mazume
"A group of three or more adult males who join together to recite the after-meal blessings..." (Steinmetz).
"ready money, cash" (Steinmetz)
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mechayil el chayil
"from strength to strength"
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mechitza
the separation between men and women in Orthodox prayer spaces [lit. "separation"]
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mechuten
In-law (http://www.pass.to/glossary/gloz2.htm#letm).
The father of one's child's spouse, though can sometimes be used to refer to the grandfather of one's grandchild's spouse.
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megillah
one of the five books that compose kethuvim--writings--in Tanakh; can also refer to the physical scroll on which one is written; a long, engrossing story or description
the Book of Esther specifically
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melacha
"Art or skill: Trade" (Weiser).
"Work or actions forbidden on Shabbat" (JPS). Mostly applies on Yom Tov, as well, and often refers to creative work, or use of electronics.
"That which requires exertion or effort: Task" (Weiser).
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menorah
candelabrum, especially for Chanukah
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meshuga
crazy
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mesiras nefesh
self-sacrifice
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meykil
"One who is not strict: Liberal, Latitudinarian" (Weiser)
"Taking the lenient position: Liberal" (Weiser)
A decisor who follows a lenient option and issues a kulah (lenient ruling).
"Yielding to wishes: Indulgent" (Weiser)
"Not harsh or strict: Easygoing" (Weiser)
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mezuzah
a piece of parchment with the Shema written on it that is then placed in a case and mounted on doorways in keeping with the Biblical commandment mentioned in the Shema
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Mi Shebeirach
the prayer for healing said during a Torah service; [lit. "He who blesses"]
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middos
character traits (singular: "middah")
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midrash
stories or explanations that interpret or ellaborate on the Torah's text.
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mikvah
"Ritual bath" (JPS)
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minhag
custom; "A tradition that is not mentioned in the Torah or mandated by law but nonetheless is followed." (JPS)
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minyan
small service
prayer quorum of 10 Jews age 13 or older (traditionally male; in some communities male or female)
religious community
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Mishnah
an authoritative collection of exegetical material embodying the oral tradition of Jewish law and forming the first part of the Talmud.
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Mishnah Berurah
commentary on Shulchan Aruch Orech Chaim by Israel Meir of Radin, aka the Chofetz Chaim
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mishpacha
"Literally, "family". ...The word conveys a warm feeling of friendship." (JPS)
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mohel
A person trained to perform Jewish ritual circumcision
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muktzah
An object that it is forbidden to handle on the Sabbath and on certain holidays (generally because the object's primary purpose involves actions considered work and forbidden on those days).
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musaf
The additional service added to the morning services on the Sabbath and holidays.
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naches
"Proud pleasure, special joy--particularly from the achievements of a child... 2. Psychological reward or gratification." (Rosten)
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neshama
soul
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nesiah tovah
"have a good trip"; bon voyage
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nifter
deceased
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nigun
"A wordless melody; a tune" (JPS)
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nu
so what?; so?; hurry up already
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olav ha-sholom
"peace be upon him"; said of someone who is deceased
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oleh
Immigrant to Israel; a person who makes aliyah.
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oy
exclamation of dismay, exasperation, or surprise
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parasha
conversation (Weiser)
general realm of feasibility, ballpark (Weiser)
Selection of the Pentateuch read publicly on the Sabbath.
a tedious, lengthy enumeration or account, litany (Weiser)
period of dating for marriage (Orthodox Jews)
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parnasa
livelihood, income
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parve
1. neither milk nor meat; 2. uninteresting, plain, generic
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pasuk
a verse, usually from the Torah
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payos
Sidelocks, sidecurls, or earlocks, common among Haredi boys and men.
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perush
A commentary on a text, something that makes the meaning clear.
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Pesach
The Jewish Holiday of Passover
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peshat
"The literal, obvious meaning scholars give to a Jewish text. It can also refer to the simple interpretation of any issue or question." (JPS)
"An explanation of the logic behind or the source of a passage, event, work, etc." (Weiser)
Justification
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pidyon haben
ceremony of redemption of the first-born son; celebration surrounding this ceremony
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pita
A round, thin bread with a pocket, eaten plain or with filling as a sandwich.
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Purim
A joyous holiday that takes place in February or March on the 14th of Adar, retelling the story of the Book of Esther.
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rachmones
mercy, pity, empathy
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refua shlema
"Get well soon." Lit. "full recovery"
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rega
wait, hold on; lit. "an instant"
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rikud
dancing, especially Israeli dancing (at camp)
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rishon
"Earlier rabbis and scholars, who lived from around the 11th to the mid-15th century C.E., before the Shulchan Arukh, the compilation of Jewish law, was written." (JPS)
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Rosh Chodesh
start of a new month in the Hebrew calendar
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Rosh Hashanah
The Jewish new year
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rov
A particularly notable rabbi; a halachic decisor
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ruach
spirit, "spiritedness, morale" (JPS)
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sabra
a prickly pear, "tough and prickly on the outside, tender and sweet on the inside--a description that many say fits citizens of the Jewish state." (JPS)
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sandak
The person given the honor of assisting the mohel at the brit milah. The sandek may hold the child on his lap during the circumcision or, as is common today, just hold the baby for a moment in a symbolic fashion. The honor is often given to one of the baby's grandfathers or to another relative or close friend" (Eisenberg).
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savlanut
patience
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sechel
"Common sense" (JPS), intelligence
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seder
period for Torah study
A ceremony involving recitations, singing, food, and drink typically associated with Passover, but also with Tu B'shvat and Rosh Hashanah.
The name for the six sections of the Mishnah.
order, orderliness, system, routine
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sefer
Hebrew or Aramaic book
"A literary composition written particularly of, on, or about the Torah" (Weiser)
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seforim
Religious books written in Hebrew or Aramaic.
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segula
Folk remedy, safeguard, superstitious action, talisman
divinely bestowed reward as a result of an individual's participation in a minhag or mitzvah
"procedure that is not based on medical or scientific logic yet is efficacious in improving a situation or protecting a person from harm" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Segula_(Kabbalah))
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Sephardic
Jews whose ancestors came from the Iberian Peninsula before the Jewish expulsion
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Shabbat
The Jewish Sabbath; Saturday
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Shabbat Shalom
Greeting or departing line (hello or goodbye) used on or during the few days leading up to Shabbat. Literally "peaceful Sabbath."
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shadchen
matchmaker
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shaila
a question, usually while looking for a halachic ruling
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shalech manes
Gifts for friends, traditionally given on Purim. Typically, a basket with food requiring two separate brachas in it.
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shalom
hello, goodbye, peace
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shalom bayit
"Literally, 'peace in the home'. Contentment and harmony among family members." (JPS)
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shalom zachar
welcoming party to celebrate the birth of a son, usually held at the house of the child's parents on the first Friday night after his birth
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shamash
2. the caretaker of a synagogue.
3. personal assistant / aide / gofer, especially to a rabbi or in the Hollywood entertainment industry
1. candle lit first and then used to light other hanukah candles
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shana tova
happy new year, lit. 'good year'
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shatnez
mixture of wool and linen in a garment, which is prohibited by Jewish law
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shechita
Kosher animal slaughter.
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shehecheyanu
the blessing of thanksgiving that celebrates reaching a celebratory moment or marking a significant first
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Sheket
Quiet!
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Shema
prayer recited in most services as well as at bedtime, and when death is imminent; one of the most important and well-known prayers in Judaism
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Shemini Atzeret
Holiday celebrated the day after the seven-day holiday of Sukkot.
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Shemoneh Esrei
another name for the Amida, the central prayer during Jewish services. [lit. 'eighteen', the number of blessings it originally had]
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Shemot
The Book of Exodus [lit. 'names']
Printed items containing the name of God in Hebrew letters (generally pronounced SHAY-miss)
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sherut
Lit. "service"; specifically a shared taxi used in israeli transportation
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sheva brachot
the seven blessings said after a jewish wedding and at a festive meal once a day for a week afterwards. the term can refer to the one week period after the wedding, the festive meal, or the blessings themselves.
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sheymes
adj., of or relating to printed material, such as a book or even an audio recording, that contains the name of God, and therefore must not be erased, put on the floor, etc., out of respect for the Divine Name
n., such content
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shidduch
an arranged spousal match
a date in the process of finding one's spouse
"In popular usage, any match or alliance, as in The shidduch between the two organization was a success." (Steinberg)
a mate
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shiur
"1. A lesson, lecture, or discourse on the Torah, Mishnah, or Gemara...(2. A measure, size, or rate)." (JPS)
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shivah
week-long period of mourning after the death of a relative, during which close relatives stay at home and greet visitors. mourners traditionally sit on low stools during this time, so someone in mourning is said to be 'sitting shiva'.
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shloshim
Thirty
The 30-day period after a deceased person's funeral, often marked with special remembrances such as family members studying religious texts in the person's honor.
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shmura
a type of matzah adhering to more stringent interpretations of permissible matzah for Passover
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Shoah
Eastern European Holocaust (of World War II)
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shochet
ritual slaughterer in the system of kashrut
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shofar
ram's horn sounded during the month of elul, especially associated with rosh hashanah
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shomer
literally, to guard. can be short for "shomer shabbat" (keeps the laws of sabbath); for "shomer negia" (keeps the laws prohibiting members of the opposite sex from touching before marriage)
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shuk
Open air market in Israel
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Shulchan Aruch
a code of Jewish Law (halachah) written by Rabbi Joseph Caro in four sections, based on the Arba Turim (Tur); with its various commentaries, it is considered the central redaction of Jewish Law.
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siddur
Jewish prayer book
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sidra
weekly Torah portion
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simcha
"A joyous occasion; a celebration" (JPS); usually related to a lifecycle event
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siyum
literally, "completion" traditionally means completing studying of a tractate of talmud, often with a ceremony and celebration following, but can be used for the completion of another course of study.
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sofer
A scribe trained in transcribing the Torah, mezuzah, tefillin scriptures and other religious texts on parchment.
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sukkah
A temporary dwelling used during the holiday of Sukkot
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Sukkot
The feast of the booths; a fall holiday when Jews live in makeshift huts to represent the time the Israelites spent wandering in the desert.
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tachlis
practical details of a matter, "brass tacks" (as in, "Let's get down to brass tacks.")
purpose, aim
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taharas hamishpachah
the body of law surrounding menstruation, lit. "family purity"
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tallis
prayer shawl
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Talmud
"The body of Jewish law and tradition comprising the Mishnah and the Gemara, compiled from about 30 B.C.E to about 500 C.E." (Steinmetz)
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tam
taste
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Tanach
the entire Jewish bible including the Torah, Prophets, Writings. ['tanakh' is an acronym of the names of the three sections of the bible: torah, nevi'im and kethuvim.]
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tashlich
"The custom of going to a...body of running water on the afternoon of the first day of Rosh Hashanah...and reciting certain penitential verses [and throwing breadcrumbs, symbolizing sins, in to the water.]" (Steinmetz)
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tefillah
prayer, services, or an individual prayer
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tefillat haderech
the prayer for a safe journey
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tefillin
Small black boxes containing sections of the shema attached to leather straps and worn around the head and arm during prayer.
"phylacteries"
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tenai
(pl. form tenaim only, used as sg) "A traditional name for an engagement party" (JPS)
"A condition of circumstance upon which a certain effect is predicated: Stipulation" (Weiser).
(pl. form tenaim only, used as sg.) "The original prenuptial contract, the tenaim dates from the 12th century. It is the detailed dowry and other financial arrangements, the date of the wedding, and the penalty if anyone backed out. Some traditional and Hasidic Jews still prepare a tenaim and read it aloud at an engagement party or sign it before the wedding ceremony, at the same time the ketubbah is signed" (JPS).
A condition, especially one made as part of an agreement.
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toda
"thank you"
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toivel
to immerse dishes in a ritual bath (mikvah) to render them usable in a kosher kitchen
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Torah
Jewish law and values in general
Teaching (this is the literal meaning in Hebrew and sometimes used in Jewish English)
The five books of Moses
general Jewish learning/knowledge
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treif
(adj or noun) food prohibited by the jewish dietary laws
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tsorris
"Troubles, woes, worries, suffering." (Rosten)
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Tu Bishvat
Jewish Arbor Day, the New Year for Trees, literally 'the 15th day of Shevat'.
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tuches
buttocks
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tza'ar ba'alei chayim
pity for living creatures (Steinmetz), or compassion for animals.
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tzadik
A highly learned and esteemed rabbinic leader (sometimes used as an alternative name for a Hasidic rebbe).
Common name for the 18th letter of the Hebrew alphabet (tzadi / tzade).
Someone who does extremely righteous deeds.
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tzedakah
charity, money given to charity
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tzitzit
The fringes on a tallit (tallis) prayer shawl or on a tallit katan.
A garment worn under the shirt by Orthodox men and boys, with a tassel hanging down from each of the four corners.
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tzrif
cabin/bunk
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Vayikra
the book of Leviticus
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yamim noraim
high holy days, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
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yemach shemo
"may his name be erased", appended to the names of evil people such as Haman and Hitler
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yerida
emigration from Israel
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Yerushalayim
Jerusalem
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yeshiva
traditionally, an institution that focuses on teaching Talmud to boys and young men. Today yeshivas exist for men and women.
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yetzer hara
Lit. 'the evil inclination'
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yichus
Bragging rights based on respected family history
"Pedigree, lineage, family background." (JPS)
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Yom Ha'atzmaut
Israeli Independence Day
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Yom Kippur
day of atonement, arguably the most important day on the Jewish calendar
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yontif
a Jewish holiday, especially one on which work is prohibited (in contrast to chol hamoed)
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yotzei
(with the helping verb "to be," and an object where required) to fulfill, as a mitzvah or some figurative obligation
released from a religious obligation by dint of completion or fulfillment; "to have done what's required" (Glinert)
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zichrona livracha
May her memory be blessed.
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zichrono livracha
may his memory be for a blessing (often abbreviated 'z"l')
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zitsfleysh
lit. "sitting-flesh" : 'the ability to sit down for a long period fo time'
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