Showing 464 of 464 words, page 1 of 1
-
9 Days
the nine days leading up to Tisha B'av (the 15th of the month of Av), generally considered a time of mourning in which it is customary to abstain from eating meat, washing clothes, getting haircuts, or shaving
-
aba
father, dad, daddy
-
acharon acharon chaviv
"The very last one is beloved."; "Last but not least."
-
achron
"Latter-day religious authorities... scholars of the Renaissance and later times" (Glinert).
-
ad me'ah v'esrim
[may you/he/she live] "until a hundred and twenty" -- often used as a birthday wish for long life, or when mentioning a person who is getting on in years.
-
Adar
The sixth month of the Jewish calendar year.
-
adloyada
A Purim carnival.
-
admor
A Hassidic spiritual leader.
-
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
-
aggadah
Parts of the Talmud and Midrash that do not deal with law, including stories, fables, and sayings. "Talmudic stories or philosophical material" (Glinert).
-
agunah
A woman whose husband has refused her a Jewish divorce.
A woman who is unable to remarry, due to the fact that her husband is missing and it is not known whether her husband is alive or dead.
-
ahavas yisroel
"Love of one's fellow Jew" (Glinert)
-
Akedah
The binding of Isaac (episode in the Torah)
-
akum
A Talmudic term for a heathen.
-
al hanisim
A one-paragraph prayer added to the Amida on Chanukah and Purim.
-
al het
"A Yom Kippur prayer that asks forgiveness for a multitude of sins committed during the previous year" (JPS).
-
al regel achat
lit. "on one foot"; off-the-cuff; "To answer a question or deal with a query very briefly and cursorily." (Glinert)
-
Aleinu
"A prayer in praise of God, Aleinu acknowledges the unique relationship between God and the Jewish people" (JPS)
-
aleph-bet
"A name for the Hebrew alphabet" (JPS)
-
aliyah
ascent of the soul of a deceased person to a higher level, as is believed to happen on their yartzeit
ascent
"calling to the reading of the Torah" (Glinert)
immigration to Israel
-
Am Yisrael
"Literally, The People of Israel." (JPS)
-
Amalek
The biblical name of the nomadic people descended from Esau who became the enemies of the people of Israel.
Any enemy of the Jewish people
-
amcha
the every-man, everyday people; the folk (as opposed to the elite)
-
Amida
The Shemoneh Esrei prayer, which is said while standing [Amida, lit. "standing".]
-
amora
A Talmudic sage whose teachings comprise the Gemara. "Amoraim are contrasted with the tannaim, ancient rabbis who are quoted in the Mishnah" (JPS).
-
ani maamin
The thirteen articles of Jewish faith written by Maimonides, each beginning with the phrase "ani maamin" ("I believe"). "The twelfth of which says, I believe believe with complete faith in the coming of the Messiah. Even though he may tarry I will wait for him on any day that he may come'" (JPS).
-
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)
-
apikoros
heretic, non-believer, especially one with great knowledge of Judaism
-
Aramaic
Judeo-Aramaic, a northern Semitic language related to Hebrew.
-
aravot
"the branches of the willow that are part of the lulav used on Sukkot" (JPS).
-
arba kosot
"The four glasses of wine drunk on Passover" (Glinert).
-
arba minim
"The four plant species used on Sukkot" (Glinert).
-
arbes
Boiled chickpeas
-
ark
"the cabinet at the front of an Ashkenazic synagogue that houses the Torah scroll." (JPS)
-
aron kodesh
"Literally, "holy ark"." (JPS)
-
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).
-
aseret y'mei teshuvah
"Ten Days of Penitence" (Glinert), the ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
-
aufruf
Celebration when, traditionally, the groom, and as of recently in egalitarian communities, the engaged couple is called to the Torah the Shabbat before their wedding; that aliyah itself (aufruf means literally "to call up").
-
Av
"The fifth month in the Jewish calendar, it usually corresponds to July or August" (JPS).
-
aveil
pl. aveilim. "Someone who is in mourning" (Glinert).
-
aveilus
Mourning (Glinert)
-
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).
-
avodah
"Service and worship of God" (Eisenberg)
"A unique part of the Musaf service on Yom Kippur, the Avodah prayers describe the sacrificial ritual in the Temple in ancient Jerusalem on the Day of Atonement" (Eisenberg).
"Literally, 'divine service'" (Eisenberg)
work, generally
the name for a unit at camp in which campers help with such duties as service in the dining hall, laundry, etc.
-
Avraham Avinu
"Our father Abraham" (Glinert)
-
b'al pe
learned by heart, from memory
-
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.
-
b'shem omro
"Giving credit for an idea" (Glinert)
-
b'tzelem Elohim
lit. "in God's image"
-
ba'al tekiah
"The title for the person who blows the shofar on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur" (JPS).
-
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.
-
baal-teshuva
A Jew from a secular background who chooses to become observant.
"Newly religious Jew; penitent" (Glinert)
-
baitsim
balls, testicles, lit. 'eggs'
-
bal tashchit
Do not be wasteful, do not destroy.
-
balagan
"a disorderly, confusing, and/or overwhelming situation" (Glinert)
-
Bamidbar
The Book of Numbers, [lit. "in the wilderness"] (Glinert)
-
baruch dayan haemet
"'Blessed be the True Judge!' (said on news of a bereavement)" (Glinert)
-
baruch haba
"Welcome!"
-
baruch tihiyeh
"May you be blessed"
-
bat chayil
Bat mitzvah, particularly a celebration in Orthodox communities that does not include services or reading from the Torah.
-
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.
-
bedika
Inspection or search, especially with regard to preparations for Passover
-
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).
-
beit din
A rabbinical court of law that makes judgments on matters of Jewish religious life, especially conversion and divorce.
-
beit knesset
Jewish place of worship; "synagogue" (JPS)
-
bekishe
A long satin cloak for men.
-
bekitzur
"Briefly or concisely: succinctly" (Weiser)
-
bench
JPS: "To recite a blessing. It usually refers to Birkat ha-Mazon, the Grace after Meals... The word can also refer to the reciting of any blessing; for example, the expression bentsch licht means to light Shabbat [or Chanukah] candles."
-
bench gomel
to say the blessing (called Gomel) said after someone survives a life-threatening situation; often recited pro forma after surviving childbirth or trans-oceanic travel
-
bencher
prayer booklet or card with the text of the blessings after meals, and often times including other meal-time blessings and songs
-
Bereshit
The Book of Genesis [lit. "in the beginning"]
-
besamim
"Literally, 'spices.' It almost always refers to the spices in the spice box used for the Havdalah ceremony" (JPS).
"Modern Israeli slang for illegal drugs" (JPS).
Spices
-
besorot tovot
good tidings, good news
-
bikur cholim
visiting the sick
-
bimah
pulpit; "A raised platform or stage in a synagogue from which the Torah is read and services are led." (JPS)
-
bimheira v'yameinu
Speedily and in our days
-
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.
-
Birkot HaShachar
The first section of the morning prayers, which contains several individual blessings. (JPS)
-
biur chametz
Ceremonial burning chametz before Passover.
-
bli neder
"Literally, 'without vowing', this is added to any casual promise to avoid it being taken as an absolute undertaking." (Glinert)
-
bond of life
Common translation of the Hebrew "tzror ha-hayim," referring to a transcendent realm where the souls of righteous are kept in safekeeping. Part of a phrase often inscribed on headstones or said in reference to the dead, meaning "may their soul be bound in the bond of eternal life."
-
borei nefashos
one of the blessings recited after eating food. Usually if a "Shehakol" blessing would be recited before eating.
-
bracha
blessing (in the technical or figurative sense)
-
break fast
the meal that takes place after a fast
-
Breslover
A follower of the Hasidic branch of Judaism that adheres to the teachings of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, the great-grandson of the Baal Shem Tov.
-
bruchim haba'im
welcome! [lit. "blessed are those who come"]
-
candle lighting
"the custom of lighting candles to welcome the Sabbath" (JPS); the exact time at which holiday and Shabbos candles are supposed to be lit by according to Jewish law.
-
chad gadya
The name of a song sung at the end of the Passover seder.
-
chag
"Festival" (Glinert)
-
chag sameach
"Literally, 'Happy Holiday.' The traditional, all-purpose greeting exchanged on almost any Jewish holiday" (JPS).
-
chai
"Literally, 'life'" (JPS); 18 (see note)
-
chametz
Leavened food.
-
chanukiah
Nine-branched menorah / candelabrum used on Chanukah
-
chashuv
Important; of high status
-
chassidus
"Chasidism" (Glinert)
-
chatan
Bridegroom
-
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.
-
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.
-
chatzi kaddish
half kaddish: prayer that praises God and occurs several times during services, marking the separation between different parts of the service.
-
chaverim
members, friends
-
chavruta
learning partnership; joint study session. "The person with whom one studies religious texts" (Weiser)
-
chazan
The official at a synagogue who leads the congregation in prayer and song. (JPS)
-
chazarah
(n.) review of material previously studied
-
chazir
1. pork 2. a pig, greedy person (JPS)
-
cheder
Hebrew and religious classes (often on Sundays) for elementary school children.
-
chesedik
kind
-
cheshbon hanefesh
"Soul-searching, self-accounting" (Glinert).
-
chevra
"society; close-knit group" (Yiddish)
-
chevra kedisha
burial society - volunteers who sit with the dead and prepare their bodies for burial
-
chevreman
"One of the guys" (Glinert)
-
chidon
A bible quiz in Orthodox camps and schools.
-
chidush
innovative idea; an insight; discovery; novelty
-
chochmah
"Brains; wisdom; a brilliant idea" (Glinert)
-
chol hamoed
"the intermediate days of the weeklong holidays of Pesach and Sukkot" (JPS)
-
cholent
"A slow-cooked stew made of beef, beans, potatoes, and other vegetables. Cholent is a common Sabbath dish..." (JPS)
-
chosenness
Notion that Jews are God's chosen people, based on biblical quotes.
-
chozer b'teshuva
a returnee to the faith
-
chozer be-sheelah
someone raised Orthodox who chooses not to be aligned with the practice or ideology of Orthodox Judaism
-
chrain
A spicy paste made from grated horseradish.
-
chumash
"A bound book containing the Five Books of Moses that is used in synagogue or for study." (JPS)
-
conservadox
of a manner of Jewish religious practice that is considered to be intermediate between the Conservative and Orthodox movements in liturgy, observance, etc.
-
counting the omer
counting of each of the forty-nine days between the Jewish holidays of Passover and Shavuos
-
d'var torah
a brief teaching from Jewish sources [lit. "a word of torah"], "A short speech" (JPS)
-
daf
A page of a Talmudic tractate.
-
daven
pray; lead services
-
David Hamelech
King David
-
davka
"definitely or exactly stated; specifically" (Weiser)
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.)
just to annoy, just to be contrary
-
day school
Jewish grade school, where students learn both Jewish and secular subjects. "The general name given to private Jewish schools" in the United States and Canada (JPS)
-
dayenu
"Literally, "it would have been enough."" (JPS)
-
derech eretz
Participating in modern society.
"Good conduct; normal, polite behavior in a social setting." (JPS). Manners, respect.
-
Devarim
"the Book of Deuteronomy", [lit. "words"] (JPS)
-
duchen
A ritual where the kohanim recite the Priestly Blessing (Num. 6:24-26), blessing the rest of the congregation.
-
dugma
example
-
egal
adj. describing a non-Orthodox Jewish prayer group or service in which men and women can participate equally and a mechitzah (boundary separating women from men) is not used.
-
Eichah
"The Book of Lamentations" (JPS)
-
Elohim/Elokim
"One of the many names used to refer to God" (JPS)
-
Elul
The twelfth month of the Jewish calendar, just before the High Holidays season (or sixth, if one starts counting at Nissan).
-
erev
"Eve of." (Glinert) Evening, or the day before a Jewish holiday
-
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)
-
eshet chayil
"woman of valor" (JPS); poem about such a woman in Proverbs 31.
-
etrog
Citron (lemon-like fruit) used ritually on Sukkot
-
etz chaim
tree of life
-
eyd
A witness
-
eyer kichlech
Egg cookies, usually in the shape of bow ties.
-
farshteyst? (farshteyt)
literally 'do you understand?'
-
fleishig
"The general term for food in the meat category, according to the Jewish dietary laws" (JPS)
-
flexidox
Halachically observant but in a flexible way. Reflecting the original intent and spirit of Orthodoxy, rather than the superficial details. Flexidox (adj.): Orthodox in spirit, flexible in practice; culturally rather than halachically Orthodox
-
fresser
big eater, "pig". "A heavy eater." (JPS)
-
from strength to strength
phrase of blessing used on momentous occasions
-
frum
religious; observant; Orthodox
-
G-d
the way that some religious Jews write God, to avoid writing the full word
-
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]".
-
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.
-
gam zu l'toyve
"This too is for the best."
-
gaon
"A title of honor for the rabbis and teachers who were the spiritual heads of the Babylonian yeshivot between the 6th and 11th centuries C.E." (JPS)
Modern Hebrew: genius (JPS)
"A rabbi whose learning was so great that he was given the honorary title of gaon" (Rosten), e.g. the Vilna Gaon
-
gelt
Money (slang usage)
"The foil wrapped chocolate coins that are a traditional Hanukkah treat for children." (JPS)
-
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)
-
gemilas chesed
(pl. gemilas chasodim) A loan of money without interest to help a needy person.
-
gemilut chasadim
"Literally, "acts of loving kindness"", (JPS) often used in reference to charitable activities
-
genizah
A storage room in a synagogue where disused sacred books and often-sacred articles are kept, since bringing them or disposing of them otherwise is considered a sacrilege.
-
ger
(pl. gerim) A convert to Judaism.
-
ger tzedek
A "righteous convert" to Judaism.
-
gezerah
In Jewish law, a prohibition enacted by the Sages as a measure to protect religious observance under changed conditions.
"evil decree" (Steinmetz)
"An authoritative command either to perform or to refrain from performing a particular act" (Weiser)
"an addition to a previously existing precept" (Weiser)
-
girsa d'yankuta
That which was learned as a young child.
-
glatt
Super-kosher (not only of food), or acceptable to the Haredi community.
Showing consistency of reason (Weiser).
-
gmar tov
Greeting/closing used between Rosh Hashana and the end of Yom Kippur. Lit. 'good conclusion'
-
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)
-
gonif
thief
-
good Shabbos
Literally, "Good Sabbath" (JPS); standard Sabbath greeting
-
good yom-tov
standard holiday greeting
-
grager
a noise maker used on Purim to drown out the name of Haman; something that makes a lot of noise
-
gurnisht
"nothing, zilch, zero" (JPS)
-
gut chodesh
"Good month!" Ashkenazi greeting on Rosh Chodesh.
-
gut moed
"Good festival season!" Used by Ashkenazim on Chol Hamoed.
-
gut voch
"Good week!" Ashkenazi greeting at the conclusion of the Sabbath.
-
gut yontef
"Happy holiday!" Ashkenazi greeting used on any of the holidays, including Rosh Hashanahh and Yom Kippur.
-
gut yor
"Good year!" Ashkenazi greeting on Rosh Hashanah.
-
Hafgana
Demonstration, protest.
-
hafsaka
break or interruption
-
haftorah
"A reading from the biblical book of Prophets that is recited in synagogue immediately following the reading of the Torah" (JPS)
-
haggadah
"The small book of liturgy, prayers, songs, and rituals used at a Pesach seder" (JPS)
-
Hagim u'zmanim lesasson
Holidays and seasons for rejoicing!
-
Hagiographa
The formal English name of the Ketuvim, usually translated as "the Writings."
-
halacha
"Jewish law" (JPS)
-
halakhic-egalitarian
A type of prayer group, service, community, or personal practice where people of all genders participate fully and equally in prayer services or other ritual functions (particularly women also performing rituals traditionally ascribed to men), while maintaining an adherence to traditional halachic practice, and seeing the egalitarian aspects of practice as harmonious with halacha.
-
hamentaschen
"Small, triangular-shaped cookies filled with fruit or jam that are eaten on Purim" (JPS)
-
hamevin yavin
"those who understand will understand." "You know what I'm talking about."
-
hamsa
a hand-shaped amulet (often a wall-hanging or jewelry) conferring good luck or protection, popular in Israel and originally from the Middle East / North Africa
-
Haredi
Adjective or noun referring to an individual, institution, or practice associated with strictly Orthodox (non-Modern) Jews.
-
Hashem imachem
"God be with you!" Sephardi greeting given by ice approaching the Torah-reading desk after being called up to the Torah.
-
hashgacha
Rabbinic supervision designating food as kosher
Divine providence, interference, attention
-
havdalah
"literally 'separation'. The ceremony that marks the end of [the Sabbath] on Saturday evening" (JPS)
-
havurah
A group of friends, frequently a social or religious group, either within a synagogue or apart from one.
-
hazzanut
"Cantorial singing" (Glinert)
-
hechsher
(Rabbinic) stamp or seal of approval-- typically designating a product as kosher
-
heicha kedusha
abbreviated version of the repetition of the Shmona Esre / Amidah
-
hesped
eulogy, funeral oration
-
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).
-
hizuk
"Encouragement" (Glinert), inspiration, strengthening, uplifting
-
hot dairy (out) / cold dairy (out)
a standard of kashrut held by some non-Orthodox Jews, which allows certain foods but not others to be eaten in non-kosher restaurants; "cold dairy" refers to unheated non-meat products such as a bagel with cream cheese, cold cereal, salads, or cottage cheese, while "hot dairy" refers to cooked dishes containing vegetables, fish or dairy.
-
iser
prohibition
-
J.E.R.K
Jewish Educated Religious Kid
-
Jew by Choice
A convert to Judaism.
-
Jewish geography
a "game" in which Jews attempt to identify common friends or acquaintances
-
Jewishly
(Adverb) related to or in a manner that accords with religious or cultural values or knowledge common or important to the Jewish people
-
JFK
Acronym: "Just for Kiddush." A joking or dismissive designation for a person who skips Saturday morning services but arrives at synagogue for the kiddush luncheon
-
Kabbalat Shabbat
"Special prayers and songs included as part of Friday night services to welcome in Shabbat."
-
kaddish
Prayer of mourning; prayer separating parts of the service; lit. "sanctification"
-
kaddishl
A son who will say kaddish for a parent (literally, "little kaddish").
-
kadosh
holy
-
kaparot
Ritual performed between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur to remove sins carried out by swinging a chicken over ones head.
-
kashrut
"The body of Jewish dietary laws and regulations that specify what and how a Jew who keeps kosher can eat." (JPS)
-
kedusha
holiness, sanctity
a responsive prayer sung/recited by the shaliach tzibbur (prayer leader) and congregation as part of the Amidah in a minyan
-
kehillah
"A Jewish community" (JPS)
-
kein yirbu
"So they may increase in number"
-
keppy
head, little head (informal, diminutive, often in child-directed speech)
-
kesher
connection, relationship, link
-
kesiva vechasima tova
"A good writing and sealing (in the Book of Life)!" Formal Ashkenazi greeting on Rosh Hashanah.
-
Keter
Crown, especially the crown decorating a Torah scroll.
-
keva
fixed aspects of ritual/liturgy
-
kezayit
A halakhic measure for the minimum amount that may not be eaten of a prohibited substance or that must be eaten to fulfill a commandment.
-
KFP
An abbreviation "kosher for Passover," meaning that the food fulfills the religious requirements to be eaten during Passover.
-
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)
-
kinder
"children" (Rosten)
-
kinyan
The act or manner of legally acquiring or agreeing to something.
"A groom's formal acceptance of the terms of the ketubbah. At a traditional wedding, this ritual takes place during the chossen's tish, when the rabbi or a witness, acting on behalf of the bride, offers the groom a handkerchief or some other object" (JPS).
-
kippah
"small, round headcovering" (JPS)
-
kishkas
Intestines, gut
-
kitah aleph
level one; 1st. grade in primary school
-
kitniot
"Literally, 'legumes'...certain foods that are restricted during Pesach in some Jewish communities." (JPS)
-
kittel
hite robe that is worn by religious Jews on Yom Kippur, when leading High Holiday services, when leading a Passover seder, by grooms at weddings, and as a burial shroud
-
klaf
the specially prepared skin of a kosher animal, often used as parchment for kosher Torah scrolls or mezuzot
-
klal yisroel
"synonym for the Jewish people" (JPS)
-
knis
Synagogue, Syrian word for 'shul'
-
kol tuv
"all the best" (JPS), a closing or farewell
-
Kotel
"The Western Wall"/wailing wall (Glinert)
-
koved
"honor, dignity, respect" (JPS)
-
krias shema
"The reading of the Shema" (Glinert)
-
krovim
relatives
-
kumkum
hot water urn
-
L'dor va'dor
from generation to generation
-
l'shalom
"in peace," lit. "to (or toward) peace"
-
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.
-
landsman
Someone who comes from the same or nearby hometown, especially if one or both of you no longer lives there and all the more so if one or both now live far away from home, in which case an entire region (e.g., metro NY) or country e.g., Poland) may be the point of connection.
-
lashon hara
"gossip" (lit. "evil tongue") (JPS)
-
lay leader
a member of the board of directors for a Jewish non-profit organization
an adult who helps coordinate programs of a Jewish organization in a volunteer capacity
-
lekech
"Honey cake, traditionally served on Rosh Hashanah... made with honey, eggs, cinnamon, and, often, coffee" (JPS).
-
lemaan Hashem
"Definitely"
-
leshana tova tikateivu
"(May you) be inscribed for a good year (in the Book of Life)!" A formal greeting exchanged bu Ashkenazim on Rosh Hashanah.
-
leyn
to chant torah, haftarah or megillah
-
light
light Shabbat or holiday candles
-
lulav
palm branch used ritually on Sukkot
-
m'gayer
A convert to Judaism
To convert someone to Judaism
To be converted to Judaism
A person or entity that converts someone to Judaism
-
maariv
the evening prayer
-
machloket
disagreement, dispute, argument, conflict, especially one about a halachic issue
-
machzor
High Holiday prayerbook, used for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
-
madrega
level, especially spiritual level
-
makpid
Particular, conscientious, especially in relation to Jewish law.
-
mamaleh
diminutive term for a young girl [lit. 'little mama']
-
mamaliga
A Romanian-Jewish dish of thick cornmeal mush.
-
mamish
"1. As though true to fact...2. Surely or certainly...3. Actually, genuinely...4. To a high degree...5. Enthusiastic response: WOW." (Weiser)
-
mamzer
bastard [see note]; "A detestable [person] like the colloquial English "He's a bastard"" (Rosten)
-
mandelbrot
"Literally, 'almond bread.' A crunchy, dry cookie, similar to biscotti" (JPS).
-
marit ayin
suspicious-looking action; doing something that may cause an observer to think that one violated halachah and thus arouse suspicion, or alternatively, doing something that could mislead somebody to interpret than an action is permitted and then violate halachah him/herself
-
maror
bitter herbs placed on the seder place on Passover
-
masechta
Talmudic tractate
-
matbea
blueprint, structure, form
-
matzah pizza
A nickname for Massapequa, a Long Island, NY, suburb with sizable Jewish and Italian populations.
a dish eaten by American Jews during Passover, where a piece of matzah is covered with tomato sauce and cheese, and placed in the oven.
-
mayim achronim
ritual hand-washing before saying the prayer after a meal
-
mazume
"A group of three or more adult males who join together to recite the after-meal blessings..." (Steinmetz).
"ready money, cash" (Steinmetz)
-
meaty
Food in the meat category, according to the Jewish dietary laws
-
mechayil el chayil
"from strength to strength"
-
mechitza
the separation between men and women in Orthodox prayer spaces [lit. "separation"]
-
medakdeik
"Thorough or painstaking; avoiding error by virtue of the care exercised: CAREFUL." (Weiser) exacting, precise
-
melacha
"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).
"Art or skill: Trade" (Weiser).
-
meshichist
someone who believes that Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Rebbe of Chabad Hasidism, is the Messiah
-
mesorah
tradition
-
meykil
A decisor who follows a lenient option and issues a kulah (lenient ruling).
"Yielding to wishes: Indulgent" (Weiser)
"Not harsh or strict: Easygoing" (Weiser)
"One who is not strict: Liberal, Latitudinarian" (Weiser)
"Taking the lenient position: Liberal" (Weiser)
-
meyzid
One who commits a sin consciously and deliberately.
-
Mi Shebeirach
the prayer for healing said during a Torah service; [lit. "He who blesses"]
-
midrash
stories or explanations that interpret or ellaborate on the Torah's text.
-
midrasha
Co-ed supplementary Jewish religious school, usually Reform
Orthodox women's seminary, especially in Israel
-
mikvah
"Ritual bath" (JPS)
-
milah
ritual circumcision
-
milchig
"...food in the "dairy" category, according to the Jewish dietary laws...also refers to the utensils and dishes used for cooking, eating, and serving milk products." (JPS)
-
milky
Dairy
-
minhag
custom; "A tradition that is not mentioned in the Torah or mandated by law but nonetheless is followed." (JPS)
-
minhag hamakom
local custom
-
minyan
prayer quorum of 10 Jews age 13 or older (traditionally male; in some communities male or female)
religious community
small service
-
mise meshune
horrible, violent, or unnatural death, often used as a curse
-
mishkan
the tabernacle or temporary sanctuary in which the Divine Presence dwelled during the Jews’ journeys through the desert
the portion of the tabernacle and the Temple building before the Holy of Holies which contained the inner altar, the table for the showbread, and the menorah
-
Mishnah
an authoritative collection of exegetical material embodying the oral tradition of Jewish law and forming the first part of the Talmud.
-
Mishnah Berurah
commentary on Shulchan Aruch Orech Chaim by Israel Meir of Radin, aka the Chofetz Chaim
-
Mishneh Torah
a 12th-century code of religious law in fourteen parts written by Moses Maimonides
-
mishpacha
"Literally, "family". ...The word conveys a warm feeling of friendship." (JPS)
-
mitzvot aseh
affirmative commandments (of the 613 commandments of the Torah)
-
Mizrachi
adj. or noun describing a person or practice (including music and ritual) of Middle Eastern Jewish origin. Lit. "Eastern," "Oriental."
-
Moadim lesimcha
Happy holiday! Greeting used on Pesach and Sukkot.
-
Modern Orthodox
'Modern Orthodox'. Observant, but open to the outside world, general culture and education; not 'Yeshivish' or 'Haredi'.
-
mora
Teacher - Female
-
musaf
The additional service added to the morning services on the Sabbath and holidays.
-
musar
a Jewish ethical movement that crystallized among non-Hasidic Orthodox Jews in Lithuania in the 19th century, led by Israel Salanter, focusing on character development.
reproof; system of ethics; discipline
-
muvan me'elav
self-evident
-
naches
"Proud pleasure, special joy--particularly from the achievements of a child... 2. Psychological reward or gratification." (Rosten)
-
Nachshon
Trailblazer. Initiator. Someone who takes a risk when others are not willing to.
-
narishkeit
"1. Foolishness 2. A triviality" (Rosten)
-
navi
prophet; class on Prophets
-
neder
a vow
-
neshama
soul
-
nigun
"A wordless melody; a tune" (JPS)
-
nu
so what?; so?; hurry up already
-
OB"M
"of blessed memory"
-
olam habah
"The world to come"; the messianic age; Heaven
-
olav ha-sholom
"peace be upon him"; said of someone who is deceased
-
omein selah
may it be so
-
on one foot
translation of Hebrew "al regel achat" or Yiddish "af eyn fus": off-the-cuff; quick, quickly, quick answer (from a Talmudic story about Rabbi Hillel summarizing the Torah to a potential convert while standing on one foot)
-
oneg
a informal, festive gathering Friday night involving food, casual Torah study, Jewish songs, etc.
-
OO
Abbreviation for Open Orthodoxy or Open Orthodox.
-
Open Orthodox
a breakaway movement to the left of Modern Orthodoxy, declared outside of acceptable Orthodox boundaries by most mainstream Orthodox rabbis
-
Ortho
shorthand, or slang term, for Orthodox
-
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)
-
parve
1. neither milk nor meat; 2. uninteresting, plain, generic
-
pasuk
a verse, usually from the Torah
-
patrilineal
Being considered Jewish because one's father but not mother is Jewish.
-
perush
A commentary on a text, something that makes the meaning clear.
-
Pesach
The Jewish Holiday of Passover
-
pesadik
"Acceptable to be eaten on Pesach" (JPS), kosher for Passover.
-
peshat
"An explanation of the logic behind or the source of a passage, event, work, etc." (Weiser)
Justification
"The literal, obvious meaning scholars give to a Jewish text. It can also refer to the simple interpretation of any issue or question." (JPS)
-
petcha
Calves' foot jelly or jellied chicken served with garlic and spices as an appetizer.
-
pikuach nefesh
The principle that the law of saving a person's life takes precedence over all other laws, with the exception of the laws prohibiting idolatry, incestuous relations, and the murder of an innocent person.
-
plata
electric hotplate used on the Sabbath
-
Ploni
An anonymous placeholder name, like "John Doe;" So-and-So.
-
pshh
exclamation of respect
-
Psukei d'Zimrah
the first part of morning services, after the morning blessings mostly comprised of Psalms [lit. "verses of praise"]
-
Purim
A joyous holiday that takes place in February or March on the 14th of Adar, retelling the story of the Book of Esther.
-
rebetzin
wife of a rabbi
-
refua shlema
"Get well soon." Lit. "full recovery"
-
remez
interpretation/analysis of Torah (or other texts) on a symbolic level, taking it as an allegory, seeing what is implied
"a mark or detail that suggests the existence of implicit information, a trace, an allusion" (Weiser)
-
renewal
An alternative stream of rabbis and congregations, independent of the "mainstream" denominations, that fosters an open and experimental approach to Judaism, often drawing from the Jewish mystical tradition and non-Jewish spiritual traditions.
Practices and beliefs in keeping with the philosphy of the renewal movement.
-
responsa
Written decisions and legal rulings by rabbis appointed to be legal deciders.
-
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)
-
Rosh Chodesh
start of a new month in the Hebrew calendar
-
ruach
spirit, "spiritedness, morale" (JPS)
-
safek
A doubt or doubtful case.
"Unresolved question: Uncertainty" (Weiser)
"Doubt in the integrity of: Suspicion" (Weiser)
-
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).
-
schach
branches or bamboo used to cover a sukkah
-
schmegege
"silly or stupid person; simpleton; nitwit" (Steinmetz)
"An untalented loser; a whiner; a petty person" (JPS).
"An unadmirable, petty person" (Rosten)
-
schnoder
"to pledge a donation" (Steinmetz).
-
schnorrer
a begger, a parasite. "A moocher" (JPS)
-
sechel
"Common sense" (JPS), intelligence
-
Shabbat Shalom
Used as a greeting or departing line (hello or goodbye) on or before Shabbat. Literally "peaceful Sabbath."
-
Shabbos
the Jewish Sabbath
-
shadchen
matchmaker
-
shalech manes
Gifts for friends, traditionally given on Purim. Typically, a basket with food requiring two separate brachas in it.
-
shalom bayit
"Literally, 'peace in the home'. Contentment and harmony among family members." (JPS)
-
shalom uvrachah
"Peace and blessing!" A more emphatic greeting than "shalom."
-
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
-
shalosh regalim
The three major holidays in the Jewish calendar: Passover, Shavuot [Pentecost], and Sukkot [Tabernacles].
-
shaloshudes
the traditional third meal of the sabbath, eaten saturday afternoon or evening beginning before the sabbath has ended. [lit. "three meals"]
-
shamash
1. candle lit first and then used to light other hanukah candles
3. personal assistant / aide / gofer, especially to a rabbi or in the Hollywood entertainment industry
2. the caretaker of a synagogue.
-
shatnez
mixture of wool and linen in a garment, which is prohibited by Jewish law
-
shayna punim
pretty face
-
Shechinah
divine presence
-
shecht
to slaughter meat according to the rituals of kashrut
-
shehecheyanu
the blessing of thanksgiving that celebrates reaching a celebratory moment or marking a significant first
-
sheitel
wig; worn by some observant jewish women after marriage. "A wig worn by strictly Orthodox...women as a [hair] covering." (Steinberg)
-
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
-
shemini atzeret
Holiday celebrated the day after the seven-day holiday of Sukkot.
-
Shemoneh Esrei
another name for the Amida, the central prayer during Jewish services. [lit. 'eighteen', the number of blessings it originally had]
-
Shemot
Printed items containing the name of God in Hebrew letters (generally pronounced SHAY-miss)
The Book of Exodus [lit. 'names']
-
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.
-
sheygets
"1. A non-Jewish boy. 2. An impudent youth or man. 3. An irreligious or nonobservant Jew. The term is often regarded as disparaging." (Steinmetz)
-
shicker
tipsy/drunk
-
shidduch
"In popular usage, any match or alliance, as in The shidduch between the two organization was a success." (Steinberg)
a mate
a date in the process of finding one's spouse
an arranged spousal match
-
shiur
"1. A lesson, lecture, or discourse on the Torah, Mishnah, or Gemara...(2. A measure, size, or rate)." (JPS)
-
shmura
a type of matzah adhering to more stringent interpretations of permissible matzah for Passover
-
shochet
ritual slaughterer in the system of kashrut
-
shogeg
One who commits a sin unintentionally.
-
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)
-
shomer
a chaperone, protector, or guard
a camp counselor on duty
one who keeps vigil over a dead body before it is buried
adj. observant, observing the laws of kosher, shabbat, or negiya (not touching members of the opposite gender outside of family)
a member of Hashomer Hatzair or a camper or counselor at a Hashomer Hatzair camp
-
shtar
Any legal document or writ, such as a bill of sale or a promissory note.
-
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.
-
shvach
weak, pathetic, (a place or gathering that is) lacking in activity
-
siman tov
A congratulatory term meaning "(may it be) a good omen!"
-
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.
-
smichah
"Rabbinic ordination" (Steinmetz)
-
sofer
A scribe trained in transcribing the Torah, mezuzah, tefillin scriptures and other religious texts on parchment.
-
sugya
passage from the Talmud
"A distinct matter for consideration in discussion, thought, or study" (Weiser)
-
sukkah
A temporary dwelling used during the holiday of Sukkot
-
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.
-
tachlis
practical details of a matter, "brass tacks" (as in, "Let's get down to brass tacks.")
purpose, aim
-
tahor
ritually pure, clean
-
tamei
ritually impure, unclean
-
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.]
-
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)
-
tefillah
prayer, services, or an individual prayer
-
tefillin
Small black boxes containing sections of the shema attached to leather straps and worn around the head and arm during prayer.
"phylacteries"
-
Tefillin date
A date on which the male brings along his tefillin, in the expectation that he may spend the night with his date (because he is conscientious about the mitzvah of tefillin and the need to put on his tefillin the following morning).
-
teshuvah
repentance [lit. "return"]
-
Three Weeks
a period of semi-mourning commemorating the destruction of the first and second temples in jerusalem. "The three weeks between shiva asar betamuz (17th of Tamuz), when the walls of Jerusalem were breached, and Tisha b'Av (9th of Av), when the Temple was destroyed." (Steinmetz)
-
tikkun olam
kabbalistic concept of mystically repairing the fabric of the world through the performance of mitzvot
"repairing (the) world," making the world a better place through volunteering, social justice work, and philanthropy
-
titchadesh
"Use it in good health" or "Enjoy your new item"
-
tochacha
The portions of the Torah containing the curses the Israelites will incur if they do not follow the commandments (Lev. 26 and Deut. 28)
Rebuke, or corrections, for one's behavior, particularly as it pertains to Jewish practice.
-
toivel
to immerse dishes in a ritual bath (mikvah) to render them usable in a kosher kitchen
-
Tot Shabbat
A synagogue-based service or play group for young children on Shabbat.
-
toyve
A favor
-
traditional-egalitarian
A type of prayer group, service, community, or personal practice where people of all genders participate fully and equally in prayer services or other ritual functions (particularly women also performing rituals traditionally ascribed to men), while maintaining an adherence to traditional halachic practice.
-
treif
(adj or noun) food prohibited by the jewish dietary laws
-
trop
Series of traditional chanting/melodic patterns used in reading the Torah and other books of the Tanakh in communal prayer services.
Diacritic-like marks in printed editions of the Tanakh (and the tikkun, a book that enables people to learn to chant from the Torah, haftarah, etc.) that indicate the chanting/melodic pattern to be used with each word.
-
tsorris
"Troubles, woes, worries, suffering." (Rosten)
-
Tu b'Av
the 15th of Av, sometimes associated with romantic love and jokingly called 'Jewish Valentine's Day'.
-
Tu Bishvat
Jewish Arbor Day, the New Year for Trees, literally 'the 15th day of Shevat'.
-
tza'ar ba'alei chayim
pity for living creatures (Steinmetz), or compassion for animals.
-
tzadik
Common name for the 18th letter of the Hebrew alphabet (tzadi / tzade).
A highly learned and esteemed rabbinic leader (sometimes used as an alternative name for a Hasidic rebbe).
Someone who does extremely righteous deeds.
-
tzedek, tzedek tirdof
"justice, justice, you will pursue." (Deuteronomy 16:20)
-
tzimmes
"A prolonged procedure, and involved business, a mix-up" (Rosten).
"A sweet, baked dish of vegetables or fruit. Carrot tzimmes, a popular version, includes carrots, sweet potatoes, dried apricots, raisins, sugar, and cinnamon" (JPS).
"Troubles, difficulties, a contretemps" (Rosten).
-
tzimmes
A sweet, fruit-and-vegetable stew made usually with carrots, plums, apples, and sweet potatoes.
-
tznius
(adj.) modest, discrete, especially according to Orthodox norms of dress, comportment, and gender interaction
(n.) modesty, discretion, especially according to Orthodox norms of dress, comportment, and gender interaction
-
tzom kal
"have an easy fast"; used as a greeting on Jewish fast days, especially Yom Kippur
-
unetaneh tokef
a particular High Holiday prayer recited on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
-
unveiling
the ceremony marking the unveiling of a deceased person's headstone one year after his or her burial
-
upsherin
the first haircut of a 3 year old; [lit. 'cutting off']
-
ushpizin
transcendent "guests" welcomed into the sukkah during Sukkot, one per day
-
va'ad
"committee or council" (Steinmetz), group convened for a particular purpose, including rabbinical council, kashrut supervisory council, youth group/synagogue board of directors, study group, etc.
-
Vayikra
the book of Leviticus
-
vilde chaye
a rambunctious or wild person [lit. 'wild animal']
-
wimpel
a long, linen sash used as a binding for the Sefer Torah by Jews of German (Yekke) origin
-
yahrzeit
The anniversary of a person's death, generally marked by relatives in some way.
-
yamim noraim
high holy days, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
-
yemach shemo
"may his name be erased", appended to the names of evil people such as Haman and Hitler
-
yerida
emigration from Israel
-
Yerushalayim
Jerusalem
-
yeshiva
traditionally, an institution that focuses on teaching Talmud to boys and young men. Today yeshivas exist for men and women.
-
yiddishe kop
having the mental agility for traditional Jewish scholarship, or simple common sense
-
yigdal
hymn often sung at the end of a prayer service, based on Maimonides' Thirteen Principles of Faith
-
yontefdik
festive; related to or appropriate for a holiday
-
yontif
a Jewish holiday, especially one on which work is prohibited (in contrast to chol hamoed)
-
z"l
'of blessed memory', appended to the name of a dead person
-
Zeder
Zoom seder: seder conducted via the videoconferencing technology Zoom.
-
zichrona livracha
May her memory be blessed.
-
zichrono livracha
may his memory be for a blessing (often abbreviated 'z"l')
-
Zoom Mitzvah
Bar or bat mitzvah service or party conducted via Zoom
- ← Prev
- Next →