Showing 654 of 654 words, page 1 of 1
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a long life
Used to greet a mourner after someone has died.
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a nechtiker tog
Not on your life!
An impossible occurrence
Forget about it!
Whom is he trying to kid?
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abi gezunt
"As long as you're healthy [you can be happy]."
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acharon acharon chaviv
"The very last one is beloved."; "Last but not least."
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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.
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Aibishter
God, lit. "supreme one" or "the one above"
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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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aleichem sholom
Peace be upon you. Response to "sholom aleichem"
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aleph-bet
"A name for the Hebrew alphabet" (JPS)
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almemar
the platform on which the Torah is read in synagogue; the bima
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alte bubby
old woman, great-grandmother
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alte haym
Eastern Europe (lit. "the old home")
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alte kaker
elderly person, old-timer [literally "old shitter"] "A crotchety, fussy, ineffectual old man." (Rosten)
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alter bocher
a man that is too old not to be married
an old yeshiva student who really should have been married off by now
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altz iz gut
"All is well."
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amcha
the every-man, everyday people; the folk (as opposed to the elite)
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answer up
counter, retort
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apikoros
heretic, non-believer, especially one with great knowledge of Judaism
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apikorsus
heresy
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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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arbes
Boiled chickpeas
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aroisgevorfene gelt
"a waste of money"; lit., thrown out money.
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Ashkenazic
Adjectival form for 'Ashkenazim', "The name given to the group of Jews who were originally from Germany and France, and their descendants" (JPS)
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askan
A person who is influential in working for the community
A Jewish communal or social worker (Steinmetz)
Activist
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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").
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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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b'emet
"As a matter of fact." (Weiser); "Really?"
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b'laz
Abbreviation for "B'loshn am zar", "in a foreign language"; usually used by the commentator Rashi when using a Middle French expression
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babka
"A loaf type coffee cake" (JPS)
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bagel
"A leavened, firm, doughnut shaped roll" (JPS)
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bageling
Inserting a Jewish phrase or concept into a conversation in order to indicate that one is Jewish or to determine whether the other person is Jewish.
Identifying another person as a Jew.
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baitsim
balls, testicles, lit. 'eggs'
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balaboosta
1) Female head of household 2) Impressively competent homemaker
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balabotish
"Quiet; respectable; well mannered" (Rosten). "middle class"; normal
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balagan
"a disorderly, confusing, and/or overwhelming situation" (Glinert)
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batlan
"An unemployed or lazy man" (Rosten).
"One who consistently wastes time: Bum, Fainéant" (Weiser).
"Someone with intellectual pretensions and half-baked ideas" (Rosten).
"naive, impractical person" (Steinmetz)
"Someone without a trade or regular means of livelihood" (Rosten).
"A misfit, such as a Talmud student of no promise" (Rosten).
"Layabout" (Glinert)
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Be well
Closing to a letter or conversation: Take care, be healthy
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bekishe
long black coat worn by Hasidic men
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bekitzur
"Briefly or concisely: succinctly" (Weiser)
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belfer
assistant teacher of children in a Hebrew school or cheyder
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ben bayis
frequent guest at someone's home
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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."
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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
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bench licht
(light and) bless candles
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bencher
prayer booklet or card with the text of the blessings after meals, and often times including other meal-time blessings and songs
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berya
"Complimentary term for a talented, competent, energetic woman, especially one who gets a lot done - and does it well - around the house." (JPS Dictionary of Words)
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besamim
Spices
"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).
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besorot tovot
good tidings, good news
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beys hakise
bathroom
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bialy
A flat breakfast roll, shaped like a round wading pool, sometimes sprinkled with onion. (Rosten)
A round, crusty chewy bread roll with an indented center well, the bialy is usually topped with toasted onions—and—at its most authentic—with poppy seeds. (JPS)
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biberhit
A man's black hat with beaver fur, worn on weekdays.
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bichlal
in any way, entirely, in general, altogether
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bikur cholim
visiting the sick
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bisl
"a little bit of something, a tiny piece" (JPS)
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biz hundert un tsvantsik
[may you/he/she live] "until a hundred and twenty [years]" -- often used as a birthday wish for long life, or when mentioning a person who is getting on in years.
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blat
a page of Talmud (equivalent of Hebrew דף daf)
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blech
an electric hot plate or "sheet of metal that can be placed over the burners on a stove to retain heat, so that precooked food...can be kept warm during the Sabbath." (JPS)
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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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blintz
A folded thin pancake filled with cheese, fruit, or potatoes.
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bochur
young unmarried male, especially a yeshiva student
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bodek
also a brand of vegetables that has been checked for insects
check, especially looking for insects that would render produce non-kosher
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bokser
The fruit of the carob tree, traditionally eaten on Tu Bishvat.
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borei nefashos
one of the blessings recited after eating food. Usually if a "Shehakol" blessing would be recited before eating.
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borscht
"Borshtsh" is the Russian word for beet soup. Among Jews soup made from beets is considered Polish borshtsh, while Russian borshtsh is made from cabbage.
"An Eastern European soup traditionally made with beets." (JPS)
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Borscht Belt
region in the Catskill Mountains with many summer resorts frequented by Jews, especially in the mid twentieth century
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boychick
"A young boy...equivalent of the American expression 'buddy'" (JPS)
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boydem
attic
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bracha
blessing (in the technical or figurative sense)
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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.
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bring down
cite or reference
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bris
circumcision ceremony; the celebration surrounding it. Lit. covenant.
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broch
curse
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bubbale
sweetie, darling [term of endearment]
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bubbe
grandmother
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bubbe meise
"old wive's tale"; an untrue story, sometimes related to superstition
"Something of little importance, an inconsequential thing or minor happening." (JPS)
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bulbenik
One who is inept, clumsy, all thumbs, who fouls things up (Rosten)
An actor "who talks as though he has a potato in his mouth"—that is, an actor who "blows" his lines, mixes them up, commits embarrassing spoonerisms, a malaprop
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bulvan
loud mouth know-it-all; "a boorish, brutish person" (Steinmetz)
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busha
"Disgrace" (Glinert), shame, embarrassment
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by
at [a location], at the house of, with, among, according to the opinion of, at [an event, time of year] (in addition to Standard English near).
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cement mixer
non-Jewish woman
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Chabad
an outreach-oriented branch of Hasidic Judaism that follows the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Chabad has thousands of branches around the world, including at many college campuses.
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chabadsker
n., a follower of Chabad Lubavitch (i.e., a Lubavitcher Hasid), often pejorative
adj., of or relating to Chabad Lubavitch (i.e., Lubavitcher), often pejorative
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chalat
A man's silk robe for indoor use, usually on Shabbat or holidays.
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chaleria
Plague or cholera (literal or metaphorical)
"wreck," in the phrase "nervous choleria." A person who behaves wildly or badly, such as a mischievous child.
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challah
"The braided egg bread that traditionally is eaten on almost every Jewish holiday and [the Sabbath]" (JPS)
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chap
"to comprehend" (Weiser) (lit. "to grasp")
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chas v'chalila
"heaven forbid" (Steinmetz's Yiddish and English dictionary)
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chas v'sholom
"heaven forbid" (Glinert)
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chashuv
Important; of high status
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chassidish
Adhering to Hasidism, a mystical brand of Orthodox Judaism; having traits associated with Hasidim
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chassidus
"Chasidism" (Glinert)
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chatan
Bridegroom
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chatuna
wedding
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chaverim
members, friends
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chavruta
learning partnership; joint study session. "The person with whom one studies religious texts" (Weiser)
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chayav
Guilty of transgressing. Liable.
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chazan
The official at a synagogue who leads the congregation in prayer and song. (JPS)
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chazer
"go over; review" (Weiser)
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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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Chelm
from Yiddish literature/folklore, "The 'legendary' town inhabited by befuddled, stupid, foolish, but endearing people." (JPS). Also a real town in Poland (Chełmno).
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cherem
"excommunication; ostracism" (Yiddish)
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chesedik
kind
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chevra
"society; close-knit group" (Yiddish)
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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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chochmah
"Brains; wisdom; a brilliant idea" (Glinert)
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cholent
"A slow-cooked stew made of beef, beans, potatoes, and other vegetables. Cholent is a common Sabbath dish..." (JPS)
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chrain
A spicy paste made from grated horseradish.
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chrein
horseradish
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chumradik
stringent, used to imply that a person is making the most strict halachic ruling, or follows additional restrictions in his or her practice
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chuppah
"The Jewish wedding canopy; that is, the cloth under which the Jewish wedding ceremony is conducted." (JPS)
wedding ceremony (not including reception)
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chutzpah
nerve, audacity, the quality of over-stepping boundries with no shame (negative)
guts (positive)
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chutzpahdik
impertinent
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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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collect
gather funds or fundraise for an institution.
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dan l'kaf zechus
give the benefit of the doubt
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daven
pray; lead services
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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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derech eretz
Participating in modern society.
"Good conduct; normal, polite behavior in a social setting." (JPS). Manners, respect.
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doikayt
hereness
diasporism
"strengthening Jewish communities wherever they live" (https://www.mycause.com.au/page/204399/hillels-bar-mitzveh)
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drasha
"Sermon, learned address." (Glinert)
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dreck
"Trash, junk, garbage; cheap or worthlesss things." (Rosten), sh*t
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dreidel
"A small, four-sided spinning top used in a game during Chanukah" (JPS); the top itself
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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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dugma
example
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dveykus
spiritual ecstasy; lit. "cleaving"
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dybbuk
a spirit, "often thought to be the soul of a dead person, that wanders the earth looking for a living body to inhabit" (JPS)
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einikel
grandchild
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emunah
"faith"; sometimes contrasted with practical striving in the material world
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es gezunterheyt
Eat in good health, similar to bon appétit
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es shtayt geshribn
"It is written."
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ess
Eat
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eyer kichlech
Egg cookies, usually in the shape of bow ties.
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farblondzhet
Rosten: "Lost...mixed up, wandering about without any idea of where you are." Can refer to being physically or intellectually lost.
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farbrengen
Verb: to hold such a gathering or celebration.
Noun: a gathering or celebration that includes a spiritual or religious component.
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farbrente
fiery, devout, fervent [lit. 'burning']
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farchadat
"Dizzy, confused, dopey, 'punchy.'" (Rosten)
"Having a headache." (Rosten)
"Smitten, charmed, beguiled." (Rosten)
"Surprised, stunned, shocked." (Rosten)
"Confused, distracted, mixed up." (JPS)
"confused; dazed; stunned" (Steinmetz)
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farfel
noodle pellets
a side dish including bits of noodle, often sauteed with vegetables and beef or chicken stock
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farfufket
befuddled, taken aback, disoriented, confused
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farher
noun: an oral examination, typically on one's understanding of Talmud
verb: examine, test, quiz
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farkakte
"lousy, messed up, ridiculous" (JPS) Shitty, full of crap.
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farmisht
mixed up, confused, crazy
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farshteyst? (farshteyt)
literally 'do you understand?'
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farshtunken(e)
literally 'stinking' (Rosten); contemptible
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fartootst
"The state of being bewildered, disoriented, discombobulated; slightly more intense than tsedrayt." (Rosten)
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feh!
an expression of disgust; "portraying...negative feelings" (Rosten)
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feigele
Gay man
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fershnickered
Drunk, intoxicated, extremely drunk
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FFB
Short for "frum from birth." Refers to someone who grew up in a religious home, the opposite of a BT (ba'al teshuvah) who became religious as an adult.
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FFT
'Frum from Tuesday' - a satire on 'FFB'. Denotes a very recent BT, usually someone who has not mastered the rituals / social cues of Orthodox practice.
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fleishig
"The general term for food in the meat category, according to the Jewish dietary laws" (JPS)
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flik
pluck feathers (e.g., from a chicken)
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fluden
log-shaped pastry stuffed with apricot preserves, chopped dates, walnuts, and raisins
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forshpayz
"appetizers" (JPS)
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forshpil
An Ashkenazi custom of entertaining the bride on the Sabbath afternoon or evening preceding the wedding.
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frei
(with the particle "out") to become non-religious, "go off the derekh"
free; liberal, non-religious, the opposite of frum
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fress
To gobble up food; to gorge oneself. "To eat quickly or noisily, like an animal" (JPS)
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fresser
big eater, "pig". "A heavy eater." (JPS)
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from your mouth to God's ears
response to a good wish or blessing that mentions future events: I want that to happen, but I'm not sure it will.
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frosk
a slap
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frum
religious; observant; Orthodox
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gam zu l'toyve
"This too is for the best."
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gantseh
entire, complete
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gartel
belt, which varies in width, but is worn over the outside of the pants or coat and often tied in a symbolic way, as to differentiate it from a regular belt. It is primarily used by Chassidic Jews (and a growing number of Litvaks) for prayer, or may be used for everyday wear over a long frock coat. It symbolically differentiates the heart from the loins.
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gayve
pride; arrogance; obnoxiousness
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gebrokts
(2) People who hold by the stringency against eating wetted matzah.
(1) Matzah that is mixed with liquid during cooking; avoided by scrupulously observant because of the possibility that unbaked flour in the matzah could be exposed to the liquid and thereby become chametz, forbidden during Passover.
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gedolim
Important, influential people, especially renowned rabbis of the present or recent past. Luminaries (Weiser)
Secondary usage: feces or excrement.
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geferlech
Dangerous, terrible
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gefilte fish
minced sweet or sour fish, cooked in balls or a log and sliced. [lit., "stuffed fish"(JPS), since the chopped fish used to be placed back in the fish for cooking.]
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gefrunzled
slighted, insulted, feeling unappreciated
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gelt
Money (slang usage)
"The foil wrapped chocolate coins that are a traditional Hanukkah treat for children." (JPS)
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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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genosn oyfn emes
Sneezed on the truth, the sneeze confirms the truth.
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genug
enough
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geschrei
yell, shout
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gesheft
business
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geshmak
delicious, delightful
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Geshmir
The entirety, all.
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geulah
redemption
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gevald
an interjection of alarm
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gey avek
"Go away!"
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gey schluffen
Go to sleep!
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geza
n. good lineage, adj. having good lineage. people from the right families that go back generations within a given Orthodox community
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ghattis
derogatory term for working-class or boorish Afrikaaner person
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glatt
Super-kosher (not only of food), or acceptable to the Haredi community.
Showing consistency of reason (Weiser).
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glitch
flaw; slight problem in a process
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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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good Shabbos
Literally, "Good Sabbath" (JPS); standard Sabbath greeting
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good yom-tov
standard holiday greeting
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gorgel
neck, throat (generally of poultry)
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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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goyish
"in the manner or style of a non-Jewish person" (JPS), especially something WASPy or "white bread"
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goyishe kop
Someone who fails to use his/her head; a dull mind. Someone who thinks like a non-Jew. Lit. "non-Jewish head."
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goyte
non-Jewish woman, especially domestic worker
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grager
a noise maker used on Purim to drown out the name of Haman; something that makes a lot of noise
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gramen
rhymes; especially a rhyming poem or song
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gribines
Deep-fried skin of chicken or goose, often prepared with onion and schmatlz. Also called cracklings.
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grizhidiker
nagging, annoying person
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gurnisht
"nothing, zilch, zero" (JPS)
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gut chodesh
"Good month!" Ashkenazi greeting on Rosh Chodesh.
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gut moed
"Good festival season!" Used by Ashkenazim on Chol Hamoed.
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Gut Morgen
"Good morning!"
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gut voch
"Good week!" Ashkenazi greeting at the conclusion of the Sabbath.
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gut yontef
"Happy holiday!" Ashkenazi greeting used on any of the holidays, including Rosh Hashanahh and Yom Kippur.
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gut yor
"Good year!" Ashkenazi greeting on Rosh Hashanah.
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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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Hak mir nisht keyn tshaynik
Literally, don't knock a teakettle at me
Stop annoying me
Don't bother me
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halacha
"Jewish law" (JPS)
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hamentaschen
"Small, triangular-shaped cookies filled with fruit or jam that are eaten on Purim" (JPS)
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handl
to bargain, do business
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hashpa'ah
motivating force, source for change in one's actions, influence
influence, or effect, particularly on one's character, development, and/or behavior
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Hasid
A follower in a non-religious sense (ironic).
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)
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heicha kedusha
abbreviated version of the repetition of the Shmona Esre / Amidah
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helzel
chicken neck, poultry neck, stuffed poultry neck, the skin around the chicken's neck which is then stuffed
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hock
"to bother incessantly: ANNOY" (Weiser)
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hold
to be on the verge of
to opine; to act in accordance with; to be of the opinion; to believe "maintain" (Weiser)
to maintain a degree of religious observance
agree with
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holishkes
Sweet-and-sour cabbage leaves stuffed with rice and ground meat.
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I wish you well to wear it
A saying uttered on seeing a friend or relative wearing a new garment or accessory. It is value-neutral, not implying that the garment is nice, just that it is new.
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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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Itchy
Ashkenazi Jew
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iyun
study, "examination of sources to develop a coherent, educated opinion" (Weiser)
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Jewishness
Ethnic or cultural Jewish identity, as distinct from "Judaism"
The quality of being a Jew, not limited to (nor necessarily excluding) religion, ethnicity, biology, or nationality.
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kaboles ponem
the reception before a wedding ceremony, consisting of a tish (for men) and a bedeken (for women). Lit. 'receiving the faces'.
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kaddishl
A son who will say kaddish for a parent (literally, "little kaddish").
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kaftan
A man's long black overcoat.
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kalike
1. Cripple 2. Someone who is sickly 3. A clumsy person 4. A stupid ignorant man 5. An inept performer, a singer off-key, a pianist who hits the wrong notes, a waiter who spills the soup.
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kapote
long black coat worn by Hasidic men
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kasha
buckwheat groats, commonly served with bowtie noodles ('kasha varnishkes'); porridge
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kasha varnishkes
kasha (buckwheat groats) with bowtie noodles
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kashe
A question posing some difficulty because of apparent inconsistencies with accepted premises: problem. A tough, perplexing question.
Question, difficulty (Steinmetz), challenge, objection.
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katschke
a duck
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kedai
"worth it" (Weiser)
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kehillah
"A Jewish community" (JPS)
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keinehora
"no evil eye" (Rosten). "An expression said to ward off the evil eye or bad luck in general; the verbal equivalent of knocking on wood." (JPS)
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keppele
head (smaller or cuter, often used in child-directed speech)
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keppy
head, little head (informal, diminutive, often in child-directed speech)
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ketzeleh
little kitten, can be used as a term of endearment
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khamer
jackass, donkey
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khnyok
a mean or bigoted person
a sanctimonious, holier-than-thou religious person
an unkempt or slovenly person
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khremzl
"A fried fritter or latke, made of matzah meal and eggs, that may be stuffed with ground meat, nuts, or fruit. An old-fashioned Pesach recipe." (JPS Dictionary)
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kibbitz
"To socialize aimlessly...To carry on a running commentary" (Rosten)
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kibbitzer
Someone who "gives unasked-for advice ... especially as a bystander-observer at a game (bridge, poker, checkers, chess)." (Rosten)
Someone who jokes, fools around.
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kimat
"almost or nearly" (Weiser)
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kimmel
"kimmel bread" is rye bread with caraway seeds on top
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kinder
"children" (Rosten)
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kishka
"Stuffed derma: a sausagelike comestible of meat, flour, and spices stuffed into intestine casing and baked" (Rosten) Also, "guts," literally, Slavic. (Wikipedia)
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kishkas
Intestines, gut
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kitke
braided egg-bread eaten on the Sabbath (known as challah elsewhere)
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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
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kivyakhol
Substitute or euphemism for God's name, similar to Hashem
"As if", "so to speak," can be used to refer to anthropomorphic language about God
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klafte
a naughty or nasty woman; a bitch
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klezmer
"Eastern European style of instrumental music" (JPS)
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klug
curse, but not a severe one
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klutz
"clumsy, slow-witted...person" (Rosten)
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knaidel
matzah ball; "a dumpling made of matzah meal meal and beaten eggs, usually served in chicken broth, often at the Pesach seder" (JPS)
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knish
Eastern European dumpling with thin dough filled with potato, kasha, onion, meat, and/or other ingredients
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kochleffel
A cooking spoon, as for soup. By extension, a person who stirs up trouble; meddler, busybody.
-
koppel
skullcap, kippah, yarmulke
-
kosher
"acceptable according to Jewish [ritual] law" (JPS); "trustworthy, reliable" (Rosten); acceptable according to dietary laws
-
kosher chazer fissel
One who appears to be religious, but is in fact, not, either wholly or in part; religious in appearance, non-religious in essence.
-
koved
"honor, dignity, respect" (JPS)
-
Kratsmach
Tongue-in-cheek way of referring to "Christmas," especially among Jews who want to avoid uttering the name of Christ.
-
kreplach
(meat-) stuffed dumplings usually served in soup; Jewish wontons
-
krotzer
One who is confused, literally "scratching their head"
-
krovim
relatives
-
krum
lit. "crooked"; used by Yeshivish speakers to denote views ("hashkafos") that do not fall entirely within the bounds of traditional Orthodox thought
-
kugel
Baked pudding or casserole made with eggs and various ingredients, including noodles, potatoes, or spinach
The South African equivalent of a "Jewish American Princess"
-
kumzits
sing-along; campfire gathering with singing
-
kuntz
feat, stunt, trick, challenge, ingenuity
peculiarity, particular oddness (JPS)
strategy (Weiser)
-
kurveh
(profane) whore, slut, bitch
-
kvater
one of the people honored to hold the baby at a circumcision ceremony; godfather
-
kvell
feel or express pride, "to be extraordinarily pleased" (JPS)
-
kvetch
"to chronically complain or gripe to others over minor issues" (JPS)
-
l'chaim
traditional toast. [lit. "to life" (Rosten)]
-
l'hachis
spitefully; deliberately; literally "in order to anger"
-
l'havdil
to make a distinction (between two very different things)
-
lamden
a proficient Talmudic scholar
-
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.
-
lapa
An animal's paw, dirty hands, especially that of a child or a lascivious man.
-
lashon hara
"gossip" (lit. "evil tongue") (JPS)
-
latka
"a potato pancake [fried in oil traditionally eaten on Chanukah]" (Rosten)
-
learn
"To be involved in the acquisition of Torah knowledge through reading and reflection, or to do so as an occupation: STUDY" (Weiser)
-
leibedik
lively, enthusiastic; warm, heartfelt
-
leichter
a small candle holder used to light the Sabbath candles, or the candelabrum itself
-
lekech
"Honey cake, traditionally served on Rosh Hashanah... made with honey, eggs, cinnamon, and, often, coffee" (JPS).
-
levaye
funeral
-
leyn
to chant torah, haftarah or megillah
-
ligner
liar
-
linker
leftist, socialist, secularist
-
Litvish
"Lithuanian"; associated with the rational, intellectual culture of Lithuanian Jewry; Yeshivish
-
lobbus
a young mischievous person with a lot of chutzpah
a rascal, mischievous or cheeky child (usually a boy)
-
lokh in cup
"hole in the head" (Rosten)
-
lokshen
noodles
-
loshn
language; jargon
-
lox
smoked salmon
-
luftmensch
"an impractical contemplative person having no definite business or income" (Merriam-Webster)
-
maarich
to extend, talk/write at length
-
macher
"1. Someone who arranges, fixes, has connections...someone who is [very] active in an organization" (Rosten) "important person", "hot shot"
-
machloket
disagreement, dispute, argument, conflict, especially one about a halachic issue
-
madrega
level, especially spiritual level
-
maidel
girl
-
make
To urinate or defecate
-
malshin
noun: One who slanders, especially one who turns over a Jew to non-Jewish authorities; informer, stool pigeon, snitch
verb: To slander, malign, speak loshon hara about somebody.
-
mamaleh
diminutive term for a young girl [lit. 'little mama']
-
mamaliga
A Romanian-Jewish dish of thick cornmeal mush.
-
mame-loshn
"mother tongue", usually refers to Yiddish
-
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).
-
Manischewitz
sweet brand of wine often used by American Jews for ritual purposes
-
matzah brei
fried matzah pieces mixed with eggs, usually eaten on Passover
-
matzeivah
headstone
-
matzliach
"To thrive: Prosper" (Weiser)
"Accomplishing a mission or an attempt: Successful" (Weiser)
-
maven
"An expert or connoisseur; a specialist" (JPS)
-
mayim achronim
ritual hand-washing before saying the prayer after a meal
-
mayofes
a servile person (see note below)
-
mazel tov
congratulations [lit. "good fortune"]
-
mazik
a mischievous person, often a child
(with verb "to be") to ruin partially; damage (Yeshivish usage)
-
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
-
mechaye
"Pleasure, enjoyment, a real joy" (Rosten); something that gives great joy
-
mechula
broke, bust, bankrupt, spoiled
-
mechuten
the father of one's child's spouse, though can sometimes be used to refer to the grandfather of one's grandchild's spouse.
In laws, more generally (http://www.pass.to/glossary/gloz2.htm#letm).
-
mechuteneste
the mother of one's child's spouse
-
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
-
mekarev
Literally "bring closer", used in the sense of bringing closer to traditional Judaism A noun for one who brings people closer to traditional Judaism.
-
mekayam
to fulfill an obligation
-
mekayim
to fulfill, perform, carry out, realize (e.g., a great mitzvah, prophecy, goal)
-
mekhuleh
bankrupt
-
mensch
"An upright, honorable, a decent person." (Rosten)
-
meorer
to arouse an inappropriate impulse
-
mesameach
to gladden another person
-
meshichist
someone who believes that Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Rebbe of Chabad Hasidism, is the Messiah
-
meshuga
crazy
-
mevater
to nullify one's desires for the good of others
-
mezakeh
to acquire; strengthen
-
middos
character traits (singular: "middah")
-
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
-
mishegoss
"Foolishness, nonsense, craziness." (JPS)
-
mishpacha
"Literally, "family". ...The word conveys a warm feeling of friendship." (JPS)
-
moserim
informers
-
moshl
parable, example
-
naches
"Proud pleasure, special joy--particularly from the achievements of a child... 2. Psychological reward or gratification." (Rosten)
-
nafke mine
practical difference
-
narishkeit
"1. Foolishness 2. A triviality" (Rosten)
-
nebach
interjection, adverb: "unfortunately"; noun: an unfortunate person
-
nebbish
noun: nerdy, clumsy, awkward person. "An innocuous, ineffectual, weak, helpless, or hapless unfortunate" (Rosten)
-
negel vasser
literally "nail water"; refers to the practice of washing ones hands immediately after waking
-
neshama
soul
-
nicht shabbos geret
Not to speak of on Shabbat (used when a subject is not suitable for the Holy Shabbat, primarily business and money manners, to indicate that one shouldn't discuss it). Usually followed by a short comment about the "forbidden" subject.
-
nifter
deceased
-
nigun
"A wordless melody; a tune" (JPS)
-
nisayon
trial and tribulation; a test of faith
-
Nisht do gedacht
Exclamation, It shouldn't happen.
-
nishtikeit
a nobody
-
nittel nacht
Christmas Eve
-
no-goodnik
bad person, scoundrel (sometimes humorous or affectionate)
-
noch
still, yet, moreover
-
nosh
to snack or eat; a snack
-
nosherai
snacks
-
nu
so what?; so?; hurry up already
-
nudnik
"A pest, a nag, an annoyer, a monumental bore." (Rosten)
-
oirik
Derogatory reference to a non-Jewish male, especially a common labourer
-
olav ha-sholom
"peace be upon him"; said of someone who is deceased
-
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)
-
ongepotchket
overly elaborate, excessively decorated, slapped together senselessly, overdone, tacky, ostentatious, overcomplicated.
"Excessively and unaesthetically decorated; overly baroque." (Rosten)
-
ongeshnosket
inebriated, drunk
-
orel
non-Jew (contemptuous, pejorative).
-
oso ha-Ish
literally "that man", an irreverent/euphemistic reference to Jesus of Nazereth
-
oy
exclamation of dismay, exasperation, or surprise
-
oy vey
exclamation of dismay, exasperation, or surprise
-
oy vey iz mir
woe is me
-
oysgeputst
dressed-up, decked out in finery (Steinmetz), overembellished.
-
pachech
a complainer
-
parnasa
livelihood, income
-
parve
1. neither milk nor meat; 2. uninteresting, plain, generic
-
pasken
to rule halachically
-
pastrami
Smoked, seasoned deli meat
-
patshke
"1. To fuss or "mess around" inefficiently and inexpertly. 2. To dawdle, to waste time." (Rosten)
-
patur
not liable, exempt
-
payos
Sidelocks, sidecurls, or earlocks, common among Haredi boys and men.
-
pekel
little bundle
-
Peruvian
an unsavoury character
-
pesadik
"Acceptable to be eaten on Pesach" (JPS), kosher for Passover.
-
petcha
Calves' foot jelly or jellied chicken served with garlic and spices as an appetizer.
-
pintele yid
"essential Jewishness"
-
pirog
(pl. pirogen, pirogn) A small dumpling filed with meat or vegetables.
-
pishachs
(vulgar) urine, piss
-
pisher, little pisher
a diminutive that combines amusement, admiration and annoyance
-
pisk
(vulgar) snout, grimace (Steinmetz)
Colloquialism: an eloquent or garrulous speaker. (Rosten)
mouth, loud-mouth, similar to English slang "trap" for mouth.
-
pitseleh
little one, dear
-
pizza bagel
A person of (non-Jewish) Italian and Jewish descent.
-
pletzl
"A thin, flat, crisp roll, often garnished with poppy seeds or onion" (Rosten)
-
plotz
"1. To split, to burst, to explode. 2. " To be aggravated beyond bearing" (Rosten) [lit. "to explode"]
-
polkeys
thighs (esp. of a chicken or baby)
-
poshet
simple
-
posl
invalid
-
prakes
Stuffed cabbage, also known by holiptshes, goluptshes, and golomkes, among other names
-
pritse
an immodest woman
-
pritsus
immoral behavior
-
prost
coarse, base, not classy, vulgar, common
-
pshh
exclamation of respect
-
punim
face
-
pupik
Navel, belly button
-
pushke
"The little container...in which money to be donated to charity is accumulated." (Rosten)
-
putz
"A fool, an ass, a jerk." (Rosten) [lit. "penis"]
-
putzing, putzed
wasting time [offensive]
-
rachmones
mercy, pity, empathy
-
reb
"sir"; "mister"
-
rebbe
the spiritual leader of a Hasidic sect
-
rebbeyish
pertaining to the Hasidic rebbe
-
rebetzin
wife of a rabbi
-
reckel
long black coat worn by Yeshivish men
-
refua shlema
"Get well soon." Lit. "full recovery"
-
reid
n. "unofficial information spread through the grapevine" (Weiser), especially information related to Talmud study
v. refer someone for a marriage match; pronounce a match
n. speech, talk
-
rugelach
"Bite-size crescent-shaped pastries, rolled around a variety of fillings, including chopped raisins and walnuts, apple, raspberry, [chocolate] or mun, topped with a sprinkling of cinnamon and sugar" (JPS)
-
savtadik
(1) something that reminds one favorably of one's savfta (grandmother); (2) something that meets with savta's approval
-
schav
A cold cream-of-sorrel soup.
-
schlemiel
idiot; contemptible person. "Clumsy, bungling person." (Steinmetz)
-
schlep
To travel from one place to another when one would prefer not to
An annoyingly long journey
"To carry, lug" (JPS)
-
schlimazel
Unlucky person; the constant butt of idiotic or unfortunate happenings
-
schlissel
key
-
schlong
a penis
-
schmaltz
"Rendered chicken fat." (JPS)
-
schmaltzy
"Overly sentimental or romantic." (JPS)
-
schmatta
rag, old/ragged piece of clothing, garment
-
schmear
to spread; cream cheese
-
schmegege
"An unadmirable, petty person" (Rosten)
"silly or stupid person; simpleton; nitwit" (Steinmetz)
"An untalented loser; a whiner; a petty person" (JPS).
-
schmo
a fool; a jerk
-
schmooze
to make small talk or informally chat; to network, kiss up
-
schnapps
"A strong, dry liquor." (JPS)
-
schnoder
"to pledge a donation" (Steinmetz).
-
schnorrer
a begger, a parasite. "A moocher" (JPS)
-
sechel
"Common sense" (JPS), intelligence
-
sefer
"A literary composition written particularly of, on, or about the Torah" (Weiser)
Hebrew or Aramaic book
-
seforim
Religious books written in Hebrew or Aramaic.
-
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))
-
Shabbos
the Jewish Sabbath
-
Shabbos goy
"A non-Jew who by prearrangement performs chores [that are forbidden] for a Jew on the Sabbath or holidays." (Steinmetz)
-
shadchen
matchmaker
-
shaila
a question, usually while looking for a halachic ruling
-
shaina maidel
pretty girl
well-behaved girl (female equivalent of mensch, which is sometimes used just for males but is often used for males and females)
-
shalech manes
Gifts for friends, traditionally given on Purim. Typically, a basket with food requiring two separate brachas in it.
-
shaloshudes
the traditional third meal of the sabbath, eaten saturday afternoon or evening beginning before the sabbath has ended. [lit. "three meals"]
-
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
-
shanda
"Scandal, shame." (JPS)
Misbehavior by a particular Jew or Jewish group that leads to embarrassment among the broader Jewish community.
-
Shayach
Pertinent, relevant (Steinmetz).
1. Capable of being true or believable: Conceivable. / 2. Capable of being done: Surmountable / 3. Practical, reasonable, or possible: Feasible. (Weiser)
-
shayna punim
pretty face
-
shecht
to slaughter meat according to the rituals of kashrut
-
shefele
sweety, Lit. "lamb"
-
sheitel
wig; worn by some observant jewish women after marriage. "A wig worn by strictly Orthodox...women as a [hair] covering." (Steinberg)
-
Shemoneh Esrei
another name for the Amida, the central prayer during Jewish services. [lit. 'eighteen', the number of blessings it originally had]
-
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)
-
sheymes
n., such content
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
-
shicker
tipsy/drunk
-
shidduch
a date or match, often leading to marriage. "The matching up of a man and a woman for purposes of marriage; a match. In popular usage, any match or alliance, as in The shidduch between the two organization was a success." (Steinberg)
-
shiksa
"1. A non-Jewish girl. 2. A housemaid. 3. An irreligious or nonobservant Jewish girl. The term is often regarded as disparaging." (Steinmetz)
-
shkotz
berating term for a mischievous Jewish boy
-
shleger
Bully, violent person
-
shlock
something cheap or inferior. "A shoddy, cheaply made article." (Rosten)
-
shlogn kapores
to make oneself feel guilty.
the custom of symbolically transferring one's sins to a chicken (or coins) before Yom Kippur, done by moving the chicken (or coins) in a circle around one's head.
-
shluffy
[to go] to sleep (child-directed speech)
-
shlug up
to "shlug (someone) up" is to annihilate his argument, typically in such fashion as to demonstrate a superiority of knowledge
-
shlump
an unkempt person, a loser
-
shmecky
affectionate term used to describe a child, often connoting silly or slightly naughty behavior
child-appropriate word for penis
-
shmendrik
jerk, stupid person
-
shmuck
annoying, irritating person (lit. penis)
-
shmutz
"Dirt, stain, or filth." (JPS)
-
shnook
"An incompetent person who is deserving of pity but also likable" (JPS); "A customer easily persuaded, a sucker." (H.L. Mencken, American Language)
-
shnoz
"A nose, especially a large, unattractive one." (JPS)
-
shomer
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
a chaperone, protector, or guard
-
shpatzir
literally 'to walk, take a stroll'; figuratively 'to delay, tarry, procrastinate'
-
shpilkes
nervous energy, anxiousness, restlessness. Lit. 'pins'
-
shpitz
top or extreme part
the ultimate, the best of, "cool"
typical, classic, a perfect example of; definitively
-
shtadlan
an elected or self-appointed Jewish emissary pleading the cause of his people before the authorities
an intercessor
-
shtark
Adj: religiously intense. Literally "strong," generally used in reference to someone more religious than the speaker
Verb: "shtark out" - to identify oneself closer to the Black Hat end of the Modern Orthodox to Black Hat continuum, in comparison to one's previous location on that continuum.
-
Shtati
Cool, modern, cosmopolitan.
-
shteig
strive; study; lit. "rise"
-
shtender
lectern
-
shtetl
"A town or village with...Jewish inhabitants, commonly found in Eastern Europe before World War II." (Steinmetz)
-
shtick
"Overused actions or behavior." (JPS)
Comedy routine.
Performances and silly behavior at weddings, intended to entertain the bride and groom.
Props and decorations used for wedding entertainment.
-
shtickle
designation of second-class status, when applied to rabbis or other professionals.
a small amount; a little; a bit of (a)
-
shtim
(often with preposition "with") to jibe, gel, concur, harmonize; without prep., equivalent to colloquial English "to add up; make sense"
-
shtrayml
A hat trimmed with fur pieces, typically worn by Hassidim on Shabbat.
-
shtum
quiet, voiceless, mute
-
shtummer
quiet person, not much to say for themselves
-
shtunk
stinker, nasty person, smelly person, nickname for a smelly baby.
-
shtus
nonsense
-
shuckle
Literally, "to shake", to sway back and forth during prayer
-
shul
synagogue
-
shvach
weak, pathetic, (a place or gathering that is) lacking in activity
-
shvartsa
black person, [lit. "black"]. Often considered offensive in English.
-
shver
difficult, onerous, complex
-
sidra
weekly Torah portion
-
simcha
"A joyous occasion; a celebration" (JPS); usually related to a lifecycle event
-
slivovitz
plum brandy, often consumed on passover because it doesn't contain fermented grains.
-
snag
Misnaged (non-Hasidic Orthodox Jew)
-
spiel
play, performance, speech. "A long, involved story or tale." (JPS)
-
spodik
fur hat, similar to but taller (more cylindrical) than a shtreimel, worn by certain Chassidic groups
-
strudel
A pastry made by rolling up a thin sheet of dough with a fruit or cheese filling and baking it.
-
tachlis
purpose, aim
practical details of a matter, "brass tacks" (as in, "Let's get down to brass tacks.")
-
taka
(can also be used ironically)
Is that so? Really, actually, indeed, "in consideration of all the information available" (Weiser)
-
tam
taste
-
tatala
"'Little papa.' A term of endearment for a little boy. Old-fashioned usage." (Eisenberg)
-
tate
dad
-
tchotchke
trinket, knicknack
-
teiglach
a confection of dough balls dipped in honey/syrup and eaten at Rosh Hashanah
-
tell over
to repeat or teach a story heard elsewhere
-
tichel
headscarf worn by Orthodox women
-
tisch
a festive friday night gathering, often involving alcohol and singing [lit. "table"]. in hasidic circles, the rebbe often hosts a tisch with hundreds of hasidim at which he shares his teachings.
-
toivel
to immerse dishes in a ritual bath (mikvah) to render them usable in a kosher kitchen
-
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.
-
truntor
old broken down car/ jalopy
-
tsedreyt
mixed up, twisted, distorted, turned around
-
tsekrochen
slovenly, [feeling] feeble or fragile, usually owing to minor illness or a night of excess.
-
tsemisht
mixed-up, confused
-
tsniusdik
modest, discrete, especially according to Orthodox norms of dress, comportment, and gender interaction
-
tsorris
"Troubles, woes, worries, suffering." (Rosten)
-
tsu gezunt
a response after another person sneezes (analogous to "bless you")
-
tsvuak
hypocrite
-
tuches
buttocks
-
tuches afn tisch
lay your cards on the table [lit. "backside on the table"]
-
tumler
"A funmaker, a 'live wire,' a clown, a prankster, the 'life of the party." (Rosten)
-
tuna bagel
a person (usually a young, Hasidic man) who appears to be religious but is in part or in whole not observant; OR who is observant and wears Hasidic garb, but otherwise behaves like non-Hasidic Orthodox Jews
-
tush
buttocks
-
tzadik
Common name for the 18th letter of the Hebrew alphabet (tzadi / tzade).
Someone who does extremely righteous deeds.
A highly learned and esteemed rabbinic leader (sometimes used as an alternative name for a Hasidic rebbe).
-
tzimmes
"Troubles, difficulties, a contretemps" (Rosten).
"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).
-
tzimmes
A sweet, fruit-and-vegetable stew made usually with carrots, plums, apples, and sweet potatoes.
-
tzitzit
A garment worn under the shirt by Orthodox men and boys, with a tassel hanging down from each of the four corners.
The fringes on a tallit (tallis) prayer shawl or on a tallit katan.
-
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
-
upsherin
the first haircut of a 3 year old; [lit. 'cutting off']
-
vantz
bedbug
-
varem
warm, kind-hearted, friendly
-
veiter
"More distant: Farther." (Weiser)
"At a more advanced point: Further." (Weiser)
"Further; next." (Steinmetz)
-
verklempt
overly emotional, choked up; speechless; unable to express one's feelings/emotions
-
vig
The commission one receives for conducting a transaction, usually gambling or drug deals, but can also be used in day-to-day transactions.
-
vilde chaye
a rambunctious or wild person [lit. 'wild animal']
-
vort
a short lesson derived from the Torah; an engagement party, named after the short speech usually delivered in honor of the couple
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vos
what
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wash
To wash one's hands ritually before a meal.
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whole megillah
an expression of something done completely and/or taking a long time
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yahrzeit
The anniversary of a person's death, generally marked by relatives in some way.
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yainee
other types of chassidim [i.e. non-Chabad] , especially youth
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yarmulke
religious skullcap
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yechinik
a Lubavicher (a Hasidic group, Chabad) who believes that Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Lubavicher rebbe, is the Moshiach.
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Yekke
A Jew who behaves according to the stereotype of Jews of German heritage: punctual and concerned with details.
A Jew of German heritage
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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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yenta
"A scandal spreader, a rumormongerer." (Rosten). Usually applied to women.
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yeshivish
Litvish; Lithuanian; associated with the rationalistic Lithuanian tradition; associated with non-Hasidic Black Hat communities
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yichus
Bragging rights based on respected family history
"Pedigree, lineage, family background." (JPS)
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yid
A derogatory term used by non-Jews for a Jewish person (particularly so in Great Britain).
a Jewish person
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Yiddish
Traditional language of Ashkenazic Jewry. A descendant of High German, its vocabulary is roughly 80% Germanic, 10% Hebrew and 10% Slavic (depending on author/speaker and setting/genre)
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yiddishe kop
having the mental agility for traditional Jewish scholarship, or simple common sense
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yiddishkeit
"Jewishness"; sometimes used interchangeably with 'Judaism' or 'Jewish culture'
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yoikelta
Derogatory reference to a non-Jewish woman.
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yok
rowdy non-Jewish hooligan (derogatory)
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yold
fool, dupe
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yontefdik
festive; related to or appropriate for a holiday
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yontif
a Jewish holiday, especially one on which work is prohibited (in contrast to chol hamoed)
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yosem
orphan
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Yoshke
an irreverent or derogatory name for Jesus Christ
a nickname for Yosef or Yehoshua (archaic Yiddish form)
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yotzei
released from a religious obligation by dint of completion or fulfillment; "to have done what's required" (Glinert)
(with the helping verb "to be," and an object where required) to fulfill, as a mitzvah or some figurative obligation
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yutz
dumb jerk
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zaftig
pleasantly plump, buxom, lit. "juicy"
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zaidie
grandpa, grandfather
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zall
study hall; beis medrash (lit. "hall")
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zei gezunt
(humorous) a recommendation for greater sophistication or awareness: "get real"
be healthy, be well; farewell!
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zets
"A strong blow or punch" (Rosten)
"punch; bump; slam" (Steinmetz)
"A punch, a strong blow; a setback" (JPS)
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zichrono livracha
may his memory be for a blessing (often abbreviated 'z"l')
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zise
a sweet, good person
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zitsfleysh
lit. "sitting-flesh" : 'the ability to sit down for a long period fo time'
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zivug
(n.) mate, predestined match
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Zulik
wild, similar to vilde chaye
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Zulik
The boy is "wild" or "a wilde chaya"
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