Jewish English Lexicon

achron

"Latter-day religious authorities... scholars of the Renaissance and later times" (Glinert).

adafina

The Ladino/Judezmo term for a slowly cooked stew of meat and vegetables, similar to the Ashkenazi cholent.

Adar

The sixth month of the Jewish calendar year.

aggadah

Parts of the Talmud and Midrash that do not deal with law, including stories, fables, and sayings. "Talmudic stories or philosophical material" (Glinert).

aliyah

immigration to Israel

ascent

"calling to the reading of the Torah" (Glinert)

ascent of the soul of a deceased person to a higher level, as is believed to happen on their yartzeit

almemar

the platform on which the Torah is read in synagogue; the bima

alte kaker

elderly person, old-timer [literally "old shitter"] "A crotchety, fussy, ineffectual old man." (Rosten)

Amalek

Any enemy of the Jewish people

The biblical name of the nomadic people descended from Esau who became the enemies of the people of Israel.

amora

A Talmudic sage whose teachings comprise the Gemara. "Amoraim are contrasted with the tannaim, ancient rabbis who are quoted in the Mishnah" (JPS).

amud

pulpit, lectern

page (in a prayerbook)

one side of a page (of Talmud)

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).

annos

Anniversary of someone's death

antisemitism

"Prejudice or discrimination against Jews and the Jewish people" (JPS).

Hatred against Jews.

apikoros

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

Aramaic

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

arbes

Boiled chickpeas

Ashkenazic

Adjectival form for 'Ashkenazim', "The name given to the group of Jews who were originally from Germany and France, and their descendants" (JPS)

askan

A person who is influential in working for the community

A Jewish communal or social worker (Steinmetz)

Activist

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).

avade

Of course. / Obviously!

And how!

avodah

"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.

"Service and worship of God" (Eisenberg)

ba'al tshuvah

a Jew raised non-religious who becomes Orthodox, [lit. 'one who returns/repents']

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)

balaboosta

1) Female head of household 2) Impressively competent homemaker

bar mitzvah

Jewish coming-of-age ceremony/celebration for a 13-year-old boy; the boy who has come of age.

baruch haba

"Welcome!"

baruch tihiyeh

"May you be blessed"

bashert

Predicate adj. "Predestined, fated" (JPS)

N. Predestined soul mate.

bedieved

done after the fact (in an acceptable, but still not ideal, manner); ex post facto

"resentfully; without enthusiasm; begrudgingly" (Weiser, Frumspeak)

"done just well enough to fulfill a need or duty; perfunctorily" (Weiser, Frumspeak)

"under duress, or done when no options are available; as a last resort" (Weiser, Frumspeak)

bedika

Inspection or search, especially with regard to preparations for Passover

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)

bencher

prayer booklet or card with the text of the blessings after meals, and often times including other meal-time blessings and songs

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)

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)

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.

blintz

A folded thin pancake filled with cheese, fruit, or potatoes.

bokser

The fruit of the carob tree, traditionally eaten on Tu Bishvat.

broiges

a dispute (n)

angry, annoyed (adj.)

BT

ba'al teshuva, returnee to faith, Jew who chose to become Orthodox

bubbale

sweetie, darling [term of endearment]

bubbe

grandmother

bubbe meise

"old wive's tale"; an untrue story, sometimes related to superstition

"Something of little importance, an inconsequential thing or minor happening." (JPS)

burekas

A Turkish pastry filled with potatoes, other vegetables, and sometimes cheese.

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.

chag sameach

"Literally, 'Happy Holiday.' The traditional, all-purpose greeting exchanged on almost any Jewish holiday" (JPS).

chazak veematz

"Be very strong and courageous!"

chesed

an act of kindness

kindness

cheshbon hanefesh

"Soul-searching, self-accounting" (Glinert).

chrain

A spicy paste made from grated horseradish.

chug

elective class, group activity

group, circle (of people)

chumrah

a religious stringency

chutzpah

guts (positive)

nerve, audacity, the quality of over-stepping boundries with no shame (negative)

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).

Conservative Judaism

originally known as "historical positive Judaism," a denomination that combines observance with an idea of "halachic process." See further comments below.

daf

A page of a Talmudic tractate.

duchen

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

emes

Truth, true

"In accordance with the truth: True" (Weiser)

eyd

A witness

eyer kichlech

Egg cookies, usually in the shape of bow ties.

farchadat

"confused; dazed; stunned" (Steinmetz)

"Dizzy, confused, dopey, 'punchy.'" (Rosten)

"Having a headache." (Rosten)

"Smitten, charmed, beguiled." (Rosten)

"Surprised, stunned, shocked." (Rosten)

"Confused, distracted, mixed up." (JPS)

farfel

noodle pellets

a side dish including bits of noodle, often sauteed with vegetables and beef or chicken stock

farkakte

"lousy, messed up, ridiculous" (JPS) Shitty, full of crap.

farmisht

mixed up, confused, crazy

forshpil

An Ashkenazi custom of entertaining the bride on the Sabbath afternoon or evening preceding the wedding.

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]".

gaon

"A rabbi whose learning was so great that he was given the honorary title of gaon" (Rosten), e.g. the Vilna Gaon

Modern Hebrew: genius (JPS)

"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)

gemilas chesed

(pl. gemilas chasodim) A loan of money without interest to help a needy person.

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.

get

a writ or deed of divorce

gevald

an interjection of alarm

gezerah

"an addition to a previously existing precept" (Weiser)

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)

gezunterheyt

lit., while in good health

"Fine, go ahead" (ironic).

gmar tov

Greeting/closing used between Rosh Hashana and the end of Yom Kippur. Lit. 'good conclusion'

gribines

Deep-fried skin of chicken or goose, often prepared with onion and schmatlz. Also called cracklings.

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.

Hagiographa

The formal English name of the Ketuvim, usually translated as "the Writings."

halevai

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

I wish!

If only

hamentaschen

"Small, triangular-shaped cookies filled with fruit or jam that are eaten on Purim" (JPS)

hanukkah

The winter-time festival that commemorates the rededication of the Temple after the Maccabean revolt in the second century B.C.E. (lit. "dedication")

Hashem

God, lit. "the name"

Hashem imachem

"God be with you!" Sephardi greeting given by ice approaching the Torah-reading desk after being called up to the Torah.

hasraah

A formal warning given to a person who is about to commit a sin.

havdalah

"literally 'separation'. The ceremony that marks the end of [the Sabbath] on Saturday evening" (JPS)

hazarai

treyf (non-kosher) food

junk food

"Junk, trash" (Rosten)

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).

holishkes

Sweet-and-sour cabbage leaves stuffed with rice and ground meat.

hummus

A purée of ground chickpeas and sesame seeds.

isru chag

"The day after the end of Pesach, Sukkos, and Shavuos, regarded as a semi-holiday on which mourning is curbed and fasting prohibited" (Dictionary of Jewish Usage)

kallah

Jewish communal gathering, conference

bride

kein yirbu

"So they may increase in number"

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)

kenas

A fine paid as a penalty for wrongdoing.

keppy

head, little head (informal, diminutive, often in child-directed speech)

kesiva vechasima tova

"A good writing and sealing (in the Book of Life)!" Formal Ashkenazi greeting on Rosh Hashanah.

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.

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)

kibbitz

"To socialize aimlessly...To carry on a running commentary" (Rosten)

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.

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)

kishka

"Stuffed derma: a sausagelike comestible of meat, flour, and spices stuffed into intestine casing and baked" (Rosten) Also, "guts," literally, Slavic. (Wikipedia)

kishkas

Intestines, gut

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

klutz

"clumsy, slow-witted...person" (Rosten)

knaidel

matzah ball; "a dumpling made of matzah meal meal and beaten eggs, usually served in chicken broth, often at the Pesach seder" (JPS)

knish

Eastern European dumpling with thin dough filled with potato, kasha, onion, meat, and/or other ingredients

kosher

"acceptable according to Jewish [ritual] law" (JPS); "trustworthy, reliable" (Rosten); acceptable according to dietary laws

kriah

Rending a garment (ritual of mourning)

Reading, especially Torah

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"

kulah

A lenient ruling or measure

"A leniency based on subtle legality: Loophole" (Weiser).

kvell

feel or express pride, "to be extraordinarily pleased" (JPS)

lav

לאו A scriptural prohibition

leibedik

lively, enthusiastic; warm, heartfelt

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.

lokh in cup

"hole in the head" (Rosten)

maccabiah

international Jewish sports competition, known as the Jewish Olympics, held (mostly) every four years since 1932; smaller regional competitions held in Jewish community centers around the world

color war / intra-camp competition in a Jewish summer camp

mamaliga

A Romanian-Jewish dish of thick cornmeal mush.

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

maven

"An expert or connoisseur; a specialist" (JPS)

mazel

luck (good)

congratulations

mazel tov

congratulations [lit. "good fortune"]

mazume

"ready money, cash" (Steinmetz)

"A group of three or more adult males who join together to recite the after-meal blessings..." (Steinmetz).

mechaye

"Pleasure, enjoyment, a real joy" (Rosten); something that gives great joy

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).

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).

meldado

anniversary of someone's death; the study session done in honor of that person

menorah

candelabrum, especially for Chanukah

mensch

"An upright, honorable, a decent person." (Rosten)

meshuga

crazy

meykil

"Not harsh or strict: Easygoing" (Weiser)

"Yielding to wishes: Indulgent" (Weiser)

"One who is not strict: Liberal, Latitudinarian" (Weiser)

"Taking the lenient position: Liberal" (Weiser)

A decisor who follows a lenient option and issues a kulah (lenient ruling).

meyzid

One who commits a sin consciously and deliberately.

Mishneh Torah

a 12th-century code of religious law in fourteen parts written by Moses Maimonides

Moadim lesimcha

Happy holiday! Greeting used on Pesach and Sukkot.

moadon

clubhouse, lounge

Modern Orthodox

'Modern Orthodox'. Observant, but open to the outside world, general culture and education; not 'Yeshivish' or 'Haredi'.

naches

"Proud pleasure, special joy--particularly from the achievements of a child... 2. Psychological reward or gratification." (Rosten)

nigun

"A wordless melody; a tune" (JPS)

nittel nacht

Christmas Eve

onesh

Punishment

oy

exclamation of dismay, exasperation, or surprise

oy vey

exclamation of dismay, exasperation, or surprise

patsh

to give a light slap

a smack (playful)

patshke

"1. To fuss or "mess around" inefficiently and inexpertly. 2. To dawdle, to waste time." (Rosten)

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.

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.

pirog

(pl. pirogen, pirogn) A small dumpling filed with meat or vegetables.

pisk

(vulgar) snout, grimace (Steinmetz)

Colloquialism: an eloquent or garrulous speaker. (Rosten)

mouth, loud-mouth, similar to English slang "trap" for mouth.

pita

A round, thin bread with a pocket, eaten plain or with filling as a sandwich.

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"]

pupik

Navel, belly button

Purim

A joyous holiday that takes place in February or March on the 14th of Adar, retelling the story of the Book of Esther.

putz

"A fool, an ass, a jerk." (Rosten) [lit. "penis"]

rebetzin

wife of a rabbi

Reform

a Jewish movement founded on principles of the Jewish Enlightenment (Haskalah), which rejected the binding nature of the Law and attempted to concentrate on the prophetic message; it is now the largest movement in the United States, and has an additional 1 million adherents worldwide.

Reform Judaism

A liberal, progressive branch of Judaism that emphasizes choice through knowledge.

refua shlema

"Get well soon." Lit. "full recovery"

refusenik

Term for Soviet Jews who were not allowed to openly practice Judaism or emigrate from Soviet Union.

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)

safek

"Unresolved question: Uncertainty" (Weiser)

"Doubt in the integrity of: Suspicion" (Weiser)

A doubt or doubtful case.

schav

A cold cream-of-sorrel soup.

schlimazel

Unlucky person; the constant butt of idiotic or unfortunate happenings

schmatta

rag, old/ragged piece of clothing, garment

schmegege

"An untalented loser; a whiner; a petty person" (JPS).

"An unadmirable, petty person" (Rosten)

"silly or stupid person; simpleton; nitwit" (Steinmetz)

schmooze

to make small talk or informally chat; to network, kiss up

schnoder

"to pledge a donation" (Steinmetz).

Shabbat Shalom

Used as a greeting or departing line (hello or goodbye) on or before Shabbat. Literally "peaceful Sabbath."

shalom uvrachah

"Peace and blessing!" A more emphatic greeting than "shalom."

shalosh regalim

The three major holidays in the Jewish calendar: Passover, Shavuot [Pentecost], and Sukkot [Tabernacles].

shamash

1. candle lit first and then used to light other hanukah candles

2. the caretaker of a synagogue.

3. personal assistant / aide / gofer, especially to a rabbi or in the Hollywood entertainment industry

shanda

"Scandal, shame." (JPS)

Misbehavior by a particular Jew or Jewish group that leads to embarrassment among the broader Jewish community.

shashlik

A dish of skewered and grilled lamb of beef meat.

shatnez

mixture of wool and linen in a garment, which is prohibited by Jewish law

shechita

Kosher animal slaughter.

shehecheyanu

the blessing of thanksgiving that celebrates reaching a celebratory moment or marking a significant first

shekel

"1. The silver coin...used by the Jews in Biblical times...Today, it is the name for the monetary unit in the State of Israel. 2. Slang for cash or money." (JPS)

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.

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)

shlump

an unkempt person, a loser

shmuck

annoying, irritating person (lit. penis)

shogeg

One who commits a sin unintentionally.

shomer

a member of Hashomer Hatzair or a camper or counselor at a Hashomer Hatzair camp

one who keeps vigil over a dead body before it is buried

a chaperone, protector, or guard

adj. observant, observing the laws of kosher, shabbat, or negiya (not touching members of the opposite gender outside of family)

a camp counselor on duty

shtar

Any legal document or writ, such as a bill of sale or a promissory note.

shtetl

"A town or village with...Jewish inhabitants, commonly found in Eastern Europe before World War II." (Steinmetz)

shtrayml

A hat trimmed with fur pieces, typically worn by Hassidim on Shabbat.

sidra

weekly Torah portion

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.

sofer

A scribe trained in transcribing the Torah, mezuzah, tefillin scriptures and other religious texts on parchment.

spiel

play, performance, speech. "A long, involved story or tale." (JPS)

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.")

tahini

"A creamy paste made from ground sesame seeds" (JPS)

takkanah

A rabbinical decree or ordinance, issued to improve religious life.

tatala

"'Little papa.' A term of endearment for a little boy. Old-fashioned usage." (Eisenberg)

tate

dad

tchotchke

trinket, knicknack

tefillah

prayer, services, or an individual prayer

tehina

A paste made from ground sesame seeds, used as a dip or spread.

teiglach

a confection of dough balls dipped in honey/syrup and eaten at Rosh Hashanah

tenai

A condition, especially one made as part of an agreement.

(pl. form tenaim only, used as sg) "A traditional name for an engagement party" (JPS)

"A condition of circumstance upon which a certain effect is predicated: Stipulation" (Weiser).

(pl. form tenaim only, used as sg.) "The original prenuptial contract, the tenaim dates from the 12th century. It is the detailed dowry and other financial arrangements, the date of the wedding, and the penalty if anyone backed out. Some traditional and Hasidic Jews still prepare a tenaim and read it aloud at an engagement party or sign it before the wedding ceremony, at the same time the ketubbah is signed" (JPS).

teshuvah

repentance [lit. "return"]

tichel

headscarf worn by Orthodox women

titchadesh

"Use it in good health" or "Enjoy your new item"

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.

tsedreyt

mixed up, twisted, distorted, turned around

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.

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).

Congratulations!