Showing 560 of 560 words, page 1 of 1
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acharon acharon chaviv
"The very last one is beloved."; "Last but not least."
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ad kdei kach
so much. has it gone this far? (Weiser: "expression of wonder regarding the extent or intensity of something.")
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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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adon olam
a hymn in the traditional Jewish liturgy, usually recited before Shacharit and often sung after services in synagogue, made up of traits attributed to God
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Adonai
"Literally, 'my Lord', another word for God." (JPS)
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Adoshem
God
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afikomen
a piece of matzah from the Passover seder traditionally hidden by adults, found by the children (or vice versa), and then ransomed for gifts after the meal. "The last piece of matzoh...eaten at the meal." (Steinmetz)
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Agam
lake
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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.
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Akedah
The binding of Isaac (episode in the Torah)
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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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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
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Am Yisrael
"Literally, The People of Israel." (JPS)
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amcha
the every-man, everyday people; the folk (as opposed to the elite)
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amen
Agreed. "The word used at the end of prayer to signify affirmation." (Rosten)
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Amida
The Shemoneh Esrei prayer, which is said while standing [Amida, lit. "standing".]
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aniyim
Poor people
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aron kodesh
"Literally, "holy ark"." (JPS)
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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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Ashki
nickname for Ashkenazi Jews
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askan
Activist
A Jewish communal or social worker (Steinmetz)
A person who is influential in working for the community
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assur
forbidden
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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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avoda
"Literally, 'divine service'" (JPS) Also, "work" or "service" and sometimes used as the name for a unit at camp in which campers help with such duties as service in the dining hall, laundry, etc.
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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).
"Service and worship of God" (Eisenberg).
Work, generally.
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Avodah b'gashmiut
serving God through the physical / material world (Hasidic concept)
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avrech
A yeshiva student, or a young man who learns in a kollel.
A working person (non full time learner) who supports or is associated with Torah institutions
A young married male.
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b'al pe
learned by heart, from memory
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b'emet
"As a matter of fact." (Weiser); "Really?"
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b'ezras hashem
With God's help.
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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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b'shalom
"in peace" (used to sign off in written correspondence)
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b'tzelem Elohim
lit. "in God's image"
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ba'al tshuvah
a Jew raised non-religious who becomes Orthodox, [lit. 'one who returns/repents']
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baal koreh
The individual who chants Torah from the scroll at a synagogue. Sometimes used to refer specifically to a person capable of learning and chanting an entire parsha, or to a professional/paid reader as opposed to an amateur. (Literally, "master of reading" or "one who reads")
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baitsim
balls, testicles, lit. 'eggs'
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bal tashchit
Do not be wasteful, do not destroy.
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balaboosta
1) Female head of household 2) Impressively competent homemaker
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Bamidbar
The Book of Numbers, [lit. "in the wilderness"] (Glinert)
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banot
girls
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bar mitzvah
Jewish coming-of-age ceremony/celebration for a 13-year-old boy; the boy who has come of age.
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barmy
Bar mitzvah
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bat chayil
Bat mitzvah, particularly a celebration in Orthodox communities that does not include services or reading from the Torah.
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bat mitzvah
in gender egalitarian communities, the ceremony of a 13- (or 12-) year-old girl's first calling up to the Torah, symbolizing her adulthood in Jewish life. can also refer to the girl herself. In Orthodox communities, refers to celebration of girl turning 12. "Celebration of a Jewish girl's coming of age; a girl who has reached that age." (Glinert)
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bayis
ancient Temple
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Bayit Sheni
A place one repairs to for debauchery after being expelled from one's initial location.
Second Temple, period of the Second Temple
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bechina
examination, particularly for rabbinic ordination
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bechira
free will
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beis hamikdash
The Temple in Jerusalem
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beit din
A rabbinical court of law that makes judgments on matters of Jewish religious life, especially conversion and divorce.
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beit knesset
Jewish place of worship; "synagogue" (JPS)
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beiyun
"With depth and in detail: intensively"
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bekitzur
"Briefly or concisely: succinctly" (Weiser)
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ben adam
a human being
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ben bayis
frequent guest at someone's home
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ben torah
a Torah scholar or moral individual
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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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benoni
spiritually average person
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bereshit
The Book of Genesis [lit. "in the beginning"]
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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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besorot tovot
good tidings, good news
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Beta Israel
Ethiopian Jewish community
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beys hakise
bathroom
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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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bimah
pulpit; "A raised platform or stage in a synagogue from which the Torah is read and services are led." (JPS)
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Birkat Habayit
“blessing for the house,” usually refers to a decorative piece of calligraphy for the home
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Birkat Hamazon
The blessing after food, referring to the four blessing Grace After Meals said after consuming bread. Referred to in many communities as "bentching," or simply as "birkat" in some Jewish summer camps.
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Birkot HaShachar
The first section of the morning prayers, which contains several individual blessings. (JPS)
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bli ayin hara
Formula said in conjunction with a positive statement to ward off the evil eye. Lit. "without the evil eye."
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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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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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boker or
literally, "morning light". said in response to "boker tov."
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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."
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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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bracha
blessing (in the technical or figurative sense)
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bris
circumcision ceremony; the celebration surrounding it. Lit. covenant.
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bruchim haba'im
welcome! [lit. "blessed are those who come"]
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BT
ba'al teshuva, returnee to faith, Jew who chose to become Orthodox
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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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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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Chabad house
a synagogue/residence/outreach center operated by Chabad-Lubabvitch, usually run by a Rabbi and wife, and often their children.
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chabura
study group
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chag
"Festival" (Glinert)
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chai
"Literally, 'life'" (JPS); 18 (see note)
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chakira
proposition, treatise, deliberation
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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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chametz
Leavened food.
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charoses
Sweet, mushy mixture that represents mortar at the Passover seder.
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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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chatuna
wedding
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chatzi kaddish
half kaddish: prayer that praises God and occurs several times during services, marking the separation between different parts of the service.
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chatzos
halachic midday and midnight
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chaverim
members, friends
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chayav
Guilty of transgressing. Liable.
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chazak u'baruch
"be strong and be blessed," usually said to someone who participated in a religious service in some way (for example, has an aliyah, makes a donation, opens the ark, etc.)
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Chazal
a collective term that refers to all Jewish sages of the Mishna, Tosefta and Talmud eras
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chazan
The official at a synagogue who leads the congregation in prayer and song. (JPS)
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chazarah
(n.) review of material previously studied
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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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cherem
"excommunication; ostracism" (Yiddish)
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chesed
an act of kindness
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chesedik
kind
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chevra
"society; close-knit group" (Yiddish)
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chevra kedisha
burial society - volunteers who sit with the dead and prepare their bodies for burial
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chidush
innovative idea; an insight; discovery; novelty
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chillul Hashem
disgracing God's name; an action that might be looked down upon; an action that might make Jews look bad
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Chinuch
Jewish education
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chol hamoed
"the intermediate days of the weeklong holidays of Pesach and Sukkot" (JPS)
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choleh
A person who is ill (fem. cholah; masc. pl. cholim; fem. pl. cholot)
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chozer b'teshuva
a returnee to the faith
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chozer be-sheelah
someone raised Orthodox who chooses not to be aligned with the practice or ideology of Orthodox Judaism
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Chrismukkah
"Chrismukkah is a pop-culture portmanteau neologism referring to the merging of the holidays of Christianity's Christmas and Judaism's Hanukkah." (Wikipedia)
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chumash
"A bound book containing the Five Books of Moses that is used in synagogue or for study." (JPS)
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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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chumrah
a religious stringency
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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
guts (positive)
nerve, audacity, the quality of over-stepping boundries with no shame (negative)
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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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counting the omer
counting of each of the forty-nine days between the Jewish holidays of Passover and Shavuos
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d'var torah
a brief teaching from Jewish sources [lit. "a word of torah"], "A short speech" (JPS)
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da'as torah
Intuitive knowledge that comes from a lifetime of Torah study.
The authoritative wisdom of the tradition mediated by "gedolim" or great rabbis.
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dan l'kaf zechus
give the benefit of the doubt
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dayan
a rabbinic judge who may directly question and cross-examine witnesses
a judge who sits and adjudicates cases involving religious practices or spiritual matters
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dayenu
"Literally, "it would have been enough."" (JPS)
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derech
(lit. "path") usually refers to an ethical lifestyle or the traditional, halachic Jewish lifestyle
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derech eretz
"Good conduct; normal, polite behavior in a social setting." (JPS). Manners, respect.
Participating in modern society.
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Devarim
"the Book of Deuteronomy", [lit. "words"] (JPS)
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drasha
"Sermon, learned address." (Glinert)
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duchen
A ritual where the kohanim recite the Priestly Blessing (Num. 6:24-26), blessing the rest of the congregation.
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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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Eichah
"The Book of Lamentations" (JPS)
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Elohim/Elokim
"One of the many names used to refer to God" (JPS)
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Elul
The twelfth month of the Jewish calendar, just before the High Holidays season (or sixth, if one starts counting at Nissan).
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emunah
"faith"; sometimes contrasted with practical striving in the material world
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erev
"Eve of." (Glinert) Evening, or the day before a Jewish holiday
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eruv
area in which a token enclosure enables one to carry on the Sabbath [without breaking the prohibition against carrying in a public space]." (Glinert)
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eshet chayil
"woman of valor" (JPS); poem about such a woman in Proverbs 31.
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etrog
Citron (lemon-like fruit) used ritually on Sukkot
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etz chaim
tree of life
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from strength to strength
phrase of blessing used on momentous occasions
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g'mar chatima tova
"A customary greeting among Jews on Yom Kippur [and the period between Yom Kippur and Rosh haShanah]" (JPS). lit. "a good end of [the process of] sealing [in the Book of Life]".
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gabai
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.
verb: to serve as gabai
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gadol
literally "big," refers to particularly well respected rabbis; "luminary" (Weiser)
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gashmiyus
materialism, in contrast with spiritual concerns; "indulgence in earthly pleasures" (Weiser)
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gayve
pride; arrogance; obnoxiousness
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gedolim
Secondary usage: feces or excrement.
Important, influential people, especially renowned rabbis of the present or recent past. Luminaries (Weiser)
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gehenom
Considered to be a temporary place one's soul goes after death, for atonement, before reuniting with God.
Hell (metaphoric)
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gemara
"A compilation of 300 years of rabbis' legal and ethical commentaries on the Mishnah...together, the Gemara and the Mishnah comprise the Talmud." (JPS)
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gematria
"An ancient system of Hebrew numerology," (JPS), in which each Hebrew letter possesses a numerical value, allowing words or phrases to express possible "hidden" meaning (when one adds up the letters' values)
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gemilut chasadim
"Literally, "acts of loving kindness"", (JPS) often used in reference to charitable activities
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ger tzedek
A "righteous convert" to Judaism.
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get
a writ or deed of divorce
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geulah
redemption
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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
Showing consistency of reason (Weiser).
Super-kosher (not only of food), or acceptable to the Haredi community.
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gmar tov
Greeting/closing used between Rosh Hashana and the end of Yom Kippur. Lit. 'good conclusion'
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golem
"A creature of Jewish medieval folklore, a golem is a figure made into the form of a human and given life." (JPS)
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golus
literally "exile" (JPS); outside of the Land of Israel; away from a vibrant Jewish community; the time period since the destruction of the Second Temple at Jerusalem (Glinert)
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gonif
thief
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goy
a nation, but not the Jewish nation
"most often used among Jews to refer to someone who is not a Jew" (JPS)
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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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goyte
non-Jewish woman, especially domestic worker
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hachnasas orchim
hospitality (lit. "bringing in guests")
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hachnosas kallah
charitable support for poor young women to get married
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hafsaka
break or interruption
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haftorah
"A reading from the biblical book of Prophets that is recited in synagogue immediately following the reading of the Torah" (JPS)
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haggadah
"The small book of liturgy, prayers, songs, and rituals used at a Pesach seder" (JPS)
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Hagim u'zmanim lesasson
Holidays and seasons for rejoicing!
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HaKadosh Baruch Hu
God, lit. "The Holy One, Blessed Be He"
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hakdama
introduction or preface (to a book)
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halacha
"Jewish law" (JPS)
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Half Shabbas
Describes Sabbath observance by someone (usually a teenager) who observes Shabbat in every respect - except one: they text/SMS/tweet on Shabbat (or use other digital communication). May extend to using other electronic/digital devices as well (e.g. tablets).
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halleluyah
praise God
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hamevin yavin
"those who understand will understand." "You know what I'm talking about."
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hanukkah
The winter-time festival that commemorates the rededication of the Temple after the Maccabean revolt in the second century B.C.E. (lit. "dedication")
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Hanukkah Alegre
Happy hannukah!
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Hashem
God, lit. "the name"
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hashgacha
1. Divine providence, interference, attention 2. Rabbinic supervision designating food as kosher
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hashkafah
ideological outlook; point of view; "philosophy" (Weiser)
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Hashpa'ah
Influence, or effect, particularly on one's character, development, and/or behavior
Motivating force, source for change in one's actions, influence
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Hasid
Pious person
A disciple of a rabbi, not only a member of a Hasidic group.
Adherent of a Hasidic Jewish group ("A mystical religious movement founded in Poland" (JPS)
A follower in a non-religious sense (ironic).
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Haskalah
19th century Jewish Enlightenment, in which modern philosophy and literature entered Jewish consciousness
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havdalah
"literally 'separation'. The ceremony that marks the end of [the Sabbath] on Saturday evening" (JPS)
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havurah
A group of friends, frequently a social or religious group, either within a synagogue or apart from one.
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hechsher
(Rabbinic) stamp or seal of approval-- typically designating a product as kosher
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heicha kedusha
abbreviated version of the repetition of the Shmona Esre / Amidah
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heter
rabbinic allowance
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Hillel
a rabbi often quoted in Pirkei Avot and the Talmud who was martyred by the Romans, famous for his disputations with Shammai
an organization for Jewish college life, especially in North America
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hitbodedut
solitary prayer
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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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inyan
Topic [of conversation] (Weiser, Glinert).
Modern Hebrew: matter. Used in phrases such as, "ma ha'inyan", what's the matter; "ze lo inyankha", that's none of your business; or "inyani," practical. (https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/improving-your-hebrew-is-a-matter-of-inyan-1.5434244)
matter (Steinmetz)
Significance within Jewish law.
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iser
prohibition
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isru chag
"The day after the end of Pesach, Sukkos, and Shavuos, regarded as a semi-holiday on which mourning is curbed and fasting prohibited" (Dictionary of Jewish Usage)
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iyun
study, "examination of sources to develop a coherent, educated opinion" (Weiser)
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Kab Shab
Abbreviated form of Kabalat Shabbat (the Friday night prayer service).
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Kabbalah
a Jewish mystical work, sometimes used as a catch-all term for Jewish mysticism. "The Jewish mystical tradition" (JPS)
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Kabbalat Shabbat
"Special prayers and songs included as part of Friday night services to welcome in Shabbat."
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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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kaddish
Prayer of mourning; prayer separating parts of the service; lit. "sanctification"
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kaddishl
A son who will say kaddish for a parent (literally, "little kaddish").
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kadosh
holy
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kal v'chomer
by extrapolation we know; all the more so. "with assuredness of mind or action based on an earlier, more restrictive, premise; assuredly; certainly: indubitably." (Weiser)
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kapara!
[the relatively minor mishap should be] an Atonement [for my/our/your sins, rather than something more serious]
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kaparot
Ritual performed between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur to remove sins carried out by swinging a chicken over ones head.
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kashe
Question, difficulty (Steinmetz), challenge, objection.
A question posing some difficulty because of apparent inconsistencies with accepted premises: problem. A tough, perplexing question.
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kashrut
"The body of Jewish dietary laws and regulations that specify what and how a Jew who keeps kosher can eat." (JPS)
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kedai
"worth it" (Weiser)
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kedusha
a responsive prayer sung/recited by the shaliach tzibbur (prayer leader) and congregation as part of the Amidah in a minyan
holiness, sanctity
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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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keitzed m'rakdim
dancing before the groom and bride at a wedding, more often called 'wedding shtick'
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kesher
connection, relationship, link
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Keter
Crown, especially the crown decorating a Torah scroll.
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KFP
An abbreviation "kosher for Passover," meaning that the food fulfills the religious requirements to be eaten during Passover.
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khamer
jackass, donkey
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kiddush
"blessing recited over wine" (JPS) on Sabbath or holidays at the beginning of the meal or ceremony. Reception after services. "The refreshments, usually including wine, juice, and pastries, that are offered after [the Sabbath] and holiday services in the synagogue." (JPS)
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kimat
"almost or nearly" (Weiser)
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Kinneret
the Sea of Galilee
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kiruv
outreach work meant to encourage non-religious Jews to become religious, [lit. "to bring closer"]
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kitniot
"Literally, 'legumes'...certain foods that are restricted during Pesach in some Jewish communities." (JPS)
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klaf
the specially prepared skin of a kosher animal, often used as parchment for kosher Torah scrolls or mezuzot
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klal yisroel
"synonym for the Jewish people" (JPS)
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klezmer
"Eastern European style of instrumental music" (JPS)
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Kol ishah
lit. 'The voice of a woman'. Refers to the prohibition of men hearing the voice of a woman singing.
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kol tuv
"all the best" (JPS), a closing or farewell
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kollel
Institution where married men pursue advanced Talmudic study and, often in conjunction with their wives, offer classes and other rabbinic services to the Jewish community around them, especially in non-Orthodox neighborhoods.
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kollel rabbi
A man who learns (studies traditional texts) - generally full-time - and offers classes and other services to the (non-Orthodox) Jewish community.
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kosher
"acceptable according to Jewish [ritual] law" (JPS); "trustworthy, reliable" (Rosten); acceptable according to dietary laws
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Kotel
"The Western Wall"/wailing wall (Glinert)
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koved
"honor, dignity, respect" (JPS)
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krovim
relatives
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l'chaim
traditional toast. [lit. "to life" (Rosten)]
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L'dor va'dor
Literally "from generation to generation"
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l'hachis
spitefully; deliberately; literally "in order to anger"
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l'havdil
to make a distinction (between two very different things)
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l'shalom
"in peace," lit. "to (or toward) peace"
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lamden
a proficient Talmudic scholar
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lashon hara
"gossip" (lit. "evil tongue") (JPS)
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lechatchila
"done in the best possible way; optimally" (Weiser, Frumspeak)
"occurring at the beginning; at first; initially" (Weiser, Frumspeak)
"to begin with; altogether" (Weiser, Frumspeak)
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levaye
funeral
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leytsanus
silliness; buffoonery
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limudei kodesh
"holy studies"; Jewish religious studies
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lo aleynu
"I hope it won't happen to us"; "God forbid" lit. "not unto us"
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loshn
language; jargon
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lulav
palm branch used ritually on Sukkot
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maapilim
Jews who immigrated illegally to Palestine during British control in the 1930s and 1940s - Aliyah Bet
Biblical: the group of the Children of Israel that went, unauthorized, to the Land of Israel after the episode with the spies
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maarich
to extend, talk/write at length
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maariv
the evening prayer
-
maccabiah
color war / intra-camp competition in a Jewish summer camp
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
-
machane
Summer camp [lit. "camp"]
-
machloket
disagreement, dispute, argument, conflict, especially one about a halachic issue
-
machzor
High Holiday prayerbook, used for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
-
magen david
"star of david", a symbol that has commonly been associated with Jews and Judaism; [lit. "shield of david"]
-
maimouna
a celebration, traditionally among Moroccan Jews, right after Passover ends, marking the springtime and the return to eating chametz (leavened foods which are forbidden on Passover)
-
makpid
Particular, conscientious, especially in relation to Jewish law.
-
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.
-
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)
-
mannah
the food that fell from the sky to feed the wandering Israelites in the Bible
-
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.
-
matzeivah
headstone
-
matzoh
unleavened bread eaten on Passover
-
matzoh ball
dumpling made with matzah meal and eggs and generally served in chicken soup
-
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"]
-
mazume
"ready money, cash" (Steinmetz)
"A group of three or more adult males who join together to recite the after-meal blessings..." (Steinmetz).
-
mechayil el chayil
"from strength to strength"
-
mechitza
the separation between men and women in Orthodox prayer spaces [lit. "separation"]
-
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
-
medakdeik
"Thorough or painstaking; avoiding error by virtue of the care exercised: CAREFUL." (Weiser) exacting, precise
-
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)
-
menorah
candelabrum, especially for Chanukah
-
menucha
Rest or rest time
-
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
-
mesiras nefesh
self-sacrifice
-
mesorah
tradition
-
mevater
to nullify one's desires for the good of others
-
mezakeh
to acquire; strengthen
-
mezuzah
a piece of parchment with the Shema written on it that is then placed in a case and mounted on doorways in keeping with the Biblical commandment mentioned in the Shema
-
Mi Shebeirach
the prayer for healing said during a Torah service; [lit. "He who blesses"]
-
middos
character traits (singular: "middah")
-
midrash
stories or explanations that interpret or ellaborate on the Torah's text.
-
mikvah
"Ritual bath" (JPS)
-
milah
ritual circumcision
-
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
religious community
small service
prayer quorum of 10 Jews age 13 or older (traditionally male; in some communities male or female)
-
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)
-
misnagdim
Non-Hasidim (literally "opponents.")
-
mitzvot aseh
affirmative commandments (of the 613 commandments of the Torah)
-
Moadim lesimcha
Happy holiday! Greeting used on the intermediate days of Pesach and Sukkot (known as chol ha-moed).
-
mohel
A person trained to perform Jewish ritual circumcision
-
mora
Teacher - Female
-
moserim
informers
-
moshiach
The Messiah
-
moshl
parable, example
-
muktzah
An object that it is forbidden to handle on the Sabbath and on certain holidays (generally because the object's primary purpose involves actions considered work and forbidden on those days).
-
musaf
The additional service added to the morning services on the Sabbath and holidays.
-
musar
reproof; system of ethics; discipline
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.
-
Mutar
Permitted for a Jew to do.
-
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.
-
navi
prophet; class on Prophets
-
neder
a vow
-
negiah
"touching"; usually used in the phrase "shomer negiah", which is the custom of avoiding touch with members of the opposite sex outside of one's family
-
nekiyus hadibur
Literally "purity of one's speech"
-
neros
candles
-
nes
miracle
-
neshama
soul
-
Nidche
Pushed off, set aside. Usually referring to a fast day, which cannot be on a Saturday, so the fast is "pushed off" until Saturday night / Sunday.
-
niddah
menstrual impurity; often used to refer to the entire body of Jewish law surrounding the practice of abstaining from intercourse during the menstrual cycle
-
nifter
deceased
-
nigun
"A wordless melody; a tune" (JPS)
-
nisayon
trial and tribulation; a test of faith
-
nogeia b'dovor
one who has a vested interest in something; not a disinterested party. "related in a way as would affect an opinion: associated." (Weiser)
-
OB"M
"of blessed memory"
-
Off the derech
No longer religious/observant; now following a non-religious/non-observant lifestyle.
-
ohel
tent (in a summer camp setting)
structure built over a grave, especially that of the Lubavitcher Rebbe
-
olam habah
"The world to come"; the messianic age; Heaven
-
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)
-
oneg
a informal, festive gathering Friday night involving food, casual Torah study, Jewish songs, etc.
-
oso ha-Ish
literally "that man", an irreverent/euphemistic reference to Jesus of Nazereth
-
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)
-
parnasa
livelihood, income
-
parve
1. neither milk nor meat; 2. uninteresting, plain, generic
-
pasken
to rule halachically
-
pasuk
a verse, usually from the Torah
-
patur
not liable, exempt
-
payos
Sidelocks, sidecurls, or earlocks, common among Haredi boys and men.
-
perush
A commentary on a text, something that makes the meaning clear.
-
Pesach
The Jewish Holiday of Passover
-
peshat
"The literal, obvious meaning scholars give to a Jewish text. It can also refer to the simple interpretation of any issue or question." (JPS)
"An explanation of the logic behind or the source of a passage, event, work, etc." (Weiser)
Justification
-
pidyon haben
ceremony of redemption of the first-born son; celebration surrounding this ceremony
-
Ploni
An anonymous placeholder name, like "John Doe;" So-and-So.
-
posek
a rabbi/scholar who makes halachic decisions/rulings
-
poshet
simple
-
posl
invalid
-
pritse
an immodest woman
-
pritsus
immoral behavior
-
psak
rabbinic ruling
-
punim
face
-
Purim
A joyous holiday that takes place in February or March on the 14th of Adar, retelling the story of the Book of Esther.
-
rachmones
mercy
-
refua shlema
"Get well soon." Lit. "full recovery"
-
Rema
an Ashkenazi gloss on the Shulchan Aruch written by Moshe Isserles (known as the "Rema") in Poland; it applies the essentially Sephardi oriented Shulchan Aruch to Ashkenazi communities
-
responsa
Written decisions and legal rulings by rabbis appointed to be legal deciders.
-
Rosh Chodesh
start of a new month in the Hebrew calendar
-
rosh edah
supervisor of staff member responsible for a particular age group at summer camp
-
Rosh Hashanah
The Jewish new year
-
rov
A particularly notable rabbi; a halachic decisor
-
ruach
spirit, "spiritedness, morale" (JPS)
-
ruchnies
spirituality
-
saba
grandfather
-
sakanah
danger
-
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).
-
savlanut
patience
-
schach
branches or bamboo used to cover a sukkah
-
sechel
"Common sense" (JPS), intelligence
-
seder
A ceremony involving recitations, singing, food, and drink typically associated with Passover, but also with Tu B'shvat and Rosh Hashanah.
order, orderliness, system, routine
period for Torah study
The name for the six sections of the Mishnah.
-
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))
-
Sephardic
Jews whose ancestors came from the Iberian Peninsula before the Jewish expulsion
-
Shabbat
The Jewish Sabbath; Saturday
-
Shabbos
the Jewish Sabbath
-
Shabbos elevator
elevator used on the Sabbath that stops automatically on each floor to allow religious Jews to use it without operating electric equipment
-
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
-
shalech manes
Gifts for friends, traditionally given on Purim. Typically, a basket with food requiring two separate brachas in it.
-
shalom
hello, goodbye, peace
-
shalom bayit
"Literally, 'peace in the home'. Contentment and harmony among family members." (JPS)
-
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
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
-
shana tova
happy new year, lit. 'good year'
-
shatnez
mixture of wool and linen in a garment, which is prohibited by Jewish law
-
shechita
Kosher animal slaughter.
-
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
-
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)
-
shelo lishmah
not for its own sake, not for the sake of heaven
-
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
The Book of Exodus [lit. 'names']
Printed items containing the name of God in Hebrew letters (generally pronounced SHAY-miss)
-
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)
-
sheymes
adj., of or relating to printed material, such as a book or even an audio recording, that contains the name of God, and therefore must not be erased, put on the floor, etc., out of respect for the Divine Name
n., such content
-
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)
-
shir
song
-
shira
singing session
-
shiur
"1. A lesson, lecture, or discourse on the Torah, Mishnah, or Gemara...(2. A measure, size, or rate)." (JPS)
-
shivah
week-long period of mourning after the death of a relative, during which close relatives stay at home and greet visitors. mourners traditionally sit on low stools during this time, so someone in mourning is said to be 'sitting shiva'.
-
shkotz
berating term for a mischievous Jewish boy
-
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.
-
shloshim
Thirty
The 30-day period after a deceased person's funeral, often marked with special remembrances such as family members studying religious texts in the person's honor.
-
shmura
a type of matzah adhering to more stringent interpretations of permissible matzah for Passover
-
shofar
ram's horn sounded during the month of elul, especially associated with rosh hashanah
-
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
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
a camp counselor on duty
-
shtadlan
an elected or self-appointed Jewish emissary pleading the cause of his people before the authorities
an intercessor
-
shtus
nonsense
-
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.
-
Shulchan Aruch haRav
the Chabad/Lubavitch redaction of the Shulchan Aruch as written by Shneur Zalman of Liadi, notable for its application of Chassidic principles to halachah and codification of differences between Lubavitch Jews and others
-
shutim
responsa - rabbinic rulings
-
siddur
Jewish prayer book
-
simcha
"A joyous occasion; a celebration" (JPS); usually related to a lifecycle event
-
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)
-
snag
Misnaged (non-Hasidic Orthodox Jew)
-
sofer
A scribe trained in transcribing the Torah, mezuzah, tefillin scriptures and other religious texts on parchment.
-
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
-
tachrichim
burial shrouds
-
taharas hamishpachah
the body of law surrounding menstruation, lit. "family purity"
-
taiva
lust, desire
-
tallis
prayer shawl
-
Talmud
"The body of Jewish law and tradition comprising the Mishnah and the Gemara, compiled from about 30 B.C.E to about 500 C.E." (Steinmetz)
-
talmudic
1. literally, having to do with the talmud 2. a debate that was complex and had many sides
-
tam
taste
-
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)
-
tefach
A halachic unit of measure: four fingers (a palm's breadth) high.
-
tefillah
prayer, services, or an individual prayer
-
tefillat haderech
the prayer for a safe journey
-
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"]
-
Thanksgivukkah
"Thanksgivukkah is a pop-culture portmanteau neologism given to the convergence of the American holiday of Thanksgiving and the first day of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah on Thursday, November 28, 2013" (Wikipedia)
-
The Chosen People
refers to the jewish people as a whole having a unique relationship with god; (translation of hebrew phrase "am nivchar")
-
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
-
Tizke vetichye vita'arich yamim
May you have the fortune to have a long and good life!
-
Tizku Leshanim rabot
Wishing you many, many years!
-
tochacha
Rebuke, or corrections, for one's behavior, particularly as it pertains to Jewish practice.
The portions of the Torah containing the curses the Israelites will incur if they do not follow the commandments (Lev. 26 and Deut. 28)
-
toivel
to immerse dishes in a ritual bath (mikvah) to render them usable in a kosher kitchen
-
Torah
Literally, "teaching". 1. The five books of moses. 2. Jewish law and values in general.
-
Tot Shabbat
A synagogue-based service or play group for young children on Shabbat.
-
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.
-
tsniusdik
modest, discrete, especially according to Orthodox norms of dress, comportment, and gender interaction
-
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'.
-
tuches
buttocks
-
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).
Someone who does extremely righteous deeds.
A highly learned and esteemed rabbinic leader (sometimes used as an alternative name for a Hasidic rebbe).
-
tzedakah
charity, money given to charity
-
tzedek, tzedek tirdof
"justice, justice, you will pursue." (Deuteronomy 16:20)
-
tzeit
nightfall; the time when three stars have appeared in the sky (short for tzeit hakochavim - stars coming out)
-
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
(n.) modesty, discretion, especially according to Orthodox norms of dress, comportment, and gender interaction
(adj.) modest, discrete, 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
-
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']
-
yad
the metal or wooden pointer used to follow the text when reading Torah; lit. "hand"
-
yamim noraim
high holy days, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
-
Yechinik
A Lubavicher (a Hasidic group, Chabad) who believes that Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Lubavicher rebbe, is the Moshiach.
-
yeladim
children
-
yemach shemo
"may his name be erased", appended to the names of evil people such as Haman and Hitler
-
Yerushalayim
Jerusalem
-
yeshiva
traditionally, an institution that focuses on teaching Talmud to boys and young men. Today yeshivas exist for men and women.
-
yetzer hara
Lit. 'the evil inclination'
-
yichus
Bragging rights based on respected family history
"Pedigree, lineage, family background." (JPS)
-
yigdal
hymn often sung at the end of a prayer service, based on Maimonides' Thirteen Principles of Faith
-
yiras shamayim
"awe of heaven"
-
Yom Kippur
day of atonement, arguably the most important day on the Jewish calendar
-
yontif
a Jewish holiday, especially one on which work is prohibited (in contrast to chol hamoed)
-
yosem
orphan
-
yotzei
(with the helping verb "to be," and an object where required) to fulfill, as a mitzvah or some figurative obligation
released from a religious obligation by dint of completion or fulfillment; "to have done what's required" (Glinert)
-
z"l
'of blessed memory', appended to the name of a dead person
-
zichrona livracha
May her memory be blessed.
-
zichrono livracha
may his memory be for a blessing (often abbreviated 'z"l')
-
zivug
(n.) mate, predestined match
-
zoykhe
to merit
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