Jewish English Lexicon

acharon acharon chaviv

"The very last one is beloved."; "Last but not least."

achron

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

Adar

The sixth month of the Jewish calendar year.

adon olam

a hymn in the traditional Jewish liturgy, usually recited before Shacharit and often sung after services in synagogue, made up of traits attributed to God

aggadah

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

Akedah

The binding of Isaac (episode in the Torah)

al hanisim

A one-paragraph prayer added to the Amida on Chanukah and Purim.

al het

"A Yom Kippur prayer that asks forgiveness for a multitude of sins committed during the previous year" (JPS).

al regel achat

lit. "on one foot"; off-the-cuff; "To answer a question or deal with a query very briefly and cursorily." (Glinert)

Aleinu

"A prayer in praise of God, Aleinu acknowledges the unique relationship between God and the Jewish people" (JPS)

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

Amida

The Shemoneh Esrei prayer, which is said while standing [Amida, lit. "standing".]

Anim Zmirot

"A hymn composed of an alphabetic acrostic of 31 lines, generally sung in front of the open ark at the conclusion of the Musaf service on Shabbat." (JPS)

aravot

"the branches of the willow that are part of the lulav used on Sukkot" (JPS).

arba kosot

"The four glasses of wine drunk on Passover" (Glinert).

arba minim

"The four plant species used on Sukkot" (Glinert).

"A minor fast day that falls on the 10th of Tevet. It commemorates the start of the siege of Jerusalem by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia in 586 B.C.E., which is considered the beginning of the destruction of the First Temple" (JPS).

aseret y'mei teshuvah

"Ten Days of Penitence" (Glinert), the ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

Av

"The fifth month in the Jewish calendar, it usually corresponds to July or August" (JPS).

aveil

pl. aveilim. "Someone who is in mourning" (Glinert).

aveilus

Mourning (Glinert)

Avinu Malkeinu

"A High Holy Day prayer in which God is asked to 'be gracious to us and answer us, even though we have not done all the good that we might have'" (JPS).

Avraham Avinu

"Our father Abraham" (Glinert)

b'shem omro

"Giving credit for an idea" (Glinert)

ba'al tekiah

"The title for the person who blows the shofar on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur" (JPS).

baal koreh

The individual who chants Torah from the scroll at a synagogue. Sometimes used to refer specifically to a person capable of learning and chanting an entire parsha, or to a professional/paid reader as opposed to an amateur.

baal-teshuva

A Jew from a secular background who chooses to become observant.

"Newly religious Jew; penitent" (Glinert)

bal tashchit

Do not be wasteful, do not destroy.

Bamidbar

The Book of Numbers, [lit. "in the wilderness"] (Glinert)

baruch dayan haemet

"'Blessed be the True Judge!' (said on news of a bereavement)" (Glinert)

baruch haba

"Welcome!"

batel b'shishim

"Of no significance" (Glinert)

A concept in kosher laws where if a small amount of forbidden food is mixed with a permitted one (such as dairy in a meat dish), the dish is still kosher provided that the prohibited item it is only one sixtieth of the total.

bedikas chametz

"The ceremony immediately before Pesach in which family members conduct a ritual search of the home for hametz, pieces of bread or leavened food that are forbidden on Passover" (JPS).

behatzlacha

good luck (a wish)

go with success

beit din

A rabbinical court of law that makes judgments on matters of Jewish religious life, especially conversion and divorce.

Bereshit

The Book of Genesis [lit. "in the beginning"]

besamim

"Modern Israeli slang for illegal drugs" (JPS).

"Literally, 'spices.' It almost always refers to the spices in the spice box used for the Havdalah ceremony" (JPS).

Spices

bikur cholim

visiting the sick

bimah

pulpit; "A raised platform or stage in a synagogue from which the Torah is read and services are led." (JPS)

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.

bli neder

"Literally, 'without vowing', this is added to any casual promise to avoid it being taken as an absolute undertaking." (Glinert)

bracha

blessing (in the technical or figurative sense)

chag

"Festival" (Glinert)

chag sameach

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

chai

"Literally, 'life'" (JPS); 18 (see note)

chametz

Leavened food.

chazir

1. pork 2. a pig, greedy person (JPS)

cheder

Hebrew and religious classes (often on Sundays) for elementary school children.

cheshbon hanefesh

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

chevra kedisha

burial society - volunteers who sit with the dead and prepare their bodies for burial

chidush

innovative idea; an insight; discovery; novelty

chol hamoed

"the intermediate days of the weeklong holidays of Pesach and Sukkot" (JPS)

chumash

"A bound book containing the Five Books of Moses that is used in synagogue or for study." (JPS)

derech eretz

Participating in modern society.

"Good conduct; normal, polite behavior in a social setting." (JPS). Manners, respect.

Devarim

"the Book of Deuteronomy", [lit. "words"] (JPS)

duchen

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

Eichah

"The Book of Lamentations" (JPS)

Elul

The twelfth month of the Jewish calendar, just before the High Holidays season (or sixth, if one starts counting at Nissan).

erev

"Eve of." (Glinert) Evening, or the day before a Jewish holiday

eruv

area in which a token enclosure enables one to carry on the Sabbath [without breaking the prohibition against carrying in a public space]." (Glinert)

eshet chayil

"woman of valor" (JPS); poem about such a woman in Proverbs 31.

etrog

Citron (lemon-like fruit) used ritually on Sukkot

g'mar chatima tova

"A customary greeting among Jews on Yom Kippur [and the period between Yom Kippur and Rosh haShanah]" (JPS). lit. "a good end of [the process of] sealing [in the Book of Life]".

gabai

verb: to serve as gabai

noun: The officer of the synagogue who determines which congregants are to receive Torah honors at the service.

noun: The (lay) person who calls Jews to say blessings over the Torah reading and follows along with the Torah reading to correct any mistakes.

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)

gemilut chasadim

"Literally, "acts of loving kindness"", (JPS) often used in reference to charitable activities

giyur

The act of converting to Judaism.

Conversion ceremony

golus

literally "exile" (JPS); outside of the Land of Israel; away from a vibrant Jewish community; the time period since the destruction of the Second Temple at Jerusalem (Glinert)

gonif

thief

haftorah

"A reading from the biblical book of Prophets that is recited in synagogue immediately following the reading of the Torah" (JPS)

haggadah

"The small book of liturgy, prayers, songs, and rituals used at a Pesach seder" (JPS)

hakafah

a go-around (similar to sivuv)

parade, processional with the Torah on Simchas Torah

halacha

"Jewish law" (JPS)

hashgacha

Rabbinic supervision designating food as kosher

Divine providence, interference, attention

havdalah

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

hechsher

(Rabbinic) stamp or seal of approval-- typically designating a product as kosher

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).

Kabbalat Shabbat

"Special prayers and songs included as part of Friday night services to welcome in Shabbat."

kaddish

Prayer of mourning; prayer separating parts of the service; lit. "sanctification"

kashrut

"The body of Jewish dietary laws and regulations that specify what and how a Jew who keeps kosher can eat." (JPS)

kavanah

intent

"Attention to the meaning, spirit, and purpose of words" (Weiser)

kedusha

holiness, sanctity

a responsive prayer sung/recited by the shaliach tzibbur (prayer leader) and congregation as part of the Amidah in a minyan

kehillah

"A Jewish community" (JPS)

kein yirbu

"So they may increase in number"

kesiva vechasima tova

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

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)

klal yisroel

"synonym for the Jewish people" (JPS)

kol hakavod

"well done" (Glinert)

Literally, "All the honor", as in "More honor to you!"

kol tuv

"all the best" (JPS), a closing or farewell

Kotel

"The Western Wall"/wailing wall (Glinert)

koved

"honor, dignity, respect" (JPS)

kriah

Rending a garment (ritual of mourning)

Reading, especially Torah

krias shema

"The reading of the Shema" (Glinert)

lulav

palm branch used ritually on Sukkot

machloket

disagreement, dispute, argument, conflict, especially one about a halachic issue

machzor

High Holiday prayerbook, used for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur

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)

maror

bitter herbs placed on the seder place on Passover

mayim achronim

ritual hand-washing before saying the prayer after a meal

mazel

congratulations

luck (good)

mazume

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

"ready money, cash" (Steinmetz)

mechayil el chayil

"from strength to strength"

mechitza

the separation between men and women in Orthodox prayer spaces [lit. "separation"]

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).

meykil

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

"Taking the lenient position: Liberal" (Weiser)

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

"Yielding to wishes: Indulgent" (Weiser)

"Not harsh or strict: Easygoing" (Weiser)

Mi Shebeirach

the prayer for healing said during a Torah service; [lit. "He who blesses"]

midrash

stories or explanations that interpret or ellaborate on the Torah's text.

mikvah

"Ritual bath" (JPS)

minhag

custom; "A tradition that is not mentioned in the Torah or mandated by law but nonetheless is followed." (JPS)

minyan

prayer quorum of 10 Jews age 13 or older (traditionally male; in some communities male or female)

religious community

small service

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

mishpacha

"Literally, "family". ...The word conveys a warm feeling of friendship." (JPS)

musaf

The additional service added to the morning services on the Sabbath and holidays.

naches

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

neshama

soul

nigun

"A wordless melody; a tune" (JPS)

olav ha-sholom

"peace be upon him"; said of someone who is deceased

parasha

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)

conversation (Weiser)

parve

1. neither milk nor meat; 2. uninteresting, plain, generic

pasuk

a verse, usually from the Torah

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

Purim

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

refua shlema

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

rishon

"Earlier rabbis and scholars, who lived from around the 11th to the mid-15th century C.E., before the Shulchan Arukh, the compilation of Jewish law, was written." (JPS)

Rosh Chodesh

start of a new month in the Hebrew calendar

ruach

spirit, "spiritedness, morale" (JPS)

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).

sechel

"Common sense" (JPS), intelligence

shadchen

matchmaker

shalech manes

Gifts for friends, traditionally given on Purim. Typically, a basket with food requiring two separate brachas in it.

shalom bayit

"Literally, 'peace in the home'. Contentment and harmony among family members." (JPS)

shalom 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

shamash

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

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

2. the caretaker of a synagogue.

shatnez

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

shehecheyanu

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

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.

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)

shiur

"1. A lesson, lecture, or discourse on the Torah, Mishnah, or Gemara...(2. A measure, size, or rate)." (JPS)

shmura

a type of matzah adhering to more stringent interpretations of permissible matzah for Passover

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)

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.

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.

stam

That's it!

only, simply, just for fun, not for a specific purpose

Just kidding!

Common name for the 18th letter of the Hebrew alphabet (tzadi / tzade).

Thank you (used by Orthodox Jews)