Showing 228 of 228 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 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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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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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
immigration to Israel
"calling to the reading of the Torah" (Glinert)
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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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Amida
The Shemoneh Esrei prayer, which is said while standing [Amida, lit. "standing".]
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aron kodesh
"Literally, "holy ark"." (JPS)
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askan
A Jewish communal or social worker (Steinmetz)
A person who is influential in working for the community
Activist
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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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b'al pe
learned by heart, from memory
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b'tzelem Elohim
lit. "in God's image"
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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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Bamidbar
The Book of Numbers, [lit. "in the wilderness"] (Glinert)
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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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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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bereshit
The Book of Genesis [lit. "in the beginning"]
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beys hakise
bathroom
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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 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 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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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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bracha
blessing (in the technical or figurative sense)
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bruchim haba'im
welcome! [lit. "blessed are those who come"]
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chag
"Festival" (Glinert)
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chai
"Literally, 'life'" (JPS); 18 (see note)
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chametz
Leavened food.
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chashuv
Important; of high status
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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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chaverim
members, friends
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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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chazir
1. pork 2. a pig, greedy person (JPS)
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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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chol hamoed
"the intermediate days of the weeklong holidays of Pesach and Sukkot" (JPS)
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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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chumash
"A bound book containing the Five Books of Moses that is used in synagogue or for study." (JPS)
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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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dayenu
"Literally, "it would have been enough."" (JPS)
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derech eretz
Participating in modern society.
"Good conduct; normal, polite behavior in a social setting." (JPS). Manners, respect.
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Devarim
"the Book of Deuteronomy", [lit. "words"] (JPS)
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dugma
example
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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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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
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.
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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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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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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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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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halacha
"Jewish law" (JPS)
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hamevin yavin
"those who understand will understand." "You know what I'm talking about."
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hashgacha
1. Divine providence, interference, attention 2. Rabbinic supervision designating food as kosher
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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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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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iser
prohibition
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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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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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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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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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kedusha
holiness, sanctity
a responsive prayer sung/recited by the shaliach tzibbur (prayer leader) and congregation as part of the Amidah in a minyan
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kehillah
"A Jewish community" (JPS)
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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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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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kitniot
"Literally, 'legumes'...certain foods that are restricted during Pesach in some Jewish communities." (JPS)
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klal yisroel
"synonym for the Jewish people" (JPS)
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kol tuv
"all the best" (JPS), a closing or farewell
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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'dor va'dor
Literally "from generation to generation"
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l'shalom
"in peace," lit. "to (or toward) peace"
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lashon hara
"gossip" (lit. "evil tongue") (JPS)
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lulav
palm branch used ritually on Sukkot
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maariv
the evening prayer
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machloket
disagreement, dispute, argument, conflict, especially one about a halachic issue
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machzor
High Holiday prayerbook, used for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
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makpid
Particular, conscientious, especially in relation to Jewish law.
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mamish
"1. As though true to fact...2. Surely or certainly...3. Actually, genuinely...4. To a high degree...5. Enthusiastic response: WOW." (Weiser)
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mamzer
bastard [see note]; "A detestable [person] like the colloquial English "He's a bastard"" (Rosten)
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maror
bitter herbs placed on the seder place on Passover
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matbea
blueprint, structure, form
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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.
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mechayil el chayil
"from strength to strength"
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mechitza
the separation between men and women in Orthodox prayer spaces [lit. "separation"]
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medakdeik
"Thorough or painstaking; avoiding error by virtue of the care exercised: CAREFUL." (Weiser) exacting, precise
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mesorah
tradition
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Mi Shebeirach
the prayer for healing said during a Torah service; [lit. "He who blesses"]
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midrash
stories or explanations that interpret or ellaborate on the Torah's text.
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mikvah
"Ritual bath" (JPS)
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milah
ritual circumcision
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minhag
custom; "A tradition that is not mentioned in the Torah or mandated by law but nonetheless is followed." (JPS)
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minhag hamakom
local custom
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minyan
small service
prayer quorum of 10 Jews age 13 or older (traditionally male; in some communities male or female)
religious community
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Mishnah
an authoritative collection of exegetical material embodying the oral tradition of Jewish law and forming the first part of the Talmud.
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Mishneh Torah
a 12th-century code of religious law in fourteen parts written by Moses Maimonides
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mishpacha
"Literally, "family". ...The word conveys a warm feeling of friendship." (JPS)
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Moadim lesimcha
Happy holiday! Greeting used on the intermediate days of Pesach and Sukkot (known as chol ha-moed).
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mora
Teacher - Female
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musaf
The additional service added to the morning services on the Sabbath and holidays.
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muvan me'elav
self-evident
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naches
"Proud pleasure, special joy--particularly from the achievements of a child... 2. Psychological reward or gratification." (Rosten)
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Nachshon
Trailblazer. Initiator. Someone who takes a risk when others are not willing to.
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navi
prophet; class on Prophets
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neder
a vow
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neshama
soul
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nigun
"A wordless melody; a tune" (JPS)
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OB"M
"of blessed memory"
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olam habah
"The world to come"; the messianic age; Heaven
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olav ha-sholom
"peace be upon him"; said of someone who is deceased
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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)
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oneg
a informal, festive gathering Friday night involving food, casual Torah study, Jewish songs, etc.
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parasha
Selection of the Pentateuch read publicly on the Sabbath.
period of dating for marriage (Orthodox Jews)
conversation (Weiser)
general realm of feasibility, ballpark (Weiser)
a tedious, lengthy enumeration or account, litany (Weiser)
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parve
1. neither milk nor meat; 2. uninteresting, plain, generic
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perush
A commentary on a text, something that makes the meaning clear.
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Pesach
The Jewish Holiday of Passover
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peshat
Justification
"The literal, obvious meaning scholars give to a Jewish text. It can also refer to the simple interpretation of any issue or question." (JPS)
"An explanation of the logic behind or the source of a passage, event, work, etc." (Weiser)
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Purim
A joyous holiday that takes place in February or March on the 14th of Adar, retelling the story of the Book of Esther.
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refua shlema
"Get well soon." Lit. "full recovery"
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responsa
Written decisions and legal rulings by rabbis appointed to be legal deciders.
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Rosh Chodesh
start of a new month in the Hebrew calendar
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ruach
spirit, "spiritedness, morale" (JPS)
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schach
branches or bamboo used to cover a sukkah
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sechel
"Common sense" (JPS), intelligence
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Shabbos
the Jewish Sabbath
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shadchen
matchmaker
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shalech manes
Gifts for friends, traditionally given on Purim. Typically, a basket with food requiring two separate brachas in it.
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shalom bayit
"Literally, 'peace in the home'. Contentment and harmony among family members." (JPS)
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shalosh regalim
The three major holidays in the Jewish calendar: Passover, Shavuot [Pentecost], and Sukkot [Tabernacles].
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shaloshudes
the traditional third meal of the sabbath, eaten saturday afternoon or evening beginning before the sabbath has ended. [lit. "three meals"]
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shamash
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
2. the caretaker of a synagogue.
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shatnez
mixture of wool and linen in a garment, which is prohibited by Jewish law
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shecht
to slaughter meat according to the rituals of kashrut
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shehecheyanu
the blessing of thanksgiving that celebrates reaching a celebratory moment or marking a significant first
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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
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shemini atzeret
Holiday celebrated the day after the seven-day holiday of Sukkot.
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Shemoneh Esrei
another name for the Amida, the central prayer during Jewish services. [lit. 'eighteen', the number of blessings it originally had]
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Shemot
The Book of Exodus [lit. 'names']
Printed items containing the name of God in Hebrew letters (generally pronounced SHAY-miss)
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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.
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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)
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shicker
tipsy/drunk
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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)
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shiur
"1. A lesson, lecture, or discourse on the Torah, Mishnah, or Gemara...(2. A measure, size, or rate)." (JPS)
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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)
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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
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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.
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smichah
"Rabbinic ordination" (Steinmetz)
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sofer
A scribe trained in transcribing the Torah, mezuzah, tefillin scriptures and other religious texts on parchment.
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sukkah
A temporary dwelling used during the holiday of Sukkot
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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.
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tachlis
practical details of a matter, "brass tacks" (as in, "Let's get down to brass tacks.")
purpose, aim
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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.]
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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)
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tefillah
prayer, services, or an individual prayer
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tefillin
Small black boxes containing sections of the shema attached to leather straps and worn around the head and arm during prayer.
"phylacteries"
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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).
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teshuvah
repentance [lit. "return"]
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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
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Tot Shabbat
A synagogue-based service or play group for young children on Shabbat.
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treif
(adj or noun) food prohibited by the jewish dietary laws
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trop
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.
Series of traditional chanting/melodic patterns used in reading the Torah and other books of the Tanakh in communal prayer services.
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tsorris
"Troubles, woes, worries, suffering." (Rosten)
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Tu b'Av
the 15th of Av, sometimes associated with romantic love and jokingly called 'Jewish Valentine's Day'.
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Tu Bishvat
Jewish Arbor Day, the New Year for Trees, literally 'the 15th day of Shevat'.
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tza'ar ba'alei chayim
pity for living creatures (Steinmetz), or compassion for animals.
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tzadik
A highly learned and esteemed rabbinic leader (sometimes used as an alternative name for a Hasidic rebbe).
Someone who does extremely righteous deeds.
Common name for the 18th letter of the Hebrew alphabet (tzadi / tzade).
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tzedek, tzedek tirdof
"justice, justice, you will pursue." (Deuteronomy 16:20)
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tznius
(adj.) modest, discrete, especially according to Orthodox norms of dress, comportment, and gender interaction
(n.) modesty, discretion, especially according to Orthodox norms of dress, comportment, and gender interaction
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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.
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Vayikra
the book of Leviticus
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vilde chaye
a rambunctious or wild person [lit. 'wild animal']
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yamim noraim
high holy days, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
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Yechinik
A Lubavicher (a Hasidic group, Chabad) who believes that Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Lubavicher rebbe, is the Moshiach.
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yemach shemo
"may his name be erased", appended to the names of evil people such as Haman and Hitler
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yeshiva
traditionally, an institution that focuses on teaching Talmud to boys and young men. Today yeshivas exist for men and women.
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yigdal
hymn often sung at the end of a prayer service, based on Maimonides' Thirteen Principles of Faith
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yontif
a Jewish holiday, especially one on which work is prohibited (in contrast to chol hamoed)
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z"l
'of blessed memory', appended to the name of a dead person
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zichrona livracha
May her memory be blessed.
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zichrono livracha
may his memory be for a blessing (often abbreviated 'z"l')
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