Jewish English Lexicon

even; despite expectations to the contrary -- often with a slightly amused or ironic feeling of "wouldn't you know it?" or "of all things" ("of all people" ... etc.)

"definitely or exactly stated; specifically" (Weiser)

emesdik

"Truthful, genuine" (Steinmetz)

"As a matter of fact: Genuinely" (Weiser)

farher

noun: an oral examination, typically on one's understanding of Talmud

verb: examine, test, quiz

farshtunken(e)

literally 'stinking' (Rosten); contemptible

fress

To gobble up food; to gorge oneself. "To eat quickly or noisily, like an animal" (JPS)

gedolim

Important, influential people, especially renowned rabbis of the present or recent past. Luminaries (Weiser)

Secondary usage: feces or excrement.

gezinta

a big healthy girl (or the adjective denoting such)

a sexy lady

glatt

Super-kosher (not only of food), or acceptable to the Haredi community.

Showing consistency of reason (Weiser).

golem

"A creature of Jewish medieval folklore, a golem is a figure made into the form of a human and given life." (JPS)

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)

halevai

I wish!

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

If only

hashpa'ah

motivating force, source for change in one's actions, influence

influence, or effect, particularly on one's character, development, and/or behavior

heimish

3. at home, comfortable

1. familiar, homey, informal, cozy, warm

2. Haredi Orthodox

hold

to be on the verge of

to opine; to act in accordance with; to be of the opinion; to believe "maintain" (Weiser)

to maintain a degree of religious observance

agree with

iyun

study, "examination of sources to develop a coherent, educated opinion" (Weiser)

kashe

Question, difficulty (Steinmetz), challenge, objection.

A question posing some difficulty because of apparent inconsistencies with accepted premises: problem. A tough, perplexing question.

kavanah

intent

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

kivyakhol

Substitute or euphemism for God's name, similar to Hashem

"As if", "so to speak," can be used to refer to anthropomorphic language about God

kuntz

strategy (Weiser)

feat, stunt, trick, challenge, ingenuity

peculiarity, particular oddness (JPS)

l'hachis

spitefully; deliberately; literally "in order to anger"

learn

"To be involved in the acquisition of Torah knowledge through reading and reflection, or to do so as an occupation: STUDY" (Weiser)

macher

"1. Someone who arranges, fixes, has connections...someone who is [very] active in an organization" (Rosten) "important person", "hot shot"

machmir

meticulous

stringent, "taking the stricter position on an issue" (Weiser)

mamish

"1. As though true to fact...2. Surely or certainly...3. Actually, genuinely...4. To a high degree...5. Enthusiastic response: WOW." (Weiser)

matzliach

"To thrive: Prosper" (Weiser)

"Accomplishing a mission or an attempt: Successful" (Weiser)

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.

mensch

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

nebach

interjection, adverb: "unfortunately"; noun: an unfortunate person

prost

coarse, base, not classy, vulgar, common

reid

n. "unofficial information spread through the grapevine" (Weiser), especially information related to Talmud study

v. refer someone for a marriage match; pronounce a match

n. speech, talk

schlep

An annoyingly long journey

"To carry, lug" (JPS)

To travel from one place to another when one would prefer not to

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.

Shayach

Pertinent, relevant (Steinmetz).

1. Capable of being true or believable: Conceivable. / 2. Capable of being done: Surmountable / 3. Practical, reasonable, or possible: Feasible. (Weiser)

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)

shidduch

a date in the process of finding one's spouse

arranged spousal match

mate

match

big shot, an arrogant person

Performances and silly behavior at weddings, intended to entertain the bride and groom.

Props and decorations used for wedding entertainment.

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

"At a more advanced point: Further." (Weiser)

yeshivish

Litvish; Lithuanian; associated with the rationalistic Lithuanian tradition; associated with non-Hasidic Black Hat communities