Jewish English Lexicon

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

Akedah

The binding of Isaac (episode in the Torah)

al regel achat

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

aliyah

immigration to Israel

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

ascent

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

Amida

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

apikoros

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

b'sha'ah tovah

Literally "at a good hour." All in good time. Good luck. Response to a pregnancy announcement--meaning may all go well.

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")

bal tashchit

Do not be wasteful, do not destroy.

balagan

"a disorderly, confusing, and/or overwhelming situation" (Glinert)

Bamidbar

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

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"]

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."

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)

chai

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

chametz

Leavened food.

chanukiah

Nine-branched menorah / candelabrum used on Chanukah

chavruta

learning partnership; joint study session. "The person with whom one studies religious texts" (Weiser)

chazir

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

cheder

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

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)

davka

"definitely or exactly stated; specifically" (Weiser)

just to annoy, just to be contrary

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.)

derech eretz

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

Participating in modern society.

Devarim

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

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)

halevai

I wish!

If only

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

Haredi

Adjective or noun referring to an individual, institution, or practice associated with strictly Orthodox (non-Modern) Jews.

hashgacha

1. Divine providence, interference, attention 2. Rabbinic supervision designating food as kosher

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

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

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

intent

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)

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)

kippah

"small, round headcovering" (JPS)

klal yisroel

"synonym for the Jewish people" (JPS)

kol hakavod

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

"well done" (Glinert)

kol tuv

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

Kotel

"The Western Wall"/wailing wall (Glinert)

koved

"honor, dignity, respect" (JPS)

kriah

Reading, especially Torah

Rending a garment (ritual of mourning)

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

luck (good)

congratulations

mechayil el chayil

"from strength to strength"

mechitza

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

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)

nu

so what?; so?; hurry up already

parasha

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)

general realm of feasibility, ballpark (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

"An explanation of the logic behind or the source of a passage, event, work, etc." (Weiser)

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)

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"

Rosh Chodesh

start of a new month in the Hebrew calendar

ruach

spirit, "spiritedness, morale" (JPS)

sechel

"Common sense" (JPS), intelligence

Shabbat Shalom

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

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

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

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" 1) traditionally means a ceremony and celebration that takes place at the end of a study of a tractate of talmud, 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

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

That's it!

Just kidding!

Someone who does extremely righteous deeds.

Congratulations!