Jewish English Lexicon

pesadik

"Acceptable to be eaten on Pesach" (JPS), kosher for 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

petcha

Calves' foot jelly or jellied chicken served with garlic and spices as an appetizer.

Shorthand reference to “A Portrait of Jewish Americans,” a comprehensive survey, released in October 2013 by the Pew Research Center’s Religion and Public Life Project. Upon its release, the survey's findings on population, Jewish identity, and interfaith marriage seemed likely to play a central role in determining priorities for myriad Jewish institutions.

pidyon haben

ceremony of redemption of the first-born son; celebration surrounding this ceremony

pikuach nefesh

The principle that the law of saving a person's life takes precedence over all other laws, with the exception of the laws prohibiting idolatry, incestuous relations, and the murder of an innocent person.

pintele yid

"essential Jewishness"

pirog

(pl. pirogen, pirogn) A small dumpling filed with meat or vegetables.

pish

urinate

urine

pishachs

(vulgar) urine, piss

pisher, little pisher

a diminutive that combines amusement, admiration and annoyance

pishkado i limon

Literally 'fish and lemon'. Used when trying to change the subject, normally when the topic of conversation is inappropriate (e.g., talking about business on Shabbat, talking about a deceased person)

pisk

(vulgar) snout, grimace (Steinmetz)

Colloquialism: an eloquent or garrulous speaker. (Rosten)

mouth, loud-mouth, similar to English slang "trap" for mouth.

pita

A round, thin bread with a pocket, eaten plain or with filling as a sandwich.

pitseleh

little one, dear

pizza bagel

A person of (non-Jewish) Italian and Jewish descent.

plata

electric hotplate used on the Sabbath

pletzl

"A thin, flat, crisp roll, often garnished with poppy seeds or onion" (Rosten)

Ploni

An anonymous placeholder name, like "John Doe;" So-and-So.

plotz

"1. To split, to burst, to explode. 2. " To be aggravated beyond bearing" (Rosten) [lit. "to explode"]

polkeys

thighs (esp. of a chicken or baby)

posek

a rabbi/scholar who makes halachic decisions/rulings

poshet

simple

posl

invalid

prakes

Stuffed cabbage, also known by holiptshes, goluptshes, and golomkes, among other names

pritse

an immodest woman

pritsus

immoral behavior

prost

coarse, base, not classy, vulgar, common

psak

rabbinic ruling

pshetl

subtle or hair-splitting argument about a Jewish text

dvar torah (Orthodox)

pshh

exclamation of respect

Psukei d'Zimrah

the first part of morning services, after the morning blessings mostly comprised of Psalms [lit. "verses of praise"]

punim

face

pupik

Navel, belly button

Purim

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

Purim Alegre

Happy Purim!

pushke

"The little container...in which money to be donated to charity is accumulated." (Rosten)

putz

"A fool, an ass, a jerk." (Rosten) [lit. "penis"]

putzing, putzed

wasting time [offensive]

qoqol

matzoh

rachmones

mercy, pity, empathy

ram kol

loudspeaker

reb

"sir"; "mister"

rebbe

the spiritual leader of a Hasidic sect

rebbeyish

pertaining to the Hasidic rebbe

rebetzin

wife of a rabbi

reckel

long black coat worn by Yeshivish men

Recon

Adj. Of or pertaining to Reconstructionist Judaism (a movement founded by Rabbi M. M. Kaplan, emphasizing Judaism as a civilization more than a religion).

Reform

a Jewish movement founded on principles of the Jewish Enlightenment (Haskalah), which rejected the binding nature of the Law and attempted to concentrate on the prophetic message; it is now the largest movement in the United States, and has an additional 1 million adherents worldwide.

Reform Judaism

A liberal, progressive branch of Judaism that emphasizes choice through knowledge.

refua shlema

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

refusenik

Term for Soviet Jews who were not allowed to openly practice Judaism or emigrate from Soviet Union.

rega

wait, hold on; lit. "an instant"

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

religious school

after-school jewish supplementary education, usually from elementary through high school. may occur during the week or on sundays.

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

renewal

An alternative stream of rabbis and congregations, independent of the "mainstream" denominations, that fosters an open and experimental approach to Judaism, often drawing from the Jewish mystical tradition and non-Jewish spiritual traditions.

Practices and beliefs in keeping with the philosphy of the renewal movement.

responsa

Written decisions and legal rulings by rabbis appointed to be legal deciders.

rikud

dancing, especially Israeli dancing (at camp)

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

The head of a division or area of camp (e.g. age group, sport, art, education).

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

rugelach

"Bite-size crescent-shaped pastries, rolled around a variety of fillings, including chopped raisins and walnuts, apple, raspberry, [chocolate] or mun, topped with a sprinkling of cinnamon and sugar" (JPS)

RWMO

'Right-wing Modern Orthodox' - often University-educated and open to (certain) professional training and education, but seriously committed to halakhic observance.

s'chiya

swimming

S/Y

Syrian Jew

saba

grandfather

sababa

Awesome. Cool.

sabra

a prickly pear, "tough and prickly on the outside, tender and sweet on the inside--a description that many say fits citizens of the Jewish state." (JPS)

safek

"Doubt in the integrity of: Suspicion" (Weiser)

A doubt or doubtful case.

"Unresolved question: Uncertainty" (Weiser)

sakanah

danger

Salud y vida

Have health and long life! Said in response to Buenas semanas / Shavua tov.

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

savta

grandmother

savtadik

(1) something that reminds one favorably of one's savfta (grandmother); (2) something that meets with savta's approval

schach

branches or bamboo used to cover a sukkah

schav

A cold cream-of-sorrel soup.

schiya

Swimming

schlemiel

idiot; contemptible person. "Clumsy, bungling person." (Steinmetz)

schlep

An annoyingly long journey

"To carry, lug" (JPS)

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

schlimazel

Unlucky person; the constant butt of idiotic or unfortunate happenings

schlissel

key

schlong

a penis

schmaltz

"Rendered chicken fat." (JPS)

schmaltzy

"Overly sentimental or romantic." (JPS)

schmatta

rag, old/ragged piece of clothing, garment

schmear

to spread; cream cheese

schmegege

"An untalented loser; a whiner; a petty person" (JPS).

"An unadmirable, petty person" (Rosten)

"silly or stupid person; simpleton; nitwit" (Steinmetz)

schmo

a fool; a jerk

schmonzes

small pieces of valueless decorative bric-a-brac

idle talk

schmooze

to make small talk or informally chat; to network, kiss up

schnapps

"A strong, dry liquor." (JPS)

schnoder

"to pledge a donation" (Steinmetz).

schnorr

to beg, to request money

to get something for free, to mooch

schnorrer

a begger, a parasite. "A moocher" (JPS)

schvitz

sweat (v., n.)

steam bath (n.)

sechel

"Common sense" (JPS), intelligence

seder

period for Torah study

A ceremony involving recitations, singing, food, and drink typically associated with Passover, but also with Tu B'shvat and Rosh Hashanah.

The name for the six sections of the Mishnah.

order, orderliness, system, routine

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))

seminary

Post-high school learning program for women; usually located in Jerusalem and associated with an Orthodox religious outlook

Sephardic

Jews whose ancestors came from the Iberian Peninsula before the Jewish expulsion

sgan rosh

The assistant head of a division or area of camp (e.g. age group, sport, art, education).

principal of a school, assistant head

shabash

Well done!

Money thrown on bride and groom at a wedding (Mountain Jews).

Shabbat

The Jewish Sabbath; Saturday

Shabbat Shalom

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

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

shaina maidel

pretty girl

well-behaved girl (female equivalent of mensch, which is sometimes used just for males but is often used for males and females)

shalech manes

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

shaliach

An Israeli staff member at a non-Israeli summer camp, often a member of the Mishlachat (Israeli delegation).

shalom

hello, goodbye, peace

shalom bayit

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

shalom uvrachah

"Peace and blessing!" A more emphatic greeting than "shalom."

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

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.

shana alef

the post-high school gap year that young men and women spend studying at yeshivot and seminaries in Israel

shana tova

happy new year, lit. 'good year'

shanda

"Scandal, shame." (JPS)

Misbehavior by a particular Jew or Jewish group that leads to embarrassment among the broader Jewish community.

shashlik

A dish of skewered and grilled lamb of beef meat.

shatnez

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

shawarma

Thinly cut meat (usually lamb, but may be chicken, beef, or other meat) cooked on a vertical rotating spit. Often served on a laffa (large pita type bread, but flat like a pizza dough and without a pocket) and with French fries ("chips" in Israel). Sometimes served on pita.

Shayach

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

Pertinent, relevant (Steinmetz).

shayna punim

pretty face

Shechinah

divine presence

shechita

Kosher animal slaughter.

shecht

to slaughter meat according to the rituals of kashrut

shefele

sweety, Lit. "lamb"

shehecheyanu

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

sheitel

wig; worn by some observant jewish women after marriage. "A wig worn by strictly Orthodox...women as a [hair] covering." (Steinberg)

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)

shekem

The canteen at camp

Sheket

Quiet!

sheket bevakasha

"Quiet please."

shelet

A plaque, often artistically presented.

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)

sherut

Lit. "service"; specifically a shared taxi used in israeli transportation

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

n., such content

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

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)

shidduch

arranged spousal match

mate

a date in the process of finding one's spouse

match

shiksa

"1. A non-Jewish girl. 2. A housemaid. 3. An irreligious or nonobservant Jewish girl. The term is often regarded as disparaging." (Steinmetz)

shilshul

diarrhea

shir

song

shira

singing session

shissel

A large bowl, especially for mixing

A small washtub.

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

shleger

Bully, violent person

shlichut

Being a shaliach (Israeli staff member at a non-Israeli camp).

shlock

something cheap or inferior. "A shoddy, cheaply made article." (Rosten)

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.

shluffy

[to go] to sleep (child-directed speech)

shlug up

to "shlug (someone) up" is to annihilate his argument, typically in such fashion as to demonstrate a superiority of knowledge

shlump

an unkempt person, a loser

shmais

a Lubavitch news website: http://shmais.com/

Whack, wallop, smack

shmeckel

irritating, or contemptible behavior

little penis

shmecky

affectionate term used to describe a child, often connoting silly or slightly naughty behavior

child-appropriate word for penis

shmendrik

jerk, stupid person

shmira

"guard duty"

"watching over the body of a dead person prior to burial"

shmuck

annoying, irritating person (lit. penis)

shmura

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

shmutz

"Dirt, stain, or filth." (JPS)

shnook

"An incompetent person who is deserving of pity but also likable" (JPS); "A customer easily persuaded, a sucker." (H.L. Mencken, American Language)

shnoz

"A nose, especially a large, unattractive one." (JPS)

Shoah

Eastern European Holocaust (of World War II)

shochet

ritual slaughterer in the system of kashrut

shofar

ram's horn sounded during the month of elul, especially associated with rosh hashanah

shogeg

One who commits a sin unintentionally.

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

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

one who keeps vigil over a dead body before it is buried

shomu shomayim

woe is me!

heaven forbid!

shoo

An emphatic "what!?"

shpatzir

literally 'to walk, take a stroll'; figuratively 'to delay, tarry, procrastinate'

shpilkes

nervous energy, anxiousness, restlessness. Lit. 'pins'

shpitz

top or extreme part

the ultimate, the best of, "cool"

typical, classic, a perfect example of; definitively

shpritz

(n., v.) spray; squirt

soda drink

shtadlan

an elected or self-appointed Jewish emissary pleading the cause of his people before the authorities

an intercessor

shtar

Any legal document or writ, such as a bill of sale or a promissory note.

shtark

Adj: religiously intense. Literally "strong," generally used in reference to someone more religious than the speaker

Verb: "shtark out" - to identify oneself closer to the Black Hat end of the Modern Orthodox to Black Hat continuum, in comparison to one's previous location on that continuum.

shtarker

a strong, stout fellow

thug

big shot, an arrogant person

Shtati

Cool, modern, cosmopolitan.

shteig

strive; study; lit. "rise"

shtender

lectern

shtetl

"A town or village with...Jewish inhabitants, commonly found in Eastern Europe before World War II." (Steinmetz)

shtick

"Overused actions or behavior." (JPS)

Comedy routine.

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

Props and decorations used for wedding entertainment.

shtickle

designation of second-class status, when applied to rabbis or other professionals.

a small amount; a little; a bit of (a)

shtim

(often with preposition "with") to jibe, gel, concur, harmonize; without prep., equivalent to colloquial English "to add up; make sense"

shtrayml

A hat trimmed with fur pieces, typically worn by Hassidim on Shabbat.

shtum

quiet, voiceless, mute

shtummer

quiet person, not much to say for themselves

shtunk

stinker, nasty person, smelly person, nickname for a smelly baby.

shtup

noun, the act of sexual intercourse

verb, have sexual intercourse

shtus

nonsense

shuckle

Literally, "to shake", to sway back and forth during prayer

shuk

Open air market in Israel

shul

synagogue

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

shvach

weak, pathetic, (a place or gathering that is) lacking in activity

shvantz

very rude man, lowlife, snitch

penis, dick

tail

shvartsa

black person, [lit. "black"]. Often considered offensive in English.

shver

difficult, onerous, complex

Si kiere El Dyo

(Literally) If it is God's will -An expression that nothing is certain, or completely in our hands -a mild expression of doubt, like "If it turns out that way"

siddur

Jewish prayer book

sidra

weekly Torah portion

sifria

library

sikkum

summarize, usually at the end of a session

a summary

siman tov

A congratulatory term meaning "(may it be) a good omen!"

simcha

"A joyous occasion; a celebration" (JPS); usually related to a lifecycle event

sivuv

noun: a go-around, walk-around, lap, especially one done in order to double-check something

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.

slicha

"Excuse me", "Sorry"

slivovitz

plum brandy, often consumed on passover because it doesn't contain fermented grains.

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.

spiel

play, performance, speech. "A long, involved story or tale." (JPS)

spodik

fur hat, similar to but taller (more cylindrical) than a shtreimel, worn by certain Chassidic groups

stam

Just kidding!

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

That's it!

strudel

A pastry made by rolling up a thin sheet of dough with a fruit or cheese filling and baking it.

sufganiyot

jelly-filled donuts traditionally eaten on Chanukah

sugya

passage from the Talmud

"A distinct matter for consideration in discussion, thought, or study" (Weiser)

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.

svara

guess, hypothesis

justification, reason, plausible explanation

svive

group or get-together

environment, surroundings

tachlis

purpose, aim

practical details of a matter, "brass tacks" (as in, "Let's get down to brass tacks.")

tachrichim

burial shrouds

tafkid

divinely ordained purpose

task

assignment

taharas hamishpachah

the body of law surrounding menstruation, lit. "family purity"

tahini

"A creamy paste made from ground sesame seeds" (JPS)

tahor

ritually pure, clean

taiva

lust, desire

taka

Is that so? Really, actually, indeed, "in consideration of all the information available" (Weiser)

(can also be used ironically)

takkanah

A rabbinical decree or ordinance, issued to improve religious life.

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

tamei

ritually impure, unclean

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)

tatala

"'Little papa.' A term of endearment for a little boy. Old-fashioned usage." (Eisenberg)

tate

dad

tchotchke

trinket, knicknack

teatron

theater

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).

tehina

A paste made from ground sesame seeds, used as a dip or spread.

teiglach

a confection of dough balls dipped in honey/syrup and eaten at Rosh Hashanah

teiku

The question remains unanswered.

An unanswered question.

tekes

ceremony, usually surrounding something identified as Israeli or Jewish

tell over

to repeat or teach a story heard elsewhere

tenai

"A condition of circumstance upon which a certain effect is predicated: Stipulation" (Weiser).

(pl. form tenaim only, used as sg.) "The original prenuptial contract, the tenaim dates from the 12th century. It is the detailed dowry and other financial arrangements, the date of the wedding, and the penalty if anyone backed out. Some traditional and Hasidic Jews still prepare a tenaim and read it aloud at an engagement party or sign it before the wedding ceremony, at the same time the ketubbah is signed" (JPS).

A condition, especially one made as part of an agreement.

(pl. form tenaim only, used as sg) "A traditional name for an engagement party" (JPS)

tepple

a pot or a pan

a bedpan

teshuvah

repentance [lit. "return"]

teva

nature

character (quality of a person or thing)

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")

Three Weeks

a period of semi-mourning commemorating the destruction of the first and second temples in jerusalem. "The three weeks between shiva asar betamuz (17th of Tamuz), when the walls of Jerusalem were breached, and Tisha b'Av (9th of Av), when the Temple was destroyed." (Steinmetz)

tichel

headscarf worn by Orthodox women

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

tisch

a festive friday night gathering, often involving alcohol and singing [lit. "table"]. in hasidic circles, the rebbe often hosts a tisch with hundreds of hasidim at which he shares his teachings.

titchadesh

"Use it in good health" or "Enjoy your new item"

tiyul

A walk, journey, hike, field trip, or overnight.

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

The portions of the Torah containing the curses the Israelites will incur if they do not follow the commandments (Lev. 26 and Deut. 28)

Rebuke, or corrections, for one's behavior, particularly as it pertains to Jewish practice.

toda

"thank you"

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.

Torah reading

a section of the torah read on certain days during the week. (translation of hebrew phrase "kriyas hatorah")

toranut

tour of duty, esp. the task of serving and clearing food, and/or setting and clearing plates, at communal meals at Jewish summer camp

The people given the job of toranut

toren

Flagpole.

Tot Shabbat

A synagogue-based service or play group for young children on Shabbat.

tov

"good", "okay"

toyve

A favor

traditional-egalitarian

A type of prayer group, service, community, or personal practice where people of all genders participate fully and equally in prayer services or other ritual functions (particularly women also performing rituals traditionally ascribed to men), while maintaining an adherence to traditional halachic practice.

treif

(adj or noun) food prohibited by the jewish dietary laws

triple-h

good-looking Jewish female ("hot Hebrew honey")

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.

truntor

old broken down car/ jalopy

tsedreyt

mixed up, twisted, distorted, turned around

tsekrochen

slovenly, [feeling] feeble or fragile, usually owing to minor illness or a night of excess.

tseloznik

a cute, mischievous child

a spoiled child

tsemisht

mixed-up, confused

tsibur

The public.

The (Jewish) community.

A prayer group.

tsniusdik

modest, discrete, especially according to Orthodox norms of dress, comportment, and gender interaction

tsorris

"Troubles, woes, worries, suffering." (Rosten)

tsu gezunt

a response after another person sneezes (analogous to "bless you")

tsvuak

hypocrite

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

tuches afn tisch

lay your cards on the table [lit. "backside on the table"]

tumler

"A funmaker, a 'live wire,' a clown, a prankster, the 'life of the party." (Rosten)

tuna bagel

a person (usually a young, Hasidic man) who appears to be religious but is in part or in whole not observant; OR who is observant and wears Hasidic garb, but otherwise behaves like non-Hasidic Orthodox Jews

tush

buttocks

tza'ar ba'alei chayim

pity for living creatures (Steinmetz), or compassion for animals.

tzadik

Someone who does extremely righteous deeds.

A highly learned and esteemed rabbinic leader (sometimes used as an alternative name for a Hasidic rebbe).

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

TzaHaL

acronym for: ts'va ha-haganah le-yisrael, the Israeli defense force (IDF)

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)

tzevet

staff member

staff

tzimmes

"A sweet, baked dish of vegetables or fruit. Carrot tzimmes, a popular version, includes carrots, sweet potatoes, dried apricots, raisins, sugar, and cinnamon" (JPS).

"Troubles, difficulties, a contretemps" (Rosten).

"A prolonged procedure, and involved business, a mix-up" (Rosten).

tzimmes

A sweet, fruit-and-vegetable stew made usually with carrots, plums, apples, and sweet potatoes.

tzitzit

The fringes on a tallit (tallis) prayer shawl or on a tallit katan.

A garment worn under the shirt by Orthodox men and boys, with a tassel hanging down from each of the four corners.

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

tzofim

Scouts; often in imitation of the Tnuat HaTzofim program in Israel.

tzom kal

"have an easy fast"; used as a greeting on Jewish fast days, especially Yom Kippur

tzrif

cabin/bunk

unaffiliated

Refers to members of the Jewish population who are not involved with a synagogue or other Jewish community organizations.

unetaneh tokef

a particular High Holiday prayer recited on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur

unveiling

the ceremony marking the unveiling of a deceased person's headstone one year after his or her burial

upsherin

the first haircut of a 3 year old; [lit. 'cutting off']

ushpizin

transcendent "guests" welcomed into the sukkah during Sukkot, one per day

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.