Showing 418 of 1418 words, page 2 of 2
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pesadik
"Acceptable to be eaten on Pesach" (JPS), kosher for Passover.
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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
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petcha
Calves' foot jelly or jellied chicken served with garlic and spices as an appetizer.
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petek
note
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peula
activity
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peulat erev
evening program/activity
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Pew
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.
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pidyon haben
ceremony of redemption of the first-born son; celebration surrounding this ceremony
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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.
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pintele yid
"essential Jewishness"
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pirog
(pl. pirogen, pirogn) A small dumpling filed with meat or vegetables.
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pishachs
(vulgar) urine, piss
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pisher, little pisher
a diminutive that combines amusement, admiration and annoyance
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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)
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pisk
(vulgar) snout, grimace (Steinmetz)
Colloquialism: an eloquent or garrulous speaker. (Rosten)
mouth, loud-mouth, similar to English slang "trap" for mouth.
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pita
A round, thin bread with a pocket, eaten plain or with filling as a sandwich.
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pitseleh
little one, dear
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pizza bagel
A person of (non-Jewish) Italian and Jewish descent.
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plata
electric hotplate used on the Sabbath
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pletzl
"A thin, flat, crisp roll, often garnished with poppy seeds or onion" (Rosten)
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Ploni
An anonymous placeholder name, like "John Doe;" So-and-So.
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plotz
"1. To split, to burst, to explode. 2. " To be aggravated beyond bearing" (Rosten) [lit. "to explode"]
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polkeys
thighs (esp. of a chicken or baby)
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posek
a rabbi/scholar who makes halachic decisions/rulings
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poshet
simple
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posl
invalid
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prakes
Stuffed cabbage, also known by holiptshes, goluptshes, and golomkes, among other names
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pritse
an immodest woman
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pritsus
immoral behavior
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prost
coarse, base, not classy, vulgar, common
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psak
rabbinic ruling
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pshh
exclamation of respect
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Psukei d'Zimrah
the first part of morning services, after the morning blessings mostly comprised of Psalms [lit. "verses of praise"]
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punim
face
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pupik
Navel, belly button
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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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Purim Alegre
Happy Purim!
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pushke
"The little container...in which money to be donated to charity is accumulated." (Rosten)
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putz
"A fool, an ass, a jerk." (Rosten) [lit. "penis"]
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putzing, putzed
wasting time [offensive]
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qoqol
matzoh
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rachmones
mercy, pity, empathy
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ram kol
loudspeaker
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reb
"sir"; "mister"
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rebbe
the spiritual leader of a Hasidic sect
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rebbeyish
pertaining to the Hasidic rebbe
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rebetzin
wife of a rabbi
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reckel
long black coat worn by Yeshivish men
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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).
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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.
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Reform Judaism
A liberal, progressive branch of Judaism that emphasizes choice through knowledge.
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refua shlema
"Get well soon." Lit. "full recovery"
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refusenik
Term for Soviet Jews who were not allowed to openly practice Judaism or emigrate from Soviet Union.
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rega
wait, hold on; lit. "an instant"
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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
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religious school
after-school jewish supplementary education, usually from elementary through high school. may occur during the week or on sundays.
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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
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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.
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responsa
Written decisions and legal rulings by rabbis appointed to be legal deciders.
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rikud
dancing, especially Israeli dancing (at camp)
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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)
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rosh
The head of a division or area of camp (e.g. age group, sport, art, education).
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Rosh Chodesh
start of a new month in the Hebrew calendar
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rosh edah
supervisor of staff member responsible for a particular age group at summer camp
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Rosh Hashanah
The Jewish new year
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rov
A particularly notable rabbi; a halachic decisor
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ruach
spirit, "spiritedness, morale" (JPS)
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ruchnies
spirituality
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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)
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RWMO
'Right-wing Modern Orthodox' - often University-educated and open to (certain) professional training and education, but seriously committed to halakhic observance.
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s'chiya
swimming
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S/Y
Syrian Jew
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saba
grandfather
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sababa
Awesome. Cool.
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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)
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safek
"Doubt in the integrity of: Suspicion" (Weiser)
A doubt or doubtful case.
"Unresolved question: Uncertainty" (Weiser)
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sakanah
danger
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Salud y vida
Have health and long life! Said in response to Buenas semanas / Shavua tov.
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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).
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savlanut
patience
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savta
grandmother
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savtadik
(1) something that reminds one favorably of one's savfta (grandmother); (2) something that meets with savta's approval
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schach
branches or bamboo used to cover a sukkah
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schav
A cold cream-of-sorrel soup.
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schiya
Swimming
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schlemiel
idiot; contemptible person. "Clumsy, bungling person." (Steinmetz)
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schlep
An annoyingly long journey
"To carry, lug" (JPS)
To travel from one place to another when one would prefer not to
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schlimazel
Unlucky person; the constant butt of idiotic or unfortunate happenings
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schlissel
key
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schlong
a penis
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schmaltz
"Rendered chicken fat." (JPS)
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schmaltzy
"Overly sentimental or romantic." (JPS)
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schmatta
rag, old/ragged piece of clothing, garment
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schmear
to spread; cream cheese
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schmegege
"An untalented loser; a whiner; a petty person" (JPS).
"An unadmirable, petty person" (Rosten)
"silly or stupid person; simpleton; nitwit" (Steinmetz)
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schmo
a fool; a jerk
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schmooze
to make small talk or informally chat; to network, kiss up
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schnapps
"A strong, dry liquor." (JPS)
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schnoder
"to pledge a donation" (Steinmetz).
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schnorrer
a begger, a parasite. "A moocher" (JPS)
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sechel
"Common sense" (JPS), intelligence
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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
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sefer
"A literary composition written particularly of, on, or about the Torah" (Weiser)
Hebrew or Aramaic book
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seforim
Religious books written in Hebrew or Aramaic.
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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))
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seminary
Post-high school learning program for women; usually located in Jerusalem and associated with an Orthodox religious outlook
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Sephardic
Jews whose ancestors came from the Iberian Peninsula before the Jewish expulsion
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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
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Shabbat
The Jewish Sabbath; Saturday
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Shabbat Shalom
Used as a greeting or departing line (hello or goodbye) on or before Shabbat. Literally "peaceful Sabbath."
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Shabbos
the Jewish Sabbath
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Shabbos elevator
elevator used on the Sabbath that stops automatically on each floor to allow religious Jews to use it without operating electric equipment
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Shabbos goy
"A non-Jew who by prearrangement performs chores [that are forbidden] for a Jew on the Sabbath or holidays." (Steinmetz)
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shadchen
matchmaker
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shaila
a question, usually while looking for a halachic ruling
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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)
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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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shaliach
An Israeli staff member at a non-Israeli summer camp, often a member of the Mishlachat (Israeli delegation).
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shalom
hello, goodbye, peace
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shalom bayit
"Literally, 'peace in the home'. Contentment and harmony among family members." (JPS)
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shalom uvrachah
"Peace and blessing!" A more emphatic greeting than "shalom."
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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
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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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shana alef
the post-high school gap year that young men and women spend studying at yeshivot and seminaries in Israel
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shana tova
happy new year, lit. 'good year'
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shanda
"Scandal, shame." (JPS)
Misbehavior by a particular Jew or Jewish group that leads to embarrassment among the broader Jewish community.
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shashlik
A dish of skewered and grilled lamb of beef meat.
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shatnez
mixture of wool and linen in a garment, which is prohibited by Jewish law
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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.
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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).
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shayna punim
pretty face
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Shechinah
divine presence
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shechita
Kosher animal slaughter.
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shecht
to slaughter meat according to the rituals of kashrut
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shefele
sweety, Lit. "lamb"
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shehecheyanu
the blessing of thanksgiving that celebrates reaching a celebratory moment or marking a significant first
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sheitel
wig; worn by some observant jewish women after marriage. "A wig worn by strictly Orthodox...women as a [hair] covering." (Steinberg)
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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)
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shekem
The canteen at camp
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Sheket
Quiet!
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sheket bevakasha
"Quiet please."
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shelet
A plaque, often artistically presented.
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shelo lishmah
not for its own sake, not for the sake of heaven
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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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sherut
Lit. "service"; specifically a shared taxi used in israeli transportation
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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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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
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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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shiksa
"1. A non-Jewish girl. 2. A housemaid. 3. An irreligious or nonobservant Jewish girl. The term is often regarded as disparaging." (Steinmetz)
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shilshul
diarrhea
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shir
song
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shira
singing session
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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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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'.
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shkotz
berating term for a mischievous Jewish boy
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shleger
Bully, violent person
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shlichut
Being a shaliach (Israeli staff member at a non-Israeli camp).
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shlock
something cheap or inferior. "A shoddy, cheaply made article." (Rosten)
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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.
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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.
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shluffy
[to go] to sleep (child-directed speech)
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shlug up
to "shlug (someone) up" is to annihilate his argument, typically in such fashion as to demonstrate a superiority of knowledge
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shlump
an unkempt person, a loser
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shmecky
affectionate term used to describe a child, often connoting silly or slightly naughty behavior
child-appropriate word for penis
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shmendrik
jerk, stupid person
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shmuck
annoying, irritating person (lit. penis)
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shmura
a type of matzah adhering to more stringent interpretations of permissible matzah for Passover
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shmutz
"Dirt, stain, or filth." (JPS)
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shnook
"An incompetent person who is deserving of pity but also likable" (JPS); "A customer easily persuaded, a sucker." (H.L. Mencken, American Language)
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shnoz
"A nose, especially a large, unattractive one." (JPS)
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Shoah
Eastern European Holocaust (of World War II)
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shochet
ritual slaughterer in the system of kashrut
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shofar
ram's horn sounded during the month of elul, especially associated with rosh hashanah
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shogeg
One who commits a sin unintentionally.
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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
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
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shoo
An emphatic "what!?"
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shpatzir
literally 'to walk, take a stroll'; figuratively 'to delay, tarry, procrastinate'
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shpilkes
nervous energy, anxiousness, restlessness. Lit. 'pins'
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shpitz
top or extreme part
the ultimate, the best of, "cool"
typical, classic, a perfect example of; definitively
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shtadlan
an elected or self-appointed Jewish emissary pleading the cause of his people before the authorities
an intercessor
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shtar
Any legal document or writ, such as a bill of sale or a promissory note.
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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.
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Shtati
Cool, modern, cosmopolitan.
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shteig
strive; study; lit. "rise"
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shtender
lectern
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shtetl
"A town or village with...Jewish inhabitants, commonly found in Eastern Europe before World War II." (Steinmetz)
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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.
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shtickle
designation of second-class status, when applied to rabbis or other professionals.
a small amount; a little; a bit of (a)
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shtim
(often with preposition "with") to jibe, gel, concur, harmonize; without prep., equivalent to colloquial English "to add up; make sense"
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shtrayml
A hat trimmed with fur pieces, typically worn by Hassidim on Shabbat.
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shtum
quiet, voiceless, mute
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shtummer
quiet person, not much to say for themselves
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shtunk
stinker, nasty person, smelly person, nickname for a smelly baby.
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shtus
nonsense
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shuckle
Literally, "to shake", to sway back and forth during prayer
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shuk
Open air market in Israel
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shul
synagogue
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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.
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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
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shutim
responsa - rabbinic rulings
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shvach
weak, pathetic, (a place or gathering that is) lacking in activity
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shvartsa
black person, [lit. "black"]. Often considered offensive in English.
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shver
difficult, onerous, complex
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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"
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siddur
Jewish prayer book
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sidra
weekly Torah portion
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sifria
library
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siman tov
A congratulatory term meaning "(may it be) a good omen!"
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simcha
"A joyous occasion; a celebration" (JPS); usually related to a lifecycle event
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sivuv
noun: a go-around, walk-around, lap, especially one done in order to double-check something
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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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slicha
"Excuse me", "Sorry"
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slivovitz
plum brandy, often consumed on passover because it doesn't contain fermented grains.
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smichah
"Rabbinic ordination" (Steinmetz)
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snag
Misnaged (non-Hasidic Orthodox Jew)
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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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spiel
play, performance, speech. "A long, involved story or tale." (JPS)
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spodik
fur hat, similar to but taller (more cylindrical) than a shtreimel, worn by certain Chassidic groups
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strudel
A pastry made by rolling up a thin sheet of dough with a fruit or cheese filling and baking it.
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sufganiyot
jelly-filled donuts traditionally eaten on Chanukah
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sugya
passage from the Talmud
"A distinct matter for consideration in discussion, thought, or study" (Weiser)
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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
purpose, aim
practical details of a matter, "brass tacks" (as in, "Let's get down to brass tacks.")
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tachrichim
burial shrouds
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taharas hamishpachah
the body of law surrounding menstruation, lit. "family purity"
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tahini
"A creamy paste made from ground sesame seeds" (JPS)
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tahor
ritually pure, clean
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taiva
lust, desire
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taka
Is that so? Really, actually, indeed, "in consideration of all the information available" (Weiser)
(can also be used ironically)
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takkanah
A rabbinical decree or ordinance, issued to improve religious life.
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tallis
prayer shawl
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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)
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talmudic
1. literally, having to do with the talmud 2. a debate that was complex and had many sides
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tam
taste
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tamei
ritually impure, unclean
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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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tatala
"'Little papa.' A term of endearment for a little boy. Old-fashioned usage." (Eisenberg)
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tate
dad
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tchotchke
trinket, knicknack
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teatron
theater
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tefach
A halachic unit of measure: four fingers (a palm's breadth) high.
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tefillah
prayer, services, or an individual prayer
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tefillat haderech
the prayer for a safe journey
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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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tehina
A paste made from ground sesame seeds, used as a dip or spread.
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teiglach
a confection of dough balls dipped in honey/syrup and eaten at Rosh Hashanah
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tekes
ceremony, usually surrounding something identified as Israeli or Jewish
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tell over
to repeat or teach a story heard elsewhere
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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)
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teshuvah
repentance [lit. "return"]
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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)
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The Chosen People
refers to the jewish people as a whole having a unique relationship with god; (translation of hebrew phrase "am nivchar")
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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)
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tichel
headscarf worn by Orthodox women
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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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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.
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titchadesh
"Use it in good health" or "Enjoy your new item"
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tiyul
A walk, journey, hike, field trip, or overnight.
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Tizke vetichye vita'arich yamim
May you have the fortune to have a long and good life!
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Tizku Leshanim rabot
Wishing you many, many years!
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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.
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toda
"thank you"
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toivel
to immerse dishes in a ritual bath (mikvah) to render them usable in a kosher kitchen
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Torah
Literally, "teaching". 1. The five books of moses. 2. Jewish law and values in general.
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Torah reading
a section of the torah read on certain days during the week. (translation of hebrew phrase "kriyas hatorah")
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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
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toren
Flagpole.
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Tot Shabbat
A synagogue-based service or play group for young children on Shabbat.
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tov
"good", "okay"
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toyve
A favor
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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.
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treif
(adj or noun) food prohibited by the jewish dietary laws
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triple-h
good-looking Jewish female ("hot Hebrew honey")
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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.
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truntor
old broken down car/ jalopy
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tsedreyt
mixed up, twisted, distorted, turned around
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tsekrochen
slovenly, [feeling] feeble or fragile, usually owing to minor illness or a night of excess.
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tsemisht
mixed-up, confused
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tsniusdik
modest, discrete, especially according to Orthodox norms of dress, comportment, and gender interaction
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tsorris
"Troubles, woes, worries, suffering." (Rosten)
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tsu gezunt
a response after another person sneezes (analogous to "bless you")
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tsvuak
hypocrite
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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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tuches
buttocks
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tuches afn tisch
lay your cards on the table [lit. "backside on the table"]
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tumler
"A funmaker, a 'live wire,' a clown, a prankster, the 'life of the party." (Rosten)
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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
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tush
buttocks
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tza'ar ba'alei chayim
pity for living creatures (Steinmetz), or compassion for animals.
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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).
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TzaHaL
acronym for: ts'va ha-haganah le-yisrael, the Israeli defense force (IDF)
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tzedakah
charity, money given to charity
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tzedek, tzedek tirdof
"justice, justice, you will pursue." (Deuteronomy 16:20)
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tzeit
nightfall; the time when three stars have appeared in the sky (short for tzeit hakochavim - stars coming out)
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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).
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tzimmes
A sweet, fruit-and-vegetable stew made usually with carrots, plums, apples, and sweet potatoes.
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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.
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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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tzofim
Scouts; often in imitation of the Tnuat HaTzofim program in Israel.
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tzom kal
"have an easy fast"; used as a greeting on Jewish fast days, especially Yom Kippur
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tzrif
cabin/bunk
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unaffiliated
Refers to members of the Jewish population who are not involved with a synagogue or other Jewish community organizations.
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unetaneh tokef
a particular High Holiday prayer recited on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
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unveiling
the ceremony marking the unveiling of a deceased person's headstone one year after his or her burial
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upsherin
the first haircut of a 3 year old; [lit. 'cutting off']
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ushpizin
transcendent "guests" welcomed into the sukkah during Sukkot, one per day
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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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vantz
bedbug
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varem
warm, kind-hearted, friendly
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Vayikra
the book of Leviticus
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veiter
"Further; next." (Steinmetz)
"More distant: Farther." (Weiser)
"At a more advanced point: Further." (Weiser)
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verklempt
overly emotional, choked up; speechless; unable to express one's feelings/emotions
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vig
The commission one receives for conducting a transaction, usually gambling or drug deals, but can also be used in day-to-day transactions.
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vilde chaye
a rambunctious or wild person [lit. 'wild animal']
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vort
a short lesson derived from the Torah; an engagement party, named after the short speech usually delivered in honor of the couple
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vos
what
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wash
To wash one's hands ritually before a meal.
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whole megillah
an expression of something done completely and/or taking a long time
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wimpel
a long, linen sash used as a binding for the Sefer Torah by Jews of German (Yekke) origin
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yad
the metal or wooden pointer used to follow the text when reading Torah; lit. "hand"
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yafeh meod
"Very nice!"
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yahrzeit
The anniversary of a person's death, generally marked by relatives in some way.
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yainee
other types of chassidim [i.e. non-Chabad] , especially youth
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yala
"let's go"
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yamim noraim
high holy days, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
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yarmulke
religious skullcap
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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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Yekke
A Jew who behaves according to the stereotype of Jews of German heritage: punctual and concerned with details.
A Jew of German heritage
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yeladim
children
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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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yenta
"A scandal spreader, a rumormongerer." (Rosten). Usually applied to women.
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yerida
emigration from Israel
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Yerushalayim
Jerusalem
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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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yeshivish
Litvish; Lithuanian; associated with the rationalistic Lithuanian tradition; associated with non-Hasidic Black Hat communities
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yetzer hara
Lit. 'the evil inclination'
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yichus
Bragging rights based on respected family history
"Pedigree, lineage, family background." (JPS)
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yid
a Jewish person
A derogatory term used by non-Jews for a Jewish person (particularly so in Great Britain).
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Yiddish
Traditional language of Ashkenazic Jewry. A descendant of High German, its vocabulary is roughly 80% Germanic, 10% Hebrew and 10% Slavic (depending on author/speaker and setting/genre)
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yiddishe kop
having the mental agility for traditional Jewish scholarship, or simple common sense
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yiddishkeit
"Jewishness"; sometimes used interchangeably with 'Judaism' or 'Jewish culture'
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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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yiras shamayim
"awe of heaven"
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yofi
nice, good (used as an interjection, not adjective)
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yoikelta
Derogatory reference to a non-Jewish woman.
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yok
rowdy non-Jewish hooligan (derogatory)
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yold
fool, dupe
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Yom Kippur
day of atonement, arguably the most important day on the Jewish calendar
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yom yam
beach day; a sunny, warm day to skip school and hang out at the beach
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yontefdik
festive; related to or appropriate for a holiday
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yontif
a Jewish holiday, especially one on which work is prohibited (in contrast to chol hamoed)
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yosem
orphan
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Yoshke
an irreverent or derogatory name for Jesus Christ
a nickname for Yosef or Yehoshua (archaic Yiddish form)
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yotzei
released from a religious obligation by dint of completion or fulfillment; "to have done what's required" (Glinert)
(with the helping verb "to be," and an object where required) to fulfill, as a mitzvah or some figurative obligation
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yutz
dumb jerk
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z"l
'of blessed memory', appended to the name of a dead person
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zaftig
pleasantly plump, buxom, lit. "juicy"
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zaidie
grandpa, grandfather
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zall
study hall; beis medrash (lit. "hall")
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zatar
an Israeli spice mixture made from oregano, basil, thyme, and savory
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Zeder
Zoom seder: seder conducted via the videoconferencing technology Zoom.
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zehu
"That's all!" "That's final!" "And that's the end of it!" "That's it."
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zei gezunt
be healthy, be well; farewell!
(humorous) a recommendation for greater sophistication or awareness: "get real"
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zets
"A punch, a strong blow; a setback" (JPS)
"A strong blow or punch" (Rosten)
"punch; bump; slam" (Steinmetz)
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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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zimriyah
song festival, music competition
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zise
a sweet, good person
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zitsfleysh
lit. "sitting-flesh" : 'the ability to sit down for a long period fo time'
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zivug
(n.) mate, predestined match
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Zoom Mitzvah
Bar or bat mitzvah service or party conducted via Zoom
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zoykhe
to merit
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Zulik
wild, similar to vilde chaye
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Zulik
The boy is "wild" or "a wilde chaya"