Showing 173 of 173 words, page 1 of 1
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aba
father, dad, daddy
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Adonai
"Literally, 'my Lord', another word for God." (JPS)
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afikomen
a piece of matzah from the Passover seder traditionally hidden by adults, found by the children (or vice versa), and then ransomed for gifts after the meal. "The last piece of matzoh...eaten at the meal." (Steinmetz)
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aleichem sholom
Peace be upon you. Response to "sholom aleichem"
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aliyah
ascent
"calling to the reading of the Torah" (Glinert)
ascent of the soul of a deceased person to a higher level, as is believed to happen on their yartzeit
immigration to Israel
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amen
Agreed. "The word used at the end of prayer to signify affirmation." (Rosten)
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Amida
The Shemoneh Esrei prayer, which is said while standing [Amida, lit. "standing".]
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ark
"the cabinet at the front of an Ashkenazic synagogue that houses the Torah scroll." (JPS)
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assur
forbidden
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averah
religious transgression (Glinert: "An aveirah is an infringement on the Torah, the opposite of a mitzvah.")
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b'laz
Abbreviation for "B'loshn am zar", "in a foreign language"; usually used by the commentator Rashi when using a Middle French expression
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bagel
"A leavened, firm, doughnut shaped roll" (JPS)
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bat mitzvah
in gender egalitarian communities, the ceremony of a 13- (or 12-) year-old girl's first calling up to the Torah, symbolizing her adulthood in Jewish life. can also refer to the girl herself. In Orthodox communities, refers to celebration of girl turning 12. "Celebration of a Jewish girl's coming of age; a girl who has reached that age." (Glinert)
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BCE
Before the Common Era (used in place of B.C.). Steinmetz: "...recently, a new awareness of the Christian character of these abbreviations have led many Jewish writers and editors to replace them with [C.E. And B.C.E.]"
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beit din
A rabbinical court of law that makes judgments on matters of Jewish religious life, especially conversion and divorce.
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bench
JPS: "To recite a blessing. It usually refers to Birkat ha-Mazon, the Grace after Meals... The word can also refer to the reciting of any blessing; for example, the expression bentsch licht means to light Shabbat [or Chanukah] candles."
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bimah
pulpit; "A raised platform or stage in a synagogue from which the Torah is read and services are led." (JPS)
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blech
an electric hot plate or "sheet of metal that can be placed over the burners on a stove to retain heat, so that precooked food...can be kept warm during the Sabbath." (JPS)
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bli neder
"Literally, 'without vowing', this is added to any casual promise to avoid it being taken as an absolute undertaking." (Glinert)
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borscht
"Borshtsh" is the Russian word for beet soup. Among Jews soup made from beets is considered Polish borshtsh, while Russian borshtsh is made from cabbage.
"An Eastern European soup traditionally made with beets." (JPS)
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bris
circumcision ceremony; the celebration surrounding it. Lit. covenant.
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bubbe meise
"old wive's tale"; an untrue story, sometimes related to superstition
"Something of little importance, an inconsequential thing or minor happening." (JPS)
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bulvan
loud mouth know-it-all; "a boorish, brutish person" (Steinmetz)
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candle lighting
"the custom of lighting candles to welcome the Sabbath" (JPS); the exact time at which holiday and Shabbos candles are supposed to be lit by according to Jewish law.
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chag
"Festival" (Glinert)
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chai
"Literally, 'life'" (JPS); 18 (see note)
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challah
"The braided egg bread that traditionally is eaten on almost every Jewish holiday and [the Sabbath]" (JPS)
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chalutzim
Pioneers in the building of the State of Israel.
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chanukiah
Nine-branched menorah / candelabrum used on Chanukah
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charoses
Sweet, mushy mixture that represents mortar at the Passover seder.
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chatuna
wedding
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chaverim
members, friends
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chazir
1. pork 2. a pig, greedy person (JPS)
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chevra kedisha
burial society - volunteers who sit with the dead and prepare their bodies for burial
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chidush
innovative idea; an insight; discovery; novelty
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cholent
"A slow-cooked stew made of beef, beans, potatoes, and other vegetables. Cholent is a common Sabbath dish..." (JPS)
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chuppah
wedding ceremony (not including reception)
"The Jewish wedding canopy; that is, the cloth under which the Jewish wedding ceremony is conducted." (JPS)
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daven
pray; lead services
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day school
Jewish grade school, where students learn both Jewish and secular subjects. "The general name given to private Jewish schools" in the United States and Canada (JPS)
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derech eretz
Participating in modern society.
"Good conduct; normal, polite behavior in a social setting." (JPS). Manners, respect.
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drasha
"Sermon, learned address." (Glinert)
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dreidel
"A small, four-sided spinning top used in a game during Chanukah" (JPS); the top itself
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erev
"Eve of." (Glinert) Evening, or the day before a Jewish holiday
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eruv
area in which a token enclosure enables one to carry on the Sabbath [without breaking the prohibition against carrying in a public space]." (Glinert)
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esnoga
synagogue
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fleishig
"The general term for food in the meat category, according to the Jewish dietary laws" (JPS)
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forshpayz
"appetizers" (JPS)
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frum
religious; observant; Orthodox
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gabai
verb: to serve as gabai
noun: The officer of the synagogue who determines which congregants are to receive Torah honors at the service.
noun: The (lay) person who calls Jews to say blessings over the Torah reading and follows along with the Torah reading to correct any mistakes.
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gelt
"The foil wrapped chocolate coins that are a traditional Hanukkah treat for children." (JPS)
Money (slang usage)
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gemara
"A compilation of 300 years of rabbis' legal and ethical commentaries on the Mishnah...together, the Gemara and the Mishnah comprise the Talmud." (JPS)
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gematria
"An ancient system of Hebrew numerology," (JPS), in which each Hebrew letter possesses a numerical value, allowing words or phrases to express possible "hidden" meaning (when one adds up the letters' values)
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gemilut chasadim
"Literally, "acts of loving kindness"", (JPS) often used in reference to charitable activities
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ger tzedek
A "righteous convert" to Judaism.
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get
a writ or deed of divorce
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glatt
Showing consistency of reason (Weiser).
Super-kosher (not only of food), or acceptable to the Haredi community.
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golem
"A creature of Jewish medieval folklore, a golem is a figure made into the form of a human and given life." (JPS)
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golus
literally "exile" (JPS); outside of the Land of Israel; away from a vibrant Jewish community; the time period since the destruction of the Second Temple at Jerusalem (Glinert)
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gonif
thief
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goy
a nation, but not the Jewish nation
"most often used among Jews to refer to someone who is not a Jew" (JPS)
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haggadah
"The small book of liturgy, prayers, songs, and rituals used at a Pesach seder" (JPS)
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Hagim u'zmanim lesasson
Holidays and seasons for rejoicing!
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halacha
"Jewish law" (JPS)
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hamsa
a hand-shaped amulet (often a wall-hanging or jewelry) conferring good luck or protection, popular in Israel and originally from the Middle East / North Africa
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Haredi
Adjective or noun referring to an individual, institution, or practice associated with strictly Orthodox (non-Modern) Jews.
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Hashem
God, lit. "the name"
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Hasid
Pious person
Adherent of a Hasidic Jewish group ("A mystical religious movement founded in Poland" (JPS)
A disciple of a rabbi, not only a member of a Hasidic group.
A follower in a non-religious sense (ironic).
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hechsher
(Rabbinic) stamp or seal of approval-- typically designating a product as kosher
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Kabbalah
a Jewish mystical work, sometimes used as a catch-all term for Jewish mysticism. "The Jewish mystical tradition" (JPS)
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kaparot
Ritual performed between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur to remove sins carried out by swinging a chicken over ones head.
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kashrut
"The body of Jewish dietary laws and regulations that specify what and how a Jew who keeps kosher can eat." (JPS)
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kibbutz
"[Israeli agricultural] collective" (Glinert) Most settlements in Israeli which originally began as kibbutzim now function as regular municipalities.
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kiddush
"blessing recited over wine" (JPS) on Sabbath or holidays at the beginning of the meal or ceremony. Reception after services. "The refreshments, usually including wine, juice, and pastries, that are offered after [the Sabbath] and holiday services in the synagogue." (JPS)
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klezmer
"Eastern European style of instrumental music" (JPS)
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knish
Eastern European dumpling with thin dough filled with potato, kasha, onion, meat, and/or other ingredients
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kochleffel
A cooking spoon, as for soup. By extension, a person who stirs up trouble; meddler, busybody.
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kosher
"acceptable according to Jewish [ritual] law" (JPS); "trustworthy, reliable" (Rosten); acceptable according to dietary laws
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kuntz
feat, stunt, trick, challenge, ingenuity
peculiarity, particular oddness (JPS)
strategy (Weiser)
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l'chaim
traditional toast. [lit. "to life" (Rosten)]
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l'havdil
to make a distinction (between two very different things)
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Ladino
Judeo-Spanish language
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landsman
Someone who comes from the same or nearby hometown, especially if one or both of you no longer lives there and all the more so if one or both now live far away from home, in which case an entire region (e.g., metro NY) or country e.g., Poland) may be the point of connection.
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latka
"a potato pancake [fried in oil traditionally eaten on Chanukah]" (Rosten)
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lokshen
noodles
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lox
smoked salmon
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magen david
"star of david", a symbol that has commonly been associated with Jews and Judaism; [lit. "shield of david"]
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mame-loshn
"mother tongue", usually refers to Yiddish
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mamzer
bastard [see note]; "A detestable [person] like the colloquial English "He's a bastard"" (Rosten)
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maror
bitter herbs placed on the seder place on Passover
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megillah
one of the five books that compose kethuvim--writings--in Tanakh; can also refer to the physical scroll on which one is written; a long, engrossing story or description
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menorah
candelabrum, especially for Chanukah
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mezuzah
a piece of parchment with the Shema written on it that is then placed in a case and mounted on doorways in keeping with the Biblical commandment mentioned in the Shema
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midrash
stories or explanations that interpret or ellaborate on the Torah's text.
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mikvah
"Ritual bath" (JPS)
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milchig
"...food in the "dairy" category, according to the Jewish dietary laws...also refers to the utensils and dishes used for cooking, eating, and serving milk products." (JPS)
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minhag
custom; "A tradition that is not mentioned in the Torah or mandated by law but nonetheless is followed." (JPS)
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minyan
prayer quorum of 10 Jews age 13 or older (traditionally male; in some communities male or female)
religious community
small service
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Mishnah
an authoritative collection of exegetical material embodying the oral tradition of Jewish law and forming the first part of the Talmud.
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misnagdim
Non-Hasidim (literally "opponents.")
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mohel
A person trained to perform Jewish ritual circumcision
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moshiach
The Messiah
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muktzah
An object that it is forbidden to handle on the Sabbath and on certain holidays (generally because the object's primary purpose involves actions considered work and forbidden on those days).
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musaf
The additional service added to the morning services on the Sabbath and holidays.
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nebbish
noun: nerdy, clumsy, awkward person. "An innocuous, ineffectual, weak, helpless, or hapless unfortunate" (Rosten)
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niddah
menstrual impurity; often used to refer to the entire body of Jewish law surrounding the practice of abstaining from intercourse during the menstrual cycle
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nosh
to snack or eat; a snack
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nudnik
"A pest, a nag, an annoyer, a monumental bore." (Rosten)
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oleh
Immigrant to Israel; a person who makes aliyah.
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parasha
period of dating for marriage (Orthodox Jews)
conversation (Weiser)
general realm of feasibility, ballpark (Weiser)
a tedious, lengthy enumeration or account, litany (Weiser)
Selection of the Pentateuch read publicly on the Sabbath.
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parve
1. neither milk nor meat; 2. uninteresting, plain, generic
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payos
Sidelocks, sidecurls, or earlocks, common among Haredi boys and men.
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Pesach
The Jewish Holiday of Passover
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posek
a rabbi/scholar who makes halachic decisions/rulings
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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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reb
"sir"; "mister"
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rebbe
the spiritual leader of a Hasidic sect
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Reform Judaism
A liberal, progressive branch of Judaism that emphasizes choice through knowledge.
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responsa
Written decisions and legal rulings by rabbis appointed to be legal deciders.
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rov
A particularly notable rabbi; a halachic decisor
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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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schlemiel
idiot; contemptible person. "Clumsy, bungling person." (Steinmetz)
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seder
The name for the six sections of the Mishnah.
order, orderliness, system, routine
A ceremony involving recitations, singing, food, and drink typically associated with Passover, but also with Tu B'shvat and Rosh Hashanah.
period for Torah study
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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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Sephardic
Jews whose ancestors came from the Iberian Peninsula before the Jewish expulsion
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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 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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shalech manes
Gifts for friends, traditionally given on Purim. Typically, a basket with food requiring two separate brachas in it.
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shamash
1. candle lit first and then used to light other hanukah candles
2. the caretaker of a synagogue.
3. personal assistant / aide / gofer, especially to a rabbi or in the Hollywood entertainment industry
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shatnez
mixture of wool and linen in a garment, which is prohibited by Jewish law
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shechita
Kosher animal slaughter.
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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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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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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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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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shul
synagogue
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simcha
"A joyous occasion; a celebration" (JPS); usually related to a lifecycle event
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smichah
"Rabbinic ordination" (Steinmetz)
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sofer
A scribe trained in transcribing the Torah, mezuzah, tefillin scriptures and other religious texts on parchment.
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sukkah
A temporary dwelling used during the holiday of Sukkot
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taka
(can also be used ironically)
Is that so? Really, actually, indeed, "in consideration of all the information available" (Weiser)
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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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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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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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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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Torah
Literally, "teaching". 1. The five books of moses. 2. Jewish law and values in general.
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treif
(adj or noun) food prohibited by the jewish dietary laws
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tsorris
"Troubles, woes, worries, suffering." (Rosten)
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Tu Bishvat
Jewish Arbor Day, the New Year for Trees, literally 'the 15th day of Shevat'.
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tzadik
Common name for the 18th letter of the Hebrew alphabet (tzadi / tzade).
A highly learned and esteemed rabbinic leader (sometimes used as an alternative name for a Hasidic rebbe).
Someone who does extremely righteous deeds.
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tzedakah
charity, money given to charity
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tzitzit
A garment worn under the shirt by Orthodox men and boys, with a tassel hanging down from each of the four corners.
The fringes on a tallit (tallis) prayer shawl or on a tallit katan.
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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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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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yad
the metal or wooden pointer used to follow the text when reading Torah; lit. "hand"
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yahrzeit
The anniversary of a person's death, generally marked by relatives in some way.
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yichus
"Pedigree, lineage, family background." (JPS)
Bragging rights based on respected family history
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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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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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