Jewish English Lexicon

achron

"Latter-day religious authorities... scholars of the Renaissance and later times" (Glinert).

ad kdei kach

so much. has it gone this far? (Weiser: "expression of wonder regarding the extent or intensity of something.")

Adar

The sixth month of the Jewish calendar year.

aderaba

certainly, by all means; I certainly don't object

on the contrary

aggadah

Parts of the Talmud and Midrash that do not deal with law, including stories, fables, and sayings. "Talmudic stories or philosophical material" (Glinert).

Aibishter

God, lit. "supreme one" or "the one above"

al hanisim

A one-paragraph prayer added to the Amida on Chanukah and Purim.

al het

"A Yom Kippur prayer that asks forgiveness for a multitude of sins committed during the previous year" (JPS).

al tiftach peh lasatan

"Don't tempt Providence" (Glinert), or do not tempt fate.

aleichem sholom

Peace be upon you. Response to "sholom aleichem"

Aleinu

"A prayer in praise of God, Aleinu acknowledges the unique relationship between God and the Jewish people" (JPS)

am haaretz

Bumpkin, ignoramus, uneducated person

Vulgar, boorish person

People of the land

Amalek

The biblical name of the nomadic people descended from Esau who became the enemies of the people of Israel.

Any enemy of the Jewish people

amen

Agreed. "The word used at the end of prayer to signify affirmation." (Rosten)

amora

A Talmudic sage whose teachings comprise the Gemara. "Amoraim are contrasted with the tannaim, ancient rabbis who are quoted in the Mishnah" (JPS).

amud

page (in a prayerbook)

one side of a page (of Talmud)

pulpit, lectern

The thirteen articles of Jewish faith written by Maimonides, each beginning with the phrase "ani maamin" ("I believe"). "The twelfth of which says, I believe believe with complete faith in the coming of the Messiah. Even though he may tarry I will wait for him on any day that he may come'" (JPS).

Anim Zmirot

"A hymn composed of an alphabetic acrostic of 31 lines, generally sung in front of the open ark at the conclusion of the Musaf service on Shabbat." (JPS)

aniyim

Poor people

answer up

counter, retort

aravot

"the branches of the willow that are part of the lulav used on Sukkot" (JPS).

arba kanfot

A tallit katan (see tzitzit)

arba kosot

"The four glasses of wine drunk on Passover" (Glinert).

arba minim

"The four plant species used on Sukkot" (Glinert).

arbes

Boiled chickpeas

Asara B'Tevet

"A minor fast day that falls on the 10th of Tevet. It commemorates the start of the siege of Jerusalem by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia in 586 B.C.E., which is considered the beginning of the destruction of the First Temple" (JPS).

aseret y'mei teshuvah

"Ten Days of Penitence" (Glinert), the ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

askan

A person who is influential in working for the community

A Jewish communal or social worker (Steinmetz)

Activist

assur

forbidden

Av

"The fifth month in the Jewish calendar, it usually corresponds to July or August" (JPS).

avade

Of course. / Obviously!

And how!

aveil

pl. aveilim. "Someone who is in mourning" (Glinert).

aveilus

Mourning (Glinert)

averah

religious transgression (Glinert: "An aveirah is an infringement on the Torah, the opposite of a mitzvah.")

Avinu Malkeinu

"A High Holy Day prayer in which God is asked to 'be gracious to us and answer us, even though we have not done all the good that we might have'" (JPS).

avodah

"A unique part of the Musaf service on Yom Kippur, the Avodah prayers describe the sacrificial ritual in the Temple in ancient Jerusalem on the Day of Atonement" (Eisenberg).

"Literally, 'divine service'" (Eisenberg)

work, generally

the name for a unit at camp in which campers help with such duties as service in the dining hall, laundry, etc.

"Service and worship of God" (Eisenberg)

Avodah b'gashmiut

serving God through the physical / material world (Hasidic concept)

avodah zarah

a tractate of the Talmud

idolatry

Avraham Avinu

"Our father Abraham" (Glinert)

avrech

A yeshiva student, or a young man who learns in a kollel.

A working person (non full time learner) who supports or is associated with Torah institutions

A young married male.

ayin hara

The evil eye

b'emet

"As a matter of fact." (Weiser); "Really?"

b'ezras hashem

With God's help.

b'laz

Abbreviation for "B'loshn am zar", "in a foreign language"; usually used by the commentator Rashi when using a Middle French expression

b'shem omro

"Giving credit for an idea" (Glinert)

ba'al tekiah

"The title for the person who blows the shofar on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur" (JPS).

ba'al tshuvah

a Jew raised non-religious who becomes Orthodox, [lit. 'one who returns/repents']

ba'u mayim ad nafesh

"Things are critical; it's make or break" (Glinert)

baal gaavah

"conceited person" (Steinmetz)

"Arrogant person" (Glinert)

baal koreh

The individual who chants Torah from the scroll at a synagogue. Sometimes used to refer specifically to a person capable of learning and chanting an entire parsha, or to a professional/paid reader as opposed to an amateur.

baal-teshuva

A Jew from a secular background who chooses to become observant.

"Newly religious Jew; penitent" (Glinert)

balaboosta

1) Female head of household 2) Impressively competent homemaker

balabos

Male head of a household

Proprietor

balabotish

"Quiet; respectable; well mannered" (Rosten). "middle class"; normal

baruch dayan haemet

"'Blessed be the True Judge!' (said on news of a bereavement)" (Glinert)

baruch haba

"Welcome!"

baruch Hashem

"Thank God," "blessed is God"

fine

baruch tihiyeh

"May you be blessed"

batel b'shishim

"Of no significance" (Glinert)

A concept in kosher laws where if a small amount of forbidden food is mixed with a permitted one (such as dairy in a meat dish), the dish is still kosher provided that the prohibited item it is only one sixtieth of the total.

batlan

"Someone without a trade or regular means of livelihood" (Rosten).

"Layabout" (Glinert)

"An unemployed or lazy man" (Rosten).

"One who consistently wastes time: Bum, Fainéant" (Weiser).

"A misfit, such as a Talmud student of no promise" (Rosten).

"Someone with intellectual pretensions and half-baked ideas" (Rosten).

"naive, impractical person" (Steinmetz)

bayis

ancient Temple

becher

2-handle cup for ritual washing of the hands before eating

kiddish cup (lit. "goblet")

bechina

examination, particularly for rabbinic ordination

bechira

free will

bechiya ledorot

"A cause for eternal regret" (Glinert)

bedieved

done after the fact (in an acceptable, but still not ideal, manner); ex post facto

"resentfully; without enthusiasm; begrudgingly" (Weiser, Frumspeak)

"done just well enough to fulfill a need or duty; perfunctorily" (Weiser, Frumspeak)

"under duress, or done when no options are available; as a last resort" (Weiser, Frumspeak)

bedika

Inspection or search, especially with regard to preparations for Passover

bedikas chametz

"The ceremony immediately before Pesach in which family members conduct a ritual search of the home for hametz, pieces of bread or leavened food that are forbidden on Passover" (JPS).

behema

a boor, an uncouth, unmannered individual

an animal, especially a large one

beis hamikdash

The Temple in Jerusalem

beit midrash

"Study hall" (Glinert)

"A religious school or synagogue Hebrew school" (JPS).

beiyun

"With depth and in detail: intensively"

bekies

"range of personal knowledge" (Weiser)

broad but not deep knowledge

bekishe

long black coat worn by Hasidic men

ben bayis

frequent guest at someone's home

ben torah

a Torah scholar or moral individual

bench gomel

to say the blessing (called Gomel) said after someone survives a life-threatening situation; often recited pro forma after surviving childbirth or trans-oceanic travel

bench licht

(light and) bless candles

bencher

prayer booklet or card with the text of the blessings after meals, and often times including other meal-time blessings and songs

benoni

spiritually average person

besamim

"Literally, 'spices.' It almost always refers to the spices in the spice box used for the Havdalah ceremony" (JPS).

"Modern Israeli slang for illegal drugs" (JPS).

Spices

beys hakise

bathroom

bichlal

in any way, entirely, in general, altogether

bimheira v'yameinu

Speedily and in our days

Birkat Habayit

“blessing for the house,” usually refers to a decorative piece of calligraphy for the home

bitachon

faith, trust

security

biur chametz

Ceremonial burning chametz before Passover.

black hat

Haredi; describing people or traditions of the right end of the Orthodox continuum, encompassing Hasidic and non-Hasidic (or just non-Hasidic) Orthodox Jews, of whom the men wear black hats

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)

bli ayin hara

Formula said in conjunction with a positive statement to ward off the evil eye. Lit. "without the evil eye."

bochur

young unmarried male, especially a yeshiva student

bodek

also a brand of vegetables that has been checked for insects

check, especially looking for insects that would render produce non-kosher

bokser

The fruit of the carob tree, traditionally eaten on Tu Bishvat.

bring down

cite or reference

broiges

angry, annoyed (adj.)

a dispute (n)

BT

ba'al teshuva, returnee to faith, Jew who chose to become Orthodox

bubbale

sweetie, darling [term of endearment]

busha

"Disgrace" (Glinert), shame, embarrassment

by

at [a location], at the house of, with, among, according to the opinion of, at [an event, time of year] (in addition to Standard English near).

chabadsker

n., a follower of Chabad Lubavitch (i.e., a Lubavitcher Hasid), often pejorative

adj., of or relating to Chabad Lubavitch (i.e., Lubavitcher), often pejorative

chabura

study group

chacham

rabbi (Sephardi)

wiseguy

wise, learned person; genius

chad gadya

The name of a song sung at the end of the Passover seder.

chag sameach

"Literally, 'Happy Holiday.' The traditional, all-purpose greeting exchanged on almost any Jewish holiday" (JPS).

chakira

proposition, treatise, deliberation

chalitzah

"Ceremony releasing a man from levirate marriage" (Glinert)

chap

"to comprehend" (Weiser) (lit. "to grasp")

chas v'chalila

"heaven forbid" (Steinmetz's Yiddish and English dictionary)

chas v'sholom

"heaven forbid" (Glinert)

chashash

"A fear, a danger" (Glinert), a worry

chashuv

Important; of high status

chasidei umot haolam

"The pious of the world" (Glinert), non-Jews who have been particularly righteous and/or follow the seven Noahide Laws.

chassidish

Adhering to Hasidism, a mystical brand of Orthodox Judaism; having traits associated with Hasidim

chassidus

"Chasidism" (Glinert)

chatan

Bridegroom

chatan bereshit

"Bridegroom of Genesis" (Glinert), an honor given to an important member of the community on the holiday of Simchat Torah where the honoree is called up to the Torah for the last reading, which contains the first lines of the Torah.

chatan torah

"Bridegroom of the Torah" (Glinert), an honor given to an important member of the community on the holiday of Simchat Torah where the honoree is called up to the Torah for the penultimate reading, which contains the last lines of the Torah.

chatuna

wedding

chatzos

halachic midday and midnight

chayav

Guilty of transgressing. Liable.

chazak veematz

"Be very strong and courageous!"

chazakah

"Automatic presumption" (Glinert)

chazarah

(n.) review of material previously studied

chazer

"go over; review" (Weiser)

cherem

"excommunication; ostracism" (Yiddish)

cheshbon hanefesh

"Soul-searching, self-accounting" (Glinert).

chevreman

"One of the guys" (Glinert)

chidon

A bible quiz in Orthodox camps and schools.

chidush

innovative idea; an insight; discovery; novelty

chillul Hashem

disgracing God's name; an action that might be looked down upon; an action that might make Jews look bad

chinuch

Jewish education

chiyuv

obligation

one who is in mourning and must say Kaddish

chochmah

"Brains; wisdom; a brilliant idea" (Glinert)

choleh

A person who is ill

cholov yisroel

"milk which has been milked under Jewish supervision" (Glinert)

choshesh

To worry, to have a fear, to be concerned

chosid shoteh

"Pious fool; blind follower" (Glinert)

chrain

A spicy paste made from grated horseradish.

chrein

horseradish

chumradik

stringent, used to imply that a person is making the most strict halachic ruling, or follows additional restrictions in his or her practice

chumrah

a religious stringency

chutzpahdik

impertinent

collect

gather funds or fundraise for an institution.

da'as torah

Intuitive knowledge that comes from a lifetime of Torah study.

The authoritative wisdom of the tradition mediated by "gedolim" or great rabbis.

daf

A page of a Talmudic tractate.

daf yomi

Lit. "page of the day", refers to the program of study of a page of Talmud every day

daled amos of halacha

"The four walls of the law" (Glinert)

dan l'kaf zechus

give the benefit of the doubt

dati

Modern Orthodox

religious

David Hamelech

King David

daya letzara besha'ata

"Don't try to find crises!" (Glinert)

derech

(lit. "path") usually refers to an ethical lifestyle or the traditional, halachic Jewish lifestyle

derech eretz

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

Participating in modern society.

drasha

"Sermon, learned address." (Glinert)

duchen

A ritual where the kohanim recite the Priestly Blessing (Num. 6:24-26), blessing the rest of the congregation.

dveykus

spiritual ecstasy; lit. "cleaving"

eats out

Describes willingness of otherwise kosher-observant person to eat in non-supervised restaurant; connotation is that they will not eat non-kosher food (meat, shellfish etc), but are not concerned about the status of food prepared in otherwise non-kosher kitchen.

ein hachi nami

"granted"; yes, that's how it is, that's certainly true

einikel

grandchild

emes

Truth, true

"In accordance with the truth: True" (Weiser)

emesdik

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

"Truthful, genuine" (Steinmetz)

emunah

"faith"; sometimes contrasted with practical striving in the material world

erlech

honest, legitimate

religious

es shtayt geshribn

"It is written."

eyd

A witness

eyer kichlech

Egg cookies, usually in the shape of bow ties.

farbrengen

Noun: a gathering or celebration that includes a spiritual or religious component.

Verb: to hold such a gathering or celebration.

farher

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

verb: examine, test, quiz

FFB

Short for "frum from birth." Refers to someone who grew up in a religious home, the opposite of a BT (ba'al teshuvah) who became religious as an adult.

FFT

'Frum from Tuesday' - a satire on 'FFB'. Denotes a very recent BT, usually someone who has not mastered the rituals / social cues of Orthodox practice.

flip out

When a Modern Orthodox post-high-school student becomes more religiously observant during or after a gap year at a yeshiva/seminary.

freilach

adj: happy, merry

noun: (frailach or freylekhs) a lively song/dance performed at simchas

fress

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

g'mar chatima tova

"A customary greeting among Jews on Yom Kippur [and the period between Yom Kippur and Rosh haShanah]" (JPS). lit. "a good end of [the process of] sealing [in the Book of Life]".

gadol

literally "big," refers to particularly well respected rabbis; "luminary" (Weiser)

gaon

"A title of honor for the rabbis and teachers who were the spiritual heads of the Babylonian yeshivot between the 6th and 11th centuries C.E." (JPS)

"A rabbi whose learning was so great that he was given the honorary title of gaon" (Rosten), e.g. the Vilna Gaon

Modern Hebrew: genius (JPS)

gashmiyus

materialism, in contrast with spiritual concerns; "indulgence in earthly pleasures" (Weiser)

gayve

pride; arrogance; obnoxiousness

gebrokts

(2) People who hold by the stringency against eating wetted matzah.

(1) Matzah that is mixed with liquid during cooking; avoided by scrupulously observant because of the possibility that unbaked flour in the matzah could be exposed to the liquid and thereby become chametz, forbidden during Passover.

gedolim

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

Secondary usage: feces or excrement.

geferlech

Dangerous, terrible

gehenom

Considered to be a temporary place one's soul goes after death, for atonement, before reuniting with God.

Hell (metaphoric)

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)

gemilas chesed

(pl. gemilas chasodim) A loan of money without interest to help a needy person.

genizah

A storage room in a synagogue where disused sacred books and often-sacred articles are kept, since bringing them or disposing of them otherwise is considered a sacrilege.

ger

(pl. gerim) A convert to Judaism.

ger tzedek

A "righteous convert" to Judaism.

geshmak

delicious, delightful

get

a writ or deed of divorce

geulah

redemption

gezerah

"An authoritative command either to perform or to refrain from performing a particular act" (Weiser)

"an addition to a previously existing precept" (Weiser)

In Jewish law, a prohibition enacted by the Sages as a measure to protect religious observance under changed conditions.

"evil decree" (Steinmetz)

glatt

Showing consistency of reason (Weiser).

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

goyish

"in the manner or style of a non-Jewish person" (JPS), especially something WASPy or "white bread"

goyte

non-Jewish woman, especially domestic worker

gramen

rhymes; especially a rhyming poem or song

gurnisht

"nothing, zilch, zero" (JPS)

gut chodesh

"Good month!" Ashkenazi greeting on Rosh Chodesh.

gut moed

"Good festival season!" Used by Ashkenazim on Chol Hamoed.

gut voch

"Good week!" Ashkenazi greeting at the conclusion of the Sabbath.

gut yontef

"Happy holiday!" Ashkenazi greeting used on any of the holidays, including Rosh Hashanahh and Yom Kippur.

gut yor

"Good year!" Ashkenazi greeting on Rosh Hashanah.

hachnasas orchim

hospitality (lit. "bringing in guests")

hachnosas kallah

charitable support for poor young women to get married

HaKadosh Baruch Hu

God, lit. "The Holy One, Blessed Be He"

hakafah

a go-around (similar to sivuv)

parade, processional with the Torah on Simchas Torah

halacha l'ma'aseh

Practical application of Jewish law, i.e. how it's actually practiced. More broadly, can simply mean "what people do".

halevai

If only

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

I wish!

Half Shabbas

Describes Sabbath observance by someone (usually a teenager) who observes Shabbat in every respect - except one: they text/SMS/tweet on Shabbat (or use other digital communication). May extend to using other electronic/digital devices as well (e.g. tablets).

harbotzas hatorah

spreading of Torah knowledge

hardal

a label for Israeli Jews who lean towards Haredi (non-modern, strictly Orthodox) and also very nationalistic / Zionist

Harry

A single, yeshivish male (see bochur) who is less culturally yeshivish than his peers.

Hashem

God, lit. "the name"

Hashem imachem

"God be with you!" Sephardi greeting given by ice approaching the Torah-reading desk after being called up to the Torah.

hashgacha

Divine providence, interference, attention

Rabbinic supervision designating food as kosher

hashkafah

ideological outlook; point of view; "philosophy" (Weiser)

hashpa'ah

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

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

hasraah

A formal warning given to a person who is about to commit a sin.

hazzanut

"Cantorial singing" (Glinert)

hechsher

(Rabbinic) stamp or seal of approval-- typically designating a product as kosher

hefker

running wild, undisciplined

ownerless

heicha kedusha

abbreviated version of the repetition of the Shmona Esre / Amidah

heimish

1. familiar, homey, informal, cozy, warm

2. Haredi Orthodox

3. at home, comfortable

heter

rabbinic allowance

hiddur mitzvah

"Literally, 'beautifying the mitzvah.' The tradition of putting extra time, style, or resources into a mitzvah so that it is performed as beautifully as possible" (JPS).

hitbodedut

solitary prayer

hizuk

"Encouragement" (Glinert), inspiration, strengthening, uplifting

hold

to maintain a degree of religious observance

agree with

to be on the verge of

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

im yirtzeh hashem

if God wills it, God willing (used when making plans for or describing the future)

inside/outside

Dealing with a text directly (inside) or discussion about a text (outside) during different segments of a study session

inyan

significance within Jewish law.

topic [of conversation] (Weiser, Glinert).

matter (Steinmetz)

isru chag

"The day after the end of Pesach, Sukkos, and Shavuos, regarded as a semi-holiday on which mourning is curbed and fasting prohibited" (Dictionary of Jewish Usage)

iyun

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

kaboles ponem

the reception before a wedding ceremony, consisting of a tish (for men) and a bedeken (for women). Lit. 'receiving the faces'.

kal v'chomer

by extrapolation we know; all the more so. "with assuredness of mind or action based on an earlier, more restrictive, premise; assuredly; certainly: indubitably." (Weiser)

kallah

bride

Jewish communal gathering, conference

kaparot

Ritual performed between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur to remove sins carried out by swinging a chicken over ones head.

kapote

long black coat worn by Hasidic men

kashe

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

Question, difficulty (Steinmetz), challenge, objection.

kedai

"worth it" (Weiser)

kein yirbu

"So they may increase in number"

keinehora

"no evil eye" (Rosten). "An expression said to ward off the evil eye or bad luck in general; the verbal equivalent of knocking on wood." (JPS)

keitzed m'rakdim

dancing before the groom and bride at a wedding, more often called 'wedding shtick'

kenas

A fine paid as a penalty for wrongdoing.

kesher

connection, relationship, link

kesiva vechasima tova

"A good writing and sealing (in the Book of Life)!" Formal Ashkenazi greeting on Rosh Hashanah.

kezayit

A halakhic measure for the minimum amount that may not be eaten of a prohibited substance or that must be eaten to fulfill a commandment.

khurbn

the Holocaust

"Destruction of the Temple" (Glinert)

Destruction, generally

kiddush Hashem

the sanctification of God's name; "bringing honor to God" (Glinert)

martyrdom

kiki riki

brand name of clothing shells (thin, simple shirts; worn by Orthodox women under more revealing ones to provide coverage)

kimat

"almost or nearly" (Weiser)

kinyan

The act or manner of legally acquiring or agreeing to something.

"A groom's formal acceptance of the terms of the ketubbah. At a traditional wedding, this ritual takes place during the chossen's tish, when the rabbi or a witness, acting on behalf of the bride, offers the groom a handkerchief or some other object" (JPS).

kiruv

outreach work meant to encourage non-religious Jews to become religious, [lit. "to bring closer"]

kishka

"Stuffed derma: a sausagelike comestible of meat, flour, and spices stuffed into intestine casing and baked" (Rosten) Also, "guts," literally, Slavic. (Wikipedia)

kivyakhol

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

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

Kol ishah

lit. 'The voice of a woman'. Refers to the prohibition of men hearing the voice of a woman singing.

kollel

Institution where married men pursue advanced Talmudic study.

kollel rabbi

A man who learns (studies traditional texts) - generally full-time - and offers classes and other services to the (non-Orthodox) Jewish community.

koppel

skullcap, kippah, yarmulke

kosher chazer fissel

One who appears to be religious, but is in fact, not, either wholly or in part; religious in appearance, non-religious in essence.

Kratsmach

Tongue-in-cheek way of referring to "Christmas," especially among Jews who want to avoid uttering the name of Christ.

kriah

Reading, especially Torah

Rending a garment (ritual of mourning)

krias shema

"The reading of the Shema" (Glinert)

krotzer

One who is confused, literally "scratching their head"

kulah

"A leniency based on subtle legality: Loophole" (Weiser).

A lenient ruling or measure

kuntz

strategy (Weiser)

feat, stunt, trick, challenge, ingenuity

peculiarity, particular oddness (JPS)

l'hachis

spitefully; deliberately; literally "in order to anger"

la kashya

Not a problem, no difficulty. When two (Talmudic) opinions appear to contradict each other, "la kashya" signals that a resolution is at hand.

lamden

a proficient Talmudic scholar

lav

לאו A scriptural prohibition

learn

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

lechoira

seemingly as such while allowing for the possibility of the opposite; apparently; ostensibly (Weiser)

Able to be taken for granted; assumed true in the absence of proof to the contrary; presumably (Weiser)

leibedik

lively, enthusiastic; warm, heartfelt

leichter

a small candle holder used to light the Sabbath candles, or the candelabrum itself

lekech

"Honey cake, traditionally served on Rosh Hashanah... made with honey, eggs, cinnamon, and, often, coffee" (JPS).

lemaan Hashem

"Definitely"

leshana tova tikateivu

"(May you) be inscribed for a good year (in the Book of Life)!" A formal greeting exchanged bu Ashkenazim on Rosh Hashanah.

levaye

funeral

leytsanus

silliness; buffoonery

limudei kodesh

"holy studies"; Jewish religious studies

Litvish

"Lithuanian"; associated with the rational, intellectual culture of Lithuanian Jewry; Yeshivish

lo aleynu

"I hope it won't happen to us"; "God forbid" lit. "not unto us"

LOR

Local Orthodox Rabbi

loshn

language; jargon

LWMO

'Left wing Modern Orthodox'. The liberal wing of Modern Orthodoxy, in both attitude and observance.

m'gayer

A person or entity that converts someone to Judaism

A convert to Judaism

To convert someone to Judaism

To be converted to Judaism

maarich

to extend, talk/write at length

mabul

the Biblical Flood

a deluge; a torrent of rain

machmir

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

meticulous

maidel

girl

make

To urinate or defecate

malshin

verb: To slander, malign, speak loshon hara about somebody.

noun: One who slanders, especially one who turns over a Jew to non-Jewish authorities; informer, stool pigeon, snitch

mamish

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

mandelbrot

"Literally, 'almond bread.' A crunchy, dry cookie, similar to biscotti" (JPS).

marbitz torah

one who spreads Torah knowledge

to spread Torah knowledge

marit ayin

suspicious-looking action; doing something that may cause an observer to think that one violated halachah and thus arouse suspicion, or alternatively, doing something that could mislead somebody to interpret than an action is permitted and then violate halachah him/herself

Matzah minyan

A morning service (shacharit) that lasts 18 minutes or shorter.

matzeivah

headstone

matzliach

"To thrive: Prosper" (Weiser)

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

mazel

luck (good)

congratulations

mazume

"A group of three or more adult males who join together to recite the after-meal blessings..." (Steinmetz).

"ready money, cash" (Steinmetz)

meaty

Food in the meat category, according to the Jewish dietary laws

meforshim

any set of commentaries on classic religious texts

the rabbis who wrote such commentaries

mefunak

luxurious, elaborate, pampering

being particularly concerned about cleanliness, appearance, and the way things are prepared: finicky, spoiled.

mekarev

Literally "bring closer", used in the sense of bringing closer to traditional Judaism A noun for one who brings people closer to traditional Judaism.

mekayam

to fulfill an obligation

melacha

"Work or actions forbidden on Shabbat" (JPS). Mostly applies on Yom Tov, as well, and often refers to creative work, or use of electronics.

"That which requires exertion or effort: Task" (Weiser).

"Art or skill: Trade" (Weiser).

meorer

to arouse an inappropriate impulse

mesameach

to gladden another person

mesiras nefesh

self-sacrifice

mevater

to nullify one's desires for the good of others

meykil

"One who is not strict: Liberal, Latitudinarian" (Weiser)

"Taking the lenient position: Liberal" (Weiser)

A decisor who follows a lenient option and issues a kulah (lenient ruling).

"Yielding to wishes: Indulgent" (Weiser)

"Not harsh or strict: Easygoing" (Weiser)

meyzid

One who commits a sin consciously and deliberately.

mezakeh

to acquire; strengthen

middos

character traits (singular: "middah")

midrasha

Co-ed supplementary Jewish religious school, usually Reform

Orthodox women's seminary, especially in Israel

misnagdim

Non-Hasidim (literally "opponents.")

mitpachat

headscarf worn by Orthodox Jews

moshiach

The Messiah

moshl

parable, example

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).

musar

a Jewish ethical movement that crystallized among non-Hasidic Orthodox Jews in Lithuania in the 19th century, led by Israel Salanter, focusing on character development.

reproof; system of ethics; discipline

nafke mine

practical difference

nebach

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

negel vasser

literally "nail water"; refers to the practice of washing ones hands immediately after waking

negiah

"touching"; usually used in the phrase "shomer negiah", which is the custom of avoiding touch with members of the opposite sex outside of one's family

nekiyus hadibur

Literally "purity of one's speech"

neros

candles

nes

miracle

nicht shabbos geret

Not to speak of on Shabbat (used when a subject is not suitable for the Holy Shabbat, primarily business and money manners, to indicate that one shouldn't discuss it). Usually followed by a short comment about the "forbidden" subject.

nidche

pushed off, set aside. Usually referring to a fast day, which cannot be on a Saturday, so the fast is "pushed off" until Saturday night / Sunday.

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

nifter

deceased

nisayon

trial and tribulation; a test of faith

nittel nacht

Christmas Eve

nogeia b'dovor

one who has a vested interest in something; not a disinterested party. "related in a way as would affect an opinion: associated." (Weiser)

Off the derech

No longer religious/observant; now following a non-religious/non-observant lifestyle.

ohel

tent (in a summer camp setting)

structure built over a grave, especially that of the Lubavitcher Rebbe

oilam

the world; the public

a group of people

okh un vey

"a pity on him"

an unenviable position

omein selah

may it be so

onesh

Punishment

ongepotchket

overly elaborate, excessively decorated, slapped together senselessly

Open Orthodox

a breakaway movement to the left of Modern Orthodoxy, declared outside of acceptable Orthodox boundaries by most mainstream Orthodox rabbis

Ortho

shorthand, or slang term, for Orthodox

oso ha-Ish

literally "that man", an irreverent/euphemistic reference to Jesus of Nazereth

parasha

period of dating for marriage (Orthodox Jews)

a tedious, lengthy enumeration or account, litany (Weiser)

conversation (Weiser)

general realm of feasibility, ballpark (Weiser)

Selection of the Pentateuch read publicly on the Sabbath.

parnasa

livelihood, income

pasken

to rule halachically

patsh

to give a light slap

a smack (playful)

patur

not liable, exempt

pekel

little bundle

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

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"

pish

urine

urinate

Ploni

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

posek

a rabbi/scholar who makes halachic decisions/rulings

poshet

simple

posl

invalid

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)

rachmones

mercy, pity, empathy

reb

"sir"; "mister"

rebbeyish

pertaining to the Hasidic rebbe

reckel

long black coat worn by Yeshivish men

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

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)

rov

A particularly notable rabbi; a halachic decisor

ruchnies

spirituality

RWMO

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

safek

"Unresolved question: Uncertainty" (Weiser)

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

A doubt or doubtful case.

sakanah

danger

savtadik

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

schlissel

key

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

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

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)

shana alef

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

Shayach

Pertinent, relevant (Steinmetz).

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

Shechinah

divine presence

shechita

Kosher animal slaughter.

shefele

sweety, Lit. "lamb"

Shemot

Printed items containing the name of God in Hebrew letters (generally pronounced SHAY-miss)

The Book of Exodus [lit. 'names']

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

shidduch

match

mate

a date in the process of finding one's spouse

arranged spousal match

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)

shochet

ritual slaughterer in the system of kashrut

shogeg

One who commits a sin unintentionally.

shomer

a camp counselor on duty

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

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

shpatzir

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

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.

Shtati

Cool, modern, cosmopolitan.

shteig

strive; study; lit. "rise"

shtender

lectern

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.

shtus

nonsense

shuckle

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

shutim

responsa - rabbinic rulings

shvach

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

shvartsa

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

sidra

weekly Torah portion

simcha

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

spodik

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

stam

Just kidding!

That's it!

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

sugya

passage from the Talmud

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

svara

justification, reason, plausible explanation

guess, hypothesis

svive

environment, surroundings

group or get-together

tachrichim

burial shrouds

tafkid

task

assignment

divinely ordained purpose

taharas hamishpachah

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

tahor

ritually pure, clean

taka

(can also be used ironically)

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

takkanah

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

tam

taste

tamei

ritually impure, unclean

tate

dad

tefach

A halachic unit of measure: four fingers (a palm's breadth) high.

tefillat haderech

the prayer for a safe journey

teiku

The question remains unanswered.

An unanswered question.

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)

teva

character (quality of a person or thing)

nature

tichel

headscarf worn by Orthodox women

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"

tsibur

The public.

The (Jewish) community.

A prayer group.

tsniusdik

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

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

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.

tzeit

nightfall; the time when three stars have appeared in the sky (short for tzeit hakochavim - stars coming out)

tzimmes

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

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

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