Showing 476 of 476 words, page 1 of 1
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achron
"Latter-day religious authorities... scholars of the Renaissance and later times" (Glinert).
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ad kdei kach
so much. has it gone this far? (Weiser: "expression of wonder regarding the extent or intensity of something.")
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Adar
The sixth month of the Jewish calendar year.
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adloyada
A Purim carnival.
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admor
A Hassidic spiritual leader.
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aggadah
Parts of the Talmud and Midrash that do not deal with law, including stories, fables, and sayings. "Talmudic stories or philosophical material" (Glinert).
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ahavas yisroel
"Love of one's fellow Jew" (Glinert)
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Aibishter
God, lit. "supreme one" or "the one above"
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akum
A Talmudic term for a heathen.
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al hanisim
A one-paragraph prayer added to the Amida on Chanukah and Purim.
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al het
"A Yom Kippur prayer that asks forgiveness for a multitude of sins committed during the previous year" (JPS).
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al tiftach peh lasatan
"Don't tempt Providence" (Glinert), or do not tempt fate.
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aleichem sholom
Peace be upon you. Response to "sholom aleichem"
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Aleinu
"A prayer in praise of God, Aleinu acknowledges the unique relationship between God and the Jewish people" (JPS)
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alte bubby
old woman, great-grandmother
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alte haym
Eastern Europe (lit. "the old home")
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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
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amen
Agreed. "The word used at the end of prayer to signify affirmation." (Rosten)
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amora
A Talmudic sage whose teachings comprise the Gemara. "Amoraim are contrasted with the tannaim, ancient rabbis who are quoted in the Mishnah" (JPS).
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anash
members of the Hasidic community
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ani maamin
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).
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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)
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aniyim
Poor people
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answer up
counter, retort
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aravot
"the branches of the willow that are part of the lulav used on Sukkot" (JPS).
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arba kanfot
A tallit katan (see tzitzit)
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arba kosot
"The four glasses of wine drunk on Passover" (Glinert).
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arba minim
"The four plant species used on Sukkot" (Glinert).
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arbes
Boiled chickpeas
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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).
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aseret y'mei teshuvah
"Ten Days of Penitence" (Glinert), the ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
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askan
Activist
A person who is influential in working for the community
A Jewish communal or social worker (Steinmetz)
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assur
forbidden
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Av
"The fifth month in the Jewish calendar, it usually corresponds to July or August" (JPS).
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aveil
pl. aveilim. "Someone who is in mourning" (Glinert).
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aveilus
Mourning (Glinert)
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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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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).
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avodah
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)
"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)
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Avodah b'gashmiut
serving God through the physical / material world (Hasidic concept)
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Avraham Avinu
"Our father Abraham" (Glinert)
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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.
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ayin hara
The evil eye
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b'emet
"As a matter of fact." (Weiser); "Really?"
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b'ezras hashem
With God's help.
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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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b'shem omro
"Giving credit for an idea" (Glinert)
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ba'al tekiah
"The title for the person who blows the shofar on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur" (JPS).
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ba'al tshuvah
a Jew raised non-religious who becomes Orthodox, [lit. 'one who returns/repents']
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ba'u mayim ad nafesh
"Things are critical; it's make or break" (Glinert)
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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.
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baal-teshuva
A Jew from a secular background who chooses to become observant.
"Newly religious Jew; penitent" (Glinert)
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balaboosta
1) Female head of household 2) Impressively competent homemaker
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balabotish
"Quiet; respectable; well mannered" (Rosten). "middle class"; normal
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baruch dayan haemet
"'Blessed be the True Judge!' (said on news of a bereavement)" (Glinert)
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baruch haba
"Welcome!"
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baruch tihiyeh
"May you be blessed"
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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.
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batlan
"Layabout" (Glinert)
"Someone without a trade or regular means of livelihood" (Rosten).
"Someone with intellectual pretensions and half-baked ideas" (Rosten).
"One who consistently wastes time: Bum, Fainéant" (Weiser).
"An unemployed or lazy man" (Rosten).
"naive, impractical person" (Steinmetz)
"A misfit, such as a Talmud student of no promise" (Rosten).
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bayis
ancient Temple
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bechina
examination, particularly for rabbinic ordination
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bechira
free will
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bechiya ledorot
"A cause for eternal regret" (Glinert)
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bedieved
"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)
done after the fact (in an acceptable, but still not ideal, manner); ex post facto
"resentfully; without enthusiasm; begrudgingly" (Weiser, Frumspeak)
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bedika
Inspection or search, especially with regard to preparations for Passover
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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).
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beis hamikdash
The Temple in Jerusalem
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beiyun
"With depth and in detail: intensively"
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bekishe
long black coat worn by Hasidic men
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ben bayis
frequent guest at someone's home
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ben torah
a Torah scholar or moral individual
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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
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bench licht
(light and) bless candles
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bencher
prayer booklet or card with the text of the blessings after meals, and often times including other meal-time blessings and songs
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benoni
spiritually average person
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besamim
Spices
"Modern Israeli slang for illegal drugs" (JPS).
"Literally, 'spices.' It almost always refers to the spices in the spice box used for the Havdalah ceremony" (JPS).
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beys hakise
bathroom
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bichlal
in any way, entirely, in general, altogether
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bimheira v'yameinu
Speedily and in our days
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Birkat Habayit
“blessing for the house,” usually refers to a decorative piece of calligraphy for the home
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biur chametz
Ceremonial burning chametz before Passover.
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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
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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 ayin hara
Formula said in conjunction with a positive statement to ward off the evil eye. Lit. "without the evil eye."
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bochur
young unmarried male, especially a yeshiva student
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bodek
also a brand of vegetables that has been checked for insects
check, especially looking for insects that would render produce non-kosher
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bokser
The fruit of the carob tree, traditionally eaten on Tu Bishvat.
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bring down
cite or reference
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BT
ba'al teshuva, returnee to faith, Jew who chose to become Orthodox
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bubbale
sweetie, darling [term of endearment]
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busha
"Disgrace" (Glinert), shame, embarrassment
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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).
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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
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chabura
study group
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chad gadya
The name of a song sung at the end of the Passover seder.
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chag sameach
"Literally, 'Happy Holiday.' The traditional, all-purpose greeting exchanged on almost any Jewish holiday" (JPS).
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chakira
proposition, treatise, deliberation
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chalitzah
"Ceremony releasing a man from levirate marriage" (Glinert)
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chap
"to comprehend" (Weiser) (lit. "to grasp")
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chas v'chalila
"heaven forbid" (Steinmetz's Yiddish and English dictionary)
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chas v'sholom
"heaven forbid" (Glinert)
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chashash
"A fear, a danger" (Glinert), a worry
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chashuv
Important; of high status
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chasidei umot haolam
"The pious of the world" (Glinert), non-Jews who have been particularly righteous and/or follow the seven Noahide Laws.
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chassidish
Adhering to Hasidism, a mystical brand of Orthodox Judaism; having traits associated with Hasidim
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chassidus
"Chasidism" (Glinert)
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chatan
Bridegroom
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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.
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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.
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chatuna
wedding
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chatzos
halachic midday and midnight
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chayav
Guilty of transgressing. Liable.
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chazak veematz
"Be very strong and courageous!"
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chazakah
"Automatic presumption" (Glinert)
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chazarah
(n.) review of material previously studied
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chazer
"go over; review" (Weiser)
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cherem
"excommunication; ostracism" (Yiddish)
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cheshbon hanefesh
"Soul-searching, self-accounting" (Glinert).
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chevreman
"One of the guys" (Glinert)
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chidon
A bible quiz in Orthodox camps and schools.
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chidush
innovative idea; an insight; discovery; novelty
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chillul Hashem
disgracing God's name; an action that might be looked down upon; an action that might make Jews look bad
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chinuch
Jewish education
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chochmah
"Brains; wisdom; a brilliant idea" (Glinert)
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choleh
A person who is ill
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cholov yisroel
"milk which has been milked under Jewish supervision" (Glinert)
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choshesh
To worry, to have a fear, to be concerned
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chosid shoteh
"Pious fool; blind follower" (Glinert)
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chrain
A spicy paste made from grated horseradish.
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chrein
horseradish
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chumradik
stringent, used to imply that a person is making the most strict halachic ruling, or follows additional restrictions in his or her practice
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chumrah
a religious stringency
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chutzpahdik
impertinent
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collect
gather funds or fundraise for an institution.
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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.
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daf
A page of a Talmudic tractate.
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daf yomi
Lit. "page of the day", refers to the program of study of a page of Talmud every day
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daled amos of halacha
Idiomatically, "the four walls of the law" (Glinert)
the four (square) cubits of the law
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dan l'kaf zechus
give the benefit of the doubt
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David Hamelech
King David
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daya letzara besha'ata
"Don't try to find crises!" (Glinert)
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derech
(lit. "path") usually refers to an ethical lifestyle or the traditional, halachic Jewish lifestyle
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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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duchen
A ritual where the kohanim recite the Priestly Blessing (Num. 6:24-26), blessing the rest of the congregation.
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dveykus
spiritual ecstasy; lit. "cleaving"
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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.
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ein hachi nami
"granted"; yes, that's how it is, that's certainly true
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einikel
grandchild
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emunah
"faith"; sometimes contrasted with practical striving in the material world
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es shtayt geshribn
"It is written."
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eyd
A witness
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eyer kichlech
Egg cookies, usually in the shape of bow ties.
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farbrengen
Noun: a gathering or celebration that includes a spiritual or religious component.
Verb: to hold such a gathering or celebration.
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farher
noun: an oral examination, typically on one's understanding of Talmud
verb: examine, test, quiz
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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.
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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.
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flip out
When a Modern Orthodox post-high-school student becomes more religiously observant during or after a gap year at a yeshiva/seminary.
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fress
To gobble up food; to gorge oneself. "To eat quickly or noisily, like an animal" (JPS)
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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]".
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gadol
literally "big," refers to particularly well respected rabbis; "luminary" (Weiser)
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gaon
"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)
"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)
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gashmiyus
materialism, in contrast with spiritual concerns; "indulgence in earthly pleasures" (Weiser)
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gayve
pride; arrogance; obnoxiousness
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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.
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gedolim
Important, influential people, especially renowned rabbis of the present or recent past. Luminaries (Weiser)
Secondary usage: feces or excrement.
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geferlech
Dangerous, terrible
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gehenom
Considered to be a temporary place one's soul goes after death, for atonement, before reuniting with God.
Hell (metaphoric)
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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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gemilas chesed
(pl. gemilas chasodim) A loan of money without interest to help a needy person.
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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.
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ger
(pl. gerim) A convert to Judaism.
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ger tzedek
A "righteous convert" to Judaism.
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geshmak
delicious, delightful
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get
a writ or deed of divorce
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geulah
redemption
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gezerah
In Jewish law, a prohibition enacted by the Sages as a measure to protect religious observance under changed conditions.
"evil decree" (Steinmetz)
"An authoritative command either to perform or to refrain from performing a particular act" (Weiser)
"an addition to a previously existing precept" (Weiser)
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girsa d'yankuta
That which was learned as a young child.
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glatt
Super-kosher (not only of food), or acceptable to the Haredi community.
Showing consistency of reason (Weiser).
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goyish
"in the manner or style of a non-Jewish person" (JPS), especially something WASPy or "white bread"
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goyte
non-Jewish woman, especially domestic worker
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gramen
rhymes; especially a rhyming poem or song
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gurnisht
"nothing, zilch, zero" (JPS)
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gut chodesh
"Good month!" Ashkenazi greeting on Rosh Chodesh.
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gut moed
"Good festival season!" Used by Ashkenazim on Chol Hamoed.
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gut voch
"Good week!" Ashkenazi greeting at the conclusion of the Sabbath.
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gut yontef
"Happy holiday!" Ashkenazi greeting used on any of the holidays, including Rosh Hashanahh and Yom Kippur.
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gut yor
"Good year!" Ashkenazi greeting on Rosh Hashanah.
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hachnasas orchim
hospitality (lit. "bringing in guests")
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hachnosas kallah
charitable support for poor young women to get married
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HaKadosh Baruch Hu
God, lit. "The Holy One, Blessed Be He"
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halacha l'ma'aseh
Practical application of Jewish law, i.e. how it's actually practiced. More broadly, can simply mean "what people do".
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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).
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harbotzas hatorah
spreading of Torah knowledge
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hardal
a label for Israeli Jews who lean towards Haredi (non-modern, strictly Orthodox) and also very nationalistic / Zionist
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Harry
A single, yeshivish male (see bochur) who is less culturally yeshivish than his peers.
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Hashem
God, lit. "the name"
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Hashem imachem
"God be with you!" Sephardi greeting given by ice approaching the Torah-reading desk after being called up to the Torah.
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hashgacha
Rabbinic supervision designating food as kosher
Divine providence, interference, attention
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hashkafah
ideological outlook; point of view; "philosophy" (Weiser)
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hashpa'ah
motivating force, source for change in one's actions, influence
influence, or effect, particularly on one's character, development, and/or behavior
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hasraah
A formal warning given to a person who is about to commit a sin.
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hazzanut
"Cantorial singing" (Glinert)
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hechsher
(Rabbinic) stamp or seal of approval-- typically designating a product as kosher
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heicha kedusha
abbreviated version of the repetition of the Shmona Esre / Amidah
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heter
rabbinic allowance
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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).
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hitbodedut
solitary prayer
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hizuk
"Encouragement" (Glinert), inspiration, strengthening, uplifting
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hold
to be on the verge of
to opine; to act in accordance with; to be of the opinion; to believe "maintain" (Weiser)
to maintain a degree of religious observance
agree with
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im yirtzeh hashem
if God wills it, God willing (used when making plans for or describing the future)
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inside/outside
Dealing with a text directly (inside) or discussion about a text (outside) during different segments of a study session
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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)
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iyun
study, "examination of sources to develop a coherent, educated opinion" (Weiser)
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J.E.R.K
Jewish Educated Religious Kid
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kaboles ponem
the reception before a wedding ceremony, consisting of a tish (for men) and a bedeken (for women). Lit. 'receiving the faces'.
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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)
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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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kapote
long black coat worn by Hasidic men
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kashe
A question posing some difficulty because of apparent inconsistencies with accepted premises: problem. A tough, perplexing question.
Question, difficulty (Steinmetz), challenge, objection.
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kedai
"worth it" (Weiser)
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kein yirbu
"So they may increase in number"
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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)
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keitzed m'rakdim
dancing before the groom and bride at a wedding, more often called 'wedding shtick'
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kenas
A fine paid as a penalty for wrongdoing.
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kesher
connection, relationship, link
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kesiva vechasima tova
"A good writing and sealing (in the Book of Life)!" Formal Ashkenazi greeting on Rosh Hashanah.
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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.
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khnyok
an unkempt or slovenly person
a mean or bigoted person
a sanctimonious, holier-than-thou religious person
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kiki riki
brand name of clothing shells (thin, simple shirts; worn by Orthodox women under more revealing ones to provide coverage)
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kimat
"almost or nearly" (Weiser)
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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).
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kiruv
outreach work meant to encourage non-religious Jews to become religious, [lit. "to bring closer"]
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kishka
"Stuffed derma: a sausagelike comestible of meat, flour, and spices stuffed into intestine casing and baked" (Rosten) Also, "guts," literally, Slavic. (Wikipedia)
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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
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Kol ishah
lit. 'The voice of a woman'. Refers to the prohibition of men hearing the voice of a woman singing.
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kollel
Institution where married men pursue advanced Talmudic study.
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kollel rabbi
A man who learns (studies traditional texts) - generally full-time - and offers classes and other services to the (non-Orthodox) Jewish community.
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koppel
skullcap, kippah, yarmulke
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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.
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Kratsmach
Tongue-in-cheek way of referring to "Christmas," especially among Jews who want to avoid uttering the name of Christ.
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krias shema
"The reading of the Shema" (Glinert)
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krotzer
One who is confused, literally "scratching their head"
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kuntz
feat, stunt, trick, challenge, ingenuity
peculiarity, particular oddness (JPS)
strategy (Weiser)
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l'hachis
spitefully; deliberately; literally "in order to anger"
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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.
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lamden
a proficient Talmudic scholar
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lav
לאו A scriptural prohibition
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learn
"To be involved in the acquisition of Torah knowledge through reading and reflection, or to do so as an occupation: STUDY" (Weiser)
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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)
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leibedik
lively, enthusiastic; warm, heartfelt
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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
-
madrega
level, especially spiritual level
-
maidel
girl
-
make
To urinate or defecate
-
malshin
noun: One who slanders, especially one who turns over a Jew to non-Jewish authorities; informer, stool pigeon, snitch
verb: To slander, malign, speak loshon hara about somebody.
-
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).
-
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)
-
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
-
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
"Not harsh or strict: Easygoing" (Weiser)
"Yielding to wishes: Indulgent" (Weiser)
"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).
-
meyzid
One who commits a sin consciously and deliberately.
-
mezakeh
to acquire; strengthen
-
middos
character traits (singular: "middah")
-
midrasha
Orthodox women's seminary, especially in Israel
Co-ed supplementary Jewish religious school, usually Reform
-
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
reproof; system of ethics; discipline
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.
-
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
-
omein selah
may it be so
-
onesh
Punishment
-
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)
general realm of feasibility, ballpark (Weiser)
conversation (Weiser)
a tedious, lengthy enumeration or account, litany (Weiser)
Selection of the Pentateuch read publicly on the Sabbath.
-
parnasa
livelihood, income
-
pasken
to rule halachically
-
patur
not liable, exempt
-
pekel
little bundle
-
pesadik
"Acceptable to be eaten on Pesach" (JPS), kosher for Passover.
-
peshat
"An explanation of the logic behind or the source of a passage, event, work, etc." (Weiser)
Justification
"The literal, obvious meaning scholars give to a Jewish text. It can also refer to the simple interpretation of any issue or question." (JPS)
-
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"
-
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
-
prutah
small change
-
psak
rabbinic ruling
-
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
-
remez
"a mark or detail that suggests the existence of implicit information, a trace, an allusion" (Weiser)
interpretation/analysis of Torah (or other texts) on a symbolic level, taking it as an allegory, seeing what is implied
-
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
A doubt or doubtful case.
"Unresolved question: Uncertainty" (Weiser)
"Doubt in the integrity of: Suspicion" (Weiser)
-
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
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
n., such content
-
shidduch
a mate
"In popular usage, any match or alliance, as in The shidduch between the two organization was a success." (Steinberg)
an arranged spousal match
a date in the process of finding one's spouse
-
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 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
adj. observant, observing the laws of kosher, shabbat, or negiya (not touching members of the opposite gender outside of family)
-
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
-
sugya
passage from the Talmud
"A distinct matter for consideration in discussion, thought, or study" (Weiser)
-
tachrichim
burial shrouds
-
taharas hamishpachah
the body of law surrounding menstruation, lit. "family purity"
-
tahor
ritually pure, clean
-
taka
Is that so? Really, actually, indeed, "in consideration of all the information available" (Weiser)
(can also be used ironically)
-
takkanah
A rabbinical decree or ordinance, issued to improve religious life.
-
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
-
tell over
to repeat or teach a story heard elsewhere
-
tenai
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)
"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).
-
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"
-
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
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).
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
"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).
"Troubles, difficulties, a contretemps" (Rosten).
-
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
-
veiter
"More distant: Farther." (Weiser)
"At a more advanced point: Further." (Weiser)
"Further; next." (Steinmetz)
-
vort
a short lesson derived from the Torah; an engagement party, named after the short speech usually delivered in honor of the couple
-
vos
what
-
wash
To wash one's hands ritually before a meal.
-
yainee
other types of chassidim [i.e. non-Chabad] , especially youth
-
yechinik
a Lubavicher (a Hasidic group, Chabad) who believes that Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Lubavicher rebbe, is the Moshiach.
-
yeshivish
Litvish; Lithuanian; associated with the rationalistic Lithuanian tradition; associated with non-Hasidic Black Hat communities
-
yetzer hara
Lit. 'the evil inclination'
-
yichus
"Pedigree, lineage, family background." (JPS)
Bragging rights based on respected family history
-
yid
A derogatory term used by non-Jews for a Jewish person (particularly so in Great Britain).
a Jewish person
-
yiddishkeit
"Jewishness"; sometimes used interchangeably with 'Judaism' or 'Jewish culture'
-
yiras shamayim
"awe of heaven"
-
yosem
orphan
-
Yoshke
an irreverent or derogatory name for Jesus Christ
a nickname for Yosef or Yehoshua (archaic Yiddish form)
-
zall
study hall; beis medrash (lit. "hall")
-
zivug
(n.) mate, predestined match
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