Jewish English Lexicon

a long life

Used to greet a mourner after someone has died.

almemar

the platform on which the Torah is read in synagogue; the bima

bekitzur

"Briefly or concisely: succinctly" (Weiser)

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).

Chabad

an outreach-oriented branch of Hasidic Judaism that follows the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Chabad has thousands of branches around the world, including at many college campuses.

cheder

Hebrew and religious classes (often on Sundays) for elementary school children.

chumradik

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

faribel

to have a grievance, to be aggrieved

grievance

(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.

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

gefrunzled

slighted, insulted, feeling unappreciated

gesheft

business

gezinta

a big healthy girl (or the adjective denoting such)

a sexy lady

gezunterheyt

lit., while in good health

"Fine, go ahead" (ironic).

goyishe kop

Someone who fails to use his/her head; a dull mind. Someone who thinks like a non-Jew. Lit. "non-Jewish head."

hoo-ha

vagina

interjection of admiration or astonishment

hullabaloo, commotion

I wish you well to wear it

A saying uttered on seeing a friend or relative wearing a new garment or accessory. It is value-neutral, not implying that the garment is nice, just that it is new.

kimat

"almost or nearly" (Weiser)

kishkas

Intestines, gut

koppel

skullcap, kippah, yarmulke

kosher

"acceptable according to Jewish [ritual] law" (JPS); "trustworthy, reliable" (Rosten); acceptable according to dietary laws

leibedik

lively, enthusiastic; warm, heartfelt

lobbus

a young mischievous person with a lot of chutzpah

a rascal, mischievous or cheeky child (usually a boy)

meaty

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

mechaye

"Pleasure, enjoyment, a real joy" (Rosten); something that gives great joy

mechula

broke, bust, bankrupt, spoiled

mekhuleh

bankrupt

milky

Dairy

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.

oirik

Derogatory reference to a non-Jewish male, especially a common labourer

pish

urinate

urine

refua shlema

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

schmatta

rag, old/ragged piece of clothing, garment

schnoder

"to pledge a donation" (Steinmetz).

Shabbos

the Jewish Sabbath

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