Showing 284 of 284 words, page 1 of 1
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aba
father, dad, daddy
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Adonai
"Literally, 'my Lord', another word for God." (JPS)
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afikomen
a piece of matzah from the Passover seder traditionally hidden by adults, found by the children (or vice versa), and then ransomed for gifts after the meal. "The last piece of matzoh...eaten at the meal." (Steinmetz)
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agunah
A woman whose husband has refused her a Jewish divorce.
A woman who is unable to remarry, due to the fact that her husband is missing and it is not known whether her husband is alive or dead.
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Akedah
The binding of Isaac (episode in the Torah)
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Aleph-bet
"A name for the Hebrew alphabet" (JPS)
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Am Yisrael
"Literally, The People of Israel." (JPS)
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amen
Agreed. "The word used at the end of prayer to signify affirmation." (Rosten)
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Amida
The Shemoneh Esrei prayer, which is said while standing [Amida, lit. "standing".]
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ark
"the cabinet at the front of an Ashkenazic synagogue that houses the Torah scroll." (JPS)
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aron kodesh
"Literally, "holy ark"." (JPS)
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avoda
"Literally, 'divine service'" (JPS) Also, "work" or "service" and sometimes used as the name for a unit at camp in which campers help with such duties as service in the dining hall, laundry, etc.
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b'vakasha
JPS: "Literally, 'please'. It can be used in various ways, including "please go ahead" and at the end of a sentence as 'you're welcome'."
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babka
"A loaf type coffee cake" (JPS)
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bagel
"A leavened, firm, doughnut shaped roll" (JPS)
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Bamidbar
The Book of Numbers, [lit. "in the wilderness"] (Glinert)
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bashert
JPS: "Predestined, fated." Soul mate.
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bat mitzvah
in gender egalitarian communities, the ceremony of a 13- (or 12-) year-old girl's first calling up to the Torah, symbolizing her adulthood in Jewish life. can also refer to the girl herself. In Orthodox communities, refers to celebration of girl turning 12. "Celebration of a Jewish girl's coming of age; a girl who has reached that age." (Glinert)
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BCE
Before the Common Era (used in place of B.C.). Steinmetz: "...recently, a new awareness of the Christian character of these abbreviations have led many Jewish writers and editors to replace them with [C.E. And B.C.E.]"
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bench
JPS: "To recite a blessing. It usually refers to Birkat ha-Mazon, the Grace after Meals... The word can also refer to the reciting of any blessing; for example, the expression bentsch licht means to light Shabbat [or Chanukah] candles."
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bereshit
The Book of Genesis [lit. "in the beginning"]
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bikur cholim
visiting the sick
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bimah
pulpit; "A raised platform or stage in a synagogue from which the Torah is read and services are led." (JPS)
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Birkot HaShachar
The first section of the morning prayers, which contains several individual blessings. (JPS)
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bisl
"a little bit of something, a tiny piece" (JPS)
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blech
an electric hot plate or "sheet of metal that can be placed over the burners on a stove to retain heat, so that precooked food...can be kept warm during the Sabbath." (JPS)
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borscht
"Borshtsh" is the Russian word for beet soup. Among Jews soup made from beets is considered Polish borshtsh, while Russian borshtsh is made from cabbage.
"An Eastern European soup traditionally made with beets." (JPS)
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boychick
"A young boy...equivalent of the American expression 'buddy'" (JPS)
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bracha
blessing (in the technical or figurative sense)
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bris
circumcision ceremony; the celebration surrounding it. Lit. covenant.
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bubbe
grandmother
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candle lighting
"the custom of lighting candles to welcome the Sabbath" (JPS); the exact time at which holiday and Shabbos candles are supposed to be lit by according to Jewish law.
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chai
"Literally, 'life'" (JPS); 18 (see note)
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challah
"The braided egg bread that traditionally is eaten on almost every Jewish holiday and [the Sabbath]" (JPS)
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chalutzim
Pioneers in the building of the State of Israel.
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chametz
Leavened food.
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chanukiah
Nine-branched menorah / candelabrum used on Chanukah
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charoses
Sweet, mushy mixture that represents mortar at the Passover seder.
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chazan
The official at a synagogue who leads the congregation in prayer and song. (JPS)
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chazer
"go over; review" (Weiser)
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chazir
1. pork 2. a pig, greedy person (JPS)
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chevra kedisha
burial society - volunteers who sit with the dead and prepare their bodies for burial
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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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chol hamoed
"the intermediate days of the weeklong holidays of Pesach and Sukkot" (JPS)
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cholent
"A slow-cooked stew made of beef, beans, potatoes, and other vegetables. Cholent is a common Sabbath dish..." (JPS)
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chumash
"A bound book containing the Five Books of Moses that is used in synagogue or for study." (JPS)
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chuppah
"The Jewish wedding canopy; that is, the cloth under which the Jewish wedding ceremony is conducted." (JPS)
wedding ceremony (not including reception)
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d'var torah
a brief teaching from Jewish sources [lit. "a word of torah"], "A short speech" (JPS)
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daven
pray; lead services
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davka
"definitely or exactly stated; specifically" (Weiser)
even; despite expectations to the contrary -- often with a slightly amused or ironic feeling of "wouldn't you know it?" or "of all things" ("of all people" ... etc.)
just to annoy, just to be contrary
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day school
Jewish grade school, where students learn both Jewish and secular subjects. "The general name given to private Jewish schools" in the United States and Canada (JPS)
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dayenu
"Literally, "it would have been enough."" (JPS)
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derech eretz
Participating in modern society.
"Good conduct; normal, polite behavior in a social setting." (JPS). Manners, respect.
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Devarim
"the Book of Deuteronomy", [lit. "words"] (JPS)
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dreck
"Trash, junk, garbage; cheap or worthlesss things." (Rosten), sh*t
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dreidel
"A small, four-sided spinning top used in a game during Chanukah" (JPS); the top itself
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dybbuk
a spirit, "often thought to be the soul of a dead person, that wanders the earth looking for a living body to inhabit" (JPS)
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eema
mother
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Eichah
"The Book of Lamentations" (JPS)
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Elohim/Elokim
"One of the many names used to refer to God" (JPS)
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Elul
The twelfth month of the Jewish calendar, just before the High Holidays season (or sixth, if one starts counting at Nissan).
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emunah
"faith"; sometimes contrasted with practical striving in the material world
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erev
"Eve of." (Glinert) Evening, or the day before a Jewish holiday
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eruv
area in which a token enclosure enables one to carry on the Sabbath [without breaking the prohibition against carrying in a public space]." (Glinert)
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eshet chayil
"woman of valor" (JPS); poem about such a woman in Proverbs 31.
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etrog
Citron (lemon-like fruit) used ritually on Sukkot
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farblondzhet
Rosten: "Lost...mixed up, wandering about without any idea of where you are." Can refer to being physically or intellectually lost.
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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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feh!
an expression of disgust; "portraying...negative feelings" (Rosten)
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fleishig
"The general term for food in the meat category, according to the Jewish dietary laws" (JPS)
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forshpayz
"appetizers" (JPS)
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fress
To gobble up food; to gorge oneself. "To eat quickly or noisily, like an animal" (JPS)
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frum
religious; observant; Orthodox
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gabai
verb: to serve as gabai
noun: The officer of the synagogue who determines which congregants are to receive Torah honors at the service.
noun: The (lay) person who calls Jews to say blessings over the Torah reading and follows along with the Torah reading to correct any mistakes.
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gefilte fish
minced sweet or sour fish, cooked in balls or a log and sliced. [lit., "stuffed fish"(JPS), since the chopped fish used to be placed back in the fish for cooking.]
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gelt
Money (slang usage)
"The foil wrapped chocolate coins that are a traditional Hanukkah treat for children." (JPS)
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gemara
"A compilation of 300 years of rabbis' legal and ethical commentaries on the Mishnah...together, the Gemara and the Mishnah comprise the Talmud." (JPS)
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gematria
"An ancient system of Hebrew numerology," (JPS), in which each Hebrew letter possesses a numerical value, allowing words or phrases to express possible "hidden" meaning (when one adds up the letters' values)
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gemilut chasadim
"Literally, "acts of loving kindness"", (JPS) often used in reference to charitable activities
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geshmak
delicious, delightful
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gesundheit
Health. (Bless you) - said in response to a sneeze.
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glatt
Showing consistency of reason (Weiser).
Super-kosher (not only of food), or acceptable to the Haredi community.
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golem
"A creature of Jewish medieval folklore, a golem is a figure made into the form of a human and given life." (JPS)
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golus
literally "exile" (JPS); outside of the Land of Israel; away from a vibrant Jewish community; the time period since the destruction of the Second Temple at Jerusalem (Glinert)
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gonif
thief
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good Shabbos
Literally, "Good Sabbath" (JPS); standard Sabbath greeting
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goy
a nation, but not the Jewish nation
"most often used among Jews to refer to someone who is not a Jew" (JPS)
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goyish
"in the manner or style of a non-Jewish person" (JPS), especially something WASPy or "white bread"
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grager
a noise maker used on Purim to drown out the name of Haman; something that makes a lot of noise
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gurnisht
"nothing, zilch, zero" (JPS)
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hachnasas orchim
hospitality (lit. "bringing in guests")
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haftorah
"A reading from the biblical book of Prophets that is recited in synagogue immediately following the reading of the Torah" (JPS)
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haggadah
"The small book of liturgy, prayers, songs, and rituals used at a Pesach seder" (JPS)
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HaKadosh Baruch Hu
God, lit. "The Holy One, Blessed Be He"
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halacha
"Jewish law" (JPS)
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hamentaschen
"Small, triangular-shaped cookies filled with fruit or jam that are eaten on Purim" (JPS)
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hamsa
a hand-shaped amulet (often a wall-hanging or jewelry) conferring good luck or protection, popular in Israel and originally from the Middle East / North Africa
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Haredi
Adjective or noun referring to an individual, institution, or practice associated with strictly Orthodox (non-Modern) Jews.
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Hashem
God, lit. "the name"
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hatikvah
literally "the hope." "The Israeli national anthem." (Glinert)
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havurah
A group of friends, frequently a social or religious group, either within a synagogue or apart from one.
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hechsher
(Rabbinic) stamp or seal of approval-- typically designating a product as kosher
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Jew by Choice
A convert to Judaism.
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Kabbalah
a Jewish mystical work, sometimes used as a catch-all term for Jewish mysticism. "The Jewish mystical tradition" (JPS)
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Kabbalat Shabbat
"Special prayers and songs included as part of Friday night services to welcome in Shabbat."
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kaddish
Prayer of mourning; prayer separating parts of the service; lit. "sanctification"
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kaparot
Ritual performed between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur to remove sins carried out by swinging a chicken over ones head.
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kashrut
"The body of Jewish dietary laws and regulations that specify what and how a Jew who keeps kosher can eat." (JPS)
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kedusha
holiness, sanctity
a responsive prayer sung/recited by the shaliach tzibbur (prayer leader) and congregation as part of the Amidah in a minyan
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kehillah
"A Jewish community" (JPS)
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Keter
Crown, especially the crown decorating a Torah scroll.
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ketubah
"The Jewish marriage contract, traditionally written in Aramaic." (JPS)
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kibbutz
"[Israeli agricultural] collective" (Glinert) Most settlements in Israeli which originally began as kibbutzim now function as regular municipalities.
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kiddush
"blessing recited over wine" (JPS) on Sabbath or holidays at the beginning of the meal or ceremony. Reception after services. "The refreshments, usually including wine, juice, and pastries, that are offered after [the Sabbath] and holiday services in the synagogue." (JPS)
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kinder
"children" (Rosten)
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kitniot
"Literally, 'legumes'...certain foods that are restricted during Pesach in some Jewish communities." (JPS)
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klal yisroel
"synonym for the Jewish people" (JPS)
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klezmer
"Eastern European style of instrumental music" (JPS)
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Knesset
Israel's parliament
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kol tuv
"all the best" (JPS), a closing or farewell
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Kotel
"The Western Wall"/wailing wall (Glinert)
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koved
"honor, dignity, respect" (JPS)
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kuntz
peculiarity, particular oddness (JPS)
strategy (Weiser)
feat, stunt, trick, challenge, ingenuity
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kvetch
"to chronically complain or gripe to others over minor issues" (JPS)
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l'chaim
traditional toast. [lit. "to life" (Rosten)]
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labriut
"bless you" (after someone sneezes) [lit., "to health"] (Glinert)
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Ladino
Judeo-Spanish language
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landsman
Someone who comes from the same or nearby hometown, especially if one or both of you no longer lives there and all the more so if one or both now live far away from home, in which case an entire region (e.g., metro NY) or country e.g., Poland) may be the point of connection.
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lashon hara
"gossip" (lit. "evil tongue") (JPS)
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latka
"a potato pancake [fried in oil traditionally eaten on Chanukah]" (Rosten)
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lehitraot
"Goodbye for now, see you again soon" (JPS) "see you later."
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lekvar
prune filling
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lokh in cup
"hole in the head"(Rosten)
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lokshen
noodles
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lox
smoked salmon
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lulav
palm branch used ritually on Sukkot
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maariv
the evening prayer
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macher
"1. Someone who arranges, fixes, has connections...someone who is [very] active in an organization" (Rosten) "important person", "hot shot"
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machzor
High Holiday prayerbook, used for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
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magen david
"star of david", a symbol that has commonly been associated with Jews and Judaism; [lit. "shield of david"]
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mamaleh
diminutive term for a young girl [lit. 'little mama']
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mame-loshn
"mother tongue", usually refers to Yiddish
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mamzer
bastard [see note]; "A detestable [person] like the colloquial English "He's a bastard"" (Rosten)
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mannah
the food that fell from the sky to feed the wandering Israelites in the Bible
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maror
bitter herbs placed on the seder place on Passover
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matzah brei
fried matzah pieces mixed with eggs, usually eaten on Passover
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matzoh
unleavened bread eaten on Passover
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matzoh ball
dumpling made with matzah meal and eggs and generally served in chicken soup
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mazel tov
congratulations [lit. "good fortune"]
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mechitza
the separation between men and women in Orthodox prayer spaces [lit. "separation"]
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megillah
one of the five books that compose kethuvim--writings--in Tanakh; can also refer to the physical scroll on which one is written; a long, engrossing story or description
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mesorah
tradition
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mezuzah
a piece of parchment with the Shema written on it that is then placed in a case and mounted on doorways in keeping with the Biblical commandment mentioned in the Shema
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midrash
stories or explanations that interpret or ellaborate on the Torah's text.
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mikvah
"Ritual bath" (JPS)
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milchig
"...food in the "dairy" category, according to the Jewish dietary laws...also refers to the utensils and dishes used for cooking, eating, and serving milk products." (JPS)
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minhag
custom; "A tradition that is not mentioned in the Torah or mandated by law but nonetheless is followed." (JPS)
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minyan
prayer quorum of 10 Jews age 13 or older (traditionally male; in some communities male or female)
religious community
small service
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mishegoss
"Foolishness, nonsense, craziness." (JPS)
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Mishnah
an authoritative collection of exegetical material embodying the oral tradition of Jewish law and forming the first part of the Talmud.
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mishpacha
"Literally, "family". ...The word conveys a warm feeling of friendship." (JPS)
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misnagdim
Non-Hasidim (literally "opponents.")
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mohel
A person trained to perform Jewish ritual circumcision
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muktzah
An object that it is forbidden to handle on the Sabbath and on certain holidays (generally because the object's primary purpose involves actions considered work and forbidden on those days).
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musaf
The additional service added to the morning services on the Sabbath and holidays.
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narishkeit
"1. Foolishness 2. A triviality" (Rosten)
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nebbish
noun: nerdy, clumsy, awkward person. "An innocuous, ineffectual, weak, helpless, or hapless unfortunate" (Rosten)
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neshama
soul
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niddah
menstrual impurity; often used to refer to the entire body of Jewish law surrounding the practice of abstaining from intercourse during the menstrual cycle
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nosh
to snack or eat; a snack
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nu
so what?; so?; hurry up already
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ongepotchket
overly elaborate, excessively decorated, slapped together senselessly
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parasha
conversation (Weiser)
general realm of feasibility, ballpark (Weiser)
Selection of the Pentateuch read publicly on the Sabbath.
a tedious, lengthy enumeration or account, litany (Weiser)
period of dating for marriage (Orthodox Jews)
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parve
1. neither milk nor meat; 2. uninteresting, plain, generic
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payos
Sidelocks, sidecurls, or earlocks, common among Haredi boys and men.
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Pesach
The Jewish Holiday of Passover
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peshat
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)
"An explanation of the logic behind or the source of a passage, event, work, etc." (Weiser)
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pidyon haben
ceremony of redemption of the first-born son; celebration surrounding this ceremony
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pisher, little pisher
a diminutive that combines amusement, admiration and annoyance
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Psukei d'Zimrah
the first part of morning services, after the morning blessings mostly comprised of Psalms [lit. "verses of praise"]
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punim
face
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pushke
"The little container...in which money to be donated to charity is accumulated." (Rosten)
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rachmones
mercy
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rebbe
the spiritual leader of a Hasidic sect
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Rosh Chodesh
start of a new month in the Hebrew calendar
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Rosh Hashanah
The Jewish new year
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ruach
spirit, "spiritedness, morale" (JPS)
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rugelach
"Bite-size crescent-shaped pastries, rolled around a variety of fillings, including chopped raisins and walnuts, apple, raspberry, [chocolate] or mun, topped with a sprinkling of cinnamon and sugar" (JPS)
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saba
grandfather
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sabra
a prickly pear, "tough and prickly on the outside, tender and sweet on the inside--a description that many say fits citizens of the Jewish state." (JPS)
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savta
grandmother
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schlemiel
idiot; contemptible person. "Clumsy, bungling person." (Steinmetz)
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schlep
An annoyingly long journey
"To carry, lug" (JPS)
To travel from one place to another when one would prefer not to
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schmaltz
"Rendered chicken fat." (JPS)
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schmaltzy
"Overly sentimental or romantic." (JPS)
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schmear
to spread; cream cheese
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schnapps
"A strong, dry liquor." (JPS)
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schnorrer
a begger, a parasite. "A moocher" (JPS)
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sechel
"Common sense" (JPS), intelligence
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seder
A ceremony involving recitations, singing, food, and drink typically associated with Passover, but also with Tu B'shvat and Rosh Hashanah.
order, orderliness, system, routine
The name for the six sections of the Mishnah.
period for Torah study
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sefer
Hebrew or Aramaic book
"A literary composition written particularly of, on, or about the Torah" (Weiser)
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seforim
Religious books written in Hebrew or Aramaic.
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Sephardic
Jews whose ancestors came from the Iberian Peninsula before the Jewish expulsion
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Shabbat
The Jewish Sabbath; Saturday
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Shabbos
the Jewish Sabbath
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Shabbos goy
"A non-Jew who by prearrangement performs chores [that are forbidden] for a Jew on the Sabbath or holidays." (Steinmetz)
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shadchen
matchmaker
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shalech manes
Gifts for friends, traditionally given on Purim. Typically, a basket with food requiring two separate brachas in it.
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shalom
hello, goodbye, peace
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shalom bayit
"Literally, 'peace in the home'. Contentment and harmony among family members." (JPS)
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shana tova
happy new year, lit. 'good year'
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shayna punim
pretty face
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sheitel
wig; worn by some observant jewish women after marriage. "A wig worn by strictly Orthodox...women as a [hair] covering." (Steinberg)
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Shemoneh Esrei
another name for the Amida, the central prayer during Jewish services. [lit. 'eighteen', the number of blessings it originally had]
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Shemot
The Book of Exodus [lit. 'names']
Printed items containing the name of God in Hebrew letters (generally pronounced SHAY-miss)
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sheva brachot
the seven blessings said after a jewish wedding and at a festive meal once a day for a week afterwards. the term can refer to the one week period after the wedding, the festive meal, or the blessings themselves.
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shidduch
a date or match, often leading to marriage. "The matching up of a man and a woman for purposes of marriage; a match. In popular usage, any match or alliance, as in The shidduch between the two organization was a success." (Steinberg)
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shiksa
"1. A non-Jewish girl. 2. A housemaid. 3. An irreligious or nonobservant Jewish girl. The term is often regarded as disparaging." (Steinmetz)
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shivah
week-long period of mourning after the death of a relative, during which close relatives stay at home and greet visitors. mourners traditionally sit on low stools during this time, so someone in mourning is said to be 'sitting shiva'.
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shlock
something cheap or inferior. "A shoddy, cheaply made article." (Rosten)
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shluffy
[to go] to sleep (child-directed speech)
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shmendrik
jerk, stupid person
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shmuck
annoying, irritating person (lit. penis)
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shmutz
"Dirt, stain, or filth." (JPS)
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shnoz
"A nose, especially a large, unattractive one." (JPS)
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Shoah
Eastern European Holocaust (of World War II)
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shofar
ram's horn sounded during the month of elul, especially associated with rosh hashanah
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shtick
Props and decorations used for wedding entertainment.
"Overused actions or behavior." (JPS)
Comedy routine.
Performances and silly behavior at weddings, intended to entertain the bride and groom.
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shuckle
Literally, "to shake", to sway back and forth during prayer
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shul
synagogue
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shvartsa
black person, [lit. "black"]. Often considered offensive in English.
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siddur
Jewish prayer book
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simcha
"A joyous occasion; a celebration" (JPS); usually related to a lifecycle event
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smichah
"Rabbinic ordination" (Steinmetz)
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spiel
play, performance, speech. "A long, involved story or tale." (JPS)
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sukkah
A temporary dwelling used during the holiday of Sukkot
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Sukkot
The feast of the booths; a fall holiday when Jews live in makeshift huts to represent the time the Israelites spent wandering in the desert.
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tachrichim
burial shrouds
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taharas hamishpachah
the body of law surrounding menstruation, lit. "family purity"
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tallis
prayer shawl
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Talmud
"The body of Jewish law and tradition comprising the Mishnah and the Gemara, compiled from about 30 B.C.E to about 500 C.E." (Steinmetz)
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Tanach
the entire Jewish bible including the Torah, Prophets, Writings. ['tanakh' is an acronym of the names of the three sections of the bible: torah, nevi'im and kethuvim.]
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tashlich
"The custom of going to a...body of running water on the afternoon of the first day of Rosh Hashanah...and reciting certain penitential verses [and throwing breadcrumbs, symbolizing sins, in to the water.]" (Steinmetz)
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tefillin
Small black boxes containing sections of the shema attached to leather straps and worn around the head and arm during prayer.
"phylacteries"
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The Chosen People
refers to the jewish people as a whole having a unique relationship with god; (translation of hebrew phrase "am nivchar")
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tikkun olam
kabbalistic concept of mystically repairing the fabric of the world through the performance of mitzvot
"repairing (the) world," making the world a better place through volunteering, social justice work, and philanthropy
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Torah
Literally, "teaching". 1. The five books of moses. 2. Jewish law and values in general.
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treif
(adj or noun) food prohibited by the jewish dietary laws
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tsorris
"Troubles, woes, worries, suffering." (Rosten)
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Tu b'Av
the 15th of Av, sometimes associated with romantic love and jokingly called 'Jewish Valentine's Day'.
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Tu Bishvat
Jewish Arbor Day, the New Year for Trees, literally 'the 15th day of Shevat'.
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tuches
buttocks
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tush
buttocks
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TzaHaL
acronym for: ts'va ha-haganah le-yisrael, the Israeli defense force (IDF)
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tzedakah
charity, money given to charity
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ungepatchke
overdone, tacky, ostentatious, overcomplicated. "Excessively and unaesthetically decorated; overly baroque." (Rosten)
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unveiling
the ceremony marking the unveiling of a deceased person's headstone one year after his or her burial
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upsherin
the first haircut of a 3 year old; [lit. 'cutting off']
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Vayikra
the book of Leviticus
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vilde chaye
a rambunctious or wild person [lit. 'wild animal']
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yad
the metal or wooden pointer used to follow the text when reading Torah; lit. "hand"
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yahrzeit
The anniversary of a person's death, generally marked by relatives in some way.
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yenta
"A scandal spreader, a rumormongerer." (Rosten). Usually applied to women.
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yetzer hara
Lit. 'the evil inclination'
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Yiddish
Traditional language of Ashkenazic Jewry. A descendant of High German, its vocabulary is roughly 80% Germanic, 10% Hebrew and 10% Slavic (depending on author/speaker and setting/genre)
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Yom Kippur
day of atonement, arguably the most important day on the Jewish calendar
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yontif
a Jewish holiday, especially one on which work is prohibited (in contrast to chol hamoed)
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zaftig
pleasantly plump, buxom, lit. "juicy"
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zichrona livracha
May her memory be blessed.
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