Jewish English Lexicon

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.)

ein hachi nami

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

emes

Truth, true

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

emesdik

"Truthful, genuine" (Steinmetz)

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

farher

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

verb: examine, test, quiz

farshtunken(e)

literally 'stinking' (Rosten); contemptible

fress

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

gadol

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

gashmiyus

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

gedolim

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

Secondary usage: feces or excrement.

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)

gezinta

a big healthy girl (or the adjective denoting such)

a sexy lady

glatt

Showing consistency of reason (Weiser).

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

golem

"A creature of Jewish medieval folklore, a golem is a figure made into the form of a human and given life." (JPS)

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)

halevai

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

I wish!

If only

hashkafah

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

hashpa'ah

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

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

heimish

3. at home, comfortable

1. familiar, homey, informal, cozy, warm

2. Haredi Orthodox

hold

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

to be on the verge of

inyan

matter (Steinmetz)

significance within Jewish law.

topic [of conversation] (Weiser, Glinert).

iyun

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

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)

kashe

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

Question, difficulty (Steinmetz), challenge, objection.

kavanah

intent

"Attention to the meaning, spirit, and purpose of words" (Weiser)

kenas

A fine paid as a penalty for wrongdoing.

kiruv

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

kivyakhol

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

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

kulah

A lenient ruling or measure

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

kuntz

strategy (Weiser)

peculiarity, particular oddness (JPS)

feat, stunt, trick, challenge, ingenuity

l'hachis

spitefully; deliberately; literally "in order to anger"

learn

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

lechoira

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

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

macher

"1. Someone who arranges, fixes, has connections...someone who is [very] active in an organization" (Rosten) "important person", "hot shot"

machmir

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

meticulous

makpid

Particular, conscientious, especially in relation to Jewish law.

mamish

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

matzliach

"To thrive: Prosper" (Weiser)

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

medakdeik

"Thorough or painstaking; avoiding error by virtue of the care exercised: CAREFUL." (Weiser) exacting, precise

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.

melacha

"Art or skill: Trade" (Weiser).

"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).

mensch

"An upright, honorable, a decent person." (Rosten)

meykil

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

"Yielding to wishes: Indulgent" (Weiser)

"Not harsh or strict: Easygoing" (Weiser)

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

"Taking the lenient position: Liberal" (Weiser)

nebach

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

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)

parasha

general realm of feasibility, ballpark (Weiser)

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

Selection of the Pentateuch read publicly on the Sabbath.

period of dating for marriage (Orthodox Jews)

conversation (Weiser)

peshat

"The literal, obvious meaning scholars give to a Jewish text. It can also refer to the simple interpretation of any issue or question." (JPS)

"An explanation of the logic behind or the source of a passage, event, work, etc." (Weiser)

Justification

prost

coarse, base, not classy, vulgar, common

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

safek

"Unresolved question: Uncertainty" (Weiser)

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

A doubt or doubtful case.

schlep

To travel from one place to another when one would prefer not to

An annoyingly long journey

"To carry, lug" (JPS)

seder

period for Torah study

A ceremony involving recitations, singing, food, and drink typically associated with Passover, but also with Tu B'shvat and Rosh Hashanah.

The name for the six sections of the Mishnah.

order, orderliness, system, routine

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.

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)

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)

shidduch

mate

a date in the process of finding one's spouse

match

arranged spousal match

shiur

"1. A lesson, lecture, or discourse on the Torah, Mishnah, or Gemara...(2. A measure, size, or rate)." (JPS)

shluffy

[to go] to sleep (child-directed speech)

shmutz

"Dirt, stain, or filth." (JPS)

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.

shtarker

a strong, stout fellow

thug

big shot, an arrogant person

shteig

strive; study; lit. "rise"

shtender

lectern

shtick

Comedy routine.

Performances and silly behavior at weddings, intended to entertain the bride and groom.

Props and decorations used for wedding entertainment.

"Overused actions or behavior." (JPS)

shvach

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

simcha

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

stam

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

That's it!

Just kidding!

sugya

passage from the Talmud

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

svara

guess, hypothesis

justification, reason, plausible explanation

svive

group or get-together

environment, surroundings

tachlis

purpose, aim

practical details of a matter, "brass tacks" (as in, "Let's get down to brass tacks.")

tafkid

assignment

divinely ordained purpose

task

taka

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

(can also be used ironically)

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).

teva

character (quality of a person or thing)

nature

Torah

Literally, "teaching". 1. The five books of moses. 2. Jewish law and values in general.

veiter

"More distant: Farther." (Weiser)

"At a more advanced point: Further." (Weiser)

"Further; next." (Steinmetz)