A glossary of Jewish terms

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Most of the terms in this glossary are Hebrew in origin. However since then Judaism has thrived in many countries and the language reflects this. Yiddish is a
mixture of German, Russian and Hebrew developed by Jews throughout Eastern Europe. As with all languages that are transliterated (where the English spelling
tries to recreate the sound of the original) there are acceptable differences in spelling.
Pronunciation note: The main form in this glossary is in green and is the Sephardic pronunciation. Main variants appear in red.

A B C D E F G H I J K L
M N O P Q R S T U V W XYZ

Abraham Father of the Jewish nation and also father of Isaac and Jacob
Afikomen Dessert. Portion of a matzah eaten near the end of the Seder.
Agadah Aggadah Telling. Rabbinical teachings on moral values.
Aleinu Key prayer at the conclusion of each service.
To go up. (i) Being called to read the Sefar Torah in the synagogue. (ii) The migration
Aliyah
of Jews to Israel.
Amidah Standing. The standing prayer.
Aron Hakodesh Holy Ark. The focal point of the synagogue, containing Torah scrolls.
Ashkenazim Jews of Central and Eastern European origin.

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B
Son of the Commandment. A boy's coming of age at 13 years old, usually marked by a
Bar Mitzvah
synagogue, ceremony and family celebration.
Daughter of the commandment. As above but for girls from 12 years old. May be
Bat Mitzvah Bat Chayil
marked differently between communities.
Bet Din Jewish court which decides if a Jewish couple (usually Orthodox) may divorce.
Beit ha Knesset
Bet ha Knesset Shul House of assembly. Synagogue.

Bimah Dias. Raised platform primarily for reading the Torah in the synagogue.
Brit Milah Berit Milah, Bris Circumcision. Ceremony performed at 8 days of age.

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 C
Challah Hallah Enriched bread used particularly on Shabbat and during festivals.
Hazzan,
Chazan Leader of reading, singing and chanting in the services of some synagogues.
Cantor
Chumash Five. The Torah in the book form, used in the synagogue and the home.
The canopy under which the bride, grrom and Rabbi will stand during the marriage
Chuppah
ceremony.
Religious rite of the Brit Milah, performed by a qualified mohel on all Jewish boys, usually
Circumcision
on the eighth day after birth.

Modern movement sometimes confused with Orthodox. It emphsises Zionism and allows
Conservative some minor changes in litergy but is opposed to the more radical reforms of the Reform
movement.

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D
Scattering. The time from 70 CE after the destruction of the temple when the Jews were
The Diasporia
scattered all over the world and there was no Israel until 1947.

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E
The jounrney into slavery in Egypt out of which Moses led the people in the story of the
The Exodus
Passover
The Exile The period spend when the Babylonians captured the land of the Jews

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F
No entries

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G
Gemara Gemarah Commentary on the Mishnah included in the Talmud.

Get Bill of divorce in Jewish Law.

Genizah Storage place for damaged religious texts.

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H
Completion. Passages from Nevi'im (Prophets) read in the synagogue (linked to weekly
Haftarah
Torah and festival readings).
Hagadah Haggadah Telling. A book used at Seder.

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 Halakah Halacha The Way. The code of conduct encompassing all aspects of Jewish life.
Chanukiah,
Hanukiah Nine branched Hannukah lamp used at the festival of Hannukah.
Menorah
Dedication. An eight day festival of lights to celebrate the re-dedication of the temple
Hanukkah Chanukah
following the Macabean victory over the Greeks.
Chasid,
Hasid Hasidim (pl) Pious. Member of the Orthodox movement of Hasidism.
Chasidim

A religious and social movement formed by the Israel Ball Shem Tov (from the 18th
Hasidism Chasidism
century onwards).
Havdalah Distinction. Ceremony marking the conclusion of Shabbat.

Ancient Semitic language; language of the Tenakh (Hebrew Scripture) and also used by
Hebrew Ivrit
Jews for prayer and study. Also, everyday language in Israel.

Herod The Roman governor of Judea during the time of Jesus.

The extermination of six milllion Jews (as well as many others) by the Nazis beyween
Holocaust Shoah
1933 and 1945 CE.
Huppah Chuppah Canopy used for a wedding ceremony, under which the bride and groom stand.

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I
One who struggles with God. The phrase refers to the world-wide Jewish community;
Israel
the land of Israel and the modern state of Israel.
Issac Son of Abraham

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J
Jacob The son of Isaac
Jew A member of the Jewish race and a member of the religious group of Judaism
Joseph The son of Jacob
Judea The Roman province in which Jesus of Nazereth was born and spend most of his life.

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K
Kabalah Cabala Jewish mysticism.
Kaddish Prayer publicly recited by mourners.
Kashrut Laws relating to keeping a kosher home and lifestyle.
Ketubah Ketubbah Document that defines rights and obligations within Jewish marriage.
Ketuvim Writings. Third section of the Tenakh..

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 Kibbutz Kibbutizim (pl.) Israeli collective village based on socialist principles.
Kiddush Holy. A prayer sanctifying Shabbat and festival days, usually recited over wine.
Head covering worn during prayers, Torah study, etc.. Some followers will wear it
Kippah Yamulkah, Capel
constantly.
Knesset Assembly. Israeli parliament.
Kol Nidrel Kol Nidre All vows. Prayer recited on the evening of Yom Kippur.
Korach Name of the leader who defied Moses in the wilderness.
Kosher Kasher Fit; Proper. Foods permitted by Jewish dietary laws. (see also trayfah)

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L
Ladino Language used predominately by Sephardim.

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M
Magen David Shield of David, popularly called Star of David.

Rabbi Moses ben Maimon (1135-1204), a leading Jewish philosopher, medical writer
Maimonides
and codifier of Jewish law.

The hill fort where the Zealots comitted suidcide rather than surrender to the Romans
Masada
during the revolt in the 60s CE. An important place of pilgrimmage for Jews.

Moshiah,
Mashiach The anointed one, who will herald in a new era for Judaism and all humankind.
Messiah

Matzah Matzot (pl.) A flat cracker-like bread which has been baked before it rises; used at Pesach.

Menorah Seven branched candelabrum which was lit daily in the Temple.

A scroll placed on doorposts of Jewish homes, containing a section from the Torah and
Mezuzah
often enclosed in a decorative case.

Midrash Collections of various Rabbinic commentaries on the Tenukah.

Mikveh Ritual bath used for the immersion of people and objects.

Minhag Religious Customs.

Quorum of ten men, over the Bar Mitzvah age, required for a service. Progressive
Minyan
communities may include women but do not always require a minyan.

First writing down of the Oral Tradition. An authoritative document forming the part of the
Mishnah
Talmud, codified about 200 CE.

Dwelling. The original traveling sanctuary used prior to the building of the permanent
Mishkan
Temple in Jerusalem.
Commandment. The Torah contains 613 mitzvot. Commonly used to describe good
Mitzvah Mitzvot (pl.)
deeds.
Mohel Person trained to perform Brit Milah.

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 Moses Leader and lawgiver at the time of the Exodus.

Moshav Moshavim (pl.) Collective village or farm in Israel.

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N
Ner Tamid Eternal Light. The perpetual light above the Aron Hakodesh.

Nevi'im Prophets. Second section of the Tenakh.

Seven Laws given to Noah after the flood, which are incumbent on all humankind. These
Noachide Laws
laws form the foundation for a just society.

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O
Orthodox Modern name for strictly traditional Jews.

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P
Parev Parveh Neutral foods, which are neither milk nor meat. e.g. vegetables, eggs, fish.
Festival commemorative the Exodus from Egypt. One of the three biblical pilgrim festivals.
Pesach Passover
Pesach is celebrated in the spring.

Pikei Avot Pirke Avoth Sayings of the Fathers. Part of the Mishnah containing ethics of Rabbinical sages.

Pikuakh Nefesh Save a soul. The setting aside of certain laws in order to save a life.

Organised attack on Jews, especially frequent in 19th and early 20th century Eastern
Pogrom
Europe.

Purim Festival commemorating the rescue of Persian Jewry as told in the book of Ester.

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Q
No entries
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R
My teacher. An ordained Jewish teacher. Often the religious leader of a Jewish
Rabbi
community.
Rabbi Shlomo ben Yitzak (1040-1105). A French rabbinical scholar and leading
Rashi
commentator on the Torah and Talmud.
Rebbe Rabbi. The term used by Hasidim for their religious leader.
Reform Modern movement encouraging changin traditional ways to accomodate contemporary

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 needs.
Rosh Ha-
Rosh Hashanah Head of the Year. Jewish New Year.
Shanah

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Sandek The 'sponsor' of a child to be circumcised in the ceremony of Brit Milah

Order. A home-based ceremonial meal during Pesah, at which the Exodus from Egypt is
Seder
recounted using the Hagadah.
Torah scroll. The five books of Moses handwritten on parchment and rolled to from a
Sefer Torah
scroll.
Jews originating from Mediterranean countries, especially Spain, North Africa and the
Sephardim Sefardim
Middle East.

Day of spiritual renewal and rest commencing at sunset on Friday and terminating at
Shabbat Shabbos
sunset on Saturday.
Shatnez Shaatnez Garments containing a forbidden mixture of wool and linen.

Weeks. One of the pilgrim festivals. Shavuot is celebrated in the summer, seven weeks
Shavuot
after Pesach.
Shekhina The divine presence.
Shema Major Jewish prayer affirming belief in one God. The Shema is found in the Torah.

Seven days of intense mourning following the burial of a close relation. During this period
Shiva
all ordinary work is prohibited.

Desolation. The suffering experienced by European Jews at the hands of the Nazis,
Shoah
including the systematic murder of six million Jews between 1933 and 1945.
Shofar Ram's horn blown at the season of Rosh Hashananah.
Siddur Order. Daily prayer book.

Rejoicing of the law. Festival celebrating the completion and recommencement of the
Simchat Torah
cycle of the weekly Torah reading.
Sukkah Suhhot (pl.) Tabernacle; booth. A temporary dwelling used during Sukkot.
Sukkot One of three biblical pilgrim festivals, Sukkot is celebrated in the Autumn.
Shul,
Synagogue Bet Haknesset Building for Jewish public prayer, study and assembly.

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T
Tallith
Tallit Prayer shawl. Four cornered garment with fringes.

Talmud Mishnah and Gemara, collected together.

Tefila
Tefillah Self-Judgment. Jewish prayer and meditation.

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 Tephilin,
T'filin Small leather boxes containing passages from the Torah, strapped on the forehead and arm
Tefillin
for morning prayers on weekdays.

Sometimes used to refer to a synagogue esp. in North America. Also used to refer to the
Temple temple in Jerusalem, destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE of which only the Western Wall
remains.
Tanakh The collected 24 books of the Jewish Bible, comprising three section: Torah, Nevi'im and
Tenakh
Ketuvim (Te; Na; Kh)
Ten
Part of the Law given to Moses on Mount Siani, Found in the book of Exodus (20:10ff)
Commandments
Teshuva Repentance. Returning to God.
Tikun
Tikkun Olam Care for the world and environment.

Torah Law; teaching. The five books of Moses.

Treyfah Foods which are forbidden under the laws of kosher.
Tu b'shevat New Year for trees celebrated on the 15th day of Shevat.

Tzedaka Righteousness. An act of charity.

Fringes on the corners of the Tallit. Also commonly refers to the fringed undervest worn by
Tzizit Tzittzit
some Jewish males.
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U
No entries

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V
No entries
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W
The only remaining part of the temple destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE, an important
Western Wall
place of pilgrimmage for all Jews.
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XYZ
Yad Hand-held pointer used in the reading the Sefer Torah

Yad Vashem A place of memorial which commererates the holocaust

Yahrzeit Year-time. Anniversary of a death.

Head covering worn during prayers, Torah study, etc.. Some followers will wear it
Yamulkah Capel, Kippah
constantly.

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 Yeshiva College for the study of the Torah and Talmud.

Yiddush Language used predominately by Ashkenazim.

Yishuv Ingathering. The Jewish community of Israel.

Yom Hashoah Day to commemorate the Shoah.

Day of Atonement. Fast day occurring on the tenth day after Rosh Hashannah; a
Yom Kippur
solemn day of Tefillah and Teshuva.
Zionism Political movement securing the Jewish return to the land if Israel.

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