A
Abba
Aramaic Father
Acharit HaYamim
Hebrew The End of Days
Acharon (pl. Acharonim)
Hebrew Authorities of Jewish Law since the sixteenth century
Acharon Shel Pesach
Hebrew The last day of Passover
Acher
Hebrew Another
Adam
Hebrew [lit. man] First human
Adamah
Hebrew Dust, Earth
Adar Rishon
Hebrew Twelfth month of the Jewish year; Also known as Adar Aleph or Adar I
Adar Sheni
Hebrew Thirteenth month of the Jewish year (leap year only); Also known as Adar Beit or Adar II
Adat B’nei Yisrael
Hebrew Community of the Children of Israel
Adonai
Hebrew [lit. My L-rd] Name of G-d used most often in prayer
Adonai Tz’va-ot
Hebrew Name of G-d referring to G-d as the Ruler of the angelic hosts of heaven
Afatsa
Hebrew Gallnut
Afikoman
Greek A broken piece of matzah that is the last food eaten at the Passover Seder
Aggadah
Hebrew Non-legal rabbinical interpretation of the Tanach, including homilies and stories
Agunah (Agunot pl.)
Hebrew A female whose husband has disappeared or deserted her and can therefore not receive a Jewish divorce
Ahavat Yisrael
Hebrew Loving a fellow Jew
Aishet Chayil
Hebrew [lit. The Woman of Valour] Song written by King Solomon that is traditionally sung Friday night
Akdamut
Aramaic – Poem glorifying the gift of Torah which is said on Shavuot
Al
Hebrew 1. On 2. Over 3. Upon 4. About 5. Concerning
Aleph
Hebrew 1. First letter of the Hebrew alphabet; 2. Represents the number one
Aleph – Bet
Hebrew The Hebrew alphabet
Aliyah (Aliyot pl.)
Hebrew [lit. going up] 1. Be called to the bimah to recite a blessing over the Torah scroll; 2. To move to Israel
Altaamin B’atzmecha
Hebrew Do not trust yourself alone
Am Yisrael
Hebrew 1. The nation (people) of Israel; 2. Jews
Amidah
Hebrew [lit. standing] A central Jewish prayer
Amoraim
Hebrew Post-Mishnaic authorities cited in the Gemara/Talmud
Amos
Hebrew 1. Prophet of the Jews; 2. The twelfth book of the Nevi’im
Amud (Amudim, pl.)
Hebrew Columns
Anavut
Hebrew Humility
Anshei Knesset HaGedolah
Hebrew Men of the Great Assembly
Anusim (pl.)
Hebrew [lit. forced ones] Jews who converted to Christianity in Spain and Portugal during the Middle Age
Apikorsim (pl.)
Hebrew Heretics
Arachin
Hebrew 1. Consecration of personal worth to the Temple; 2. A tractate of Kodashim
Arav
Hebrew 1. To become evening 2. Grow dark
Aravot (pl.)
Hebrew Willow branches
Arba Minim
Hebrew Four species used on Sukkot
Aron
Hebrew Ark
Aron HaBrit
Hebrew An ark constructed in which to store the Ten Statements
Aron HaChodesh
Hebrew 1. A container used to store the Sefer Torah and Sefer Megillah, 2. Ark of the Covenant
Arvit
Hebrew Evening service (another name for Ma’ariv)
Asarah B’Tevet
Hebrew A day-fast mourning over the beginning of the siege of Jerusalem that led to the destruction of the Temple and those who died in the Shoah
Ashkenazi (Ashkenazim pl.)
Hebrew Descendants of Jews from France, Germany, and Eastern Europe
Aufruf
Hebrew The honoring of the groom by having him up to the bimah for an aliyah the week before his wedding
Av (Avot pl.)
Hebrew 1. Father; 2. Fifth month of the Jewish year
Aveinu
Hebrew Our Father
Aveinu Malkeinu
Hebrew Our Father, Our King
Aveinu She-ba-shamayim
Hebrew [lit. Father in heaven] A title referring to G-d’s watchful care over us
Aviv
Hebrew Spring
Avodah, Avodas Hashem
Hebrew Service of G-d
Avodah Zarah
Hebrew 1. Idolatry and superstitions; 2. A tractate of Nezikin
Avoth
Hebrew 1. “Ethics of the Fathers”; 2. A tractate of Nezikin
Ayin
Hebrew 1. Sixteenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet; 2. Represents the number seventy
B
Ba’al
Hebrew 1. Ownership; 2. Self-responsibility
Ba’al Koray
Hebrew Person who reads from the Sefer Torah
Ba’al Teshuva (Ba’alei Teshuva pl.)
Hebrew [lit. master of repentance] A Jew who returns to Torah Judaism/Torah observance
Ba’alei Tefillah (pl.)
Hebrew Prayer leaders
Ba’alei Batim (pl.)
Hebrew Lay leaders
Badal
Hebrew 1.To separate 2. To divide 3. To set apart 4. To make a distinction 5. To divide into parts 6. Set apart 7. Sever 8. Difference new
Badekin
Hebrew Veiling of the bride
Badhan
Hebrew [lit. jester] An entertainer at Jewish weddings and other festivities
Bakar
Hebrew 1. To Seek 2. To Enquire 3. To Consider
B’am
Hebrew Amongst our people
Bamidbar
Hebrew [lit. in the wilderness] The fourth book of the Torah (Numbers)
Bar
Aramaic Son
Bar Mitzvah
Hebrew [lit. son of the Commandments] 1. A Jewish boy becomes responsible for following all mitzvot beginning at age 13; 2. A celebration of a boy’s Jewish adulthood
Bara
Hebrew Created
Bashert
Hebrew 1. Predestined; 2. Soul-mate
Bat
Hebrew Daughter
Bat Kol
Hebrew Heavenly voice
Bat Mitzvah
Hebrew [lit. daughter of the Commandments] 1. A Jewish girl becomes responsible for following all mitzvot beginning at age 12; 2. A celebration of a girl’s Jewish adulthood
Bava Batra
Hebrew 1. Real estate, possessions, inheritance, partnership, evidence, testimony; 2. A tractate of Nezikin
Bava Kamma
Hebrew 1. Damage to person and property, loans and interest, stolen goods; 2. A tractate of Nezikin
Bava Metzia
Hebrew 1. Rabbinical decrees concerning lost and found property, embezzlement, fraud, usury, sales, rentals, rights of hired laborers; 2. A tractate of Nezikin
Bavel
Hebrew Babylon
Beged Ish
Hebrew Man’s garment
Beged Isha
Hebrew Woman’s garment
Bein
Hebrew 1. Between 2. Among
Bein Ham’Tzarim
Hebrew The Three Weeks
Beit
Hebrew House
Beit Din
Hebrew [lit. house of judgment] Rabbinical court
Beit HaMikdash
Hebrew The Holy Temple in Jerusalem
Beit Midrash
Hebrew House of study (another term for synagogue/shul)
Beit Midrash l’Limudei HaYahadut
Hebrew Seminary for Jewish studies
Beit Midrash l’Morim
Hebrew Seminary for teachers
Beit Midrash l’Rabbanim
Hebrew Seminary for rabbinical studies
Beit Knesset
Hebrew House of assembly (another term for synagogue/shul)
Beitzah
Hebrew 1. Rabbinical decrees concerning the festivals; 2. A tractate of Moed
Ben
Hebrew Son
Bentching
Yiddish [lit. blessings] The Grace After Meals that is recited at the conclusion of the three meals, if one “washed” and ate bread
Berachot
Hebrew 1. Prayers and benedictions; 2. A tractate of Zeraim
Bereishit
Hebrew [lit. In the beginning] The first book of the Torah (“Genesis”)
Bereishit Rabbah
Hebrew A collection of midrashim on the book of Bereishit
Bet
Hebrew 1. Second letter of the Hebrew alphabet; 2. Represents the number two
B’Ezrat HaShem
Hebrew With Hashem’s help
Bikur Holim
Hebrew Visiting the sick
Bikkurim (pl.)
Hebrew 1. Offerings of the first fruits at the Temple; 2. A tractate of Zeraim
Bimah
Hebrew A platform on which the Torah Scroll is placed when read
Binah
Hebrew 1. Intuition; 2. Understanding
Birkat HaChodesh
Hebrew Special blessing recited before the musaf prayer the shabbat before Rosh Chodesh
Birkat HaMazon
Hebrew Blessing recited after meals
Birkat HaShachar
Hebrew Blessing of the dawn
Bishul Yisrael
Hebrew Ruling that a Jew must be involved in the cooking or processing of food in order for the food to be considered kosher
Blech
Hebrew Covering for the stove top that is used on Shabbat and some holidays to keep food warm
B’nei
Hebrew Children
B’nei Anusim
Hebrew Historical term for Jews who were forced to convert to another religion
Bochur (Bochrim pl.)
Hebrew Young men
Bochya
Hebrew Cried
Boker
Herbew 1. Morning 2. Break of Day
Bracha (Brachot pl.)
Hebrew A blessing
Brit
Hebrew Covenant between G-d and Israel
Brit Milah
Hebrew The ceremony of ritual circumcision performed on Jewish males on the eighth day
Bubbe
Yiddish Grandmother
C
Cantor
Latin The person who leads the congregation in prayer
Chabashim (pl.)
Hebrew Jews from Ethiopia (also known as Beta Yisrael)
Chachomim (pl.)
Hebrew Sages
Chag
Hebrew Jewish holiday
Chag HaAviv
Hebrew [lit. The Spring Festival] – Alternate name for Pesach
Chag HaMatzot
Hebrew [lit. The Time of Our Freedom] Alternate name for Pesach
Chag Sameach
Hebrew Happy holiday
Chaggai
Hebrew 1. Prophet of the Jews; 2. The ninteenth book of the Nevi’im (Haggai)
Chagigah
Hebrew 1. Halakhot for pilgrimage festivals; 2. A tractate of Moed
Chai (Chaim, pl.)
Hebrew Life
Chalav
Hebrew Milk
Challah
Hebrew 1. A tithe of dough for the Kohen; 2. A braided loaf of bread baked in honor of Shabbat; 3. A tractate of Zeraim
Chalutz (Chalutzim pl.)
Hebrew 1. Pioneers; 2. The earliest settlers of Israel in modern times
Chametz
Hebrew [lit. leaven] 1. Any food made with grain and water that has been permitted to ferment and rise 2. The five grains (wheat, barley, spelt, rye, oats), or products produced from them, which Jews are prohibited from eating or owning during Passover
Chanukah
Hebrew A celebration of the miracle of the oil in the Temple in Jerusalem after the Maccabees’ defeat of the Greek army
Chanukiah
Hebrew Eight-branched candelabrum used during the Chanukah celebration
Chanukkat HaBayit
Hebrew Dedication of the house (affixing a mezuzah)
Charah
Hebrew Anger
Charoset
Hebrew An apple-nut mixture resembling mortar used during the Passover Seder
Chashach
Hebrew 1. To be or grow dark 2. To have a dark color 3. To grow dim
Chatan
Hebrew Groom
Chatan Bereishit
Hebrew [lit. Groom of Bereishit] The person given the aliyah that beings the reading of the Torah anew on Simchat Torah
Chatan HaTorah
Hebrew [lit. Groom of Torah] The person given the aliyah that completes the reading of the Torah anew on Simchat Torah
Chatzi Kaddish
Hebrew A partial Kaddish, dividing sections within a service
Chavakuk
Hebrew 1. Prophet of the Jews; 2. The seventeenth book of the Nevi’im (Habakkuk)
Chavaya
Hebrew Experience
Chavurah (Chavurot pl.)
Hebrew Group that meets informally for prayer, discussion, and Jewish celebrations
Chazzan
Hebrew The person who leads the congregation in prayer
Chazzanut
Hebrew The art of cantorial singing
Chelev
Hebrew A kind of fat that surrounds the liver and other vital organs
Cherem
Hebrew Excommunication
Chesed
Hebrew Lovingkindness and grace towards others
Cheshvan
Hebrew Eighth month of the Jewish year
Chet
Hebrew 1. Eighth letter of the Hebrew alphabet; 2. Represents the number eight
Chevra Kaddisha
Hebrew [lit. holy society] Organization of volunteers who prepare the deceased for burial
Chizuk
Hebrew Inspiration
Chokhmah
Hebrew Wisdom
Chol HaMoed
Hebrew [lit. the intermediate day] Intermediate days during Passover and Sukkot during which most work is permitted
Cholent
Hebrew A Shabbat stew, consisting often of stew meat, potatoes, beans and barley
Cholov Yisrael
Hebrew Ruling that a Jew must be present from the time of milking to the time of bottling to ensure milk from kosher animals do not mix with milk from non-kosher animals
Choref
Hebrew Winter
Choshech
Hebrew 1. Darkness 2. Obscurity 3. Secret Place
Chullin
Hebrew 1. Laws of non-sacred animal slaughter and dietary laws; 2. A tractate of Kodashim
Chumash
Hebrew [lit. five] 1. The first five books of the Tanach in book form; 2. The five books of Moses in book form
Chuppah
Hebrew A cloth or a tallis placed on four poles used as a wedding canopy
Chutzpah
Yiddish Extreme level of arrogance and presumption
Converso
Spanish Jew who converted to Christianity in Spain and Portugal during the Middle Ages
D
Daled
Hebrew 1. Fourth letter of the Hebrew alphabet; 2. Represents the number four
Daniel
Hebrew The ninth book of the Ketuvim
Dati
Hebrew Religious
Daven
Yiddish Pray
Dayanim
Hebrew Judges
Derekh Masorti
Hebrew The Conservative way
Demai
Hebrew 1. Doubtfully tithed produce; 2. A tractate of Zeraim
Derech HaShem
Hebrew Way of HaShem
Devarim
Hebrew [lit. words] The fifth book of the Torah (Deuternomy)
Diaspora
Greek Exile
Dim’at haSofer
Hebrew The tear of the scribe
Dinim
Hebrew Laws
Dio/Dyo
Hebrew Ink
Divrei Hayamim
Hebrew The twelfth and thirteenth books of the Ketuvim (I and II Chronicles)
Divrei Torah
Hebrew Torah discussions
D’oraita
Hebrew Mitzvot from the Torah
D’rabbanan
Hebrew Laws instituted by the rabbis
Dreidel
Hebrew A four-cornered top used for a game during Chanukah
D’var Torah (Divrei Torah pl.)
Hebrew [lit. A Word of Torah] A short talk or discussion centred around the Torah portion of the week
Dvash
Hebrew Honey
E
Edah Haredit
Hebrew Ultra-Orthodox
Edud
Hebrew Enourage and support with passion
Eichah
Hebrew The sixth book of the Ketuvim (Lamentations)
Eishet Hayil
Hebrew Woman of Valor – tribute bestowed upon a woman who exemplifies traditional Jewish values
Eit
Hebrew The
Eitzei Chayim (pl.)
Hebrew [lit. trees of life] Two wooden rollers upon which a Sefer Torah is sewn
El
Hebrew 1. God 2. Godlike One 3. Mighty One
Eloh
Hebrew 1. God 2. False God
Elohim (sing./pl.)
Hebrew 1. God 2. Godlike One 3. Works or Special Possessions of God 4. The (true) God 5. Ruler 6. Judges 7. Angels 8. Divine Ones new
Elul
Hebrew Sixth month of the Jewish year
Emet
Hebrew Truth
Emunah
Hebrew Faith
Eretz
Hebrew 1. Land 2. Earth 3. Ground 4. Surface of the Earth
Eretz Yisrael
Hebrew The Land of Israel
Erev
Hebrew [lit. evening] 1. Evening 2. Night 3. Sunset
Erev Shabbat
Hebrew [lit. Sabbath Eve] The part of Friday night that is set aside to prepare for Shabbat
Eruvin
Hebrew 1. Rabbinical decrees regarding the sabbath; 2. A tractate of Moed
Esther
Hebrew 1. Prophetess of the Jews; 2. The eighth book of the Ketuvim
Etmol
Hebrew Yesterday
Etrog
Hebrew Yellow citrus fruit used during Sukkot
Etrog Hadar
Hebrew Beautiful etrog
Exilarch
Aramaic Appointed head of the Babylonian Jewish community in the first millennium CE
Ezra
Hebrew The tenth book of the Ketuvim
F
Fey
Hebrew 1. Seventeenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet; 2. Represent the number eighty
Frum
Yiddish Religious, devout
G
Gabbi
Hebrew The person who assists in running the congregation services
Gadol
Hebrew Great, large
Gadol HaShalom
Hebrew Great is peace
Gag
Hebrew Roof
Galut
Hebrew Exile, Diaspora
Gan
Hebrew [lit. garden] Kindergarten (also used to refer to preschool)
Gan Eden
Hebrew 1. The Garden of Eden; 2. The World To Come
Gaon
Hebrew [lit. eminent one] Dean of a rabbinical academy in Babylonia from the sixth through eleventh centuries CE
Gartel
Hebrew Sash
Gedulah
Hebrew Greatness
Gehenna
Hebrew A spiritual place where a soul is cleansed for up to one year
Gelilah
Hebrew The honor of dressing the Sefer Torah after it has been read
Gemach (Gemachen pl.)
Hebrew Charity that lends needed items (i.e. wedding dresses, tefillin, tables, benches)
Gemara
Aramaic [lit. learning] Commentary and discussion of the Mishnah incorporated into the Talmud
Geniza
Hebrew [lit. hidden away] Space where religious documents and books are stored before burial
Ger Toshav
Hebrew 1. Resident alien 2. Convert to monotheism
Ger Tzedek
Hebrew [lit. righteous stranger] A convert to Judaism
Geshem
Hebrew A prayer for rain in Israel (said on Shemini Atzeret)
Get (Gittin pl.)
Hebrew Jewish divorce decree
Geulah
Hebrew Redemption
Gevurah
Hebrew Strength
Gezeirah
Hebrew Laws instituted by the rabbis to prevent people from accidently violating a Torah mitzvah
Giddin
Hebrew Thread made from leg sinew from a kosher animal – used to sew together a Sefer Torah
Gilgul
Hebrew The reincarnation of a soul
Gimmel
Hebrew 1. Third letter of the Hebrew alphabet; 2. Represents the number three
Gittin (pl.)
Hebrew 1. Divorce, writing and sending the get; 2. A tractate of Nashim
Giyur
Hebrew Conversion to Judaism
Giyur kaHalachah
Hebrew Conversion according to halachah
Golem
Hebrew Soul-less creature of medieval Jewish folklore
Goy (Goyim pl.)
Hebrew [lit. nation] A non-Jew
Gut Vuch
Yiddish [lit. Good Week] Salutation at the end of Shabbat
H
Haaretz
Hebrew 1. The earth; 2. An Israeli Newspaper
HaChoshech
Hebrew The darkness
Hadassah
Hebrew The Women’s Zionist Organization of America established in 1912
Hadassim (pl.)
Hebrew Myrtle branches
Hadlakat Nerot
Hebrew Kindling the Shabbat candles
Hafroshat Challah
Hebrew Small piece of challah dough burned as remembrance of portion given to the Kohanim in the Beit HaMikdash
Haftarah
Hebrew [lit. final passage] Passage from the Prophets read in the synagogue after the reading from the Torah
Hagbah
Hebrew Ceremony of lifting the Sefer Torah aloft after it has been read
Haggadah (Haggadot pl.)
Hebrew [lit. telling] The book from which the Seder service is conducted on Passover
Hakadosh Baruch Hu
Hebrew The Holy One, Blessed Is He
Hakafot
Hebrew Processions around the synagogue on Simchat Torah
Halachah (Halachot pl.)
Hebrew 1. The body of Torah law; 2. A particular law
Hallel
Hebrew Psalms of thanksgiving
Halvayat Harnet
Hebrew Funeral service
Hamar
Hebrew Tomorrow
Hamayim
Hebrew The waters
Hamotzi
Hebrew Blessing over the bread
Har Habayit
Hebrew Temple Mount
Har Sinai
Hebrew Mount Sinai
HaRova HaYehudi
Hebrew Jewish Quarter (in Jerusalem)
Hashamayim
Hebrew The Heavens
Hashem
Hebrew [lit. The Name] Commonly used to refer to G-d while avoiding casual use of His Name in conversation
Haskalah
Hebrew European Jewish enlightenment (1750-1880)
Hatafat Dam Brit
Hebrew Ritual drawing of blood from the penis of an already-circumcised male convert
Hatikvah
Hebrew [lit. the hope] National anthem of the State of Israel
Hava
Hebrew 1. To fall 2. To be 3. Become 4. Exist 5. Happen
Havdalah
Hebrew [lit. distinction, separation] Saturday evening ceremony marking the end of Shabbat
Havdalah Candle
Hebrew Braided multi-wicked candle used during Havdalah
Havurah (Havurot pl.)
Hebrew Fellowship
Hayeta
Hebrew Was
Hayom
Hebrew Today
Hazarah b’Teshuva
Hebrew Becoming religiously observant
Herem
Hebrew Excommunication from the Jewish community
Herut
Hebrew Right-wing Israeli political party founded in 1948
Hey
Hebrew 1. Fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet; 2. Represents the number five
Hidabroot
Hebrew Dialogue
Hiloni
Hebrew Secular
Hod
Hebrew Majesty
Hoom
Hebrew 1. To distract 2. Ring again 3. Make a (great) noise 4. Murmur 5. Roar 6. Discomfit 7. Be moved
Horayot
Hebrew 1. Erroneous judicial rulings; 2. A tractate of Nezikin
Horayot Eduyos
Hebrew 1. A collection of testimonies on various subjects and erroneous rulings of the courts and their rectification; 2. A tractate of Nezikin
Hoshanah Rabbah
Hebrew The seventh day of the festival of Sukkot
Hoshanot
Hebrew Prayers recited on Sukkot asking for G-d’s protection
Hoshea
Hebrew 1. King of Israel; 2. The tenth book of the Nevi’im (Hosea)
Hovevei Zion
Hebrew [lit. Lovers of Zion] Nineteenth-century CE Russian Jewish Zionist movement
Hozrim B’Teshuva
Hebrew Newly observant Jews
Humrot
Hebrew Stringencies
