Glossary of Jewish Terminology

Following is a partial list of Hebrew, Yiddish and other Jewish terms used on this web site. Unless otherwise specified, the terms are Hebrew.

I have attempted to provide pronunciations for most of these terms. Some of the pronunciations may not be strictly, technically correct, but they are the way I usually hear the terms pronounced. Unfortunately, what I usually hear is a mix of Ashkenazic and Sephardic pronunciations. I have tried to present the Sephardic pronunciation as much as possible, but some things I never hear pronounced that way!

Guide to pronunciation:

13 Principles of Faith

The most widely accepted list of Jewish beliefs, compiled by Maimonides.

Agunah

Lit. anchored. A woman whose husband disappeared without divorcing her.

Akiba (uh-KEE-buh)

One of the greatest rabbis recorded in the Talmud.

Alef-Bet (AH-lef-bet)

The Hebrew alphabet. The name is derived from the first two letters of the alef-bet.

Aliyah (uh-LEE-uh; ah-lee-AH)

Lit. ascension. 1) Reading from the Torah; (or reciting a blessing over the reading) during services, which is considered an honor (generally referred to in English as having or getting an aliyah and pronounced uh-LEE-uh). See also Bar Mitzvah. 2) Emigrating to Israel (generally referred to in English as making aliyah and pronounced ah-lee-AH).

Amidah (uh-MEE-duh)

Lit. standing. A prayer that is the center of any Jewish religious service. Also known as the Shemoneh Esrei or the Tefilah. See Jewish Liturgy.

Aninut

The period of mourning between the time of death and the time of burial.

Arbah Minim

Lit. four species. Fruit and branches used to fulfill the commandment to "rejoice before the L-rd" during Sukkot.

Ark

An acronym of aron kodesh, lit., holy chest. The cabinet where the Torah scrolls are kept. The word has no connection with Noah's Ark, which is "teyvat" in Hebrew.

Aron Kodesh (AH-rohn KOH-desh)

Lit. holy chest. The cabinet where the Torah scrolls are kept.

Ashkenazic Jews (ahsh-ken-AH-zik)

Jews from eastern France, Germany and Eastern Europe, and their descendants.

Avelut

The year of mourning after the burial of a parent.

Baal Shem Tov (bahl shem tohv)

Lit. Master of the Good Name. Rabbi Israel ben Eliezer. The founder of Chasidic Judaism.

Bagel (BAY-g'l)

Donut-shaped bread that is boiled before it is baked.

Bar Kokhba (BAHR KOHKH-buh)

Aramaic: Son of a Star. Simeon ben Kosiba, the leader of the last and most successful Jewish rebellion against Rome in 132-135 CE. He died in battle when the rebellion was defeated. Rabbi Akiba believed he was the Moshiach (Messiah).

Bar Mitzvah (BAHR MITS-vuh)

Lit. son of the commandment. A boy who has achieved the age of 13 and is consequently obligated to observe the commandments. Also, a ceremony marking the fact that a boy has achieved this age.

Bat Mitzvah (BAHT MITS-vuh)

Lit. daughter of the commandment. A girl who has achieved the age of 12 and is consequently obligated to observe the commandments. Also, a ceremony marking the fact that a girl has achieved this age.

B.C.E.

Before the Common (or Christian) Era. Another way of saying B.C.

Beit Din (BAYT DIN)

Lit. house of judgment. A rabbinical court made up of three rabbis who resolve business disputes under Jewish law and determine whether a prospective convert is ready for conversion.

Beit Hillel (BAYT HIL-el; BAYT hil-EL)

Lit. House of Hillel. A school of thought during the Talmudic period, generally contrasted with the stricter, more legalistic views of Beit Shammai.

Beit Knesset (BAYT K'NESS-et)

Lit. house of assembly. A Hebrew term for a synagogue.

Beit Midrash (BAYT MID-rahsh)

Lit. house of study. A place set aside for study of sacred texts such as the Torah and the Talmud, generally a part of the synagogue or attached to it.

Beit Shammai (BAYT SHAH-mahy)

Lit. House of Shammai. A school of thought during the Talmudic period, generally contrasted with the more lenient, humanistic views of Beit Hillel.

Bentsch (BENTSCH)

Yiddish: bless. To recite a blessing. Usually refers to the recitation of the birkat ha-mazon (grace after meals). See Prayers and Blessings.

Berakhah (B'RUHKH-khah; b'ruhkh-KHAH)

A blessing. A prayer beginning with the phrase "barukh atah..." (blessed art Thou...). Plural: berakhot.

Bimah (BEE-muh)

The pedestal on which the Torah scrolls are placed when they are being read in the synagogue; i.e., the pulpit.

Binah (bee-NAH)

Intuition, understanding, intelligence. A quality that women supposedly have in greater degree than men. Also, in kabbalistic thought, one of the Ten Sephirot.

Birkat Ha-Mazon (BEER-kaht hah mah-ZOHN)

Lit. blessing of the food. Grace after meals. The recitation of birkat ha-mazon is commonly referred to as bentsching.

Blintz (BLINTS)

Yiddish. A thin, crepe-like pancake rolled around a filling of potato and onion, cheese, or fruit.

Brit Milah (BRIT MEE-lah)

Lit. covenant of circumcision. The ritual circumcision of a male child before the age of 8 days or of a male convert to Judaism. Frequently referred to as a bris.

C.E.

Common (or Christian) Era. Used instead of A.D., because A.D. means "the Year of our L-rd," and we do not believe that Christ is our L-rd.

Chai (KHAHY, rhymes with Hi!)

Lit. living or life. The word is often used as a design on jewelry and other ornaments. Donations to charity are often made in multiples of 18, the numerical value of the word.

Challah (KHAH-luh)

A sweet, eggy, yellow bread, usually braided, which is served on Sabbaths and holidays.

Channukah (KHAH-nik-uh; KHAH-noo-kah)

Lit. dedication. An eight day holiday celebrating the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after it was defiled by the Selucid Greeks.

Channukat Ha-Bayit (KHAH-noo-KAHT hah BAHY-eet)

Lit. dedication of the house. A brief ceremony dedicating a Jewish household, during which the mezuzah is affixed to the doorposts.

Charoses (khah-ROH-ses)

A mixture of fruit, wine and nuts eaten at the Passover seder to symbolize mortar used by the Jewish slaves in Egypt.

Chasidism (KHAH-sid-ism); Chasidic (khah-SID-ic)

From the word "Chasid" meaning "pious." A branch of Orthodox Judaism that maintains a lifestyle separate from the non-Jewish world. See Movements of Judaism.

Chelev (KHE-lev)

The fat surrounding organs, as distinguished from the fat surrounding muscles. Forbidden to be eaten under the laws of Kashrut.

Chevra Kaddisha (KHEV-ruh kah-DEESH-uh)

Lit. holy society. An organization devoted to caring for the dead.

Chillul Ha-Shem (khil-LOOL hah SHEM)

Lit. profanation of the Name. Causing G-d or Judaism to come into disrespect, or causing a person to violate a commandment. See The Name of G-d.

Chol Ha-Mo'ed (KHOHL hah MOH-ed; KHOHL hah moh-AYD)

The intermediate days of Passover and Sukkot, when work is permitted.

Cholent (TSCHUH-lent)

A slow cooked stew of beef, beans and barley, which is served on Sabbaths.

Chukkim (khook-EEM)

Jewish religious laws for which no reason is given in the Torah. Some believe that they are meant to show our obedience to G-d.

Chumash (KHUH-mish)

Lit. five. A compilation of the first five books of the Bible and readings from the prophets, organized in the order of the weekly Torah portions.

Chuppah (KHU-puh)

The wedding canopy, symbolic of the groom's home, under which the nisuin portion of the wedding ceremony is performed.

Confirmation

A ceremony performed in some Reform and Conservative synagogues to replace or supplement the Bar Mitzvah.

Conservative

One of the major movements of Judaism, accepting the binding nature of Jewish law but believing that the law can change.

Counting of the Omer

The counting of the days between Passover and Shavu'ot.

Dati (DAH-tee)

Orthodox Jews in Israel.

Daven (DAH-ven)

Yiddish: Pray. See Prayers and Blessings; Jewish Liturgy.

Days of Awe

Ten days from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur, a time for introspection and considering the sins of the previous year.

Essenes

A movement of Judaism that existed around the time of the dawn of Christianity. It died out shortly after the destruction of the Temple.

Esther

One of the heroes of the story of Purim. Also, the book in the Bible that tells her story.

Etrog (ET-rohg)

A citrus fruit native to Israel, used to fulfill the commandment to "rejoice before the L-rd" during Sukkot.

Fleishig (FLAHYSH-ig)

Yiddish: meat. Used to describe kosher foods that contain meat and therefore cannot be eaten with dairy. See Kashrut - Separation of Meat and Dairy.

Four Species

Fruit and branches used to fulfill the commandment to "rejoice before the L-rd" during Sukkot.

Gefilte Fish (g'-FIL-tuh)

Yiddish: lit.stuffed fish. A traditional Jewish dish consisting of a ball or cake of chopped up fish.

Gemara (g'-MAHR-uh)

Commentaries on the Mishnah. The Mishnah and Gemara together are the Talmud.

Gematria (g'-MAH-tree-uh)

A field of Jewish mysticism finding hidden meanings in the numerical value of words.

Get (GET)

A writ of divorce. Also called a sefer k'ritut.

Gezeirah (g'-ZAY-ruh)

A law instituted by the rabbis to prevent people from unintentionally violating commandments.

Grager (GREG-er; GRAG-er)

A noisemaker used to blot out the name of Haman during the reading of the Megillah on Purim.

Guide for the Perplexed

Maimonides' masterpiece of Jewish philosophy and theology, written from the perspective of an Aristotelian philosopher.

Haftarah (hahf-TOH-ruh)

Lit. conclusion. A reading from the Prophets, read along with the weekly Torah portion.

Halakhah (huh-LUHKH-khuh)

Lit. the path that one walks. Jewish law. The complete body of rules and practices that Jews are bound to follow, including biblical commandments, commandments instituted by the rabbis, and binding customs. See also Torah.

Haman (HAY-men)

The villain of the story of Purim.

Hamentaschen (HAH-men-TAH-shen)

Lit. Haman's pockets. Triangular, fruit-filled cookies traditionally served or given as gifts during Purim.

Haredi

Ultra-Orthodox Jews in Israel.

Ha-Shem (hah SHEM)

Lit. The Name. The Name of G-d, which is not pronounced. The phrase "ha-Shem" is often used as a substitute for G-d's Name.

Hillel (HIL-el; hil-EL)

One of the greatest rabbis recorded in the Talmud. His more liberal views of Jewish law are often contrasted with the stricter views of Shammai. Also: a Jewish college student organization under the auspices of B'nai Brith.

Hiloni

Secular Jews in Israel.

Holishkes (HOH-lish-kuhs)

Cabbage leaves stuffed with meatballs served in a tomato-based sweet and sour sauce.

Hoshanah Rabba (hoh-SHAH-nuh RAH-buh)

Lit. great hosanna. The seventh day of Sukkot, on which seven circuits are made around the synagogue reciting a prayer with the refrain, "Hosha na!" (please save us!).

Jew

A person whose mother was a Jew or who has converted to Judaism. According to the Reform movement, a person whose father is a Jew is also a Jew. See Who Is a Jew?

Jewish Star

The six-pointed star emblem commonly associated with Judaism, also known as the Magen David, the Shield of David or the Star of David.

Judah Ha-Nasi (JOO-duh hah NAH-see)

Compiler of the Mishnah.

Kabbalah (kuh-BAH-luh)

Lit. tradition. Jewish mystical tradition.

Kaddish (KAH-dish)

Aramaic: holy. A prayer in Aramaic praising G-d, commonly associated with mourning practices. See also Jewish Liturgy.

Kapparot

Lit. atonements. A custom during the Days of Awe.

Kashrut (KAHSH-rut; KAHSH-root; kahsh-ROOT)

From a root meaning "fit," "proper" or "correct." Jewish dietary laws.

Kavanah (kuh-VAH-nuh; kah-vah-NAH)

Concentration, intent. The frame of mind required for prayer or performance of a mitzvah.

Kavod Ha-Met (kuh-VOHD hah MAYT)

Lit. respect for the dead. One of the purposes of Jewish practices relating to death and mourning.

Keriyah (KREE-yuh)

Lit. tearing. The tearing of one's clothes upon hearing of the death of a close relative. See Mourning.

Ketubah (KTOO-buh)

Lit. writing. The Jewish marriage contract.

Kiddush (KID-ish)

Lit. sanctification. A prayer recited over wine sanctifying the Sabbath or a holiday.

Kiddush Ha-Shem (ki-DOOSH hah SHEM)

Lit. sanctification of The Name. Any deed that increases the respect accorded to G-d or Judaism, especially martyrdom. See The Name of G-d.

Kiddushin

Lit. sanctification. The first part of the two-part process of Jewish marriage, which creates the legal relationship without the mutual obligations.

Kippah (KEY-puh)

The skullcap worn by Jews during services, and by some Jews at all times, more commonly known as a yarmulke.

Kittel (KIT-'l, rhymes with little, but the t is pronounced distinctly)

The white robes in which the dead are buried, worn by some during Yom Kippur services.

Knaydelach (KNAY-duhl-ahkh)

Yiddish: dumplings. Commonly refers to matzah balls. Can also be used as a term of affection for small children. See Jewish Cooking.

Knish (KNISH)

Yiddish. A potato and flour dumpling stuffed with potato and onion, chopped liver or cheese.

Kol Nidre (KOHL NID-ray)

Lit. all vows. The evening service of Yom Kippur, or the prayer that begins that service.

Kosher (KOH-sher)

Lit. fit, proper or correct. Describes food that is permissible to eat under Jewish dietary laws. Can also describe any other ritual object that is fit for use according to Jewish law.

Kugel (KOO-gul; KI-gul)

Yiddish: pudding. A casserole of potatoes, eggs and onion, or a dessert of noodles, fruits and nuts in an egg based pudding.

Ladino (Luh-DEE-noh)

The "international language" of Sephardic Jews, based primarily on Spanish, with words taken from Hebrew, Arabic and other languages, and written in the Hebrew Alphabet.

Latkes (LAHT-kuhs; LAHT-kees)

Potato pancakes traditionally eaten during Channukah.

Lashon Ha-Ra (LAH-shohn HAH-rah; luh-SHOHN hah-RAH)

Lit. the evil tongue. Sins against other people committed by speech, such as defamation, gossip, swearing falsely, and scoffing.

L'Chayim (l'-KHAHY-eem)

Lit. to life. A common Jewish toast.

Liberal

One of the most liberal movements of Judaism in the United Kingdom, but somewhat more traditional than the American Reform Movement.

Lox (LAHKS)

Smoked salmon. Commonly served on a bagel.

L'Shanah Tovah (li-SHAH-nuh TOH-vuh; li-shah-NAH toh-VAH)

Lit. for a good year. A common greeting during Rosh Hashanah and Days of Awe.

Lulav (LOO-lahv)

Lit. palm branch. A collection of palm, myrtle and willow branches, used to fulfill the commandment to "rejoice before the L-rd" during Sukkot.

Ma'ariv (MAH-reev)

Evening prayer services. See Jewish Liturgy.

Magen David (mah-GAYN dah-VEED; MAH-gen DAH-vid; MOH-gen DAY-vid)

Lit. shield of David. The six-pointed star emblem commonly associated with Judaism.

Maimonides (mahy-MAH-ni-dees)

Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon, one of the greatest medieval Jewish scholars.

Mamzer (MAHM-zer)

Lit. bastard. The child of a marriage that is prohibited and invalid under Jewish law, such as an incestuous union.

Matzah (MAHTZ-uh)

Unleavened bread traditionally served during Passover.

Matzah Ball Soup

Thin chicken soup with dumplings made from matzah meal.

Matzah Meal

Crumbs of matzah, commonly used in Jewish Cooking in much the same way that other cultures use flour or bread crumbs.

Mechitzah (m'-KHEETZ-uh)

The wall or curtain separating men from women during religious services.

Megillah (m'-GILL-uh)

Lit. scroll. One of five books of the Bible (Esther, Ruth, Song of Songs, Lamentations, and Ecclesiastes). The remaining books are referred to as sefers (books). Usually refers to the book of Esther. See Purim.

Melachah (m'-LUH-khuh)

Lit. work. Work involving creation or exercise of control over the environment, which is prohibited on Shabbat.

Menorah (m'-NAW-ruh; me-NOH-ruh)

A candelabrum. Usually refers to the nine-branched candelabrum used to hold the Channukah candles. Can also refer to the seven-branched candelabrum used in the Temple.

Masorti

Jews in Israel who are traditionally observant but not Orthodox.

Mezuzah (m'-ZOO-zuh; m'-ZU-zuh)

Lit. doorpost. A case attached to the doorposts of houses, containing a scroll with passages of scripture written on it.

Midrash (MID-rash)

From a root meaning "to study," "to seek out" or "to investigate." Stories elaborating on incidents in the Bible, to derive a principle of Jewish law or provide a moral lesson.

Mikvah (MIK-vuh)

Lit. gathering. A ritual bath used for spiritual purification. It is used primarily in conversion rituals and after a woman's menstrual cycles, but many Chasidim immerse themselves in the mikvah regularly for general spiritual purification.

Milchig (MIL-khig)

Yiddish: dairy. Used to describe kosher foods that contain dairy products and therefore cannot be eaten with meat. See Kashrut - Separation of Meat and Dairy.

Minchag (MIN-khahg)

Lit. custom. A custom that evolved for worthy religious reasons and has continued long enough to become a binding religious practice. The word is also used more loosely to describe any customary religious practice.

Minchah (MIN-khuh)

Afternoon prayer services. See Jewish Liturgy.

Minyan (MIN-yahn; MIN-yin)

The quorum necessary to recite certain prayers, consisting of ten adult Jewish men. See Group Prayer.

Mishnah (MISH-nuh)

An early written compilation of Jewish oral tradition, the basis of the Talmud.

Mishneh Torah (MISH-ne TOH-ruh; MISH-nay TOH-ruh)

A code of Jewish law written by Maimonides. One of the most respected compilations of Jewish law ever written.

Mitnagdim (mit-NAG-deem)

Lit. opponents. Orthodox Jews who are not Chasidic. See Movements of Judaism.

Mitzvah (MITS-vuh)

Lit. commandment. Any of the 613 commandments that Jews are obligated to observe. It can also refer to any Jewish religious obligation, or more generally to any good deed. Plural: Mitzvot.

Mordecai (MOR-duh-khahy)

One of the heroes of the story of Purim.

Moshiach (moh-SHEE-ahkh)

Lit. anointed. A man who will be chosen by G-d to put an end to all evil in the world, rebuild the Temple, bring the exiles back to Israel and usher in the world to come. Generally translated as "messiah," but the Jewish concept is very different from the Christian one.

Movement

Roughly equivalent to "denomination," although the distinctions between Jewish movements are not as great as those between Christian denominations.

Musaf (MOO-sahf; MU-sahf)

An additional prayer service for Sabbaths and holidays. See Jewish Liturgy.

Ne'ilah (n'-EE-luh)

Lit. closing. The closing service of Yom Kippur.

Ner Tamid (NAYR tah-MEED)

Lit. continual lamp. Usually translated "eternal flame." A candelabrum or lamp near the ark in the synagogue that symbolizes the menorah in the Temple.

Nihum Avelim

Lit. comforting mourners. One of the purposes of Jewish practices relating to death and mourning.

Nisuin

Lit. elevation. The second part of the two-part Jewish marriage process, after which the bride and groom begin to live together as husband and wife.

Omer (OH-mayr)

A unit of measure. See The Counting of the Omer.

Oral Torah (TOH-ruh)

Jewish teachings explaining and elaborating on the Written Torah, handed down orally until the 2d century C.E.

Orthodox

One of the major movements of Judaism, believing that Jewish law comes from G-d and cannot be changed.

Pareve (PAHR-ev)

Yiddish: neutral. Used to describe kosher foods that contain neither meat nor dairy and therefore can be eaten with either. See Kashrut - Separation of Meat and Dairy.

Parshah (PAHR-shah)

A weekly Torah portion read in synagogue.

Perutah (pe-ROO-tuh)

A small copper coin, sufficient to acquire a wife by money.

Pharisees (PHAYR-i-sees)

A movement of Judaism that existed around the time of the dawn of Christianity. It is the forerunner of rabbinic Judaism, which encompasses all of the movements of Judaism in existence today.

Pirkei Avot (PEER-kay ah-VOHT)

Lit. Ethics of the Fathers. A tractate of the Mishnah devoted to ethical advice from many of the greatest rabbis of the early Talmudic period.

Purim (PAWR-im)

Lit. lots (as in "lottery"). A holiday celebrating the rescue of the Jews from extermination at the hands of the chief minister to the King of Persia.

Pushke (PUSH-kuh)

A box in the home or the synagogue used to collect money for donation to charity.

Rabbinical Judaism (ruh-BIN-i-kul)

A general term encompassing all movements of Judaism descended from Pharisaic Judaism; that is, all movements in existence today.

Rashi (RAH-shee)

Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki, one of the greatest medieval Jewish scholars.

Rebbetzin (REB-i-tsin)

The wife of a rabbi. See The Role of Women.

Reconstructionism

One of the major movements of Judaism, an outgrowth of Conservative that does not believe in a personified deity and believes that Jewish law was created by men.

Red Magen David (mah-GAYN dah-VEED; MAH-gen DAH-vid; MOH-gen DAY-vid)

This Israeli equivalent of the Red Cross. "Magen David" is the Hebrew name of the six-pointed Jewish star.

Reform

One of the major movements of Judaism, believing that Jewish law was inspired by G-d and one can choose which laws to follow.

Rosh Chodesh (ROHSH CHOH-desh)

Lit. first of the month. The first day of a month, on which the first sliver of the new moon appears. See Jewish Calendar.

Rosh Hashanah (ROHSH hah SHAH-nuh; RUSH-uh SHAH-nuh)

Lit. first of the year. The new year for the purpose of counting years.

Sadducees (SAD-yoo-sees)

A movement of Judaism that existed around the time of the dawn of Christianity. It died out shortly after the destruction of the Temple.

Seder (SAY-d'r)

Lit. order. The family home ritual conducted as part of the Passover observance.

Sefer K'ritut (SAY-fayr KREE-toot)

Lit. scroll of cutting off. A writ of divorce. Also called a get.

Sefirot (se-fee-ROHT)

Lit. emanations. In Jewish mysticism, the emanations from G-d's essence that interact with the universe.

Sekhakh (s'-KHAHKH)

Lit. covering. Material used for the roof of a sukkah during the holiday of Sukkot.

Semikhah (s'-MIKH-uh)

Essentially, a rabbinical degree, authorizing a person to answer questions and resolve disputes regarding Jewish law.

Sephardic Jews (s'-FAHR-dic)

Jews from Spain, Portugal, North Africa and the Middle East and their descendants.

Se'udat Havra'ah

Lit. the meal of condolence. The first meal that a family eats after the burial of a relative, prepared by a neighbor. See Mourning.

Shabbat (shah-BAT; SHAH-bis)

Lit. end, cease, rest. The Jewish Sabbath, a day of rest and spiritual enrichment.

Shacharit (SHAHKH-reet)

Morning prayer services. See Jewish Liturgy.

Shalach Manos (SHAH-lahkh MAH-nohs)

Lit. sending out portions. The custom of sending gifts of food or candy to friends during Purim.

Shammai (SHAH-mahy)

One of the great rabbis of the Talmud. His stricter views of Jewish law are often contrasted with those of Hillel.

Shammus (SHAH-mis)

Lit. servant. 1) The candle that is used to light other Channukah candles; 2) the janitor or caretaker of a synagogue.

Shavu'ot (shuh-VOO-oht; shah-VOO-uhs)

Lit. weeks. A festival commemorating the giving of the Torah and the harvest of the first fruits.

Shechitah (sh'-KHEE-tuh)

Lit. destruction or killing. Kosher slaughter.

Shema (sh'-MAH)

One of the basic Jewish prayers. See Jewish Liturgy; Signs and Symbols.

Sheva Brakhos (SHE-vuh BRUH-khohs)

Lit. seven blessings. The seven blessings recited during the nisuin portion of the Jewish wedding ceremony.

Shevarim (she-vahr-EEM)

One of four characteristic blasts of the shofar (ram's horn). See Rosh Hashanah.

Shield of David

The six-pointed star emblem commonly associated with Judaism.

Shiva (SHI-vuh)

Lit. seven. The seven-day period of mourning after the burial of a close relative.

Shloshim (shlohsh-EEM)

Lit. thirty. The thirty-day period of mourning after the burial of a close relative.

Shemini Atzeret (sh'MEE-nee aht-ZE-ret)

Lit. the eighth (day) of assembly. The day (or two days) after Sukkot.

Shemoneh Esrei (sh'MOH-nuh ES-ray)

Lit. eighteen. A prayer that is the center of any Jewish religious service. Also known as the Amidah or the Tefilah. See Jewish Liturgy.

Shochet (SHOH-khet)

Kosher slaughterer.

Shofar (sho-FAHR)

A ram's horn, blown like a trumpet as a call to repentance. See Rosh Hashanah.

Shomerim (shohm-REEM)

Lit. guards, keepers. People who sit with a body between the time of death and burial. See Care for the Dead.

Shul (SHOOL)

The Yiddish term for a Jewish house of worship. The term is used primarily by Orthodox Jews.

Siddur (SID-r; sid-AWR)

Lit. order. Prayerbook. See Jewish Liturgy.

Sidrah (SID-ruh)

Lit. order. A weekly Torah portion read in synagogue.

Simkhat Torah (SIM-khat TOH-ruh)

Lit. rejoicing in the law. A holiday celebrating the end and beginning of the cycle of weekly Torah readings.

Star of David

The six-pointed star emblem commonly associated with Judaism.

Sukkah (SUK-uh)

Lit. booth. The temporary dwellings we live in during the holiday of Sukkot.

Sukkot (soo-KOHT; SUK-uhs)

Lit. booths. A festival commemorating the wandering in the desert and the final harvest.

Synagogue (SIN-uh-gahg)

From a Greek root meaning "assembly." The most widely accepted term for a Jewish house of worship.

Takkanah (t'-KAH-nuh)

A law instituted by the rabbis and not derived from any biblical commandment.

Tallit (TAH-lit; TAH-lis)

A shawl-like garment worn during morning services, with tzitzit (long fringes) attached to the corners as a reminder of the commandments.

Tallit Katan (TAH-lit kuh-TAHN)

Lit. small tallit. A four-cornered, poncho-like garment worn under a shirt so that we may have the opportunity to fulfill the commandment to put tzitzit (fringes) on the corners of our garments.

Talmud (TAHL-mud)

The most significant collection of the Jewish oral tradition interpreting the Torah.

Tanakh (tuhn-AHKH)

Acronym of Torah, Nevi'im and Ketuvim. Written Torah; what non-Jews call the Old Testament.

Tashlikh (TAHSH-likh)

Lit. casting off. A custom of going to a river and symbolically casting off one's sins. See Rosh Hashanah.

Tefilah (t'-FEE-luh)

Prayer. Sometimes refers specifically to the Shemoneh Esrei prayer. See Prayers and Blessings; Jewish Liturgy.

Tefillin (t'-FIL-lin)

Phylacteries. Leather pouches containing scrolls with passages of scripture, used to fulfill the commandment to bind the commandments to our hands and between our eyes.

Tekiah (t'-KEE-uh)

One of four characteristic blasts of the shofar (ram's horn). See Rosh Hashanah.

Temple

The central place of worship in ancient Jerusalem, where animal sacrifices were performed, destroyed in 70 C.E. Reform Jews commonly use the term "temple" to refer to their houses of worship.

Teruah (t'-ROO-uh)

One of four characteristic blasts of the shofar (ram's horn). See Rosh Hashanah.

Teshuvah (t'-SHOO-vuh)

Lit. return. repentance.

Tisha B'Av (TISH-uh BAHV)

Lit. The Ninth of Av. A fast day commemorating the destruction of the First and Second Temples, as well as other tragedies.

Torah (TOH-ruh)

In its narrowest sense, Torah is Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. In its broadest sense, Torah is the entire body of Jewish teachings.

Treyf (TRAYF)

Lit. torn. Food that is not kosher.

Tu B'Shevat (TOO bish-VAHT)

Lit. 15th of Shevat. The new year for the purpose of counting the age of trees for purposes of tithing.

Tzedakah (tsi-DUH-kuh)

Lit. righteousness. Generally refers to charity.

Tzimmes (TSIM-is)

Yiddish. A sweet stew. The word can also refer to making a big fuss over something.

Tzitzit (TZIT-sit)

Fringes attached to the corners of garments as a reminder of the commandments.

Ufruf (UF-ruf)

The groom's aliyah on the Shabbat before his wedding.

Written Torah (TOH-ruh)

The scripture that non-Jews call the Old Testament.

Yad (YAHD)

Lit. hand. Hand-shaped pointer used while reading from Torah scrolls.

Yahrzeit (YAHR-tsahyt)

Yiddish: lit. anniversary. The anniversary of the death of a close relative. See Mourning.

Yarmulke (YAH-mi-kuh)

From Tartar "skullcap," or from Aramaic "Yirei Malka" (fear of the King). The skullcap worn by Jews during services, and by some Jews at all times.

Yetzer Ra (YAY-tser RAH)

Lit. evil impulse. The selfish desire for satisfaction of personal needs, which can lead a person to do evil if not restrained by the yetzer tov. See Human Nature.

Yetzer Tov (YAY-tser TOHV)

Lit. good impulse. The moral conscience, which motivates us to follow G-d's law. See Human Nature.

Yiddish (YID-ish)

The "international language" of Ashkenazic Jews, based primarily on German with words taken from Hebrew and many Slavic languages, and written in the Hebrew Alphabet.

Yizkor (YIZ-kawr)

Lit. may He remember... Prayers said on certain holidays in honor of deceased close relatives. See Mourning.

Yom Ha-Atzmut (YOHM hah ahts-MOOT)

Israeli Independence Day.

Yom Ha-Shoah (YOHM hah shoh-AH)

Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Yom Ha-Zikkaron (YOHM hah zee-kah-ROHN)

Israeli Memorial Day.

Yom Kippur (YOHM ki-PAWR)

Lit. Day of Atonement. A day set aside for fasting, depriving oneself of pleasures, and repenting from the sins of the previous year.

Yom Yerushalayim (YOHM y'-roo-shah-LAH-yeem)

Holiday celebrating the reunification of Jerusalem in the hands of the modern state of Israel.

Zealots

A movement of Judaism that existed around the time of the dawn of Christianity. It died out shortly after the destruction of the Temple.

Zohar (zoh-HAHR)

The primary written work in the mystical tradition of Kabbalah.