Copy of `Osy Ministries - Dictionary of Jewish terms`

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Osy Ministries - Dictionary of Jewish terms Category: History and Culture > Jewish index Date & country: 30/01/2018, USA Words: 120

Abba
father

Ahavas Yisrael
Loving a fellow Jew

Aliyah
lit. Going up; Call to the Torah; move to the land of Israel.

Am Yisrael
All Jews, the nation of Israel.

Ayin Hara
The evil eye.

Ba'al Teshuva, Ba'alas Teshuva
One who returns to Torah Judaism / Torah Observance.

Ba'al Tokea
the Common (or Christian) Era. Another way of saying b.c.

Bar Mitzvah
When a young man reaches the age of thirteen he accepts the responsibility of fulfilling the the Torah and its commandments. This is a much-celebrated event by family and friends, as it is his inauguration into Jewish adulthood.

Bar/Bat Mitzvah
Literally daughter of the commandment. In Conservative and Reform Judaism, a Jewish girl of 12 to 14 years of age, considered an adult and responsible for her moral and religious duties. Also ceremony that initiates and recognizes a girl as having achieved this status.

Beit Din
Rabbinical court.

Beit Ha Mikdash
The (First or Second) Temple in Jerusalem.

Beit Medrash
House of Study.

Bima
Pulpit.

Bracha
Blessing, a prayer.

Brit Milah
Literally covenant of circumcision. The ritual circumcision of a male child before the age of eight days.

Chag
Jewish holiday

Challah
A sweet, egg, bread, usually braided, which is served on Sabbaths and holidays.

Chametz
The five grains of wheat, barley, spelt, rye, and oats or products produced from them, which Jews are prohibited to eat or own on Passover.

Chessed
Lovingkindness and grace towards others.

Chumash
Literally 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.

Dalet
The fourth letter in the Hebrew alphabet.

Daven, Davening
Pray, praying.

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

Eretz Yisrael
The Land of Israel

Erev...
lit. `Evening', the eve of [a Sabbath or a festival]

Esther
One of the heroes of the story of Purim.

Frum
Religious, devout, pious

Gadol
Great, large.

Gelt
Money given during Hanukkah. Traditionally chocolate covered in gold foil.

Gematria
A system of numerical values and mystical significance for each letter, word, phrase, chapter,

Geulah
Redemption

Goy
Non-Jewish person, a nation.

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

Haftorah
lit. `Final passage'. The passage from the Prophets read in the synagogue after the reading from the Torah.

Haggadah
A book containing the story of the Exodus and the ritual of the Seder, read at the Passover Seder.

Halakah
The legal part of Talmudic literature, an interpretation of the laws of the Scriptures

Haman
The villain of the story of Purim.

Hanukkah
Literally dedication. An eight-day festival beginning on the twenty-fifth day of Kislev,

Har Sinai
Mount Sinai.

Haroset
A sweet mixture of apples, nuts, wine and cinnamon served at the Passover Seder.

Hellenism
A name applied to the culture of the ancient Greeks, especially that of Athens at its height in Fifth century b.c. It is also applied to the works of those who later adopted Hellenic values and principles. The Hellenistic Age, a time when Greek culture spread throughout the eastern Mediterranean, is generally dated from the death of Alexander the Great to the rise of Augustus in Rome (323-330 b.c.).

Ima
Mother.

Jew
A person who was born of a Jewish mother, A person who converted to Judaism.

Kallah
Bride.

Karpas
A vegetable like parsley or romaine lettuce used in the Pesach Seder.

Kiddush
Literally sanctification. The traditional blessing and prayer recited over wine on the eve of the Sabbath or a festival.

Kippah
The skullcap worn by Jews during services, and by some Jews at all times. See yarmulke.

Kittel
A white robe worn at festive occasions like at one's own wedding, Yom Kippur and Pesach. A pious person is usually buried in the kittel he wore during his lifetime at the festivities.

Kitzur Shulchan Aruch
Part of the Code of Jewish Law.

Kol Nidre
Literally all vows. The evening service of Yom Kippur, or the prayer that begins that service.

Kosher
Literally fit, proper or correct. Describes food that is permissible to eat under Biblical dietary laws.

Lashon Hara
speaking any form of evil about another Jew. It is forbidden to speak Lashon Hara about another person, even if it is true.

Latkes
Potato pancakes traditionally eaten during Chanukah.

Maccabee
Judah and his family who led the Jews against Antiochus IV. Also means hammer.

Magen David
Literally shield of David. The six-pointed star emblem commonly associated with Judaism. See Star of David.

Malach
Messenger, angel sent to carry out a mission for Hashem.

Manna
Special food God gave the Hebrew people when they were in the desert.

Maror
Bitter herbs. Traditionally horseradish served at the Passover Seder.

Matzah
Unleavened bread.

Mazal Tov
Good luck, congratulations.

Megillah
Literally scroll. One of five books of the Bible (Esther, Ruth, Song of Songs, Lamentations, and Ecclesiastes). Usually refers to the book of Esther.

Menorah
A candelabrum. Usually refers to the nine-branched candelabrum used to hold the Chanukah candles. Can also refer to the seven-branched candelabrum used in the Temple. Instructions for construction of the menorah are found in Exodus 25:31-40.

Messianic
adjective of the noun Messiah.

Messianic Jews
Jews who have accepted Y’shua (Jesus) of Nazareth as the promised Messiah of Israel and Saviour of the world, and maintain Jewish identity and worship style.

Messianic Movement
A ministry promoting Jesus (Y’shua) as the Messiah to Jew and Gentile, helping others to know Him, the Bible, Biblical Jewish roots of Christianity, Israel, and God's plan of eternal redemption/salvation. Most Messianics believe it is clear from the Scriptures that salvation is an undeserved and unearned gift from God through His grace. Works of the flesh do not earn one's salvation. They believe the Scriptures also teach that God is a righteous and just God who never changes; therefore the laws given to the Jewish people, which have never been abolished, stand as a true test of our love for Him.

Mezuzah
Literally doorpost. A case attached to the doorposts of houses, containing a scroll with passages of scripture written on it. The mezuzah is not a good-luck charm nor does it have any connection with the lamb's blood placed on the doorposts in Egypt. It is a constant reminder of God's presence and God's commandments from Deuteronomy 6:4-9.

Mishkan
The Tabernacle.

Mishnah
The first section of the Talmud, being a collection of early oral interpretations of the scriptures as compiled about A.D. 200.

Mitzvah
Literally commandment. It refers to 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.

Mordecai
One of the heroes of the story of Purim.

Nachas
Joy, happiness especially from our children.

Navi
Prophet.

Ne'ilah
Literally closing. The closing service of Yom Kippur.

Nisan
The first month of the Jewish calendar.

Nun
The fourteenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet

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

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

Orthodox
One of the major movements of Judaism, believing that Jewish law comes from God and cannot be changed

Parsha
Portion of the Torah read each week, one of the fifty-four weekly divisions of Torah.

Pesach
Passover, an eight day festival celebrating G-d's deliverance of the Jews when they were slaves in Egypt. The first two days and the last two days of Pesach are observed as holy days. The in between days are termed Chol Hamo'ed

Purim
Even though Purim represents a very significant event it is considered a minor holy day since it is not part of the Torah. It centers on the plot by the wicked Haman to murder all the Jews in King Ahasuerus 127 provinces and how Elohim used Queen Esther and her uncle Mordechai to bring relief and deliverance to the Jewish people.

Rabbi
Literally means teacher. A recognized person knowledgeable of Jewish law. Usually ordained at a seminary and empowered to conduct services, weddings, and burials.

Rabeinu
Our teacher.

Rasha
Evil person.

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

Rosh Hashanah
Literally first of the year. The new year for the purpose of counting years.

Rosh Hodesh
Literally first of the month. The first day of a month, on which the new moon appears.

Sabbath-shabbat
The most important day of the week is the Sabbath, called Shabbat in Hebrew. This begins at sundown on Friday, since the Jewish calendar is based on the lunar calendar and a new day therefore begins at this time. Shabbat is a day for rest and prayer.

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

Sefer Torah
pl., Sifrei Torah. Torah scroll.

Sefiras HaOmer
Counting of the 49 days of the omer between Pesach and Shavuos.

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

Shabbos Goy
A non-Jew who does work on Sabbath that a Jew cannot do.

Shalach Manos
Literally sending out portions. The custom of sending gifts of food or candy to friends during Purim.

Shammus
Literally servant. The candle that is used to light other Chanukah candles.

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

Shechinah
The Divine Presence

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

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

Siddur
Literally order. Prayerbook. See Jewish Liturgy.