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Jewish Terms, Words and Phrases
ALIYAH Term used when a Jew is called to say a blessing before and after the Torah is
read. It is also a term used for emigrating to Israel. Literal meaning is "going up" or
ascension; in that light, emigrating to Israel is seen as a spiritual ascension.
ARON HAKODESH (ah-rone'ha-koe-desh) is the Hebrew term for the Holy Ark. We
have more than one Torah in our Aron HaKodesh, therefore, it is good to know that the
plural for Torah is Sifrei Torah (seef-ray).
ATONEMENT In Judaism, atonement (Hebrew: kaparah) or reconciliation between God
and humanity, is achieved by the process of teshuvah-repentance, seeking forgiveness
and making amends with our fellow human beings.
BAR is an Aramaic word meaning "son, while BAT is the Hebrew word for "daughter."
The plural of Bar is B'nai, while the plural of Bat is B'not. When a Bar and Bat are
referred to, the masculine plural is used. Mitzvah is Hebrew for "commandment." (B'nai
or B'not Mitzvah is the plural.)
BAR/BAT MITZVAH A rite of passage for Jewish boys and girls, usually at the age of 13
for boys and 12 for girls. At this age a person is considered to be responsible for
carrying out God's commandments. At this time a boy or girl is called to read from the
Torah in Hebrew in front of the congregation after which they can be counted as an
adult member of the congregation and form part of a minyan. Literal meaning:
son/daughter of the commandment.
BIBLE Composed of three main parts: Torah (Five Books of Moses called Pentateuch),
Neviim (Prophets), Ketuvim (Holy Writings).
BRACHAH means blessing. The plural is BERACHOT.
BRIT OR BRIS (BRIT MILAH) Circumcision of the male Jewish child is one of the most
important religious rituals in the life of a Jewish boy. Brit means covenant and refers to
the covenant made between God and Abraham. The covenant was entered into and
sealed by the act of circumcision. It is performed on the eighth day in a religious
ceremony by a mohel. The child is usually given his Hebrew name during the ceremony.
CANTOR The individual who chants the prayers (usually in Hebrew) during the service
in the synagogue.
CHAI Hebrew word for life. Numerically it represents the number 18.
CHANUKAH Eight Day Festival of Lights. This Jewish holiday represents the successful
Maccabean revolt against Antiochus IV in 164 BCE. (25th day of Kislev) The candles of
the Chanukiah (Menorah) are lit each night, beginning with one candle the first night,
adding an additional candle each subsequent night until there are eight candles
representing the eight days of Chanukah plus the shamas candle (the tallest candle
used to light the others.) Chanukah gelt (money) is often given to children during
Chanukah, and the game of dreidle (spinning top) is played. Chanukah is not a
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"religious" holiday (as is Rosh Hashonah or Yom Kippur), and is actually a minor holiday
on the Jewish calendar. It is only its juxtaposition to Christmas that has (very recently)
elevated its importance.
CHANUKIAH Menorah used on Chanukah, a nine branched candelabra.
CHOSEN PEOPLE According to the Torah, Jews were chosen by God to receive the
Torah and given the special responsibility (or duty) to be "A Light Unto The Nations",
thereby, spreading the word of God.
CHUPPAH Wedding canopy under which the ceremony is performed in a Jewish
wedding. Symbolizes the future home of the bride and groom.
CIRCUMCISION - See Brit
CONFIRMATlON - A ceremony found in both the Christian religion and in some
branches of the Jewish religion. A sacrament of the Catholic Church, it marks the
admission of the person to full membership in the church (takes place between ages 714). A rite of passage in Judaism, confirmation usually marks the end of formal religious
school training (age 15-16), and traditionally occurs around the time of Shavuot.
CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM - Came into being to create a new synthesis in Jewish life.
Conservative Judaism is the creative force through which modernity and tradition inform
and reshape each other.
DAVEN Yiddish word indicating prayer, i.e., I daven at the synagogue.
DIASPORA The dispersion of Jews throughout the world after the fall of the second
Temple (70 CE). Refers to all Jews living outside of Israel. Also known as the "exile" (in
Hebrew: galut).
EREV (eh'rev) means "evening" - usually the evening before a holiday, e.g., Erev
Shabbat is Friday evening, Erev Rosh Hashanah is the evening before the day of Rosh
Hashanah.
GOD Judaism teaches that there is one universal God, and that humans have a direct
relationship with God.
GOY Hebrew word for nation or people ("goy kadosh"-a Holy People/ Nation); Yiddish
word for non-Jew. Sometimes seen as a pejorative, any negative meaning is derived
from the context, and not from the word itself.
HAFTARAH (haf-tah-rah') is a reading from the non-Torah books of the Bible. There is
a specific reading associated with each Sedra of the Torah.
HAGGADAH The book used during the Seder that recount the story of the Exodus.
HALACHA Jewish law. Rabbis can interpret the laws differently; however, all
interpretations must be rooted in the tradition.
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HASIDISM A sect of Orthodox Jews, founded in the second half of the 18th century in
Poland-Lithuania, whose beliefs are rooted in the Kabbalah, populism, charismatic
leadership and ecstacism.
HEAVEN There is a heaven in Jewish teaching, but the focus of life is on the here and
now on earth.
HEBREW Holy language of Judaism. Most holy books were originally written in Hebrew
or Aramaic, a closely related language. It is also the language of the people living in
Israel.
HEBREW NAMING CEREMONY For a boy, a Hebrew name is given during the Brit.
For a girl, the Hebrew naming occurs during a special ceremony at a synagogue service
or in the home, usually within the first year. The Hebrew name links the Jewish child to
past generations.
HOLOCAUST Refers to the systematic destruction of 6,000,000 European Jews during
World War II under the direction of Hitler and the Nazis.
ISRAEL Homeland of the Jewish people. Also used in literature as a synonym for the
Jewish people.
KABBALAH Name of the genre for Jewish mystical studies.
KADDISH In Judaism, A traditional prayer is said when someone dies and on the
anniversary of their death. This prayer reaffirms the natural order of life and nature, and
does not mention death at all.
KIDDUSH The blessing recited over wine on the Sabbath and Festivals. The root is
from the Hebrew word, Kaddosh, which means holy. The wine is sanctified by saying a
blessing. Kiddish is also a light meal/repast following a Bar/Bat Mitzvah.
KIPPAH (Hebrew) or YARMULKE (Yiddish) is the skullcap worn during the worship
service. Many liberal Jews wear a kippah during times of Jewish study. It is customary
for an Orthodox Jew to wear one at all times.
KOL NIDRE The Yom Kippur Eve service is referred to as Kol Nidre. That hymn is sung
during the service.
KOSHER Refers to keeping the Jewish dietary laws. It means fit, or proper.
L'CHAIM Literally means "To Life." Used as a toast.
MAGEN DAVID Star of David formed by two equal-sided triangles placed opposite each
other with a common center creating a six pointed star.
MATZAH Unleavened bread eaten during the week of Passover in memory of the
Exodus from Egypt.
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MAZEL TOV Means congratulations and good luck in Hebrew and Yiddish.
MEGILLAH The scroll read on Purim that relates the story of Esther saving the Jews
from being exterminated by Haman.
MENORAH Seven branch candelabra as used in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem or the
nine branch candelabra (including the shamas) used during Chanukah.
MENSCH A special person with worth and dignity. One who can be respected.
MESSIAH Jews believe the Messiah is yet to come.
MEZZUZAH A small container holding a parchment with the Shema and other Biblical
passages written on it that is affixed to the right doorpost as you enter a Jewish home.
MINYAN Ten adult Jews. (In Orthodox Judaism, ten adult men.) The number necessary
to conduct a prayer service or read from the Torah.
MIRACLES In the biblical sense, an event which occurs in a way which contradicts the
natural order of things as we understand and commonly experience it. Miracles occur as
a result of the power of God.
MITZVAH Commandment. Mostly always used to mean a good deed.
MOHEL A specialist who performs a circumcision at a Brit.
MOTZI is the blessing over bread recited before eating.
NATURE OF MAN Judaism teaches that a man is born good, but has free will, and the
inclination to do evil or good. The Torah is the guide to good behavior.
NER TAMID Eternal light that hangs in front of the Ark (contains the Torah) in a
synagogue.
ORTHODOX JUDAISM Most traditional of the major branches of Judaism. The
Orthodox believe the Torah is the revealed word of God and the Talmud as the
legitimate Oral Law. Orthodox Jews feel they are bound by the traditional Rabbinic
halacha (law) as a way of closeness to God.
PAROCHET (pah-roe'-chet) is the curtain (as opposed to the doors) in front of the
Aron HaKodesh.
PASSOVER (PESACH) Passover is a major festival/holiday prescribed in the Bible.
Passover symbolizes the ideal of freedom with the recounting of the story of the
Exodus. On the Eve of the first day a Seder is held. In the Diaspora, a second Seder is
often held. Passover lasts for 7 days in Israel (and for Reform Jews) and 8 days outside
of Israel.
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PENTATEUCH Torah, Five Books of Moses.
PURlM Joyous Jewish festival (holiday) reflecting the story of the Book of Esther.
Celebrated with games, costumes & the reading of the Megillah (Book of Esther).
RABBI Literally means teacher. A recognized person knowledgeable of Jewish law.
Usually ordained at a seminary and empowered to conduct services, preside at
weddings and burials.
RECONSTRUCTIONIST A movement founded by Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan that defines
Judaism as an "evolving religious civilization," both cultural and spiritual with the
traditions existing for the people and not vice versa.
REFORM JUDAISM Seeks to reconcile basic Jewish beliefs with life in the modern
world. The concept of prophetic Judaism motivating social action is a primary focus of
Reform Judaism. Prayers began to be offered in the vernacular as well as in Hebrew,
and the service was shortened. The essential principal of Reform is that religion is
organic and dynamic.
ROSH HASHONAH Jewish New Year that occurs in the fall. Beginning of the Days of
Awe, a unique 10 day period of prayer, self-examination and repentance.
SEDER The Passover (Pesach) service and meal held on the eve of the beginning of
the week of Passover during which the story of the Exodus is recounted.
SEDRA (plural, Sidrot) is a section of the Torah read during a particular week. The
particular passages of a sedra being read are referred to as the Parashah (pah-rahshah').
SHAVUOT Spring festival symbolizing God giving the Torah to Moses.
SHEMA Hebrew word that is the first word of the verse, "Hear, O Israel, The Lord Our
God, the Lord is One. This verse is part of every religious service. It is included in the
mezzuzah.
SHIKSA Yiddish slang word for non-Jewish woman. Some people feel it is offensive.
SIMCHA is the Hebrew and Yiddish word for joy. A joyous occasion is, therefore, a
simcha which brings Nachas (palpable pride) to a qvelling (proud and delighted) family.
SHOFAR Rams horn blown during the Jewish High Holy Days (Rosh Hashonah and
Yom Kippur).
SHUL Yiddish word for synagogue.
SOUL The real spiritual substance created by God which, united to the body constitutes
a person.
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SUCCOT Jewish Festival in the fall that commemorates the forty year trek of the
Israelites through the desert to the promised land. It is a seven day holiday.
SYNAGOGUE House of Jewish Worship.
TALLIT is a fringed prayer shawl worn during morning worship service. The fringes are
reminders of the 613 mitzvot in the Torah. It is customary, though not required, for a
boy to wear a tallit at his Bar Mitzvah. Girls do not customarily wear a tallit, but there is
no statute against their doing so.
TALMUD The collection of writings constituting the Jewish civil and religious law. It
consists of two parts, the Misnah (text) and the Gemara (commentary).
TEMPLE House of Jewish Worship. Also refers to Solomon's Temple ("the Temple") of
antiquity, destroyed and rebuilt by King Herod.
T'FILlN Leather boxes containing pieces of parchment on which sections from the Bible
are inscribed including the Shema. Leather straps are attached to the boxes. The T'filin
are worn on the forehead and forearm of observant Jews when weekday morning
prayers are said.
THEOLOGY The study of God and the relations between God and the universe.
TORAH is the scroll containing the first five books in the Bible. Torahs are stored in the
Ark. The Torah is divided into 54 sidrot and read in the synagogue in the course of one
Jewish year.
YAHRTZEIT Anniversary of a person's death. A prayer is said, then a candle is lit in
memory of the departed one that burns for 24 hours (From sunset to sunset).
YlDDISH Uses the same alphabet as Hebrew but is a blend of Hebrew and several
European languages, primarily German. Yiddish was the vernacular of East European
and Russian Jews. Once considered "dead," there has been a mini revival over the last
two decades.
YOM KlPPUR Day of Atonement. The last day of the High Holy Days (Days of Awe) that
is considered the holiest day of the year after Shabbat. It is a day of fasting. Yom Kippur
falls ten days after Rosh Hashonah. The day is spent reflecting on your actions of the
past year and asking forgiveness for your sins.
ZION Another name for Israel.
ZIONISM The movement supporting the Jewish national state of Israel. Considered by
Jews as the National Liberation Movement of the Jewish people.
This list is a blend of glossary terms from the following sources:
United Hebrew Congregation, St. Louis Missouri
The Interfaith Resource, published by the Interfaith Connection, San Francisco, CA
Copyright (c) 1996. All Rights Reserved.