Glossary

'My brother' — Israeli slang term of address.

The broken piece of matzah hidden during the Passover Seder and found by children for a prize.

Concluding prayer of every Jewish service, declaring God's sovereignty over all the earth.

Literally 'ascent' — refers to immigration to Israel, considered a spiritual elevation in Jewish tradition.

Being called up to the Torah for a blessing during the reading service.

The People of Israel — the Jewish people as a collective, bound by covenant, history, and shared destiny.

The Hymn of Glory, a mystical poem sung at the conclusion of Shabbat morning services.

The period between a death and burial when the bereaved is exempt from all positive commandments.

The Four Species waved during Sukkot: lulav (palm), etrog (citron), hadassim (myrtle), and aravot (willow).

The Holy Ark in the synagogue where Torah scrolls are stored.

Psalm 145 recited three times daily, beginning with the words 'happy are those who dwell in Your house.'

Decorative collar on a tallit, often with the blessing embroidered.

Pre-wedding celebration in which the couple is called to the Torah and showered with candy by the congregation.

"Our Father, Our King" — a penitential prayer recited during the High Holidays and fast days.

An excellent homemaker (Yiddish) — someone who runs a household with exceptional skill, warmth, and hospitality.

A mess, chaos, disorder — from Russian via Hebrew.

A Jewish coming-of-age ceremony marking a boy's assumption of religious responsibilities at age 13; the equivalent for girls at age 12 is called a bat mitzvah.

The formal call to prayer that marks the official beginning of a communal worship service.

One's destined soulmate (Yiddish), reflecting the belief that marriages are ordained in heaven.

Free will — the ability to choose between good and evil.

The veiling ceremony before a Jewish wedding, when the groom covers the bride's face with her veil.

Jewish court of law, typically consisting of three rabbis, handling matters of Jewish law.

A house of study, often attached to or part of a synagogue, dedicated to the study of Torah and Talmud.

A roasted egg on the Seder plate, symbolizing the festival offering and the cycle of life.

The raised platform in the synagogue from which the Torah is read.

Grace After Meals, the prayers of thanksgiving recited after eating bread.

A thin crepe filled with sweetened cheese or fruit, pan-fried until golden, and popular on Shavuot.

Beet soup served hot or cold, a classic of Ashkenazi cuisine brought from Eastern Europe.

The covenant of circumcision, performed on Jewish baby boys eight days after birth as a sign of the covenant between God and Abraham.

A braided bread traditionally eaten on Shabbat and Jewish holidays, often made with eggs and slightly sweet.

Leavened food forbidden during Passover, including bread, pasta, and anything made from fermented grain.

A sweet paste of fruit, nuts, and wine eaten at the Seder, symbolizing the mortar used by Israelite slaves.

Literally 'a waste of time' but used positively to mean 'amazing, incredible.'

A study partnership in which two people learn Talmud or other Jewish texts together through dialogue and debate.

Loving-kindness, one of the central virtues in Judaism and a sefirah in Kabbalah.

The holy burial society, a volunteer group that prepares the deceased for burial according to Jewish law.

Desecration of God's name through immoral behavior, especially by Jews in public.

The wedding canopy under which Jewish couples are married, symbolizing the new home they will build together.

Audacity, nerve, or brazen courage — a quality that can be admired or condemned depending on context.

To pray (Yiddish) — the most common word for Jewish prayer in Ashkenazi usage.

Specifically, despite expectations, or on purpose — a uniquely untranslatable Hebrew word.

A commandment originating directly from the Torah, carrying the highest level of legal authority in Jewish law.

A commandment enacted by the rabbis, carrying rabbinic rather than Torah-level authority.

Proper conduct, good manners, civility — 'derech eretz precedes Torah.'

Clinging to God — the highest spiritual state of communion with the Divine in Hasidic and Kabbalistic thought.

Homiletical or allegorical interpretation of a text — the third level of Torah interpretation.

A four-sided spinning top played during Hanukkah, with Hebrew letters representing 'A great miracle happened there.'

Straight talk, no sugarcoating — a valued Israeli communication style.

"The Infinite" — the unknowable, boundless essence of God in Kabbalistic thought, beyond all description.

Memorial prayer asking God, full of compassion, to grant perfect rest to departed souls.

A symbolic boundary around a community that permits carrying objects on Shabbat within its limits.

Citron fruit, one of the four species used during Sukkot rituals.

'Tree of Life' — the wooden rollers around which the Torah scroll is wound.

Meat or meat-derived foods in the kosher dietary system (Yiddish), which cannot be mixed with dairy.

Synagogue manager who organizes services, assigns honors, and manages logistics.

Exile or diaspora — the condition of the Jewish people living dispersed outside the Land of Israel.

Prayer belt worn by Hasidic men to separate the upper (holy) and lower body.

Money (Yiddish), especially the chocolate coins given to children during Hanukkah.

Rabbinic commentary on the Mishnah; together they form the Talmud.

System assigning numerical values to Hebrew letters, used to find hidden meanings in texts.

Special prayer for rain recited on Shmini Atzeret, marking the beginning of the rainy season in Israel.

Redemption — both personal and national, including the ultimate messianic redemption of the world.

The reincarnation or transmigration of souls, a belief found in Kabbalistic teaching.

The text read during the Passover Seder that tells the story of the Exodus from Egypt, including prayers, songs, and rituals.

Jewish law derived from the Torah, Talmud, and rabbinic tradition.

The blessing over bread, recited before meals, acknowledging God who 'brings forth bread from the earth.'

The eight-day Jewish Festival of Lights, celebrating the Maccabean victory over the Seleucid Empire and the rededication of the Second Temple.

Divine providence — God's involvement in individual human affairs.

Ceremony marking the end of Shabbat with wine, spices, and a braided candle.

A kosher certification symbol on food packaging, indicating that the product meets the standards of a certifying authority.

Human effort — the obligation to try while trusting God for results.

Secluded, spontaneous personal prayer — speaking to God in one's own words, especially emphasized in Breslov Hasidism.

Prayer of sanctification, most commonly associated with mourning, recited in Aramaic.

Pre-Yom Kippur ritual of symbolically transferring sins, traditionally using a chicken, now often with money.

A vegetable, usually parsley or celery, dipped in salt water near the beginning of the Passover Seder.

Buckwheat groats, a staple of Ashkenazi cooking, famously served with bow-tie pasta as kasha varnishkes.

Honor, respect, dignity — owed to every person, especially parents and elders.

Sanctification prayer recited during the cantor's repetition of the Amidah, echoing the angels' praise of God.

A Jewish community, historically self-governing with its own religious, educational, and social welfare institutions.

The Jewish marriage contract that outlines the groom's obligations to the bride, signed before the wedding ceremony.

A collective community in Israel, traditionally based on agriculture, where members share property and responsibilities equally.

The blessing recited over wine or grape juice to sanctify Shabbat and Jewish holidays, traditionally said before the evening and midday meals.

Sanctification of God's name through righteous action or martyrdom.

A small cap worn on the head as a sign of reverence to God, also known as a yarmulke.

Stuffed derma — intestinal casing filled with matzo meal, onions, and schmaltz, traditionally cooked in cholent.

Legumes, rice, and certain grains that Ashkenazi Jews traditionally avoid during Passover, though Sephardim permit them.

The totality of the Jewish people — collective responsibility and unity.

"Husks" or "shells" — forces of impurity that conceal divine sparks within creation in Kabbalistic teaching.

A baked or fried filled pastry, typically stuffed with seasoned mashed potato, meat, kasha, or cheese.

A descendant of Aaron, the priestly class in Judaism, still honored in synagogue rituals today.

Food that meets Jewish dietary laws (kashrut), including rules about permitted animals, preparation methods, and separation of meat and dairy.

Jewish dumplings made of thin dough filled with ground meat or potato, served in soup or fried.

To complain or whine persistently (Yiddish), or a person who habitually complains.

A fellow countryman (Yiddish), someone from the same town or region in the old country.

A descendant of the tribe of Levi, with specific roles in Temple service and synagogue honors.

Palm branch, one of the four species waved during Sukkot prayers.

The evening prayer service, recited after nightfall.

Special prayer book for the High Holidays (Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur).

Bitter herbs eaten at the Passover Seder, symbolizing the bitterness of slavery in Egypt.

A kosher supervisor who oversees food preparation to ensure it meets the standards of Jewish dietary law.

The Messiah, the anointed one who will bring an era of peace and redemption.

Prayer for rain inserted into the Amidah beginning on Shmini Atzeret and continuing through Passover.

Unleavened flatbread eaten during Passover, recalling the hasty departure of the Israelites from Egypt.

A tombstone or gravestone, traditionally unveiled in a ceremony approximately one year after death.

Fortune, luck, or constellation — as in 'mazel tov.'

Partition separating men and women in an Orthodox synagogue.

A seven-branched candelabrum that is an ancient symbol of Judaism; also refers to the nine-branched hanukkiah used during Hanukkah.

A person of integrity, honor, and ethical behavior (Yiddish) — the highest compliment in Jewish culture.

A parchment scroll inscribed with Torah verses, placed in a decorative case on the doorposts of Jewish homes as a sign of faith.

Prayer for healing recited during the Torah service on behalf of those who are ill.

Rabbinic interpretive stories and commentary that explore the deeper meanings of biblical texts.

A ritual bath used for spiritual purification, required for conversion to Judaism and traditionally used by women, brides, and converts.

Dairy foods in the kosher dietary system (Yiddish), which cannot be mixed with meat.

The afternoon prayer service, traditionally associated with the patriarch Isaac.

A community custom that carries the weight of law within that community, even if not mandated by the Torah.

Quorum of ten Jewish adults required for communal prayer and Torah reading.

The first written compilation of Jewish oral law, edited by Rabbi Judah HaNasi around 200 CE.

A commandment or religious duty in Judaism; there are 613 mitzvot in the Torah. Commonly used to mean a good deed.

"I give thanks" — the first prayer said upon waking each morning, thanking God for restoring the soul.

Additional prayer service recited on Shabbat, holidays, and Rosh Chodesh after the Torah reading.

Pride, joy, and gratification, especially the pleasure derived from children's or grandchildren's achievements.

The closing prayer service of Yom Kippur, recited as the 'gates of heaven' symbolically close.

The eternal light that burns continuously in every synagogue, positioned above the Holy Ark.

The higher soul — one of five ascending levels of the soul described in Jewish mysticism.

A wordless melody, especially in Hasidic tradition, used to elevate the soul in prayer and celebration.

Divine sparks scattered throughout creation when the primordial vessels shattered, to be gathered through mitzvot.

'So? Well? Come on!' — Yiddish/Hebrew interjection expressing impatience.

'The World to Come' — the Jewish concept of the afterlife or the messianic era.

A Jewish immigrant to Israel, literally 'one who ascends,' reflecting the spiritual elevation of moving to the Holy Land.

Acronym for the four levels of Torah interpretation: Pshat (literal), Remez (hint), Drash (homiletical), and Sod (mystical).

Food that is neither meat nor dairy, such as fruits, vegetables, eggs, and fish, and may be eaten with either.

Livelihood, making a living — a constant concern and prayer topic.

The curtain hanging before the Torah ark, often ornately embroidered.

Passover, the spring festival commemorating the Israelites' liberation from slavery in Egypt.

A sharp, dialectical method of Talmudic study that uses keen analytical reasoning to resolve textual difficulties.

A rabbi qualified to issue authoritative rulings on matters of Jewish law.

Using personal connections to get things done.

The plain, literal meaning of a biblical text — the first and most foundational level of interpretation.

A Jewish teacher, scholar, and spiritual leader ordained to make decisions on Jewish law and lead a community.

Rabbi's wife, often a community leader and educator in her own right.

The hinted or allusive meaning of a text — the second level of Torah interpretation.

Ornamental Torah finials shaped like pomegranates, placed on top of the Torah rollers.

'Pursuer of peace' — one who actively works to create harmony.

Israeli slang for 'great, cool, no problem.'

A native-born Israeli, named after the prickly pear cactus — tough and thorny on the outside, sweet on the inside.

The natural roof covering of the sukkah, through which one must be able to see the stars.

Rendered chicken or goose fat, a cornerstone of traditional Ashkenazi cooking.

A beggar or freeloader (Yiddish), but one who demands rather than asks — begging with chutzpah.

The ten divine attributes or emanations through which God interacts with the world in Kabbalistic thought.

A spiritual remedy or protective practice, often from folk tradition.

Penitential prayers recited in the period leading up to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

Rabbinic ordination, the formal authorization to serve as a rabbi and render decisions in Jewish law.

A festive meal celebrating the fulfillment of a commandment, such as a brit milah, wedding, or bar mitzvah.

The Jewish day of rest, observed from Friday evening to Saturday night.

The morning prayer service, the longest of the three daily services.

A Hebrew word meaning peace, completeness, and well-being, commonly used as a greeting for both hello and goodbye.

Peace in the home — the ideal of domestic harmony.

Synagogue beadle or sexton — caretaker of the building and services.

Shame or scandal (Yiddish), particularly something that brings embarrassment to the Jewish community.

Blessing of gratitude recited for new experiences, seasonal firsts, and special occasions.

Wig worn by some Orthodox married women as a form of hair covering for modesty.

The seven wedding blessings recited under the chuppah and at festive meals during the week following the wedding.

A ram's horn trumpet blown during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services, producing a powerful, primal sound that calls Jews to repentance.

The Jewish prayer book containing daily, Shabbat, and holiday prayers arranged in order.

Prayer for peace recited at the conclusion of the Amidah in morning services.

The secret, mystical meaning of a text — the deepest level of Torah interpretation, associated with Kabbalah.

A specially trained scribe who writes Torah scrolls, tefillin, and mezuzot by hand.

Tall cylindrical fur hat worn by some Hasidic groups, particularly Ger.

'Just because,' 'for no reason,' or 'I'm kidding.'

The temporary booth or hut built for the holiday of Sukkot, with walls and a natural roof.

A Jewish house of worship, study, and community gathering, also known as a shul or temple.

Supplication prayer recited on weekdays, involving the symbolic gesture of falling on one's arm.

Simple white linen burial shrouds in which all Jews are dressed for burial, symbolizing equality in death.

The ritual washing and purification of a deceased person's body before Jewish burial.

A rabbinic enactment or decree made for the benefit of the community, sometimes modifying existing practice.

A Jewish prayer shawl with fringes (tzitzit) on each corner, worn during morning prayers.

The central compilation of rabbinic discussions on Jewish law, ethics, customs, and history, consisting of the Mishnah and Gemara.

The Hebrew Bible, consisting of Torah (Law), Nevi'im (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings).

The Traveler's Prayer, recited at the start of a journey asking God for safe passage.

Leather prayer boxes containing Torah passages, bound to the arm and head during weekday morning prayers.

The engagement contract traditionally signed before a Jewish wedding, formalizing the commitment between families.

A written rabbinical ruling issued in response to a specific question of Jewish law.

Repentance, literally 'return' — the process of recognizing wrongdoing and returning to the right path.

Repair or rectification — the process of restoring divine sparks and healing the world in Kabbalistic thought.

'Repair of the world' — the Jewish concept of social action and responsibility to improve the world.

The central sacred text of Judaism, consisting of the first five books of the Hebrew Bible.

Not kosher — any food that violates the dietary laws of kashrut and is forbidden for consumption.

Righteous giving or charity, derived from the word for justice (tzedek).

'Image of God' — the belief that every human bears the divine image.

A sweet stew of carrots, sweet potatoes, and dried fruits, traditionally served on Rosh Hashanah and other holidays.

Divine contraction — God's withdrawal of infinite light to create space for the finite world in Lurianic Kabbalah.

Modesty in dress and behavior, a value emphasized especially in Orthodox communities.

'Guests' — the Kabbalistic tradition of inviting the spirits of seven biblical figures into the sukkah.

Confession prayer recited on Yom Kippur and traditionally on one's deathbed.

Torah pointer shaped like a hand, used to follow the text during reading.

The anniversary of a death, marked by lighting a memorial candle and reciting Kaddish.

'Let's go!' — Arabic-origin word universally used in Israeli Hebrew.

Liturgical hymn based on Maimonides' Thirteen Principles of Faith, often sung at the beginning or end of services.

Literally 'good day' — refers to Jewish holy days and festivals when work restrictions similar to Shabbat apply.

A roasted shank bone on the Seder plate, representing the Passover sacrifice offered in the Temple.