Jewish Glossary: Complete A-Z Reference
A comprehensive pillar page explaining and linking to every term in our Jewish glossary — organized alphabetically with brief definitions and deeper links.
Your Guide to Jewish Terminology
Jewish texts and conversations are filled with Hebrew, Yiddish, and Aramaic terms. This glossary page links to every defined term on our site, organized by category.
Religious Practice
- Aliyah — “going up”; immigration to Israel, or being called to the Torah
- Bar Mitzvah / Bat Mitzvah — coming-of-age at 13/12
- Brit Milah — circumcision covenant
- Challah — braided bread for Shabbat
- Chuppah — wedding canopy
- Halakha — Jewish law
- Havdalah — ceremony ending Shabbat
- Kashrut — kosher dietary laws
- Kiddush — blessing over wine
- Menorah — seven-branched candelabrum
- Mezuzah — doorpost scroll
- Mikveh — ritual bath
- Minyan — quorum of ten for prayer
- Mitzvah — commandment / good deed
- Shabbat — the Sabbath
- Shofar — ram’s horn
- Tallit — prayer shawl
- Yom Tov — holiday
Texts and Study
- Gemara — Talmudic commentary
- Gematria — numerical value of letters
- Haggadah — Passover text
- Midrash — biblical interpretation
- Mishnah — oral law
- Talmud — rabbinic discussions
- Torah — Five Books of Moses
Values and Concepts
- Chesed — loving-kindness
- Mashiach — the Messiah
- Niguun — wordless melody
- Olam Ha-Ba — the World to Come
- Shalom — peace / hello / goodbye
- Teshuvah — repentance / return
- Tikkun Olam — repairing the world
- Tzedakah — righteous giving
Holidays
- Dreidel — Hanukkah spinning top
- Hanukkah — Festival of Lights
- Kippah — head covering
- Pesach — Passover
Places and Community
Bookmark this page as your quick reference for Jewish terminology. Each linked term provides a fuller definition and context.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many terms are in the glossary?
Our glossary currently contains over 40 terms covering the most important Hebrew, Yiddish, and Aramaic words in Jewish life — from Aliyah to Zohar. Each term includes a brief definition and links to detailed articles.
Are the terms in Hebrew or English?
Terms are listed in their common English transliteration (how they sound when spoken), with Hebrew script where applicable. Definitions are in English. Many terms have become part of English usage — words like kosher, kibbutz, and chutzpah.
How are Hebrew words transliterated?
We use standard Ashkenazi transliteration for most terms, with Sephardic/Israeli pronunciation noted where relevant. For example, Shabbat (Sephardic) vs. Shabbos (Ashkenazi) — both refer to the Jewish Sabbath.
Sources & Further Reading
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