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10 Commandments: Judaism teaches that G-d gave the Jews 613 commandments, not merely ten. The biblical passage known to most people as the "Ten Commandments" is known to Jews as the Aseret ha-Dibrot, the Ten Declarations, and is considered to be ten categories of commandments rather than ten individual commandments.
13 Principles of Faith: The most widely accepted list of Jewish beliefs, compiled by Rambam (Maimonides). See What Do Jews Believe?; Sages and Scholars - Rambam.
613 Commandments: Judaism teaches that G-d gave the Jews 613 commandments, which are binding on Jews but not on non-Jews. Taryag is the numeral 613 in Hebrew numbering. See also Halakhah: Jewish Law.
Aaron: Older brother of Moses. Founder of the priesthood, and the first Kohein Gadol (High Priest). He helped Moses lead the Children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage. See also Rabbis, Priests, and Other Religious Functionaries - Kohein.
Abortion: Even the most traditional Judaism permits abortion in appropriate circumstances, and even requires abortion to save the mother's life.
Abraham (Abram): The first Jew, the founder of Judaism, the physical and spiritual ancestor of the Jewish people. One of the three Patriarchs of Judaism.
Adar: The twelfth month of the Jewish year, occurring in February/March. In leap years, an additional month of Adar is added to the calendar. Adar is the month when the holiday of Purim occurs. See Months of the Jewish Year; Jewish Calendar; Purim.
Adoshem: A substitute for writing or saying a name of G-d.
Adultery: The Hebrew term for adultery found in the Ten Commandments (teen-AF) is generally understood to be a generic term for any kind of sexual immorality. The specific sin in Jewish law refers to sex between a man and a married woman only, not to sex between a married man and an unmarried woman, because polygyny was permitted under Jewish law.
Afterlife: Contrary to popular belief, Judaism does believe in an afterlife, but it is not the primary focus of our religion and there is a lot of room for personal opinion about the nature of the afterlife.
Akiba (uh-KEE-buh): One of the greatest rabbis recorded in the Talmud.
Al Cheit (AHL CHAYT): Lit. for the sin. A confession of community sins recited repeatedly on Yom Kippur. See Yom Kippur Liturgy.
Alefbet (AH-lef-bet): The Hebrew alphabet. The name is derived from the first two letters of the alefbet.
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). 2) Immigrating to Israel (generally referred to in English as making aliyah and pronounced ah-lee-AH). See Torah Readings; Bar Mitzvah, Bat Mitzvah and Confirmation; The Land of Israel - Israel Today.
Animals: Jewish law prohibits cruelty to animals and requires us to act to relieve the suffering of animals. See Treatment of Animals; Qorbanot: Sacrifices and Offerings.
Ark: The English translation 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. See Ritual Items in the Synagogue.
Ashkenazic Jews (ahsh-ken-AH-zik) or Ashkenazim (ahsh-ken-ah-ZEEM): Jews from eastern France, Germany and Eastern Europe, and their descendants, who are culturally different from Jews with origins in other parts of the world. Most Jews in America today are Ashkenazic.
Ashkenazic Pronunciation (ahsh-ken-AH-zik): Historically, Ashkenazic Jews (Jews from Central and Eastern Europe and their descendants) pronounced some Hebrew sounds differently than Sephardic Jews (Jews from Spain and the Mediterranean area and their descendants). The Sephardic pronunciation of Hebrew is increasingly becoming the norm, because it is the pronunciation used in Israel. However, you will still hear Ashkenazic pronunciations in many (but not all) Orthodox communities and among older Jews in all Jewish communities. See Hebrew Alphabet; Ashkenazic and Sephardic Jews.
Av: The fifth month of the Jewish year, occurring in July/August. See Months of the Jewish Year.
B.C.E.: Before the Common (or Christian) Era. Another way of saying B.C.
Ba'al 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 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. For a girl, the ceremony is called a Bat Mitzvah (daughter of the commandment). For more than one child, it is referred to as a B'nai Mitzvah (children of the commandment).
Beginning of Day: A day on the Jewish calendar begins at sunset. When a date is given for a Jewish holiday, the holiday actually begins at sundown on the preceding day. See When Holidays Begin.
Beliefs: Judaism has no dogma, no formal set of beliefs that one must hold to be a Jew. In Judaism, actions are far more important than beliefs, although there is certainly a place for belief within Judaism. See What Do Jews Believe?; The Nature of G-d; Human Nature; Kabbalah; Olam Ha-Ba: The Afterlife.
Benjamin: 1) Son of Jacob (Israel). Ancestor of one of the tribes of Israel; 2) The tribe that bears his name.
Berakhah (B'RUHKH-khah; b'ruhkh-KHAH); pl: Berakhot (b'ruhkh-KHOHT): A blessing. A prayer beginning with the phrase "barukh atah..." (blessed art Thou...) that marks the performance of a mitzvah (commandment). See Prayers and Blessings; Common Prayers and Blessings.
Bible: Also referred to as the Tanakh. The Jewish Bible more or less corresponds to what non-Jews call the "Old Testament." See Torah.
Bilhah (beel-HAH): Maidservant and half-sister to Rachel, later concubine to Jacob, mother of Jacob's sons Dan and Naphtali.
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.
Birth: See Birth and the First Month of Life.
Blessing: A prayer beginning with the phrase "barukh atah..." (blessed art Thou...). See Prayers and Blessings; Common Prayers and Blessings.
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 Jewish child on the 8th day of his life or of a male convert to Judaism. Frequently referred to as a bris.
Burial: Under Jewish law, the dead must be buried in the earth, not cremated, and must be buried in a simple coffin, simply dressed. See Care for the Dead.
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 Jesus is our L-rd.
Calendar: Judaism uses a lunar/solar calendar consisting of months that begin at the new moon. Each year has 12 or 13 months, to keep it in sync with the solar year. See Jewish Calendar; The Jewish Calendar: A Closer Look; Current Calendar; Jewish Holidays.
Challah (KHAH-luh): A sweet, eggy, yellow bread, usually braided, which is served on Shabbat and holidays, confusingly named for the commandment to set aside a portion of the dough from any bread.
Chametz (KHUH-mitz): Lit. leaven. Leavened grain products, which may not be owned or consumed during Passover.
Chanukah (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 Seleucid Greeks. Also known as the Festival of Lights. See also Chanukah Candle Lighting Blessings.
Charoset (khah-ROH-set; 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. See Pesach (Passover); Pesach Seder: How Is This Night Different.
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.
Chatat (khah-TAHT): A sin offering. A type of sacrifice used to atone for and expiate unintentional sins.
Chazzan (KHAH-zen; khah-ZAHN): Cantor. The person who leads the congregation in prayer. May be a professional or a member of the congregation.
Children of Israel: The most common designation of the Jewish people used in Jewish literature. It signifies the fact that we are descended from Jacob, who was also known as Israel. See The Jewish People are a Family
Chol Ha-Mo'ed (KHOHL hah MOH-ed; KHOHL hah moh-AYD): The intermediate days of Pesach (Passover) and Sukkot, when work is permitted. See Pesach (Passover); Sukkot.
Chumash (KHUH-mish): Lit. five. A compilation of the first five books of the Bible and corresponding readings from the prophets, organized in the order of the weekly Torah portions.
Circumcision: Removal of the foreskin, a commandment in Judaism performed on the 8th day of a male child's life or upon conversion to Judaism. Referred to in Hebrew as brit milah or in Yiddish as a bris.
Commandments: Judaism teaches that G-d gave the Jews 613 commandments, which are binding on Jews but not on non-Jews. See Halakhah: Jewish Law; A List of the 613 Mitzvot; Aseret ha-Dibrot: The "Ten Commandments".
Conservative: One of the major movements of Judaism, accepting the binding nature of Jewish law but believing that the law can change. See Movements of Judaism in the United States Today.
Contraception: Jewish law permits certain methods of birth control in appropriate circumstances.
Conversion: Judaism does not seek out converts, and actively discourages converts (because a person does not need to be a Jew to be righteous in G-d's eyes), but conversion to Judaism is possible. See also Who is a Jew?; Jewish Attitudes Towards Non-Jews.
Counting of the Omer (s'-fee-RAHT hah-OH-mer): The counting of the days between Passover and Shavu'ot.
Dalet (DAH-leht): The fourth letter of the Hebrew alphabet, with the numerical value of 4. It makes the "d" sound. The word "dalet" means "door" in Hebrew, and you can see that the letter looks like the edges of a door.
Daven (DAH-ven): Yiddish: Pray. Observant Jews daven three times a day, in addition to reciting blessings over many common activities. See Prayers and Blessings; Jewish Liturgy; Common Prayers and Blessings.
Days of Awe: Ten days from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur, a time for introspection and considering the sins of the previous year.
Death: In Judaism, death is not a tragedy, even when it occurs early in life or through unfortunate circumstances. Death is a natural process.
Divorce: Judaism has always accepted divorce as a fact of life, albeit an unfortunate one, and permits divorce for any reason, but discourages divorce. See also Marriage.
Dreidel: A top-like toy used to play a traditional Chanukah game. Play a Virtual Dreidel Game
Elokaynu: A substitute for a name of G-d. See The Name of G-d.
Elul (eh-LOOL): The sixth month of the Jewish year, a time of repentance in preparation for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. See also Months of the Jewish Year.
Esau: Son of Isaac; older twin brother of Jacob (Israel). He had little respect for the traditions of his ancestors, and sold his birthright for a bowl of lentil stew.
Essenes: A movement of Judaism that began approximately 2200 years ago. It died out shortly after the destruction of the Temple. See Movements of Judaism in Ancient Times.
Esther: One of the heroes of the story of Purim. Also, the book in the Bible that tells her story. See Purim; Torah.
Ethiopian Jews: The Jews of Ethiopia, whose customs and practices are somewhat different than those of Ashkenazic or Sephardic Jews. See Ashkenazic and Sephardic Jews.
Etrog (ET-rohg): A citrus fruit grown in Israel and other parts of the Mediterranean, used to fulfill the commandment to "rejoice before the L-rd" during Sukkot. See also Blessing over the Arba Minim.
Fast Days: Several Jewish holidays are fasts, upon which we may neither eat nor drink. See Yom Kippur; Tisha B'Av; Minor Fasts.
Festivals: See Jewish Holidays and pages following it, especially Passover, Shavu'ot and Sukkot.
Firstborn: If a woman's first child is a male child born by natural childbirth, then the child must be redeemed from a kohein (priest) by a procedure called Pidyon Ha-Ben. In addition, firstborn males must observe a special fast the day before Pesach (Passover), commemorating the fact that they were saved from the plague of the first born.
Food: See Jewish Cooking; Kashrut; Pesach (Passover) Cooking Tips.
Free Will: Humanity was created with a dual nature: an impulse to do what is right and a selfish (evil) impulse. Free will is the ability to choose which impulse to follow. See Human Nature - The Dual Nature.
G-d: A way to avoid writing a name of The Creator, to avoid the risk of the sin of erasing or defacing the Name. See The Name of G-d; The Nature of G-d.
Gefilte Fish (g'-FIL-tuh): Yiddish: lit. stuffed fish. A traditional Jewish dish consisting of a ball or cake of chopped up fish.
Genealogy: Jews historically were not as interested in documenting their pedigrees as gentiles, but genealogy has become popular in recent years, and is necessary to prove Jewish status for those moving to Israel. If you're interestred in tracing your Jewish genealogy, this page will give you some ideas.
Gentiles: See Jewish Attitudes Toward Non-Jews; Non-Jews Visiting a Synagogue; A Gentile's Guide to the Jewish Holidays.
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.
Goy: Lit. nation. A non-Jew, that is, a member of one of the other nations. There is nothing inherently insulting about the term; the word "goy" is used in the Torah to describe Israel. See Jewish Attitudes Toward Non-Jews.
Grace After Meals: Referred to in Hebrew as Birkat Ha-Mazon. It is one of the most important prayers in Judaism, one of the very few that the Bible commands us to recite.
Haftarah (hahf-TOH-ruh): Lit. conclusion. A reading from the Prophets, read along with the weekly Torah portion. See Torah Readings.
Haggadah (huh-GAH-duh): The book read during the Passover Seder, telling the story of the holiday. See Pesach (Passover); Pesach Seder: How Is This Night Different.
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; A List of the 613 Mitzvot.
Hallel: Lit. praise G-d. Psalms 113-118, in praise of G-d, which are recited on certain holidays. See Jewish Liturgy.
Hamentaschen (HAH-men-TAH-shen): Lit. Haman's pockets. Triangular, fruit-filled cookies traditionally served or given as gifts during Purim. See Purim; Recipe for Hamentaschen.
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.
Havdalah (Hahv-DAH-luh): Lit. separation, division. A ritual marking the end of Shabbat or a holiday. See Havdalah Home Ritual.
Hebrew: The language of the Torah, in which all prayer should be recited. See Hebrew Alphabet; Hebrew Language: Root Words.
Hekhsher (HEHK-sher): A symbol certifying that food or other products satisfy Jewish dietary laws and are kosher.
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.
Holidays: Judaism has over a dozen holidays, ranging from deeply solemn fast days like Yom Kippur to all-out parties like Purim. See Jewish Holidays and pages following it.
Hoshanah Rabbah (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!).
Human Nature: Humanity is in the image of G-d, in that we have the ability to think, reason and understand. Humanity was created with a dual nature: an impulse to do what is right an a selfish (evil) impulse. Free will is the ability to choose which impulse to follow.
Image of G-d: Humanity was created in the image of G-d, which means we have the ability to reason and discern; however, G-d has no physical form or image. See The Nature of G-d.
Interfaith Marriage: Marriage to a non-Jew is not recognized as "marriage" in Jewish law. The increasing frequency of intermarriage is a source of great concern to traditional Jews. See also Marriage.
Isaac: Son and spiritual heir of Abraham. Father of Jacob (Israel). One of the three Patriarchs of Judaism.
Ishmael: Firstborn son of Abraham by Sarah's Egyptian maidservant, Hagar. According to both Muslim and Jewish tradition, he is the ancestor of the Arabs.
Israel: 1) The land that G-d promised to Abraham and his descendants. 2) The northern kingdom that was home to the "ten lost tribes." 3) Alternate name for Jacob. 4) A country in the Middle East located in the ancient homeland that has a predominantly Jewish population and government. It was founded on May 14, 1948 (5 Iyar 5708).
Iyar (ee-YAHR): The second month of the Jewish year, occurring in April/May. See Months of the Jewish Year.
Jacob (Israel): Son of Isaac. Father of twelve sons, who represent the tribes of Judaism. One of the three Patriarchs of Judaism. He was given the name Jacob at birth (Gen. 25:26) and was later given the name Israel (Gen. 32:28) but both names are used in scripture and tradition.
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. Although the term is derived from the term "Judahite" (meaning a member of the tribe of Judah or a citizen of the kingdom of Judah), it has historically been applied to the patriarchs, the matriarchs and all of the descendants of Jacob and all converts to their faith. See Who Is a Jew?
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.
Joseph: Son of Jacob (Israel). Ancestor of two of the tribes of Israel. He was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, but became powerful in Egypt and paved the way for his family's settlement there.
Judah: 1) Son of Jacob (Israel). Ancestor of one of the tribes of Israel; 2) The tribe that bears his name; 3) The Southern Kingdom after the death of Solomon when Israel was split into two kingdoms; the Kingdom of Judah included the tribes of Judah, Benjamin and part of the tribe of Levi.
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. Full text of the Mourner's Kaddish is available.
Karaites (KAH-rah-ahyts): Lit. People of the Scripture. A sect of Judaism that, like the ancient Sadducees, does not accept the oral Torah, but relies solely on the written scriptures. By contrast, Rabbinical Judaism believes that G-d taught Moses an oral Torah at the same time that He gave the written one. The Karaites are now a very small sect, though they claim that at one time they attracted 40 percent of the Jewish population. See their website at Karaite Jews of America.
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 (commandment).
Ketubah (k'TOO-buh): Lit. writing. The Jewish marriage contract.
Kiddushin: Lit. sanctification. The first part of the two-part process of Jewish marriage, which creates the legal relationship without the mutual obligations.
Kislev: The ninth month of the Jewish year, occurring in November/December. See Months of the Jewish Year.
Kitniyot (kit-NEE-yot; kit-NEE-yos): Foods that are prohibited during Pesach (Passover) by the rulings of Ashkenazic rabbis. Sephardic Jews do not follow these restrictions. Includes rice, corn, peanuts, and legumes (beans).
Klezmer: A style of music in Yiddish culture normally characterized by wailing, squealing sounds of clarinets. See Yiddish Music.
Knish (KNISH): Yiddish. A potato and flour dumpling stuffed with potato and onion, chopped liver or cheese.
Kohein (pl. Kohanim) (KOH-hayn; koh-HAHN-eem): Priest. A descendant of Aaron, charged with performing various rites in the Temple. This is not the same thing as a rabbi.
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.
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.
Latkes (LAHT-kuhs; LAHT-kees): Potato pancakes traditionally eaten during Chanukah.
Leah (lay-AH): Wife of Jacob. Mother of six of his sons. Sister of Rachel. One of the Matriarchs of Judaism.
Leap Year (shah-NAH m'-oo-BEH-reht): A year with an extra month, to realign the Jewish lunar calendar with the solar year. See Jewish Calendar.
Levi (LAY-vee); Levite (LEE-vahyt): 1) A descendant of the tribe of Levi, which was set aside to perform certain duties in connection with the Temple; 2) Son of Jacob (Israel). Ancestor of the tribe of Levi.
Life: In Judaism, life is valued above almost all else, and almost any commandment can be violated to save a life.
Liturgy: Observant Jews pray three times a day, and Judaism has an extensive liturgy. See Prayers and Blessings; Jewish Liturgy; Yom Kippur Liturgy; Common Prayers and Blessings.
Love and Brotherhood: Laws are at the heart of Judaism, but a large part of Jewish law is about love and brotherhood, the relationship between man and his neighbors.
L-rd: A way of avoiding writing a name of G-d, to avoid the risk of the sin of erasing or defacing the Name. See The Name of G-d.
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. See also Blessing over the Arba Minim.
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.
Mamzer (MAHM-zer): Lit. bastard. The child of a marriage that is prohibited and invalid under Jewish law, such as an incestuous union.
Marriage: Marriage is vitally important in Judaism, and refraining from marriage is considered unnatural. Marriage is not solely for the purpose of procreation, but is primarily for the purpose of love and companionship. See also Interfaith Marriages; Kosher Sex; Divorce.
Mashiach (mah-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.
Masoretes: From the Hebrew ???????? ??????????? (ba'alei ha-masorah), 'Masters of the Tradition'. Refers to scholars in the 5th through 10th centuries CE who compiled a system of markings for biblical texts that would ensure the correct pronunciation and chanting of the text. The markings are inserted into the text in ways that do not change the length of the text. See Hebrew Alphabet, Trop (Cantillation).
Matzah (pl. Matzot) (MAHTZ-uh; matz-OHT): Unleavened bread traditionally served during Passover.
Matzah Ball Soup: Thin chicken soup with dumplings made from matzah meal.
Menorah (m'-NAW-ruh; me-NOH-ruh): 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. See also Chanukah Candle Lighting Blessings; Ritual Items in the Synagogue.
Messiah: Anglicization of the Hebrew, "mashiach" (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. It is better to use the Hebrew term "mashiach" when speaking of the Jewish messiah, because the Jewish concept is very different from the Christian one.
Messianic Age: A period of global peace and prosperity that will be brought about by the messiah when he comes.
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. The procedure and prayers for affixing the mezuzah is available.
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.
Minhag (MIN-hahg): 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.
Minyan (MIN-yahn; MIN-yin): The quorum necessary to recite certain prayers, consisting of ten adult Jewish men. See Group Prayer.
Miriam: Older sister of Moses and Aaron, and a prophetess in her own right. She helped Moses and Aaron lead the Children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage.
Mishnah (MISH-nuh): An early written compilation of Jewish oral tradition, the basis of the Talmud.
Mitzvah (MITS-vuh); pl: Mitzvot (mits-VOHT): 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. See Halakhah: Jewish Law; A List of the 613 Mitzvot.
Mizrachi Jews (miz-RAHKH-khee) or Mizrachim (miz-rahkh-KHEEM): Jews from Northern Africa and the Middle East, and their descendants. Approximately half of the Jews of Israel are Mizrachi. See Ashkenazic and Sephardic Jews.
Mohel (Maw-y'l; rhymes with oil): Lit. circumciser. One who performs the ritual circumcision of an 8-day-old male Jewish child or of a convert to Judaism. See Brit Milah: Circumcision.
Mordecai (MOR-duh-khahy): One of the heroes of the story of Purim.
Moses: The greatest of all of the prophets, who saw all that all of the other prophets combined saw, and more. See also Prophets and Prophecy.
Mourning: Judaism has extensive mourning practices broken into several periods of decreasing intensity.
Movements: The denominations, branches or sects of Judaism, although the distinctions between Jewish movements are not as great as those between Christian denominations.
Mysticism: Mysticism and mystical experiences have been a part of Judaism since the earliest days, but specific beliefs in this area are open to personal interpretation.
Nachman of Breslov: An 18th century Chasidic tzaddik and founder of the Breslover Chasidic sect.
Nachmanides: Rabbi Moshe ben Nachman, one of the greatest medieval Jewish scholars. Commonly referred to by the acronym 'Ramban'.
Name of G-d: Judaism has a wide variety of names for the Creator; however, these names are not casually written down because of the risk that someone might destroy the writing, an act of disrespect for G-d and His Name.
Names: Jewish children are ordinarily given a formal Hebrew name to be used for religious purposes. See Naming a Child, Jewish Names. See also Name of G-d.
Nation: Throughout this site, the term "nation" is used in the classical sense, meaning a group of people with a shared history and a sense of a group identity. As the term is used in this site, a nation is not necessarily a territorial or political entity. When referring to a territorial or political entity, this site uses the term "country" or "state." The Jewish People are considered to be a nation, contrasted with the other nations of the world. See The Jews Are a Nation or a People.
Niddah (nee-DAH): The separation of husband and wife during the woman's menstrual period. Also refers to a woman so separated. Also referred to as taharat ha-mishpachah or family purity.
Nissan: The first month of the Jewish year, occurring in March/April. This is the month when Pesach (Passover) occurs. See Months of the Jewish Year; Pesach (Passover).
Noahic Commandments: Seven commandments given to Noah after the flood, which are binding on both non-Jews and Jews.
Numbers: In Hebrew, all letters have a numerical value, and numbers are written using letters. See Numerical Values of Words.
Offerings: Jewish practices of sacrifices and offerings were extensive in ancient times, but have not been practiced since our Temple was destroyed, because we are not permitted to bring offerings anywhere else.
Omer (OH-mayr): A unit of measure, often translated as "sheaf." The period between Passover and Shavu'ot is known as the Omer period, because we count the days from the time that the first omer of barley was brought to the Temple. 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., when they began to be written down in what became the Talmud.
Original Sin: Judaism completely rejects the doctrine of original sin. See Birth; The Dual Nature.
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. To find this week's portion, check the Current Calendar.
Passover: Holiday commemorating the Exodus from Egypt. The holiday also marks the beginning of the harvest season. It is sometimes called Pesach (the Hebrew version of the name), Chag he-Aviv (the Spring Festival), Chag ha-Matzot (the Festival of Matzahs or Unleaened Bread), and Z'man Cheiruteinu (the Time of Our Freedom).
Patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The forefathers of Judaism.
Pesach (PEH-sahkh, PAY-sahkh): Lit. exemption.1) Known in English as Passover, one of the Shalosh R'galim (three pilgrimage festivals), a holiday commemorating the Exodus from Egypt, . The holiday also marks the beginning of the harvest season. It is sometimes called Chag he-Aviv (the Spring Festival), Chag ha-Matzot (the Festival of Matzahs), and Z'man Cheiruteinu (the Time of Our Freedom).
2) The paschal lamb that, in Temple times, was sacrificed on this holiday.
Pharisees (PHAR-i-sees): A movement of Judaism that began approximately 2200 years ago. 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.
Points: Marks used to indicate vowels and other pronunciation tips in certain Hebrew texts. Texts with such marks are referred to as "pointed texts."
Polygamy: In Biblical times, a man was permitted to marry more than one wife, but this was never common. A woman could never marry more than one man. Around 1000 C.E., Ashkenazic Jewry banned polygamy, but it continued to be permitted for Sephardic Jews. Polygamy is not permitted in the state of Israel. See Marriage - The Marital Relationship
Population: There are approximately 13-14 million Jews in the world. For details and links to population resources, see Jewish Population.
Prayer: Prayer is a central part of Jewish life. Observant Jews pray three times daily and say blessings over just about every day-to-day activity. See Prayers and Blessings; Jewish Liturgy; Common Prayers and Blessings.
Priest: A descendant of Aaron, charged with performing various rites in the Temple. This is not the same thing as a rabbi. See Kohein.
Promised Land: The land of Israel, which G-d promised to Abraham and his descendants.
Pronunciation: Historically, Ashkenazic Jews have had a somewhat different pronunciation of certain Hebrew letters than Sephardic Jews; however, the Sephardic pronunciation is becoming predominant because it is the one used in Israel. See Hebrew Alphabet.
Prophets (n'-vee-EEM): 1) A spokesman for G-d, chosen to convey a message or teaching. Prophets were role models of holiness, scholarship and closeness to G-d; 2) A section of Jewish scripture containing the writings of the Prophets.
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 or PUSH-kee or PISH-kuh or PISH-kee): Yiddish, from the Polish word puszka, which means tin can. A box in the home or the synagogue used to collect money for donation to the poor. See Tzedakah: Charity.
Rabbi (RA-bahy): A religious teacher and person authorized to make decisions on issues of Jewish law. Also performs many of the same functions as a Protestant minister. When I speak generally of things that were said or decided by "the rabbis," I am speaking of matters that have been generally agreed upon by authoritative Jewish scholars over the centuries.
Rabbinical Judaism (ruh-BIN-i-kul): A general term encompassing all movements of Judaism descended from Pharisaic Judaism; that is, virtually all movements in existence today.
Rachel (rah-KHAYL): Favorite wife of Jacob. Mother of Joseph and Benjamin. One of the Matriarchs of Judaism.
Rambam (RAHM-bahm): Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon, one of the greatest medieval Jewish scholars. "Rambam" is an acronym (RMBM). Better known to the secular world as Maimonides.
Rashi (RAH-shee): Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki, one of the greatest medieval Jewish scholars.
Rebbe (REHB-bee): Usu. translated Grand Rabbi. The leader of a Chasidic community, often believed to have special, mystical power. When Lubavitcher Chasidim speak of "The Rebbe," they are referring to Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson.
Rebecca (reev-KAH): Wife of Isaac. Mother of Jacob and Esau. One of the Matriarchs of Judaism.
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.
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. See Movements of Judaism in the United States Today.
Resurrection: Belief in the eventual resurrection of the dead is a fundamental belief of traditional Judaism.
Root Word: A set of (usually) three consonants that conveys the central meaning of a Hebrew word. Prefixes, suffixes and vowels added to the root clarify the precise meaning.
Rosh Chodesh (ROHSH CHOH-desh): Lit. head of the month. The first day of a month, on which the first sliver of the new moon appears. It is a minor festival today, though it was a more significant festival in ancient times. See also Jewish Calendar; The Jewish Calendar: A Closer Look.
Rosh Hashanah (ROHSH hah shah-NAH; RUSH-uh SHAH-nuh): Lit. first of the year. The new year for the purpose of counting years. It is one of the holiest festivals of the year, renewing the crowning of G-d as king of time and space (melekh ha-olam) with celebration and blasts of the shofar (a ram's horn trumpet). Sabbatical (Shemittah) and Jubilee years begin at this time and are counted based on this date.
Sabbath: A day of rest and spiritual enrichment. See Shabbat; Shabbat Evening Home Ritual; Havdalah Home Ritual.
Sacrifice: Jewish practices of sacrifices and offerings were extensive in ancient times, but have not been practiced since our Temple was destroyed, because we are not permitted to bring offerings anywhere else.
Sadducees (SAD-yoo-sees): A movement of Judaism that began approximately 2200 years ago. It died out shortly after the destruction of the Temple.
Sages: Refers generally to the greatest Jewish minds of all times. See Sages and Scholars.
Sanhedrin (sahn-HEE-drin): The "Supreme Court" of the ancient Jewish state, in the tradition established in Exodus chapter 18. According to tradition, the Oral Torah was given to Moses and passed on a continuous line to Joshua, then to the elders, then to the prophets then to the Sanhedrin. It decided difficult cases and cases of capital punishment. It also fixed the calendar, taking testimony to determine when a new month began.
Sarah (sah-RAH): Wife of Abraham. Originally known as Sarai. Mother of Isaac. One of the Matriarchs of Judaism.
Scriptures: The Jewish Bible, also referred to as the Tanakh. More or less corresponds to what non-Jews call the "Old Testament." See Torah.
Second Day of Holidays: An extra day is added to many holidays because in ancient times, there was doubt as to which day was the correct day.
Seder (SAY-d'r): Lit. order. 1) The family home ritual conducted as part of the Passover observance. 2) A division of the Mishnah and Talmud. See Pesach (Passover) and Pesach Seder: How Is This Night Different.
Sefirot (se-fee-ROHT): Lit. emanations. In Jewish mysticism, the emanations from G-d's essence that interact with the universe.
Sephardic Jews (s'-FAHR-dic) or Sephardim (seh-fahr-DEEM): Jews from Spain, Portugal, North Africa and the Middle East and their descendants, who are culturally different from Jews with origins in other parts of the world. Jews from North Africa and the Middle East are often described separately as Mizrachi Jews.
Services: Observant Jews pray three times a day in formal worship services. See Jewish Liturgy, Yom Kippur Liturgy, Synagogues, Shuls and Temples.
Sex: Sex is not shameful, sinful or obscene. It is not solely for the purpose of procreation. When sexual desire is satisfied between a husband and wife at the proper time, out of mutual love and desire, sex is a mitzvah. See also Marriage.
Shabbat (shah-BAHT; SHAH-bis): Lit. end, cease, rest. The Jewish Sabbath, a day of rest and spiritual enrichment. See also Shabbat Evening Home Ritual; Havdalah Home Ritual.
Shabbat Ha-Chodesh (shah-BAHT hah-CHOH-desh): The sabbath on which we read Parshat Ha-Chodesh, one of the Four Parshiyot, special Torah readings added to the weekly cycle of readings during the month before Pesach (Passover). Parshat Ha-Chodesh establishes the Hebrew calendar.
Shabbat Ha-Gadol (shah-BAHT hah-gah-DOHL): Lit. The Great Sabbath. The sabbath before Pesach (Passover). A special Haftarah reading regarding the End of Days and the return of the prophet Elijah is read.
Shabbat Hazon (shah-BAHT hah-ZOHN): Lit. The Sabbath of Vision. The sabbath before Tisha B'Av, a fast mourning the destruction of the Temple. A special Haftarah reading regarding Isaiah's vision of the Temple's destruction is read.
Shabbat Mevarekhim: Lit. Sabbath of Blessing. The Shabbat before Rosh Chodesh (the beginning of the new month) when the prayer leader at services recites a blessing praying that the new month will be a good one.
Shabbat Nachamu (shah-BAHT NAH-chah-moo): Lit. The Sabbath of Consolation. The sabbath after Tisha B'Av, a fast mourning the destruction of the Temple. On this week and the six following weeks, special Haftarah readings of consolation for the loss of the Temple are read.
Shabbat Parah (shah-BAHT pah-RAH): The sabbath on which we read Parshat Parah, one of the Four Parshiyot, special Torah readings added to the weekly cycle of readings during the month before Pesach (Passover). Parshat Parah explains the procedure for the offering of the Red Heifer (Parah Adumah), a ritual of purification.
Shabbat Sheqalim (shah-BAHT sh'-kah-LEEM): The sabbath on which we read Parshat Sheqalim, one of the Four Parshiyot, special Torah readings added to the weekly cycle of readings during the month before Pesach (Passover). Parshat Sheqalim discusses the census conducted through donations of a half-shekel coin.
Shabbat Shirah (shah-BAHT SHEE-rah): Lit. The Sabbath of the Song. The sabbath when we read Parshat Beshalach as part of our regular weekly Torah readings. Parshat Beshalach contains the Song at the Sea, one of the ten true Songs in history.
Shabbat Shuvah (shah-BAHT SHOO-vah): The sabbath between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Special Haftarah readings regarding repentance and Divine mercy are read.
Shabbat Zakhor (shah-BAHT zah-KHAWR): The sabbath on which we read Parshat Zakhor, one of the Four Parshiyot, special Torah readings added to the weekly cycle of readings during the month before Pesach (Passover). Parshat Zakhor contains the commandment regarding the tribe of Amalek.
Shalosh R'galim (shah-LOHSH ri-GAH-leem): Lit. three feet or three times. A collective term for the three biblical pilgrimage festivals: Pesach (Passover), Shavu'ot and Sukkot. In the days of the Temple, Jews from around the world made pilgrimages to Jerusalem to make offerings in the Temple in honor of these holidays.
Shavu'ot (shuh-VOO-oht; shah-VOO-uhs): Lit. weeks. One of the Shalosh R'galim (three pilgrimage festivals), 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 also Jewish Liturgy; Signs and Symbols.
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.
Shevat: The eleventh month of the Jewish year, occurring in January/February. See Months of the Jewish Year.
Shofar (sho-FAHR): A ram's horn, blown like a trumpet as a call to repentance. See Rosh Hashanah; Rosh Chodesh.
Siddur (SID-r (sounds like "sitter"); sid-AWR (sounds like "see door")): Lit. order. Prayer book, which shows the prayers in the order that they will be prayed. See Jewish Liturgy.
Sidrah (SID-ruh): Lit. order. A weekly Torah portion read in synagogue.
Simchat Torah (SIM-khat TOH-ruh): Lit. rejoicing in the law. A holiday celebrating the end and beginning of the cycle of weekly Torah readings.
Sivan (see-VAHN): The third month of the Jewish year, occurring in May/June. See Months of the Jewish Year.
Speech: For information about the power of speech and sins committed through speech, see Speech and Lashon Ha-Ra. For information about pronouncing the Name of G-d, see The Name of G-d.
STA"M: A type style used in writing the Hebrew Alphabet, distinguished by crowns on certain letters. Used in Sifrei Torah, Tefillin and Mezuzot.
Sukkah (SUK-uh): Lit. booth. The temporary dwellings we live in during the holiday of Sukkot. See also Blessing for Dwelling in the Sukkah.
Sukkot (soo-KOHT; SUK-uhs): Lit. booths. One of the Shalosh R'galim (three pilgrimage festivals). A festival commemorating the wandering in the desert and the final harvest. Also known as the Feast of Tabernacles or the Festival of Ingathering. See also Sukkot Blessings.
Synagogue (SIN-uh-gahg): From a Greek root meaning "assembly." The most widely accepted term for a Jewish house of worship. The Jewish equivalent of a church, mosque or temple.
Takkanah (t'-KAH-nuh): A law instituted by the rabbis and not derived from any biblical commandment.
Tallit (tah-LEET; TAH-lis): A shawl-like garment worn during morning services, with tzitzit (long fringes) attached to the corners as a reminder of the commandments. Sometimes called a prayer shawl.
Talmud (TAHL-mud): The most significant collection of the Jewish oral tradition interpreting the Torah.
Tammuz: The fourth month of the Jewish year, occurring in June/July. See Months of the Jewish Year.
Tanakh (tuh-NAHKH): Acronym of Torah (Law), Nevi'im (Prophets) and Ketuvim (Writings). Written Torah, the three sections of the Jewish Bible, what gentiles call the Old Testament.
Tefilah (t'-FEE-luh): Prayer. Sometimes refers specifically to the Shemoneh Esrei prayer. See Prayers and Blessings; Jewish Liturgy; Common Prayers and Blessings.
Tefillin (t'-FIL-lin): Phylacteries. Leather pouches containing scrolls with passages of scripture, strapped to the arm and the forehead during weekday morning services, to fulfill the commandment to bind the commandments to our hands and between our eyes (Deut. 6:8, 6:18).
Temple: 1) The central place of worship in ancient Jerusalem, where sacrifices were offered, destroyed in 70 C.E. 2) The term commonly used for houses of worship within the Reform movement.
Tevet: The tenth month of the Jewish year, occurring in December/January. See Months of the Jewish Year.
The Jewish People: Another name for the Children of Israel. It is a reference to the Jews as a nation in the classical sense, meaning a group of people with a shared history and a sense of a group identity rather than a territorial and political entity. See The Jews Are a Nation or a People.
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.
Tishri: The seventh month of the Jewish year, during which many important holidays occur. See also Months of the Jewish Year.
Tombstone: Jewish law requires that a tombstone be prepared, so that the deceased will not be forgotten and the grave will not be desecrated.
Torah (TOH-ruh): In its narrowest sense, Torah the first five books of the Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy, sometimes called the Pentateuch or the Five Books of Moses. In its broadest sense, Torah is the entire body of Jewish teachings.
Torah Readings: Each week, a different portion of the Torah and the Prophets are read in synagogue.
Torah Scroll: The Torah (first five books of the Bible) that is read in synagogue is written on parchment on scrolls.
Transliteration: The process of writing Hebrew using the Roman (English) alphabet. More an art than a science. See also Yiddish Transliteration, which is somewhat more standardized.
Trop (rhymes with cup or cope): Cantillation. The distinctive melodies used for chanting readings from the Torah and Haftarah. Also refers to the individual notations used to indicate the melody for a particular word or phrase, or more broadly to the entire system of notation. Referred to in Hebrew as ta'amim or ta'amei ha-miqra. See also Torah Readings.
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.
Tzitzit (tsee-TZEET; TSI-tsit): Fringes attached to the corners of garments as a reminder of the commandments.
Wedding: See Marriage; A Typical Wedding Ceremony.
Western Wall: The western retaining wall of the ancient Temple in Jerusalem, which is as close to the site of the original Sanctuary as Jews can go today. Commonly known as the Wailing Wall. Known in Hebrew as the Kotel (Wall).
Women: In traditional Judaism, women are for the most part seen as separate but equal. Women's obligations and responsibilities are different from men's, but no less important. See also Marriage.
Work: Activities involving creation or exercise of control over the environment, which are prohibited on Shabbat and certain holidays.
World to Come: 1) The messianic age; 2) the spiritual world that souls go to after death.
Writings: A section of Jewish scripture containing various writings.
Written Torah (TOH-ruh): The scriptures that non-Jews call the Old Testament, that Jews often call the Tanakh (TNK). It includes the Torah (T, the first five books of Moses), the books of the Prophets (N, Nevi'im) and the Writings (K, Ketuvim). This is contrasted with Oral Torah, the traditions interpreting the written Torah that were not written down until later days.
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 head covering worn by Jews during services, and by some Jews at all times.
Yemenite Jews: The Jews of the Middle Eastern country of Yemen, whose customs and practices are somewhat different than those of Ashkenazic or Sephardic Jews. See Ashkenazic and Sephardic Jews.
Yetzer Ha-Ra (YAY-tser ha-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; Kosher Sex.
Yiddish (YID-ish): The "international language" of Ashkenazic Jews, based primarily on German with words taken from Hebrew and many other 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 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.
Yontiff (YAHN-tiff): Yiddish, from the Hebrew Yom Tov. Holiday. The Hebrew literally means "good day," but the word "Yontiff" is only used to refer to holidays, not to plain old ordinary good days or even to Shabbat. See Jewish Holidays and specific holidays listed under it.
Zebach Sh'lamim (zeh-BAKH shlah-MEEM): Lit. peace offering. A type of sacrifice expressing thanks or gratitude.
Zilpah (zeel-PAH): Maidservant and half-sister to Leah, later concubine to Jacob, mother of Jacob's sons Gad and Asher.
Zionism (ZAHY-uhn-ism): A political movement to create and maintain a Jewish state. The word is derived from Zion, another name for Jerusalem.

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Birth and the First Month of Life: Learn about Jewish customs relating to birth, naming, circumcision, adoption, and redemption of the firstborn.
Hebrew Alphabet: See illustrations of the letters and vowel points of the Hebrew alphabet in print, script and Rashi script. Learn the names and numerical values of the letters. Also discusses .htmon (writing Hebrew in English letters).
Jewish Names: Learn about Jewish names and naming customs, including surnames, given (first) names and Hebrew names. Some material here may be of interest to Jewish genealogists.
The Name of G-d: Learn about several of the more important names of G-d in Jewish tradition, and learn the rules regarding writing and pronouncing these names. Learn why we write 'G-d' that way.

All Hits (298):

10 Commandments: Judaism teaches that G-d gave the Jews 613 commandments, not merely ten. The biblical passage known to most people as the "Ten Commandments" is known to Jews as the Aseret ha-Dibrot, the Ten Declarations, and is considered to be ten categories of commandments rather than ten individual commandments.
13 Principles of Faith: The most widely accepted list of Jewish beliefs, compiled by Rambam (Maimonides). See What Do Jews Believe?; Sages and Scholars - Rambam.
613 Commandments: Judaism teaches that G-d gave the Jews 613 commandments, which are binding on Jews but not on non-Jews. Taryag is the numeral 613 in Hebrew numbering. See also Halakhah: Jewish Law.
Aaron: Older brother of Moses. Founder of the priesthood, and the first Kohein Gadol (High Priest). He helped Moses lead the Children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage. See also Rabbis, Priests, and Other Religious Functionaries - Kohein.
Abortion: Even the most traditional Judaism permits abortion in appropriate circumstances, and even requires abortion to save the mother's life.
Abraham (Abram): The first Jew, the founder of Judaism, the physical and spiritual ancestor of the Jewish people. One of the three Patriarchs of Judaism.
Abramovitsch, Sholem Yankev: One of the first great Yiddish fiction writers, known by the pen name Mendele Moykher Sforim (little Mendel, the bookseller). See Yiddish Literature.
Adar: The twelfth month of the Jewish year, occurring in February/March. In leap years, an additional month of Adar is added to the calendar. Adar is the month when the holiday of Purim occurs. See Months of the Jewish Year; Jewish Calendar; Purim.
Adoshem: A substitute for writing or saying a name of G-d.
Adultery: The Hebrew term for adultery found in the Ten Commandments (teen-AF) is generally understood to be a generic term for any kind of sexual immorality. The specific sin in Jewish law refers to sex between a man and a married woman only, not to sex between a married man and an unmarried woman, because polygyny was permitted under Jewish law.
Afterlife: Contrary to popular belief, Judaism does believe in an afterlife, but it is not the primary focus of our religion and there is a lot of room for personal opinion about the nature of the afterlife.
Akiba (uh-KEE-buh): One of the greatest rabbis recorded in the Talmud.
Al Cheit (AHL CHAYT): Lit. for the sin. A confession of community sins recited repeatedly on Yom Kippur. See Yom Kippur Liturgy.
Alefbet (AH-lef-bet): The Hebrew alphabet. The name is derived from the first two letters of the alefbet.
Alef-Beyz (AH-lef BAYS): The Yiddish alphabet. The name is derived from the first two letters of the alef-beyz.
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). 2) Immigrating to Israel (generally referred to in English as making aliyah and pronounced ah-lee-AH). See Torah Readings; Bar Mitzvah, Bat Mitzvah and Confirmation; The Land of Israel - Israel Today.
Animals: Jewish law prohibits cruelty to animals and requires us to act to relieve the suffering of animals. See Treatment of Animals; Qorbanot: Sacrifices and Offerings.
Ark: The English translation 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. See Ritual Items in the Synagogue.
Asher: 1) Son of Jacob (Israel). Ancestor of one of the tribes of Israel; 2) The tribe that bears his name.
Ashkenazic Jews (ahsh-ken-AH-zik) or Ashkenazim (ahsh-ken-ah-ZEEM): Jews from eastern France, Germany and Eastern Europe, and their descendants, who are culturally different from Jews with origins in other parts of the world. Most Jews in America today are Ashkenazic.
Ashkenazic Pronunciation (ahsh-ken-AH-zik): Historically, Ashkenazic Jews (Jews from Central and Eastern Europe and their descendants) pronounced some Hebrew sounds differently than Sephardic Jews (Jews from Spain and the Mediterranean area and their descendants). The Sephardic pronunciation of Hebrew is increasingly becoming the norm, because it is the pronunciation used in Israel. However, you will still hear Ashkenazic pronunciations in many (but not all) Orthodox communities and among older Jews in all Jewish communities. See Hebrew Alphabet; Ashkenazic and Sephardic Jews.
Av: The fifth month of the Jewish year, occurring in July/August. See Months of the Jewish Year.
B.C.E.: Before the Common (or Christian) Era. Another way of saying B.C.
Ba'al 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 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. For a girl, the ceremony is called a Bat Mitzvah (daughter of the commandment). For more than one child, it is referred to as a B'nai Mitzvah (children of the commandment).
Beginning of Day: A day on the Jewish calendar begins at sunset. When a date is given for a Jewish holiday, the holiday actually begins at sundown on the preceding day. See When Holidays Begin.
Beliefs: Judaism has no dogma, no formal set of beliefs that one must hold to be a Jew. In Judaism, actions are far more important than beliefs, although there is certainly a place for belief within Judaism. See What Do Jews Believe?; The Nature of G-d; Human Nature; Kabbalah; Olam Ha-Ba: The Afterlife.
Benjamin: 1) Son of Jacob (Israel). Ancestor of one of the tribes of Israel; 2) The tribe that bears his name.
Berakhah (B'RUHKH-khah; b'ruhkh-KHAH); pl: Berakhot (b'ruhkh-KHOHT): A blessing. A prayer beginning with the phrase "barukh atah..." (blessed art Thou...) that marks the performance of a mitzvah (commandment). See Prayers and Blessings; Common Prayers and Blessings.
Bible: Also referred to as the Tanakh. The Jewish Bible more or less corresponds to what non-Jews call the "Old Testament." See Torah.
Bilhah (beel-HAH): Maidservant and half-sister to Rachel, later concubine to Jacob, mother of Jacob's sons Dan and Naphtali.
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.
Birth: See Birth and the First Month of Life.
Blessing: A prayer beginning with the phrase "barukh atah..." (blessed art Thou...). See Prayers and Blessings; Common Prayers and Blessings.
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 Jewish child on the 8th day of his life or of a male convert to Judaism. Frequently referred to as a bris.
Burial: Under Jewish law, the dead must be buried in the earth, not cremated, and must be buried in a simple coffin, simply dressed. See Care for the Dead.
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 Jesus is our L-rd.
Calendar: Judaism uses a lunar/solar calendar consisting of months that begin at the new moon. Each year has 12 or 13 months, to keep it in sync with the solar year. See Jewish Calendar; The Jewish Calendar: A Closer Look; Current Calendar; Jewish Holidays.
Challah (KHAH-luh): A sweet, eggy, yellow bread, usually braided, which is served on Shabbat and holidays, confusingly named for the commandment to set aside a portion of the dough from any bread.
Chametz (KHUH-mitz): Lit. leaven. Leavened grain products, which may not be owned or consumed during Passover.
Chanukah (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 Seleucid Greeks. Also known as the Festival of Lights. See also Chanukah Candle Lighting Blessings.
Chanukiah (KHAH-noo-KEE-ah): A name sometimes use for a Chanukah menorah.
Charoset (khah-ROH-set; 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. See Pesach (Passover); Pesach Seder: How Is This Night Different.
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.
Chatat (khah-TAHT): A sin offering. A type of sacrifice used to atone for and expiate unintentional sins.
Chazzan (KHAH-zen; khah-ZAHN): Cantor. The person who leads the congregation in prayer. May be a professional or a member of the congregation.
Children of Israel: The most common designation of the Jewish people used in Jewish literature. It signifies the fact that we are descended from Jacob, who was also known as Israel. See The Jewish People are a Family
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 Pesach (Passover) and Sukkot, when work is permitted. See Pesach (Passover); Sukkot.
Chumash (KHUH-mish): Lit. five. A compilation of the first five books of the Bible and corresponding readings from the prophets, organized in the order of the weekly Torah portions.
Circumcision: Removal of the foreskin, a commandment in Judaism performed on the 8th day of a male child's life or upon conversion to Judaism. Referred to in Hebrew as brit milah or in Yiddish as a bris.
Commandments: Judaism teaches that G-d gave the Jews 613 commandments, which are binding on Jews but not on non-Jews. See Halakhah: Jewish Law; A List of the 613 Mitzvot; Aseret ha-Dibrot: The "Ten Commandments".
Conservative: One of the major movements of Judaism, accepting the binding nature of Jewish law but believing that the law can change. See Movements of Judaism in the United States Today.
Contraception: Jewish law permits certain methods of birth control in appropriate circumstances.
Conversion: Judaism does not seek out converts, and actively discourages converts (because a person does not need to be a Jew to be righteous in G-d's eyes), but conversion to Judaism is possible. See also Who is a Jew?; Jewish Attitudes Towards Non-Jews.
Counting of the Omer (s'-fee-RAHT hah-OH-mer): The counting of the days between Passover and Shavu'ot.
Dalet (DAH-leht): The fourth letter of the Hebrew alphabet, with the numerical value of 4. It makes the "d" sound. The word "dalet" means "door" in Hebrew, and you can see that the letter looks like the edges of a door.
Dan: 1) Son of Jacob (Israel). Ancestor of one of the tribes of Israel; 2) The tribe that bears his name.
Daven (DAH-ven): Yiddish: Pray. Observant Jews daven three times a day, in addition to reciting blessings over many common activities. See Prayers and Blessings; Jewish Liturgy; Common Prayers and Blessings.
Days of Awe: Ten days from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur, a time for introspection and considering the sins of the previous year.
Death: In Judaism, death is not a tragedy, even when it occurs early in life or through unfortunate circumstances. Death is a natural process.
Divorce: Judaism has always accepted divorce as a fact of life, albeit an unfortunate one, and permits divorce for any reason, but discourages divorce. See also Marriage.
Dreidel: A top-like toy used to play a traditional Chanukah game. Play a Virtual Dreidel Game
Elokaynu: A substitute for a name of G-d. See The Name of G-d.
Elul (eh-LOOL): The sixth month of the Jewish year, a time of repentance in preparation for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. See also Months of the Jewish Year.
Ephraim: 1) Son of Joseph. Ancestor of one of the tribes of Israel; 2) The tribe that bears his name.
Esau: Son of Isaac; older twin brother of Jacob (Israel). He had little respect for the traditions of his ancestors, and sold his birthright for a bowl of lentil stew.
Essenes: A movement of Judaism that began approximately 2200 years ago. It died out shortly after the destruction of the Temple. See Movements of Judaism in Ancient Times.
Esther: One of the heroes of the story of Purim. Also, the book in the Bible that tells her story. See Purim; Torah.
Ethiopian Jews: The Jews of Ethiopia, whose customs and practices are somewhat different than those of Ashkenazic or Sephardic Jews. See Ashkenazic and Sephardic Jews.
Etrog (ET-rohg): A citrus fruit grown in Israel and other parts of the Mediterranean, used to fulfill the commandment to "rejoice before the L-rd" during Sukkot. See also Blessing over the Arba Minim.
Fast Days: Several Jewish holidays are fasts, upon which we may neither eat nor drink. See Yom Kippur; Tisha B'Av; Minor Fasts.
Festivals: See Jewish Holidays and pages following it, especially Passover, Shavu'ot and Sukkot.
Firstborn: If a woman's first child is a male child born by natural childbirth, then the child must be redeemed from a kohein (priest) by a procedure called Pidyon Ha-Ben. In addition, firstborn males must observe a special fast the day before Pesach (Passover), commemorating the fact that they were saved from the plague of the first born.
Food: See Jewish Cooking; Kashrut; Pesach (Passover) Cooking Tips.
Free Will: Humanity was created with a dual nature: an impulse to do what is right and a selfish (evil) impulse. Free will is the ability to choose which impulse to follow. See Human Nature - The Dual Nature.
Gad: 1) Son of Jacob (Israel). Ancestor of one of the tribes of Israel; 2) The tribe that bears his name.
G-d: A way to avoid writing a name of The Creator, to avoid the risk of the sin of erasing or defacing the Name. See The Name of G-d; The Nature of G-d.
Gefilte Fish (g'-FIL-tuh): Yiddish: lit. stuffed fish. A traditional Jewish dish consisting of a ball or cake of chopped up fish.
Gehinnom (g'hee-NOHM); Gehenna (g'HEHN-uh): A place of spiritual punishment and/or purification for a period of up to 12 months after death. Gehinnom is the Hebrew name; Gehenna is Yiddish.
Genealogy: Jews historically were not as interested in documenting their pedigrees as gentiles, but genealogy has become popular in recent years, and is necessary to prove Jewish status for those moving to Israel. If you're interestred in tracing your Jewish genealogy, this page will give you some ideas.
Gentiles: See Jewish Attitudes Toward Non-Jews; Non-Jews Visiting a Synagogue; A Gentile's Guide to the Jewish Holidays.
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.
Goy: Lit. nation. A non-Jew, that is, a member of one of the other nations. There is nothing inherently insulting about the term; the word "goy" is used in the Torah to describe Israel. See Jewish Attitudes Toward Non-Jews.
Grace After Meals: Referred to in Hebrew as Birkat Ha-Mazon. It is one of the most important prayers in Judaism, one of the very few that the Bible commands us to recite.
Grager (GREG-er; GRAG-er): A noisemaker used to blot out the name of Haman during the reading of the Megillah on Purim.
Haftarah (hahf-TOH-ruh): Lit. conclusion. A reading from the Prophets, read along with the weekly Torah portion. See Torah Readings.
Haggadah (huh-GAH-duh): The book read during the Passover Seder, telling the story of the holiday. See Pesach (Passover); Pesach Seder: How Is This Night Different.
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; A List of the 613 Mitzvot.
Hallel: Lit. praise G-d. Psalms 113-118, in praise of G-d, which are recited on certain holidays. See Jewish Liturgy.
Hamentaschen (HAH-men-TAH-shen): Lit. Haman's pockets. Triangular, fruit-filled cookies traditionally served or given as gifts during Purim. See Purim; Recipe for Hamentaschen.
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.
Havdalah (Hahv-DAH-luh): Lit. separation, division. A ritual marking the end of Shabbat or a holiday. See Havdalah Home Ritual.
Hebrew: The language of the Torah, in which all prayer should be recited. See Hebrew Alphabet; Hebrew Language: Root Words.
Hekhsher (HEHK-sher): A symbol certifying that food or other products satisfy Jewish dietary laws and are kosher.
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.
Holidays: Judaism has over a dozen holidays, ranging from deeply solemn fast days like Yom Kippur to all-out parties like Purim. See Jewish Holidays and pages following it.
Hoshanah Rabbah (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!).
Human Nature: Humanity is in the image of G-d, in that we have the ability to think, reason and understand. Humanity was created with a dual nature: an impulse to do what is right an a selfish (evil) impulse. Free will is the ability to choose which impulse to follow.
Image of G-d: Humanity was created in the image of G-d, which means we have the ability to reason and discern; however, G-d has no physical form or image. See The Nature of G-d.
Interfaith Marriage: Marriage to a non-Jew is not recognized as "marriage" in Jewish law. The increasing frequency of intermarriage is a source of great concern to traditional Jews. See also Marriage.
Isaac: Son and spiritual heir of Abraham. Father of Jacob (Israel). One of the three Patriarchs of Judaism.
Ishmael: Firstborn son of Abraham by Sarah's Egyptian maidservant, Hagar. According to both Muslim and Jewish tradition, he is the ancestor of the Arabs.
Israel: 1) The land that G-d promised to Abraham and his descendants. 2) The northern kingdom that was home to the "ten lost tribes." 3) Alternate name for Jacob. 4) A country in the Middle East located in the ancient homeland that has a predominantly Jewish population and government. It was founded on May 14, 1948 (5 Iyar 5708).
Issachar: 1) Son of Jacob (Israel). Ancestor of one of the tribes of Israel; 2) The tribe that bears his name.
Iyar (ee-YAHR): The second month of the Jewish year, occurring in April/May. See Months of the Jewish Year.
Jacob (Israel): Son of Isaac. Father of twelve sons, who represent the tribes of Judaism. One of the three Patriarchs of Judaism. He was given the name Jacob at birth (Gen. 25:26) and was later given the name Israel (Gen. 32:28) but both names are used in scripture and tradition.
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. Although the term is derived from the term "Judahite" (meaning a member of the tribe of Judah or a citizen of the kingdom of Judah), it has historically been applied to the patriarchs, the matriarchs and all of the descendants of Jacob and all converts to their faith. See Who Is a Jew?
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.
Joseph: Son of Jacob (Israel). Ancestor of two of the tribes of Israel. He was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, but became powerful in Egypt and paved the way for his family's settlement there.
Judah: 1) Son of Jacob (Israel). Ancestor of one of the tribes of Israel; 2) The tribe that bears his name; 3) The Southern Kingdom after the death of Solomon when Israel was split into two kingdoms; the Kingdom of Judah included the tribes of Judah, Benjamin and part of the tribe of Levi.
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. Full text of the Mourner's Kaddish is available.
Karaites (KAH-rah-ahyts): Lit. People of the Scripture. A sect of Judaism that, like the ancient Sadducees, does not accept the oral Torah, but relies solely on the written scriptures. By contrast, Rabbinical Judaism believes that G-d taught Moses an oral Torah at the same time that He gave the written one. The Karaites are now a very small sect, though they claim that at one time they attracted 40 percent of the Jewish population. See their website at Karaite Jews of America.
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 (commandment).
Ketubah (k'TOO-buh): Lit. writing. The Jewish marriage contract.
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.
Kislev: The ninth month of the Jewish year, occurring in November/December. See Months of the Jewish Year.
Kitniyot (kit-NEE-yot; kit-NEE-yos): Foods that are prohibited during Pesach (Passover) by the rulings of Ashkenazic rabbis. Sephardic Jews do not follow these restrictions. Includes rice, corn, peanuts, and legumes (beans).
Klezmer: A style of music in Yiddish culture normally characterized by wailing, squealing sounds of clarinets. See Yiddish Music.
Knish (KNISH): Yiddish. A potato and flour dumpling stuffed with potato and onion, chopped liver or cheese.
Kohein (pl. Kohanim) (KOH-hayn; koh-HAHN-eem): Priest. A descendant of Aaron, charged with performing various rites in the Temple. This is not the same thing as a rabbi.
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.
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.
Latkes (LAHT-kuhs; LAHT-kees): Potato pancakes traditionally eaten during Chanukah.
Leah (lay-AH): Wife of Jacob. Mother of six of his sons. Sister of Rachel. One of the Matriarchs of Judaism.
Leap Year (shah-NAH m'-oo-BEH-reht): A year with an extra month, to realign the Jewish lunar calendar with the solar year. See Jewish Calendar.
Levi (LAY-vee); Levite (LEE-vahyt): 1) A descendant of the tribe of Levi, which was set aside to perform certain duties in connection with the Temple; 2) Son of Jacob (Israel). Ancestor of the tribe of Levi.
Life: In Judaism, life is valued above almost all else, and almost any commandment can be violated to save a life.
Liturgy: Observant Jews pray three times a day, and Judaism has an extensive liturgy. See Prayers and Blessings; Jewish Liturgy; Yom Kippur Liturgy; Common Prayers and Blessings.
Love and Brotherhood: Laws are at the heart of Judaism, but a large part of Jewish law is about love and brotherhood, the relationship between man and his neighbors.
L-rd: A way of avoiding writing a name of G-d, to avoid the risk of the sin of erasing or defacing the Name. See The Name of G-d.
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. See also Blessing over the Arba Minim.
Maccabees: 1) A name for the family of heroes of the story of Chanukah, derived from the nickname of one of the sons, Judah the Maccabee. 2) Books telling the story of Chanukah that are found in some bibles but are not accepted as scripture by Jews.
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.
Mamzer (MAHM-zer): Lit. bastard. The child of a marriage that is prohibited and invalid under Jewish law, such as an incestuous union.
Manasseh: 1) Son of Joseph. Ancestor of one of the tribes of Israel; 2) The tribe that bears his name.
Marriage: Marriage is vitally important in Judaism, and refraining from marriage is considered unnatural. Marriage is not solely for the purpose of procreation, but is primarily for the purpose of love and companionship. See also Interfaith Marriages; Kosher Sex; Divorce.
Mashiach (mah-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.
Masoretes: From the Hebrew ???????? ??????????? (ba'alei ha-masorah), 'Masters of the Tradition'. Refers to scholars in the 5th through 10th centuries CE who compiled a system of markings for biblical texts that would ensure the correct pronunciation and chanting of the text. The markings are inserted into the text in ways that do not change the length of the text. See Hebrew Alphabet, Trop (Cantillation).
Matzah (pl. Matzot) (MAHTZ-uh; matz-OHT): Unleavened bread traditionally served during Passover.
Matzah Ball Soup: Thin chicken soup with dumplings made from matzah meal.
Mendele Moykher Sforim: Little Mendel the Bookseller. The pen name of Sholem Yankev Abramovitsch, one of the first great Yiddish fiction writers. See Yiddish Literature.
Menorah (m'-NAW-ruh; me-NOH-ruh): 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. See also Chanukah Candle Lighting Blessings; Ritual Items in the Synagogue.
Messiah: Anglicization of the Hebrew, "mashiach" (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. It is better to use the Hebrew term "mashiach" when speaking of the Jewish messiah, because the Jewish concept is very different from the Christian one.
Messianic Age: A period of global peace and prosperity that will be brought about by the messiah when he comes.
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. The procedure and prayers for affixing the mezuzah is available.
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.
Minhag (MIN-hahg): 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.
Minyan (MIN-yahn; MIN-yin): The quorum necessary to recite certain prayers, consisting of ten adult Jewish men. See Group Prayer.
Miriam: Older sister of Moses and Aaron, and a prophetess in her own right. She helped Moses and Aaron lead the Children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage.
Mishnah (MISH-nuh): An early written compilation of Jewish oral tradition, the basis of the Talmud.
Mitzvah (MITS-vuh); pl: Mitzvot (mits-VOHT): 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. See Halakhah: Jewish Law; A List of the 613 Mitzvot.
Mizrachi Jews (miz-RAHKH-khee) or Mizrachim (miz-rahkh-KHEEM): Jews from Northern Africa and the Middle East, and their descendants. Approximately half of the Jews of Israel are Mizrachi. See Ashkenazic and Sephardic Jews.
Mohel (Maw-y'l; rhymes with oil): Lit. circumciser. One who performs the ritual circumcision of an 8-day-old male Jewish child or of a convert to Judaism. See Brit Milah: Circumcision.
Mordecai (MOR-duh-khahy): One of the heroes of the story of Purim.
Moses: The greatest of all of the prophets, who saw all that all of the other prophets combined saw, and more. See also Prophets and Prophecy.
Mourning: Judaism has extensive mourning practices broken into several periods of decreasing intensity.
Movements: The denominations, branches or sects of Judaism, although the distinctions between Jewish movements are not as great as those between Christian denominations.
Mysticism: Mysticism and mystical experiences have been a part of Judaism since the earliest days, but specific beliefs in this area are open to personal interpretation.
Nachman of Breslov: An 18th century Chasidic tzaddik and founder of the Breslover Chasidic sect.
Nachmanides: Rabbi Moshe ben Nachman, one of the greatest medieval Jewish scholars. Commonly referred to by the acronym 'Ramban'.
Name of G-d: Judaism has a wide variety of names for the Creator; however, these names are not casually written down because of the risk that someone might destroy the writing, an act of disrespect for G-d and His Name.
Names: Jewish children are ordinarily given a formal Hebrew name to be used for religious purposes. See Naming a Child, Jewish Names. See also Name of G-d.
Naphtali: 1) Son of Jacob (Israel). Ancestor of one of the tribes of Israel; 2) The tribe that bears his name.
Nation: Throughout this site, the term "nation" is used in the classical sense, meaning a group of people with a shared history and a sense of a group identity. As the term is used in this site, a nation is not necessarily a territorial or political entity. When referring to a territorial or political entity, this site uses the term "country" or "state." The Jewish People are considered to be a nation, contrasted with the other nations of the world. See The Jews Are a Nation or a People.
Niddah (nee-DAH): The separation of husband and wife during the woman's menstrual period. Also refers to a woman so separated. Also referred to as taharat ha-mishpachah or family purity.
Nissan: The first month of the Jewish year, occurring in March/April. This is the month when Pesach (Passover) occurs. See Months of the Jewish Year; Pesach (Passover).
Noahic Commandments: Seven commandments given to Noah after the flood, which are binding on both non-Jews and Jews.
Numbers: In Hebrew, all letters have a numerical value, and numbers are written using letters. See Numerical Values of Words.
Offerings: Jewish practices of sacrifices and offerings were extensive in ancient times, but have not been practiced since our Temple was destroyed, because we are not permitted to bring offerings anywhere else.
Omer (OH-mayr): A unit of measure, often translated as "sheaf." The period between Passover and Shavu'ot is known as the Omer period, because we count the days from the time that the first omer of barley was brought to the Temple. 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., when they began to be written down in what became the Talmud.
Original Sin: Judaism completely rejects the doctrine of original sin. See Birth; The Dual Nature.
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. To find this week's portion, check the Current Calendar.
Passover: Holiday commemorating the Exodus from Egypt. The holiday also marks the beginning of the harvest season. It is sometimes called Pesach (the Hebrew version of the name), Chag he-Aviv (the Spring Festival), Chag ha-Matzot (the Festival of Matzahs or Unleaened Bread), and Z'man Cheiruteinu (the Time of Our Freedom).
Patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The forefathers of Judaism.
Pesach (PEH-sahkh, PAY-sahkh): Lit. exemption.1) Known in English as Passover, one of the Shalosh R'galim (three pilgrimage festivals), a holiday commemorating the Exodus from Egypt, . The holiday also marks the beginning of the harvest season. It is sometimes called Chag he-Aviv (the Spring Festival), Chag ha-Matzot (the Festival of Matzahs), and Z'man Cheiruteinu (the Time of Our Freedom).
2) The paschal lamb that, in Temple times, was sacrificed on this holiday.
Pharisees (PHAR-i-sees): A movement of Judaism that began approximately 2200 years ago. 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.
Points: Marks used to indicate vowels and other pronunciation tips in certain Hebrew texts. Texts with such marks are referred to as "pointed texts."
Polygamy: In Biblical times, a man was permitted to marry more than one wife, but this was never common. A woman could never marry more than one man. Around 1000 C.E., Ashkenazic Jewry banned polygamy, but it continued to be permitted for Sephardic Jews. Polygamy is not permitted in the state of Israel. See Marriage - The Marital Relationship
Population: There are approximately 13-14 million Jews in the world. For details and links to population resources, see Jewish Population.
Prayer: Prayer is a central part of Jewish life. Observant Jews pray three times daily and say blessings over just about every day-to-day activity. See Prayers and Blessings; Jewish Liturgy; Common Prayers and Blessings.
Priest: A descendant of Aaron, charged with performing various rites in the Temple. This is not the same thing as a rabbi. See Kohein.
Promised Land: The land of Israel, which G-d promised to Abraham and his descendants.
Pronunciation: Historically, Ashkenazic Jews have had a somewhat different pronunciation of certain Hebrew letters than Sephardic Jews; however, the Sephardic pronunciation is becoming predominant because it is the one used in Israel. See Hebrew Alphabet.
Prophets (n'-vee-EEM): 1) A spokesman for G-d, chosen to convey a message or teaching. Prophets were role models of holiness, scholarship and closeness to G-d; 2) A section of Jewish scripture containing the writings of the Prophets.
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 or PUSH-kee or PISH-kuh or PISH-kee): Yiddish, from the Polish word puszka, which means tin can. A box in the home or the synagogue used to collect money for donation to the poor. See Tzedakah: Charity.
Rabbi (RA-bahy): A religious teacher and person authorized to make decisions on issues of Jewish law. Also performs many of the same functions as a Protestant minister. When I speak generally of things that were said or decided by "the rabbis," I am speaking of matters that have been generally agreed upon by authoritative Jewish scholars over the centuries.
Rabbinical Judaism (ruh-BIN-i-kul): A general term encompassing all movements of Judaism descended from Pharisaic Judaism; that is, virtually all movements in existence today.
Rachel (rah-KHAYL): Favorite wife of Jacob. Mother of Joseph and Benjamin. One of the Matriarchs of Judaism.
Rambam (RAHM-bahm): Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon, one of the greatest medieval Jewish scholars. "Rambam" is an acronym (RMBM). Better known to the secular world as Maimonides.
Rashi (RAH-shee): Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki, one of the greatest medieval Jewish scholars.
Rashi Script: A style of writing used to distinguish commentary from the text it comments upon. Named for Rashi, the greatest commentator.
Rebbe (REHB-bee): Usu. translated Grand Rabbi. The leader of a Chasidic community, often believed to have special, mystical power. When Lubavitcher Chasidim speak of "The Rebbe," they are referring to Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson.
Rebecca (reev-KAH): Wife of Isaac. Mother of Jacob and Esau. One of the Matriarchs of Judaism.
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): The 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. See Movements of Judaism in the United States Today.
Resurrection: Belief in the eventual resurrection of the dead is a fundamental belief of traditional Judaism.
Reuben: 1) Son of Jacob (Israel). Ancestor of one of the tribes of Israel; 2) The tribe that bears his name.
Root Word: A set of (usually) three consonants that conveys the central meaning of a Hebrew word. Prefixes, suffixes and vowels added to the root clarify the precise meaning.
Rosh Chodesh (ROHSH CHOH-desh): Lit. head of the month. The first day of a month, on which the first sliver of the new moon appears. It is a minor festival today, though it was a more significant festival in ancient times. See also Jewish Calendar; The Jewish Calendar: A Closer Look.
Rosh Hashanah (ROHSH hah shah-NAH; RUSH-uh SHAH-nuh): Lit. first of the year. The new year for the purpose of counting years. It is one of the holiest festivals of the year, renewing the crowning of G-d as king of time and space (melekh ha-olam) with celebration and blasts of the shofar (a ram's horn trumpet). Sabbatical (Shemittah) and Jubilee years begin at this time and are counted based on this date.
Sabbath: A day of rest and spiritual enrichment. See Shabbat; Shabbat Evening Home Ritual; Havdalah Home Ritual.
Sacrifice: Jewish practices of sacrifices and offerings were extensive in ancient times, but have not been practiced since our Temple was destroyed, because we are not permitted to bring offerings anywhere else.
Sadducees (SAD-yoo-sees): A movement of Judaism that began approximately 2200 years ago. It died out shortly after the destruction of the Temple.
Sages: Refers generally to the greatest Jewish minds of all times. See Sages and Scholars.
Sanhedrin (sahn-HEE-drin): The "Supreme Court" of the ancient Jewish state, in the tradition established in Exodus chapter 18. According to tradition, the Oral Torah was given to Moses and passed on a continuous line to Joshua, then to the elders, then to the prophets then to the Sanhedrin. It decided difficult cases and cases of capital punishment. It also fixed the calendar, taking testimony to determine when a new month began.
Sarah (sah-RAH): Wife of Abraham. Originally known as Sarai. Mother of Isaac. One of the Matriarchs of Judaism.
Scriptures: The Jewish Bible, also referred to as the Tanakh. More or less corresponds to what non-Jews call the "Old Testament." See Torah.
Second Day of Holidays: An extra day is added to many holidays because in ancient times, there was doubt as to which day was the correct day.
Seder (SAY-d'r): Lit. order. 1) The family home ritual conducted as part of the Passover observance. 2) A division of the Mishnah and Talmud. See Pesach (Passover) and Pesach Seder: How Is This Night Different.
Sefirot (se-fee-ROHT): Lit. emanations. In Jewish mysticism, the emanations from G-d's essence that interact with the universe.
Sephardic Jews (s'-FAHR-dic) or Sephardim (seh-fahr-DEEM): Jews from Spain, Portugal, North Africa and the Middle East and their descendants, who are culturally different from Jews with origins in other parts of the world. Jews from North Africa and the Middle East are often described separately as Mizrachi Jews.
Services: Observant Jews pray three times a day in formal worship services. See Jewish Liturgy, Yom Kippur Liturgy, Synagogues, Shuls and Temples.
Sex: Sex is not shameful, sinful or obscene. It is not solely for the purpose of procreation. When sexual desire is satisfied between a husband and wife at the proper time, out of mutual love and desire, sex is a mitzvah. See also Marriage.
Shabbat (shah-BAHT; SHAH-bis): Lit. end, cease, rest. The Jewish Sabbath, a day of rest and spiritual enrichment. See also Shabbat Evening Home Ritual; Havdalah Home Ritual.
Shabbat Ha-Chodesh (shah-BAHT hah-CHOH-desh): The sabbath on which we read Parshat Ha-Chodesh, one of the Four Parshiyot, special Torah readings added to the weekly cycle of readings during the month before Pesach (Passover). Parshat Ha-Chodesh establishes the Hebrew calendar.
Shabbat Ha-Gadol (shah-BAHT hah-gah-DOHL): Lit. The Great Sabbath. The sabbath before Pesach (Passover). A special Haftarah reading regarding the End of Days and the return of the prophet Elijah is read.
Shabbat Hazon (shah-BAHT hah-ZOHN): Lit. The Sabbath of Vision. The sabbath before Tisha B'Av, a fast mourning the destruction of the Temple. A special Haftarah reading regarding Isaiah's vision of the Temple's destruction is read.
Shabbat Mevarekhim: Lit. Sabbath of Blessing. The Shabbat before Rosh Chodesh (the beginning of the new month) when the prayer leader at services recites a blessing praying that the new month will be a good one.
Shabbat Nachamu (shah-BAHT NAH-chah-moo): Lit. The Sabbath of Consolation. The sabbath after Tisha B'Av, a fast mourning the destruction of the Temple. On this week and the six following weeks, special Haftarah readings of consolation for the loss of the Temple are read.
Shabbat Parah (shah-BAHT pah-RAH): The sabbath on which we read Parshat Parah, one of the Four Parshiyot, special Torah readings added to the weekly cycle of readings during the month before Pesach (Passover). Parshat Parah explains the procedure for the offering of the Red Heifer (Parah Adumah), a ritual of purification.
Shabbat Sheqalim (shah-BAHT sh'-kah-LEEM): The sabbath on which we read Parshat Sheqalim, one of the Four Parshiyot, special Torah readings added to the weekly cycle of readings during the month before Pesach (Passover). Parshat Sheqalim discusses the census conducted through donations of a half-shekel coin.
Shabbat Shirah (shah-BAHT SHEE-rah): Lit. The Sabbath of the Song. The sabbath when we read Parshat Beshalach as part of our regular weekly Torah readings. Parshat Beshalach contains the Song at the Sea, one of the ten true Songs in history.
Shabbat Shuvah (shah-BAHT SHOO-vah): The sabbath between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Special Haftarah readings regarding repentance and Divine mercy are read.
Shabbat Zakhor (shah-BAHT zah-KHAWR): The sabbath on which we read Parshat Zakhor, one of the Four Parshiyot, special Torah readings added to the weekly cycle of readings during the month before Pesach (Passover). Parshat Zakhor contains the commandment regarding the tribe of Amalek.
Shalom Aleikhem (shah-LOHM ah-ley-KHEM; SHOH-lehm ah-LEH-khem): Hebrew and Yiddish. Peace upon you. A traditional greeting. Also the pen name of a Yiddish author, best known for a collection of short stories that was the basis for the musical Fiddler on the Roof. The traditional response to the greeting is Aleikhem Shalom (and upon you, peace). See Common Expressions and Greetings; Yiddish Literature.
Shalosh R'galim (shah-LOHSH ri-GAH-leem): Lit. three feet or three times. A collective term for the three biblical pilgrimage festivals: Pesach (Passover), Shavu'ot and Sukkot. In the days of the Temple, Jews from around the world made pilgrimages to Jerusalem to make offerings in the Temple in honor of these holidays.
Shavu'ot (shuh-VOO-oht; shah-VOO-uhs): Lit. weeks. One of the Shalosh R'galim (three pilgrimage festivals), 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 also Jewish Liturgy; Signs and Symbols.
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.
Shevat: The eleventh month of the Jewish year, occurring in January/February. See Months of the Jewish Year.
Shofar (sho-FAHR): A ram's horn, blown like a trumpet as a call to repentance. See Rosh Hashanah; Rosh Chodesh.
Siddur (SID-r (sounds like "sitter"); sid-AWR (sounds like "see door")): Lit. order. Prayer book, which shows the prayers in the order that they will be prayed. See Jewish Liturgy.
Sidrah (SID-ruh): Lit. order. A weekly Torah portion read in synagogue.
Simchat Torah (SIM-khat TOH-ruh): Lit. rejoicing in the law. A holiday celebrating the end and beginning of the cycle of weekly Torah readings.
Simeon: 1) Son of Jacob (Israel). Ancestor of one of the tribes of Israel; 2) The tribe that bears his name.
Sivan (see-VAHN): The third month of the Jewish year, occurring in May/June. See Months of the Jewish Year.
Speech: For information about the power of speech and sins committed through speech, see Speech and Lashon Ha-Ra. For information about pronouncing the Name of G-d, see The Name of G-d.
STA"M: A type style used in writing the Hebrew Alphabet, distinguished by crowns on certain letters. Used in Sifrei Torah, Tefillin and Mezuzot.
Sukkah (SUK-uh): Lit. booth. The temporary dwellings we live in during the holiday of Sukkot. See also Blessing for Dwelling in the Sukkah.
Sukkot (soo-KOHT; SUK-uhs): Lit. booths. One of the Shalosh R'galim (three pilgrimage festivals). A festival commemorating the wandering in the desert and the final harvest. Also known as the Feast of Tabernacles or the Festival of Ingathering. See also Sukkot Blessings.
Synagogue (SIN-uh-gahg): From a Greek root meaning "assembly." The most widely accepted term for a Jewish house of worship. The Jewish equivalent of a church, mosque or temple.
Takkanah (t'-KAH-nuh): A law instituted by the rabbis and not derived from any biblical commandment.
Tallit (tah-LEET; TAH-lis): A shawl-like garment worn during morning services, with tzitzit (long fringes) attached to the corners as a reminder of the commandments. Sometimes called a prayer shawl.
Talmud (TAHL-mud): The most significant collection of the Jewish oral tradition interpreting the Torah.
Tammuz: The fourth month of the Jewish year, occurring in June/July. See Months of the Jewish Year.
Tanakh (tuh-NAHKH): Acronym of Torah (Law), Nevi'im (Prophets) and Ketuvim (Writings). Written Torah, the three sections of the Jewish Bible, what gentiles call the Old Testament.
Tefilah (t'-FEE-luh): Prayer. Sometimes refers specifically to the Shemoneh Esrei prayer. See Prayers and Blessings; Jewish Liturgy; Common Prayers and Blessings.
Tefillin (t'-FIL-lin): Phylacteries. Leather pouches containing scrolls with passages of scripture, strapped to the arm and the forehead during weekday morning services, to fulfill the commandment to bind the commandments to our hands and between our eyes (Deut. 6:8, 6:18).
Tekufah (Tekufot, Tekufat): An astronomical turning point (equinox or solstice), or the season associated with that turning point. They are named for the month in which they usually occur: tekufat Nissan (spring equinox), tekufat Tammuz (summer solstice), tekufat Tishri (fall equinox) and tekufat Tevet (winter solstice).
Temple: 1) The central place of worship in ancient Jerusalem, where sacrifices were offered, destroyed in 70 C.E. 2) The term commonly used for houses of worship within the Reform movement.
Tevet: The tenth month of the Jewish year, occurring in December/January. See Months of the Jewish Year.
The Jewish People: Another name for the Children of Israel. It is a reference to the Jews as a nation in the classical sense, meaning a group of people with a shared history and a sense of a group identity rather than a territorial and political entity. See The Jews Are a Nation or a People.
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.
Tishri: The seventh month of the Jewish year, during which many important holidays occur. See also Months of the Jewish Year.
Tombstone: Jewish law requires that a tombstone be prepared, so that the deceased will not be forgotten and the grave will not be desecrated.
Torah (TOH-ruh): In its narrowest sense, Torah the first five books of the Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy, sometimes called the Pentateuch or the Five Books of Moses. In its broadest sense, Torah is the entire body of Jewish teachings.
Torah Readings: Each week, a different portion of the Torah and the Prophets are read in synagogue.
Torah Scroll: The Torah (first five books of the Bible) that is read in synagogue is written on parchment on scrolls.
Transliteration: The process of writing Hebrew using the Roman (English) alphabet. More an art than a science. See also Yiddish Transliteration, which is somewhat more standardized.
Trop (rhymes with cup or cope): Cantillation. The distinctive melodies used for chanting readings from the Torah and Haftarah. Also refers to the individual notations used to indicate the melody for a particular word or phrase, or more broadly to the entire system of notation. Referred to in Hebrew as ta'amim or ta'amei ha-miqra. See also Torah Readings.
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.
Tzitzit (tsee-TZEET; TSI-tsit): Fringes attached to the corners of garments as a reminder of the commandments.
Wedding: See Marriage; A Typical Wedding Ceremony.
Western Wall: The western retaining wall of the ancient Temple in Jerusalem, which is as close to the site of the original Sanctuary as Jews can go today. Commonly known as the Wailing Wall. Known in Hebrew as the Kotel (Wall).
Women: In traditional Judaism, women are for the most part seen as separate but equal. Women's obligations and responsibilities are different from men's, but no less important. See also Marriage.
Work: Activities involving creation or exercise of control over the environment, which are prohibited on Shabbat and certain holidays.
World to Come: 1) The messianic age; 2) the spiritual world that souls go to after death.
Writings: A section of Jewish scripture containing various writings.
Written Torah (TOH-ruh): The scriptures that non-Jews call the Old Testament, that Jews often call the Tanakh (TNK). It includes the Torah (T, the first five books of Moses), the books of the Prophets (N, Nevi'im) and the Writings (K, Ketuvim). This is contrasted with Oral Torah, the traditions interpreting the written Torah that were not written down until later days.
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 head covering worn by Jews during services, and by some Jews at all times.
Yemenite Jews: The Jews of the Middle Eastern country of Yemen, whose customs and practices are somewhat different than those of Ashkenazic or Sephardic Jews. See Ashkenazic and Sephardic Jews.
Yetzer Ha-Ra (YAY-tser ha-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; Kosher Sex.
Yiddish (YID-ish): The "international language" of Ashkenazic Jews, based primarily on German with words taken from Hebrew and many other 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 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.
Yontiff (YAHN-tiff): Yiddish, from the Hebrew Yom Tov. Holiday. The Hebrew literally means "good day," but the word "Yontiff" is only used to refer to holidays, not to plain old ordinary good days or even to Shabbat. See Jewish Holidays and specific holidays listed under it.
Zebach Sh'lamim (zeh-BAKH shlah-MEEM): Lit. peace offering. A type of sacrifice expressing thanks or gratitude.
Zebulun: 1) Son of Jacob (Israel). Ancestor of one of the tribes of Israel; 2) The tribe that bears his name.
Zilpah (zeel-PAH): Maidservant and half-sister to Leah, later concubine to Jacob, mother of Jacob's sons Gad and Asher.
Zionism (ZAHY-uhn-ism): A political movement to create and maintain a Jewish state. The word is derived from Zion, another name for Jerusalem.

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