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Se'udat Havra'ah

Lit. the meal of condolence. The first meal that a family eats after the burial of a relative, prepared by a neighbor. See Mourning.

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.

Aleinu (ah-LAY-noo)

A prayer recited at or near the end of every prayer service. See Jewish Liturgy.

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.

Amud (ah-MOOD)

A lower lectern found in some synagogues. Not to be confused with the bimah, which is the primary podium from which the Torah is read. See Synagogues, Shuls and Temples.

Aron Kodesh (AH-rohn KOH-desh)

Lit. holy chest. The cabinet where the Torah scrolls are kept. See Ritual Items in the Synagogue.

Asham (ah-SHAHM)

A guilt offering. A type of sacrifice used to atone for sins of stealing things from the altar, for when you are not sure whether you have committed a sin or what sin you have committed, or for breach of trust.

Ashkenazic Jews (ahsh-ken-AH-zik) or Ashkenazim (ahsh-ken-ah-ZEEM)

Jews from eastern France, Germany and Eastern Europe, and their descendants. Most Jews in America are Ashkenazic.

Ashkenazic Pronunciation (ahsh-ken-AH-zik)

Historically, Ashkenazic Jews pronounced some Hebrew sounds differently than Sephardic Jews. 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.

B'nei Noach (b'NEHY NOH-ahkh)

A movement of non-Jews who have consciously accepted the responsibility of following the Seven Laws of Noah.

Chag Sameach (KHAHG sah-MEHY-ahkh)

Hebrew. Literally, joyous festival. A greeting for any holiday, but especially Sukkot, Shavu'ot and Pesach (Passover). See Common Expressions and Greetings.

Chanukkiah (KHAH-noo-KEE-ah)

A name sometimes use for a Chanukkah menorah.

D'Oraita (d'awr-AHY-tah)

A law that comes come directly from the Torah (either explicitly or implicitly). Distinguished from d'rabbanan, laws instituted by the rabbis.

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.

Knaydelach (KNAY-duhl-ahkh)

Yiddish: dumplings. Commonly refers to matzah balls. Can also be used as a term of affection for small children. See Jewish Cooking.

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.

Mitzvot Aseh (mits-VOHT ah-SEH)

Commandments to do something, such as the commandment to honor your mother and father. In English, these are called positive commandments.

Mitzvot Lo Ta'aseh (mits-VOHT loh tah-ah-SEH)

Commandments not to do something, such as the commandment not to murder. In English, these are called negative commandments.

Parah Adumah (Pahr-AH ah-doo-MAH)

Lit. red heifer. An animal used as an offering in an unusual and mysterious ritual to purify from the defilement of contact with the dead.

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.

Se'udat Havra'ah

Lit. the meal of condolence. The first meal that a family eats after the burial of a relative, prepared by a neighbor. See Mourning.

Shavua Tov (shah-VOO-ah TOHV)

Hebrew. Literally, good week. A greeting exchanged at the end of Shabbat. See Common Expressions and Greetings.

Shemini Atzeret (sh'MEE-nee aht-ZE-ret)

Lit. the eighth (day) of assembly. The day (or two days) after Sukkot.

Shulchan Arukh (SHUL-khahn AH-rukh)

A code of Jewish law written by Joseph Caro in the 16th century. The last of the great medieval codes of Jewish law, and one of the most respected compilations of Jewish law ever written.

Tanakh (tuhn-AHKH)

Acronym of Torah (Law), Nevi'im (Prophets) and Ketuvim (Writings). Written Torah; what non-Jews call the Old Testament.

Yasher koach (YAH-shehyr KOH-ahkh)

Hebrew. Literally, straight strength. Figuratively, may you have strength, or may your strength be increased. A way of congratulating someone for performing a mitzvah or other good deed. See Common Expressions and Greetings.

Yom Ha-Atzma'ut (YOHM hah ahts-mah-OOT)

Israeli Independence Day.

Yom Ha-Shoah (YOHM hah shoh-AH)

Holocaust Remembrance Day.