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Beit Din (BAYT DIN)

Lit. house of judgment. A rabbinical court made up of three rabbis who resolve business disputes under Jewish law and determine whether a prospective convert is ready for conversion.

Berurya

A woman of great learning, and the wife of Rabbi Meir. The Talmud records several instances where her opinions on Jewish Law were accepted over those of her male contemporaries. See The Role of Women.

Caro, Rabbi Joseph

Author of the Shulchan Arukh, the last of the great medieval codes of Jewish law, and one of the most respected compilations of Jewish law ever written.

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.

D'Rabbanan (d'-rah-bah-NAHN)

A law instituted by the rabbis. Distinguished from d'oraita, laws

Gezeirah (g'-ZAY-ruh)

A law instituted by the rabbis to prevent people from unintentionally violating commandments.

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.

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.

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.

Machmir (makh-MEER)

Strict application of Jewish law in cases of doubt. When there is a doubt in a matter of Torah law, you must be machmir (strict); when there is a doubt in a matter of rabbinic law, you may be makil (lenient). See The Difference Between Torah Law and Rabbinic Law

Makil (mah-KEEL)

Lenient application of Jewish law in cases of doubt. When there is a doubt in a matter of Torah law, you must be machmir (strict); when there is a doubt in a matter of rabbinic law, you may be makil (lenient). See The Difference Between Torah Law and Rabbinic Law

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.

Responsa

Answers to specific questions of Jewish law, written by the most respected rabbis of their time.

Safek (sah-FEHK)

Doubt or uncertainty in a matter of Jewish law. When there is safek in a matter of Torah law, you must be machmir (strict); when there is safek in a matter of rabbinic law, you may be makil (lenient). See The Difference Between Torah Law and Rabbinic Law.

Semikhah (s'-MIKH-uh)

Essentially, a rabbinical degree, authorizing a person to answer questions and resolve disputes regarding Jewish law.

Shammai (SHAH-mahy)

One of the great rabbis of the Talmud. His stricter views of Jewish law are often contrasted with those of Hillel.

Takkanah (t'-KAH-nuh)

A law instituted by the rabbis and not derived from any biblical commandment.