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Kavod Ha-Met (kuh-VOHD hah MAYT): Lit. respect for the dead. One of the purposes of Jewish practices relating to death and mourning.
Lag b'Omer (LAHG BOH-mayr): The 33rd day of the Counting of the Omer. A minor holiday on which the mourning restrictions of the Omer period are lifted.
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.

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A Gentile's Guide to the Jewish Holidays: Provides a basic, minimal awareness of the holidays most commonly observed by American Jews and the accommodations that Jews may require for these holidays.
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.

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Beards: Traditionally, Jewish men wore full beards and long sideburns called in Hebrew peyot (pay-OHT) to observe the commandment in Lev. 19:27 not to round the corners of your head or mar the corners of your beard. There are points of Jewish law that allow some shaving, so you may see Orthodox Jews without full beards or peyot. Chasidic Jews do not follow this leniency. This subject has not yet been addressed in a page.
Chametz (KHUH-mitz): Lit. leaven. Leavened grain products, which may not be owned or consumed during Passover.
Chazal: Acronym of the Hebrew phrase Chachameinu Zichronam Liv'racha, which means "our sages of blessed memory" or "our sages, may their memory be a blessing." Refers to the consensus of opinion expressed in the Talmud, or more generally the consensus of Jewish scholarship.
Chazzan (KHAH-zen; khah-ZAHN): Cantor. The person who leads the congregation in prayer. May be a professional or a member of the congregation.
Fast Days: Several Jewish holidays are fasts, upon which we may neither eat nor drink. See Yom Kippur; Tisha B'Av; Minor Fasts.
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.
Kavod Ha-Met (kuh-VOHD hah MAYT): Lit. respect for the dead. One of the purposes of Jewish practices relating to death and mourning.
Lag b'Omer (LAHG BOH-mayr): The 33rd day of the Counting of the Omer. A minor holiday on which the mourning restrictions of the Omer period are lifted.
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
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.
Peyot (pay-OHT): From the phrase Peyot ha-Rosh, meaning Corners of the Head. Traditionally, Jewish men wore long sideburns called in Hebrew peyot (pay-OHT) and full beards to observe the commandment in Lev. 19:27 not to round the corners of your head or mar the corners of your beard. There are points of Jewish law that allow some shaving, so you may see Orthodox Jews without full beards or peyot. Chasidic Jews do not follow this leniency. This subject has not yet been addressed in a page.
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.
Sivan (see-VAHN): The third month of the Jewish year, occurring in May/June. See Months of the Jewish Year.
Tallit Katan (TAH-lit kuh-TAHN): Lit. small tallit. A four-cornered, poncho-like garment worn under a shirt so that we may have the opportunity to fulfill the commandment to put tzitzit (fringes) on the corners of our garments.
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.
Yizkor (YIZ-kawr): Lit. may He remember... Prayers said on certain holidays in honor of deceased close relatives. See Mourning.

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