| Term
|
Translation
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Admor (ADM"R)
|
abbreviation of the Hebrew "Adoneinu Moreinu veRabbenu," title used for a Khassidic leader or
"rebbe"
|
|
Aggadah |
literally means "legend" but more generally applied to the non legalistic teachings of the
Talmud |
|
Agudat Yisrael |
ultra orthodox political party which was founded in the twentieth century in Eastern
Europe |
|
Aliyah |
emigration to Israel |
|
Ashkenazim |
Jews of European descent |
|
Av Beit Din (ABD) |
head or chief of rabbinical court; the position was usually synonymous with
chief Rabbi of a town. |
|
Avreich
|
newly-married and/or yeshiva student
|
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Bachur
|
unmarried
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Bachur Hatan
|
engaged to be married
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bat
|
daughter of
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Beit Din
|
a rabbinical court comprised of three rabbis
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Beit HaMidrash
|
house of study; often served also as a synagogue
|
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ben, bar
|
son of
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B"H
|
Boruch Hashem, blessed be the Name
(literally), used as a sign of piety normally at the beginning of
a correspondence (F2)
|
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Brit
Mila (Bris Mila)
|
circumcision
|
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Chabad (pronounced Khabad)
|
a Khassidic movement, synonymous with "Lubavitch" founded in the late eighteenth century by Shneour Zalmen of Liadi, later centered in the Byelorussian town
Lubavitch; currently one of the largest Khassidic groups, centered in New York Opposed by the followers of the Gaon of
Vilna
|
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Chevra Kaddisha
|
(see Khevra Kaddisha)
|
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Dayan
|
rabbi who is judge in a rabbinical court
|
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Eretz Yisrael
|
Hebrew for "The Land of Israel"; the Holy land prior to the establishment of the State of Israel in
1948; often referred to as
"Palestine"
|
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Erev
|
the day preceding the Sabbath or a Jewish festival; usually refers to the evening period before sunset when the Sabbath or festival
commences
|
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Gabbai
|
an official of an
organization such as a Khevra Kaddisha or a synagogue
|
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Gadol, HaGadol
|
great, the great
|
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Galut (Golus)
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(see Golah)
|
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Gaon
|
Hebrew for "genius"; the title applied particularly to the Gaon of Vilna who is referred to simply as "The
Gaon"; the term is applied to great rabbis to a lesser or greater extent at various stages of Jewish
history
|
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Gmakh
|
a mutual aid society which lends money discreetly for short periods without
interest
|
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Golah
|
the Diaspora, or Exile; a term used by Jews to refer to all countries outside
Israel
|
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Gvir
|
wealthy man
|
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HaBetula
|
maiden, unmarried female
|
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HaKala
|
engaged to be married, female
|
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HaKohen
|
the Kohen (see Kohen)
|
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Halakhah
|
general term which encompasses all codes of Jewish religious law
|
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HaLevi
|
the Levi (see Levi)
|
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Hapoel Hamizrakhi
|
the labor faction of the religious Zionist party that believes in simultaneous support of the State of Israel and of Jewish religious
law
|
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HaRav
|
the rabbi (see Rabbi)
|
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Haskalah
|
a movement among Jews similar to the Enlightenment in
Europe during the eighteenth century (F2)
|
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HaZekeina
|
old lady
|
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HaZakein
|
old man
|
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Harif (Charif)
|
Hebrew term meaning "sharp one"; a rabbinical
appellation
|
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Ilui
|
child genius, many times with the name of his town added
|
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Kabbalah
|
Jewish mystical teachings whose primary text is the Zohar which is believed to be of Divine
origin
|
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Kaddish
|
a prayer recited periodically throughout all public religious
services; requires a Minyan; a mourner is obligated to recite the Kaddish during the period of mourning following the death of a close relative, and on the annual anniversary of the
death
|
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Kadosh
|
holy
|
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Kahal
|
community, the Jewish civil
organization which administered the law under the authority of the Government during most of the Tsarist period in the Russian
Empire
|
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Kashrut (Kashrus)
|
the religious requirements with which all food must comply; these includes prohibition of certain living creatures
(eg, pig, shrimp) and the separation between foods containing or utensils in contact with milk or
meat
|
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Khabad
|
(see Chabad)
|
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Khakham (Chacham) pl Khakhmei, Khakhamim
|
wise person, sage
|
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Khalukah (Chalukah)
|
funds collected in Europe during the 19th century for the purpose of supporting the communities that lived in Eretz
Yisrael
|
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Khassidim (Chassidim)
|
followers of the movement founded by the Baal Shem Tov and his successors;
opposed by the followers of the Gaon of Vilna
|
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Khazan (SH"TS) (Chazan)
|
a cantor, leader of liturgical prayer in the synagogue
|
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Kheder (Cheder)
|
elementary school for small children; the curriculum is almost exclusively religious
studies
|
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Kherem (Cherem)
|
excommunication; a rabbinic act which ostracized Jews who were accused of religious
transgression; used against the Khassidim by the followers of the Gaon of Vilna
|
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Khevra Bikur Kholim
|
society for visiting the sick
|
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Khevra Hakhnasat Kalla
|
society for collecting dowries for poor brides
|
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Khevra Kaddisha (Chevra Kaddisha)
|
Hebrew for "Holy Society"; a voluntary organization whose members are dedicated to performing the last rites for the dead, including ritual purification, burial, memorial prayers and maintenance of
cemeteries; records maintained by such societies are often a valuable genealogical
source
|
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Khevra T'hillim
|
Psalm society
|
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Khevra Tnak'h
|
Bible society
|
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Kiddush
|
the prayer for the sanctification of the wine which takes place on the Sabbath and
festivals; also used to refer to the repast which accompanies the
prayer
|
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Kiddush HaShem
|
"for the sanctification of G-d's name"
|
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Kohen (Cohen)
|
one of the three tribal divisions of the Jewish people, stemming from Biblical
times. The Kohen, descended from Aharon, was the priest who served in the Temple in
Jerusalem Since the destruction of the Second Temple by the Romans, most of the functions of the Kohen have
lapsed. The Kohen is still
honored by certain privileges in the synagogue and performs certain religious
duties. He is also prohibited from contact with a dead body Descent passes through the male
line
|
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Kollel
|
1) post graduate Yeshivah
2) an organization which functioned mainly in the 19th century in Eretz Yisrael to manage the finances and institutions of groups of immigrants who shared a common origin in a particular European town or
region
|
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Kosher
|
(see Kashrut)
|
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K"TZ (Ka"tz)
|
abbreviation of Kohen Tzedek (see Kohen)
|
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Levi
|
a descendant of the Biblical tribe of Levi who performed specific tasks as an assistant to the Kohen in the Temple in
Jerusalem. Since the destruction of the Temple, the Leviim retain few functions, except for certain synagogue
privileges. A person who was neither a Kohen nor a Levi, belonged to the general tribal classification of
"Yisrael."
|
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Maggid
Meisharim (M"M)
|
a preacher who often served in small towns which could not support a full time
rabbi
Certain Maggidim were particularly renowned for their oratory
|
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Maggid Shiur
|
a functionary in a Yeshiva who delivers a regular Shiur to the students, usually on a fixed
topic
|
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Mashgiakh
|
1) a supervisor of Kashrut
2) official in a Yeshivah responsible for the conduct of the students
|
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Mashiakh
|
Hebrew for the Messiah
|
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Maskil
|
very learned, also in secular subjects
|
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Melamed
|
teacher in a Kheder
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Mezuzah
|
small rectangular box affixed to the doorposts of every room and the entrance to a Jewish dwelling or public
building; contains a handwritten parchment on which is written the Biblical verses pertaining to the religious obligation (amongst others) of affixing a
Mezuzah; a strongly maintained tradition of Jewish identity
|
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Midrash
|
that part of Talmudic scholarship which includes rabbinic teaching by the means of homilies and parables, rather than literal or technical
explanation
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Mikvah
|
bath for ritual immersion
|
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Minyan
|
quorum of ten men required for public worship. The absence of a full quorum precludes certain prayers, such as the recital of the Kaddish, the mourner's prayer which is recited during the obligatory period of mourning observed after the death of a close
relative.
|
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Mishnah
|
the codified religious law, of Divine oral origin, based on the Torah. The rabbinic exposition of the Mishnah is called the
Gemarah. Together, the Mishnah and the Gemarah are the main components of the
Talmud
|
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Mishpakhah
|
family
|
|
Misnagdim (Misnagedim, Mitnagdim)
|
Hebrew for "opponents" used as a collective term for the followers of the Gaon of Vilna, originally derived from their opposition to
Khassidim Communities were often
ideologically split into two opposing camps, Misnagdim and
Khassidim.
|
|
Mitzvah (plural: Mitzvot)
|
Hebrew for "commandment," the code of religious law laid down in the Bible and expounded in the
Talmud Also used synonymously for "good deed"
|
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Mohel
|
one who performs circumcisions
|
| Moreinu Harav (MO"H)
|
"Our Teacher the Rabbi"
|
|
Moreh Tsedek (MO"TS, M"Tz) |
Someone (especially in larger communities) who was
authorized to give rabbinical rulings ("pasken shaalos");
title for a rabbi who teaches religious law. |
|
Moreinu Verabeinu (MO"R)
|
"Our Teacher and Rabbi"
|
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Moshav Zekeinim
|
old age home
|
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Musar
|
a movement founded in the nineteenth century by Rabbi Yisrael Lipkin (Salanter)
(1810-1883) which stressed stringent moral behavior
|
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Neduniah |
dowry |
|
Niglah |
Hebrew for "revealed," the obvious, rational level of the Torah and religious
study; the opposite of
"Nistar"; The Gaon of Vilna was renowned for his dual interpretation of Jewish
learning. His commentaries often were
twofold "Niglah and Nistar." |
|
Nistar |
Hebrew for "hidden," the mystic level of Jewish learning |
|
Nusakh |
form of prayer |
| Ohel
| brick construction or mausoleum covering graves of rabbis and
tzaddikim
|
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Parnas
|
supporter, leader of community
|
|
Parnas U-Manhig (PU"M)
|
supporter and leader
|
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Perushim
|
literally means "separated," synonymous with Misnagdim, the opponents of the
Khassidim; the
followers of the teaching of the Gaon of Vilna. The term Perushim was used mostly for the followers of the Gaon who settled in Eretz Yisrael, while the term Misnagdim was usually used for their counterparts in
Europe.
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|
Peshat
|
the obvious, plain meaning of a Biblical or Talmudic concept; The Gaon of Vilna was noted for his preference of this form of interpretation, rather than its opposite principle, Pilpul which is often complicated and
obscure.
|
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Pilpul
|
the complex and often obscure means of studying and deriving religious law
|
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Posek, pl. Poskim
|
the rabbi one consults for halakhic decisions; an
authority on Jewish Law (F3)
|
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Prenumeranten
|
list of people who subscribed to the publication of a book of religious study, prior to the publication of the
book These lists, printed at the beginning of such books, are a valuable genealogical
source
|
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Rabani
|
very religious and educated man, who is not a rabbi
|
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Rabanit
|
wife of a rabbi
|
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Rabbi, R' (Rav, Rov), pl. Rabanim
|
An authorized teacher of the classical
Jewish tradition (oral law) after the fall of the second
Temple in 70 CE. The role of the rabbi has changed considerably
throughout the centuries. Traditionally, rabbis serve as the legal
and spiritual guides of their congregations and communities. The
title is conferred after considerable study of traditional Jewish
sources. This conferral and its responsibilities is central to the
chain of tradition in Judaism. (F3)
|
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Rabeinu
|
our rabbi
|
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Ram
|
abbreviation for Rosh Mesifta
|
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Reb
|
a term similar to the English "Mr."
|
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Rebbe
|
a title used for a Khassidic leader; not to be confused with
"Reb,"
a term similar to the English "Mr" used for the formal addressing of any
man
|
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Rebbetzin
|
wife of a rabbi
|
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Rosh Beit Din
|
head of the Beit Din, or rabbinical court, ie head Dayan (chief
judge). This is different than Av Beit Din, who is the community
rabbi/leader.
The community rabbi could also be the Rosh Beth Din.
|
|
Rosh Hashanah
|
the solemn festival which marks the beginning of the month of
Tishrei, the beginning of the Hebrew year
|
|
Rosh Khodesh
|
the first day (sometimes two days) of the month according to the Hebrew
calendar Observed as a semi-festival
|
|
Rosh Mesifta (Rosh Metivta) (R"M)
|
originally meaning the head of a Yeshivah, but now used for a rabbi who teaches in a
Yeshivah
|
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Rosh Yeshivah
|
the head of a Yeshivah, usually a very prominent rabbi who holds the position for the term of his
life; the elite of Jewish scholarship
|
|
Segan Leviyyah (S"GL)
|
(see Levi)
|
|
Sefardi (Sephardi), pl Sefardim (Sephardim)
|
Jews of Spanish or Eastern descent
|
|
Sefer
|
book
|
|
Sefer Torah
|
a handwritten parchment scroll of the Torah Considered to be particularly holy, such that the desecration of a Sefer Torah is considered an
abomination Housed in the synagogue in a special cabinet, or ark, called "Aron
Hakodesh"
|
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Semikhah
|
rabbinic ordination
|
|
Shabbat (shabbes)
|
the seventh day of the week observed as the Sabbath Detailed religious laws define activities which must be abstained from on Shabbat (work, kindling,
cooking, writing, driving, etc); traditionally a day devoted to prayer, family activities within the home or with friends, study and
rest
|
|
Shamash (Shames)
|
sexton, or caretaker, of a synagogue
|
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Shavuot (Shavuos)
|
the Pentecost festival commemorating the Divine giving of the Torah on Mount
Sinai
|
|
Shekhinah
|
the Divine Presence
|
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Shekhitah
|
the religious laws of slaughtering animals such that they will be Kosher
|
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Shemitah
|
the seventh Sabbatical year of rest during which most forms of cultivation in Israel are
forbidden
|
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Shidukh
|
arranged marriage match
|
|
Shiura
|
lecture on a religious topic, usually delivered in a Yeshivah or Synagogue
|
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Shivah
|
seven days of mourning
|
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Shlita
|
short for "shyehai lo yomim tovim
vearuchim:" that "a person should have good and many
days"; said of an acknowledged scholar, religious leader,
while they are still alive (F2)
|
|
Shokhet, Shochet U-Bodek (SHU"B)
|
person astute in the religious laws pertaining to the Kosher slaughtering of
animals
|
|
Shtiebel (plural: Shtieblakh)
|
a small Khassidic house of prayer
|
|
Shule, Shul
|
synagogue
|
|
Shulkhan Arukh
|
the code of Jewish law, collated by Rabbi Yosef Caro in the 16th
century; the standard reference for daily conduct
|
|
Siddur
|
book of prayers
|
|
Simkhat Torah (Simkhas Torah)
|
festival which culminates the festival of Sukkot Marked by joyous celebrations, singing and dancing, as the yearly cycle of the reading of the Torah is
completed
|
|
Sofer (STM)
|
a scribe of Sfarim
(Torah scrolls), Tefilin, Mezuzot
|
|
Talit (Talis)
|
prayer shawl worn by men, mostly during morning prayer
|
|
Talmid Khakham
|
a wise scholar and expert on the Talmud (F2)
|
|
Talmud
|
compendium of religious law, rabbinic commentary and debate, moral codes and
parables; comprised principally of the Mishnah and Gemarah
|
|
Talmud Torah
|
place of study, usually for children and youth, preliminary to advanced Yeshivah
study
|
|
Tefillin
|
phylacteries - small black leather boxes, containing parchments with Torah verses, bound by leather thongs to the arm and head by the male at the daily morning
service
|
|
Tenaim
|
betrothal contract
|
|
Torah
|
the first five books of the Bible; used more generally to include the entire body of religious
study
|
|
Treif
|
the opposite of Kosher, forbidden to be consumed
|
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Tzaddik
|
Hebrew for a person considered by his righteous acts and nature to be a holy
person; used particularly for Khassidic leaders who were believed to possess mystical
powers; also used for particularly pious rabbis of all persuasions
|
|
Yahrzeit
|
Yiddish word for the anniversary of person's
death, according to the Hebrew calendar
|
|
Yeshivah (plural: Yeshivot)
|
academy of Jewish scholarship
|
|
Yiddishkeit
|
a Yiddish term meaning both religious tradition and Jewishness in
general
|
|
Yikhus (Yichus)
|
ancestry, lineage
|
|
Yishuv
|
general term for the Jewish population in Eretz Yisrael, used particularly during the
nineteenth century
|
|
Yom Kippur
|
the Day of Atonement, a solemn day spent in fasting and prayer for the forgiveness of
sins; the most solemn day in the Jewish calendar
|
|
Yom Tov
|
Hebrew meaning a "good day" - a religious festival
|
|
z"l
|
Hebrew for "zichrono levrochah:"
"may he be remembered for good"; the phrase for an am-ha'aretz
(a regular person) who has passed on. (F2)
|
|
z"tl
|
Hebrew for "zecher tzaddik livrocho" --
(literally) "remembering the righteous person for a
blessing." This is an Orthodox custom, said of an acknowledged scholar and/or
religious leader, and refers to the general belief that the
tzaddik (righteous person) can intercede favorably on our behalf
in the Olam Haba (world to come, afterlife). (F2)
|
