TRANSLITERATED HEBREW GLOSSARY

Transliterated Hebrew uses our alphabet and typical phonics to provide Hebrew pronunciation to non-Hebrew reading people.

·  Abba

• An affectionate way to say father
• dear father or daddy

·  Acharit HaYamim

• The end of the days
• The end times when the Olam Hazeh comes to a close and the Olam Haba is about to begin.

·  Adam

• The first man
• generically "man" or "human"

·  Adar

• Sixth month of Hebrew civil calendar: February-March.

·  Adonai

• My Lord, Lord of all
• Spoken by Jewish people instead of God's personal name YHVH ("Jehovah or Yahweh").

·  Adonai EloheiTzva'ot

• Lord God of Hosts

·  Adonai Eloheinu

• Lord our God

·  Adonai Elohim

• The Lord God

·  Afikoman(al. Afikomen)

• Half of the central matzah broken off and put away at the beginning of the meal
• Greek word meaning that which comes after or "dessert".
• It is represented in a broken piece of matzah wrapped in linen and buried (hidden).
• This piece of the ceremonial matzah is the final thing eaten at the Passover seder meal.

·  Aggadah(al. Agada, Agadah) pl. Agadot

• Stories
• Parables

·  Alef

• The first letter of the Hebrew Alef-Beyt (alphabet)

·  Al Netilat Yadayim

• The blessing over the washing of hands before the meal.

·  Aliyah pl. Aliyot

• Literally: going up.
• To "have an aliyah" refers to the honor of being called up to the bimah to recite or chant the blessings over the Torah.
• To "make aliyah" or "go on aliyah" means to immigrate to Israel.

·  Amen

• It is true, so be it, may it become true.

·  Amidah

• Standing prayer, quietly murmured, that is part of each daily service in the synagogue, alternatively called the Tefillah or the Shemoneh Esre.

·  Apocrypha

• A Greek adjective in the neuter plural (from apokruphos, “hidden, concealed”) denotes strictly “things concealed.”
• Old Testament Apocrypha, specifically the fourteen books written after the Old Testament canon was closed and which, being the least remote from the canonical books, laid strongest claim to canonicity.
• The body of Jewish literature written between the second century B.C. and the second century A.D., not included in the canon of the Hebrew Bible.

·  Aravah pl. Aravot

• Willow branch taken as one of the four species on the Feast of Tabernacles. Arba'ah Minim (al. the Four Species) - Palm, myrtle, willow and citron; another name for the lulav and etrog together, used on Sukkot.

·  Ariel

• Lion of God
• Fireplace on God's altar

·  Aron haKodesh

• Literally: the Holy Ark.
• The special cabinet in which the Torah scrolls are kept in the synagogue
• The Holy Ark is called Heichal in Sephardic synagogues.

·  Aseret Yemei Teshuvah

• The ten days of penitence.

·  Ashkenazi pl. Ashkenazim

• Referring to Jews of Central and Eastern European origin.

·  Athid Lavo

• The coming age.

·  Atzeret

• Conclusion
• Used for concluding observance of festival.
• Word derived from "gathering" or "detention," original meanings.
• Shemini Atzeret is concluding day of Sukkoth.
• Atzeret is Talmudic term for Shavuot, conclusion of Omer count.
• A festive gathering for the conclusion of a festive season, a concluding feast.

·  Av

• Eleventh month of Jewish year.

·  Avinu

• our father

·  Avinu Malkenu

• Literally: our Father, our King.
• A prayer of supplication recited on Yom Kippur.
• A prayer said on the Days of Penitence and fast days.

·  Aviv

• Also called Abib.
• Nisan was known as Aviv/Abib prior to Babylonian captivity

·  Ayin

• 16th letter of the Hebrew alef-beit (alphabet)

·  Azarah pl. Azarot

• The Temple Courtyard.
• Ezrat Nashim - the outer Courtyard in the Sanctuary.

·  Azazel

• scapegoat
• Goat sent into the wilderness signifying removal of the nation's sins

·  Bar / Bat (al. Bas) Mitzvah

• Literally: son / daughter of the commandment.
• Ceremony marking a youngster's reaching the age of religious majority, traditionally thirteen for boys and twelve for girls; in many congregations, thirteen for girls as well.

·  Baruch

• Bless, blessed

·  Beit HaMikdash (al. Bayt, Bet)

• House of Sanctity; synagogue.
• The sanctuary or Temple in Jerusalem.

·  Beit Lechem

• Bethlehem
• House of bread
• Birthplace of Yeshua and King David.

·  Betzah

• Roasted egg, a symbol for the second sacrifice of Passover.

·  Beyt (Beit, Beth)

• The second letter of the Hebrew Alef-Beyt (alphabet)

·  Bikkurim (al. Bikurim)

• The Offering of the First Fruit.
• Barley harvest
• First fruit

·  Bimah

• The raised platform in the synagogue from which the Torah is read and from which worship services are usually conducted.
• The platform is called tevah in Sephardic synagogues.
• Reader's stand in synagogue.

·  Binyamin (Benjamin)

• One of Jacob's (Ya'akov) 12 sons
• One of the 12 Tribes of Israel
• The Name means "son of the right hand"

·  Birkat haChodesh

• The blessing of the New Moon.

·  Birkat haMazon

• Benediction over food; grace after meals.

·  B'rakhah, B'rakhot

• Blessing(s), Benediction(s)

·  B'rit

• Covenant, Contract

·  B'rit Hadashah

• Renewed Covenant, New Testament
• B'rit Chadasha/Hadashah
  1. Gospel
     • Mattityahu (Matthew)
     • Mark
     • Luke
     • Yochanan (John)
  2. Acts
  3. Epistles (Letters)
     • Romans
     • 1st/2nd Corinthians
     • Galatians
     • Ephesians
     • Philippians
     • Colossians
     • 1st/2nd Thessalonians
     • 1st/2nd Timothy
     • Titus
     • Phelemon
     • Ibrim (Hebrews)
     • Ya'akov (James)
     • Kefa Alef/Beit (1st/2nd Peter)
     • Yochanan Alef/Beit/Gimel (1st/2nd/3rd John)
     • Y'hudah (Jude)
  4. Revelation

·  C.E.

• Common Era (same as A.D.).

·  Challah

• Egg bread
• Used for Shabbat blessing

·  Chametz

• Leavening
• Yeast, baking powder, mixes with a leavening agent, bread and bread crumbs.
• Literally sour

Chanukkah

• Hanukah, Hanukkah, Chanukah
• dedication
• name of the winter holiday commemorating the Maccabean victory over the Syrians in 165 BCE.

·  Chanukiah

• an eight- branched menorah

·  Cohen or cohenim

• Priest or priests

·  Cohen HaGadol

• The High Priest

·  Derech(Der-REK)

• Way, Path, Journey.
• Custom

·  Diaspora

• Dispersion of the Jewish people from Israel
• Dispersion of the houses of Judah and Ephraim from Israel

·  Eloheinu (al.Elohinu or Elohenu)

• Our God

·  Elohim

• God
• gods, judges

·  El Shaddai

• God Almighty

·  Eretz Yisra'el

• The Land of Israel

·  Etrog

• A fruit, usually a citron
• Used during Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles)

·  Gulgolta

• Hill called the Skull on which Yeshua was crucified
• Sometimes refered to as Calgary
• Some believe this to be Mt.Moriah, the site of Avraham/Abraham's 'sacrifice' of Yitz'chak/Isaac

·  Hadas

• A myrtle branch
• Used during Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles)

·  Haftarah or Hatarah

·  Weekly readings from the Nevi'im (Prophets)

·  Readings selected by sages durring the time when Torah reading was forbidden

·  Nevi'im reading selected to remind one of the Torah reading

·  Haggadah/Haggadot

• Hebrew for "the telling"
• Named from the Lord's command "tell your son/show your son" in Shemot/Exodus 13:8
• Book which relates the Passover story through readings, songs, prayers, foods, in the traditional prescribed order (Seder) around the meal
• There are Haggadot posted online or avilable through bookstores...write the developers of this site developers@derech.org if you have any questions or would like some suggested links.

·  Hag Hakatzir

• The Feast of Weeks
• the official beginning of the summer heavest season (wheat crop specifically)
• Shavuot

·  Hag HaMatzot

• The feast of unleavened bread

·  Hallel

• Refers to the passages contained in Tehilliim/Psalms 113-118

·  Ha satan

• The adversary
• The evil one
• Satan
• The devil

·  HaShem

• The Name
• Respectfully refers to the Name of God - YHVH
• YHVH - the Tetragramaton - "Yud, Hey, Vey, Hey"

·  Havdalah

• Separation
• The ceremony at the end of Shabbat marking the beginning of the next week.

·  Hoshana Rabbah

• The last Great Day of the Feast of Tabernacles
• The day of the water drawing ceremony.

·  Hosheanah

• Save now
• Hosanna

·  K'tuvim

·  Writings

·  Books of the Bible known as the Writings

·  Tehillim (Psalms)

·  Mishlei (Proverbs)

·  Iyov (Job)

·  The Five Megillot (Scrolls)

·  Shir-HaShirim (Song of Songs)

·  Rut (Ruth)

·  Eikhah (Lamentations)

·  Kohelet (Ecclesiastes)

·  Ester (Esther)

·  Dani'el (Daniel)

·  'Ezra (Ezra)

·  Nechemyah (Nehemiah)

·  Divrei-HaYamim Alef/Beit (1st/2nd Chronicles)

·  Lulav

• A palm branch
• Used during Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles)

·  Mattityahu

• Matthew
• The Book of Matthew.

·  Matzah or Matzot

• A flat bread made without adding leavening(yeast or baking powder..., a substance that makes the bread rise)
• Called the 'bread of affliction'

·  Mashiach

• Messiah, Christ.
• Anointed, an anointed one

·  Megillah or Megillot

• Scroll or book
• Typically refers to the Book of Esther
• Five scrolls: Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, and Esther

·  Melech

• King

·  Menorah or Menorot

• Seven- or eight-branched candelabrum; people commonly refer to an eight- branched Chanukkiah as a menorah...the Lamp of the Sanctuary.

·  Mishkan

• The Tabernacle

·  Mishpakhah

·  Family

·  Mitzrayim

• Hebraic equivilent of "Egypt."
• Spiritually, a picture of the world and the world's system

·  Mitzvah or Mitzvot

• Command or commandment.
• Principle for living, good deed.
• Instructions

·  Nevi'im

·  Prophets

·  Books of the Bible known as Prophets

·  Former Prophets (Historical)

·  Y'hoshua (Joshua)

·  Shof'tim (Judges)

·  Sh'mu'el Alef/Beit (1st/2nd Samuel)

·  M'lakhim Alef/Beit (1st/2nd Kings)

·  Latter Prophets (Predicitive)

·  Yesha'yahu (Isaiah)

·  Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah)

·  Yechezk'el (Ezekiel)

·  The Minor Prophets (The Twelve)

·  Hoshea (Hosea)

·  Yo'el (Joel)

·  'Amos (Amos)

·  'Ovadyah (Obadiah)

·  Yonah (Jonah)

·  Mikhah (Micah)

·  Nachum (Nahum)

·  Havakuk (Habakkuk)

·  Tz'fanyah (Zephaniah)

·  Hagai (Haggai)

·  Z'kharyah (Zechariah)

·  Mal'akhi (Malachi)

·  Olam Haba

• The world to come.
• The age to come.

·  Olam Hazeh

• The present age

·  Pascal Lamb

• The lamb selected for the Pesach/Passover sacrifice

·  Pharaoh

• King of Egypt
• Considered a god by Egyptians

·  P'rushim or Parush

• Pharisees
• Religious leaders

·  Parokhet

• Curtain separating the Holy of Holies from the rest of the Beit HaMikdash

·  Pesach

• Passover
• Memorializes the night when the Hebrews were protected by the blood of lambs
• Memorializes the night when God's people were redeemed by the blood of The Lamb
• One of 3 pilgrim festivals to Jerusalem

·  Pilgrim Festival/Feast

• Three times a year, the Israelites, according to the instructions of the Torah, went in joyous celebration to Jerusalem.
• Three feasts/festivals observed during this time are Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkot.
• Shalosh Regalim

·  Purim

• Lots
• The observed day usually in March commemerating the deliverance of God's people
• The beginning of the Passover season; a time of teshuvah

·  Rosh Chodesh

• New Moon
• New Month
• The head of the month
• The beginning of the month

·  Rosh Hashannah

• Head (Start) of the Civil Year
• Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah)

·  Ruach HaKodesh

• The Holy Spirit

·  Seder (SAY-der)

• Hebrew word meaning "set order"
• Generally refers to the order of observing the Pesach

·  Sefirah

• Hebrew word for counting .

·  S'firat HaOmer

• Counting the Omer
• Period of 50 days from Yom HaBikkurim until Shavuot
• Link to Blessings

·  Shabbat

• Sabbath.
• Rest, cease.
• God's appointed day of rest, a holy convocation.
• The seventh day of the week.
• Known today as Saturday.

·  Shabbat Chazon (Kah - ZON)

·  The Shabbat of Vision or Prophecy

·  Occurs before the fast of Tisha B'Av

·  Read Yesha'Yahu (Isaiah) 1:1-27, last of the "three readings of affliction"

·  Shabbat HaGadol (Hah - gah - DOL)

• The GREAT SHABBAT
• Preceeds Pesach
• The selection of the lambs
• Yeshua's triumphant ride into Jerusalem

·  Shabbat HaHodesh (Hah - khoo - DESH)

• The fourth Shabbat of the Purim sequence
• Preceedes the new year

·  Shabbat Nachamu (Nah - kah - MU)

·  Shabbat of Comfort

·  Shabbat after Tisha B'Av

·  First Shabbat of readings of comfort from YeshaYahu (Isaiah)

·  Shabbat Parah (Pah - RAH)

• The third Shabbat of the Purim sequence
• The ordinance of the Red Heifer (B'Midbar/Numbers 19:1-22)
• Purification before the feasts of Pesach/Hag HaMatzot

·  Shabbat Shekalim (Shek - a - LIM)

·  The Shabbat for the offering of the Temple Coin

·  Shabbat before Rosh Chodesh Adar (The first of the month of Adar)

·  Shabbat Shuva (Shu - VAH)

·  The Shabbat between Rosh Hashana/Yom Teruah and Sukkot

·  Shabbat of Returning

·  Shabbat Zachor (Zah - KHOR)

·  The first Shabbat of the Purim sequence

·  Shalosh Regalim (Sha - LOSH Re - GA - lim)

• Pilgrim festival
• Three times a year, the Israelites, according to the instructions of the Torah, went in joyous celebration to Jerusalem.
• Three feasts/festivals observed during this time are Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkot.

·  Shammash or Shamash (Sha - MASH)

• servant
• term for the ninth candle used to light the other candles in the Chanukiah ... the beadle in the Synagogue.

·  Shavuot (sl.Shavuah) (Sha - vu - OT)

• Literally weeks
• The feast of Weeks
• Pentecost (50 days)
• The 50th day from Yom Habikkurim.
• Memorializes the giving of the 10 commandments.
• Memorializes the giving of the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) in Acts 2.
• One of 3 pilgrim festivals.

·  Shemini Atzeret (Shi - may - NEE At - zair - ET)

• The Eighth Day assembly of Sukkot.

·  Shofar (Sho - FAR)

• A rams horn trumpet.
• Used as warning, call to arms, and in celebration.

·  Simchat Torah (Sim - KAAT Toe - RAH)

• The day of rejoicing the Torah

·  S'lihot (See - Lee - HOT)

• Liturical prayers of teshuvah

·  Sukkot (Soo - KOAT)

• The Feast of Tabernacles
• Booth, temporary dwelling
• One of 3 pilgrim feasts

·  Synagogue

• A place constructed/fully dedicated for gathering and studying
• After the destruction of the Temple, synagogues became a place of corporate worship.

·  Tahor

• Rittually pure
• Able to enter the Beit HaMikdash or Mishkan

·  Talmid, fem. Talmidah, pl. Talmidim

• Disciple, student

·  Tam'ei

• Rittually unpure
• Not able to enter the Beit HaMikdash or Mishkan

·  T'fillin

• Two black leather boxes containing scrolls of Scripture passages
  1. Exodus 13:1-16; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; 11:13-21
• Sometimes during prayers, one box is affixed to one's hand and arm and the other to one's forehead as a physical effort to obey the passage in Deuteronomy 6:8
• Also called phylacteries

·  Tehillim

• Psalms

·  Teshuvah

• Return
• Turning toward God
• Repentance

·  Tisha B'Av

• 9th of the month of Av
• Day of fasting for the destruction of the temple

·  Tishrei

• First month of the Hebrew civil calendar: September-October.

·  Tohorat Mishpakhah

·  Family Purity

·  Torah

• Teaching or instruction but usually translated 'law'. The Instruction of God.
• In a narrow sense the Five Books of Moshe(Moses), the Pentateuch - B'resheet, Sh'mot, Vayikra, B'midbar, D'varim (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy), called the Written Torah.
• The above plus the Prophets(Nevi'im) and Writings(K'tuvim) is together called the Tanakh (TNK)/Tenach or the Hebrew Bible.
• In a broad sense the whole Written Word of God is the Torah, to include what is called the "Old Testament" (Tanakh) as well as the New Testament (B'rit Chadashah).
• note: additional material called the "Oral Torah" is considered in varying degrees as authoritative in Judaism.
• Uncapitalized can be understood as principle.

·  Tu' B'Shvat

·  New Year for Trees

·  Yahweh

• YHVH or YHWH
• Tetragrammatron (the four Hebrew letters usually transliterated YHWH or YHVH that form a biblical proper name of God)
• God the Father

·  Yahrzeit

·  Memorial / Commemeration of a death

·  Observed on the yearly aniversary of the death

·  Yerushalayim (yeh - ru - sha - LAH - yeem)

• Jerusalem
• The city of our God
• Capital of Eretz Yisra'el - the Land of Israel

• Yeshua
  • Jesus - brought over into Greek as "Iesous" and into English as "Jesus"
  • It means God saves - which is "Yah is my salvation"
  • Variant of "Y'hoshua" (Joshua)
  • Yahshua
  • Y'shua
• Yom Habikkurim
  • The Day of First Fruits
  • Barley harvest
  • The day from which we start counting the Omer 50 days to Shavuot (Pentecost)
• Yom Kippur
  • The Day of Atonement
  • The Great Fast
• Yom Teruah
  • The Day of the Awakening Blast
  • The Feast of Trumpets
• Yud
  • The 10th and smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet (aleph-bet).

Glossary of Jewish Terminology

Afikoman -The broken piece of matzah put aside at the beginning of the Passover meal (seder) and eaten at the end of the meal.

Alef-Bet -The Hebrew alphabet. The name is derived from the first two letters of the alef-bet.

Arbah Minim -Literally four species. Fruit and branches used to fulfill the commandment to “rejoice before the Lord” during Sukkot.

Ark -An acronym of aron kodesh, literally, holy chest. The cabinet where the Torah scrolls are kept. The word has no connection with Noah’s Ark, which is “teyvat” in Hebrew.

Atonement -In Judaism, atonement (Hebrew: kaparah) or reconciliation between God and humanity, is achieved by the process of repentance (Hebrew: teshuvah), seeking forgiveness and making amends with fellow human beings.

Ba’al Tokea - the Common (or Christian) Era. Another way of saying b.c.
Bar Mitzvah Literally son of the commandment. In Conservative and Reform Judaism, a Jewish boy who has achieved the age of thirteen and is consequently obligated to observe the commandments. Also, a ceremony marking the fact that a boy has achieved this age.

Bat Mitzvah - Literally daughter of the commandment. In Conservative and Reform Judaism, a Jewish girl of 12 to 14 years of age, considered an adult and responsible for her moral and religious duties. Also ceremony that initiates and recognizes a girl as having achieved this status.

Brit Milah - Literally covenant of circumcision. The ritual circumcision of a male child before the age of eight days.

c.e. Common (or Christian) Era. - Used by Jews instead of a.d., because a.d. means “the Year of our Lord.”

Challah - A sweet, egg, bread, usually braided, which is served on Sabbaths and holidays.

Chol Ha-Mo’ed - The intermediate days of Passover and Sukkot, when work is permitted.

Chumash - Literally five. A compilation of the first five books of the Bible and readings from the prophets, organized in the order of the weekly Torah portions.

Days of Awe - Ten days from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur, a time for introspection and considering the sins of the previous year.

Dreidel - A spinning top used in Hanukkah games.

Esther - One of the heroes of the story of Purim.

Etrog - A citrus fruit native to Israel, used to fulfill the commandment to “rejoice before the Lord” during Sukkot.

Four Species - Fruit and branches used to fulfill the commandment to “rejoice before the Lord” during Sukkot.

Gelt - Money given during Hanukkah. Traditionally chocolate covered in gold foil.

Grogger - A noisemaker used to blot out the name of Haman during the reading of the Megillah on Purim.

Ha-Shem - Literally The Name. The Name of God, which is not pronounced. The phrase “ha-Shem” is often used as a substitute for God’s Name.

Haggadah - A book containing the story of the Exodus and the ritual of the Seder, read at the Passover Seder.

Halakah - The legal part of Talmudic literature, an interpretation of the laws of the Scriptures

Haman - The villain of the story of Purim.

Hamentaschen -Literally Haman’s pockets. Triangular, fruit-filled cookies traditionally served or given as gifts during Purim.

Hanukkah - Literally dedication. An eight-day festival beginning on the twenty-fifth day of Kislev, commemorating the victory in 165 b.c. of the Maccabees over Antiochus Epiphanes (c. 215-164 b.c.) and the rededication of the Temple at Jerusalem. Also called Feast of Dedication, Feast of Lights. Also spelled Chanukkah.

Haroset - A sweet mixture of apples, nuts, wine and cinnamon served at the Passover Seder.

Hellenism - A name applied to the culture of the ancient Greeks, especially that of Athens at its height in Fifth century b.c. It is also applied to the works of those who later adopted Hellenic values and principles. The Hellenistic Age, a time when Greek culture spread throughout the eastern Mediterranean, is generally dated from the death of Alexander the Great to the rise of Augustus in Rome (323-330 b.c.).

Hoshanah Rabbah - Literally 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!).

Kiddush - Literally sanctification. The traditional blessing and prayer recited over wine on the eve of the Sabbath or a festival.

Kippah - The skullcap worn by Jews during services, and by some Jews at all times. See yarmulke.

Kittel - The white robes in which the dead are buried, worn by some during Yom Kippur services.

Kol Nidre - Literally all vows. The evening service of Yom Kippur, or the prayer that begins that service.

Kosher - Literally fit, proper or correct. Describes food that is permissible to eat under Biblical dietary laws.

L’Chayim - Literally to life. A common Jewish toast.

L’Shanah - Tovah Literally for a good year. A common greeting during Rosh Hashanah and Days of Awe.

Latkes - Potato pancakes traditionally eaten during Chanukah.

Maccabee - Judah and his family who led the Jews against Antiochus IV. Also means hammer.

Magen David - Literally shield of David. The six-pointed star emblem commonly associated with Judaism. See Star of David.

Manna - Special food God gave the Hebrew people when they were in the desert.

Maror - Bitter herbs. Traditionally horseradish served at the Passover Seder.

Matzah - Unleavened bread.

Megillah - Literally scroll. One of five books of the Bible (Esther, Ruth, Song of Songs, Lamentations, and Ecclesiastes). Usually refers to the book of Esther.

Menorah - 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. Instructions for construction of the menorah are found in Exodus 25:31-40.

Messiah - Messiah or Messias, in Hebrew means anointed. Christ is Greek for “Messiah.”

Messianic - adjective of the noun Messiah.

Messianic Jews - Jews who have accepted Yeshua (Jesus) of Nazareth as the promised Messiah of Israel and Saviour of the world, and maintain Jewish identity and worship style.

Messianic Movement - A ministry promoting Jesus (Yeshua) as the Messiah to Jew and Gentile, helping others to know Him, the Bible, Biblical Jewish roots of Christianity, Israel, and God’s plan of eternal redemption/salvation. Most Messianics believe it is clear from the Scriptures that salvation is an undeserved and unearned gift from God through His grace. Works of the flesh do not earn one’s salvation. They believe the Scriptures also teach that God is a righteous and just God who never changes; therefore the laws given to the Jewish people which have never been abolished stand as a true test of our love for Him.

Mezuzah - Literally doorpost. A case attached to the doorposts of houses, containing a scroll with passages of scripture written on it. The mezuzah is not a good-luck charm nor does it have any connection with the lamb’s blood placed on the doorposts in Egypt. It is a constant reminder of God’s presence and God’s commandments from Deuteronomy 6:4-9.

Midrash - 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.

Mishnah - The first section of the Talmud, being a collection of early oral interpretations of the scriptures as compiled about a.d. 200.

Mitzvah - Literally commandment. It refers to 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.

Mordecai - One of the heroes of the story of Purim.

Movement - Roughly equivalent to “denomination,” although the distinctions between Jewish movements are not as great as those between Christian denominations.

Ne’ilah - Literally closing. The closing service of Yom Kippur.

Nisan - The first month of the Jewish calendar.

Omer - A measure of barley. See The Counting of the Omer.

Oral Torah - Jewish teachings explaining and elaborating on the Written Torah, handed down orally until the Second century c.e.

Orthodox - One of the major movements of Judaism, believing that Jewish law comes from God and cannot be changed.

Purim - Literally 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.

Rabbi - Literally means teacher. A recognized person knowledgeable of Jewish law. Usually ordained at a seminary and empowered to conduct services, weddings, and burials.

Reform - One of the major movements of Judaism, believing that Jewish law was inspired by God and one can choose which laws to follow.

Rosh Hashanah - Literally first of the year. The new year for the purpose of counting years.

Rosh Hodesh - Literally first of the month. The first day of a month, on which the new moon appears.

Sabbath - The most important day of the week is the Sabbath, called Shabbat in Hebrew. This begins at sundown on Friday, since the Jewish calendar is based on the lunar calendar and a new day therefore begins at this time. Shabbat is a day for rest and prayer.

Seder - Literally order. The family home ritual conducted as part of the Passover observance.

Sekhakh - Literally covering. Material used for the roof of a sukkah during the holiday of Sukkot.

Shabbat - Literally stop,cease, rest. The Jewish Sabbath, a day of rest and spiritual enrichment.

Shalach Manos - Literally sending out portions. The custom of sending gifts of food or candy to friends during Purim.

Shammus - Literally servant. The candle that is used to light other Chanukah candles.

Shavuot - Literally weeks. A festival commemorating the giving of the Torah and the harvest of the first fruits.

Shema - Hebrew for “Hear [O Israel],” the first word of Deuteronomy 6:4.
Shemini Atzeret Literally the eighth (day) of assembly. The day (or two days) after Sukkot.

Shevarim - One of four characteristic blasts of the shofar (ram’s horn). See Rosh Hashanah.

Shofar - A ram’s horn, blown like a trumpet as a call to repentance. See Rosh Hashanah.

Siddur - Literally order. Prayerbook. See Jewish Liturgy.

Simkhat Torah - Literally rejoicing in the law. A holiday celebrating the end and beginning of the cycle of weekly Torah readings. Usually considered part of the Feast of Tabernacles.

Star of David - The six-pointed star emblem commonly associated with Judaism. It is actually a relatively new Jewish symbol. It is supposed to represent the shape of King David’s shield (or perhaps the emblem on it), but there is really no support for that claim in the Bible or in any early rabbinical literature. Today, the Magen David is a universally recognized symbol of Jewry. It appears on the flag of the state of Israel.

Sukkah - Literally booth. The temporary dwellings observant Jews in Israel, live in during the holiday of Sukkot.

Sukkot - Literally booths. A festival commemorating the wandering in the desert and the final harvest.

Synagogue - From a Greek root meaning “assembly.” The most widely accepted term for a Jewish house of worship.

Tallit - A shawl-like garment worn during morning services, with tzitzit (long fringes) attached to the corners as a reminder of the commandments.
Talmud The most significant collection of the Jewish oral tradition interpreting the Torah.

Tanakh - The Old Testament. Acronym of Torah ( Law ), Nevi’im (Phophets), and Ketuvim (Writings).

Tashlikh - Literally casting off. A custom of going to a river and symbolically casting off one’s sins. See Rosh Hashanah.

Torah - Literally the Law. Torah is Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. Bereshit (In the beginning...) (Genesis); Shemot (The names...) (Exodus); Vayikra (And He called...) (Leviticus); Bemidbar (In the wilderness...) (Numbers); Devarim (The words...) (Deuteronomy).

Teshuvah - A Hebrew word for repentance, about face, or to turn around. It is a time for one to annually examine his life and restore relationships between God and man.

Tzitzit - Fringes attached to the corners of garments as a reminder of the commandments. Numbers 15:37-41 commands to wear tzitzit (fringes) at the corners of garments as a reminder of the commandments. This is the part of the garment (the hem) the woman who sought a healing from Jesus touched in Matthew 9:20.

Yarmulke - The skullcap worn by Jews during services, and by some Jews at all times. May derive from Aramaic “Yirei Malka” (Fear of the King). The most commonly known and recognized piece of Jewish garb is actually the one with the least religious significance. It is an ancient practice for Jews to cover their heads during prayer. This probably derives from the fact that in Eastern cultures, it is a sign of respect to cover the head (the custom in Western cultures is the opposite: it is a sign of respect to remove one’s hat). Thus, by covering the head during prayer, one showed respect for God. In addition, in ancient Rome, servants were required to cover their heads while free men did not; thus, Jews covered their heads to show that they were servants of God. In medieval times, Jews covered their heads as a reminder that God is always above them. Covering the head is a custom rather than a commandment.

Yom Kippur - Literally Day of Atonement. A day set aside for fasting, depriving oneself of pleasures, and repenting from the sins of the previous year.

Zion - Part of Jerusalem. Defined in the Bible as the City of David. The name is symbolic of Jerusalem, of the Promised Land, of Israel’s hope of returning to Palestine (hence the term Zionism).