Judaism

Adonai

("Lord") is substituted for YHWH; name for God used most frequently in prayers and the Torah. It means "Master of the universe".

Hasidim

(Heb. Pious ones). The term may refer to Jews in various periods: (1) a group that resisted the policies of Antiochus Epiphanes in the 2nd century B.C.E. at the start of the Maccabean revolt; (2) pietists in the 13th century; (3) followers of the Hasidic movement founded in the first half of the 18th century by Israel Baal Shem Tov.

Bimah

(Heb. Stage). Location in a synagogue from which the Torah is read.

Haggadah

(Heb. Telling, Narration, or Legend). Jewish term for non-halachik (non legal) matter, especially in Talmud and Midrash; includes folklore, legend, theology/theosophy, scriptural interpretations, biography, etc.

Halacha

(Heb. The Path). Jewish law governing everyday life recorded and expounded in the Talmud.

Kabalah

(Heb. receiving tradition). Jewish Mysticism; basic book is the Zohar, written by Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai in the 2nd century CE

Bar Mitzvah

(Heb. son-of-the-commandment(s)). The phrase originally referred to a person responsible for performing the divine commandments of Judaism; it now refers to the occasion when a boy or girl reaches the age of religious maturity and responsibility (thirteen years for a boy; twelve years and a day for a girl).

Yom Kippur

(Heb., "Day of Atonement"). Annual day of fasting and atonement, occurring in the fall on Tishri 10 (just after Rosh Hashanah); the most solemn and important occasion of the Jewish religious year.

Rosh Hashanah

(Heb., "beginning of the year"). Jewish New Year celebration in the fall of the year, the month of Tishri.

Ha Shoah

(Heb., "catastrophe") Denotes the catastrophic destruction of European Jewry during World War II. The term is used in Israel, and the Knesset (the Israeli Parliament) has designated an official day, called Yom ha-Shoah, as a day of commemorating the Holocaust.

Shema Yisrael

(Heb., "hear"). Title of the fundamental, monotheistic statement of Judaism, found in Deut. 6:4 ("Hear, O Israel, the LORD is our God, the LORD is One"; shema Yisrael YHWH elohenu YHWH ehad). This statement avers the unity of God, and is recited daily in the liturgy (along with Deut. 6:5-9, 11.13-21; Num. 15.37- 41 and other passages), and customarily before sleep at night. This proclamation also climaxes special liturgies (like Yom Kippur), and is central to the confession before death and the ritual of martyrdom. The Shema is inscribed on the mezuzah and the tefillin. In public services, it is recited in unison.

Rabbi

(Heb., "my master"). An authorized teacher of the classical Jewish tradition (oral law) after the fall of the second Temple in 70 CE. The role of the these has changed considerably throughout the centuries. Traditionally, they serve as the legal and spiritual guides of their congregations and communities. The title is conferred afterconsiderable study of traditional Jewish sources. This conferral and its responsibilities is central to the chain of tradition in Judaism.

Mezuzah

(pl. mezuzot; "doorpost"). A parchment scroll with selected Torah verses (Deuteronomy 6.4-9; 11.13-21) placed in a container and affixed to the exterior doorposts (at the right side of the entrance) of observant Jewish homes (see Deuteronomy 6.1-4), and sometimes also to interior doorposts of rooms. The word shaddai (almighty) usually is inscribed on the back of the container.

Zionism

A political movement to create and maintain a Jewish homeland. (From Mount Zion in Jerusalem—'Zion' became synonymous with Jerusalem.)

TaNaK

A relatively modern acronym for the Jewish Bible, made up of the names of the three parts of the Torah (Pentateuch or Law), Nevi'im (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings)—thus TNK.

Chabad (Lubavitch)

An acronym for "Chochmah (wisdom), Binah (insight), Da'at (knowledge)", the code for the Lubavitch Chassidut philosophy. A sect of Chasidic Judaism that is active in outreach to other Jews and has a high media presence.

Sadducees

An early Jewish sub-group whose origins and ideas are uncertain. It probably arose early in the 2nd century B.C.E. and ceased to exist when the Temple was destroyed in 70 CE. They supported priestly authority and rejected traditions not directly grounded in the Pentateuch, such as the concept of personal, individual life after death. They are often depicted as in conflict with the Pharisees.

Yiddish

Uses the same alphabet as Hebrew but is a blend of Hebrew and several European languages, primarily German. This language was the vernacular of East European and Russian Jews.

Tefillin

Usually translated as "phylacteries." Box-like appurtenances that accompany prayer, worn by Jewish adult males at the weekday morning services. The boxes have leather thongs attached and contain scriptural excerpts. One box (with four sections) is placed on the head, the other (with one section) is placed (customarily) on the left arm, near the heart. The biblical passages emphasize the unity of God and the duty to love God and be mindful of him with "all one's heart and mind" (e.g., Exod. 13.1-10, 11-16; Deut. 6.4-9; 11.13-21).

Six-Day War

War fought in June 1967 when Israel reacted to Arab threats and the blockade of the Straits of Tiran. Stunning victory over the Egyptian, Jordanian and Syrian armies.

Zohar

"Book of Splendor"; the chief literary work of the kabalists. The author of the main part of this book was Moses de Leon (12th century) in Spain, but it is pseudepigraphically ascribed to the Palestinian tanna Simeon bar Yohai (2nd century CE), sometimes called RaShBaY (Rabbi Shimeon bar Yohai).

Kosher

"Proper", "fit", or "ritually correct"; refers to ritually correct Jewish dietary practices. Traditional Jewish dietary laws are based on biblical legislation. Only land animals that chew the cud and have split hooves (sheep, beef; not pigs, camels) are permitted and must be slaughtered in a special way. Further, meat products may not be eaten with milk products or immediately thereafter. Of sea creatures, only those (fish) having fins and scales are permitted. Fowl is considered a meat food and also has to be slaughtered in a special manner.

Mitzvah

("commandment, obligation"). A ritual or ethical duty or act of obedience to God's will. According to rabbinic Jewish tradition, there are 613 religious commandments referred to in the Torah (and elaborated upon by the rabbinic sages). Of these, 248 are positive commandments and 365 are negative. The numbers respectively symbolize the fact that divine service must be expressed through all one's bodily parts during all the days of the year. In general, refers to any act of religious duty or obligation; more colloquially, refers to a "good deed."

Maimonides

(1135-1204) A major medieval rabbi, physician, scientist, and philosopher, known by the acronym RaMBaM (Rabbi Moses ben Maimon). Born in Spain, Maimonides fled from persecution to Morocco and finally settled in Egypt. His Major works include a legal commentary on the Mishnah, a law code called Mishnah Torah, and the preeminent work of medieval Jewish rational philosophy, The Guide of the Perplexed.Also author of the Thirteen Principles—a classical summary of Jewish core beliefs.

Sabbatai Zvi

(1626-1676) A false messiah who spawned a messianic movement in the 17th century, and ultimately converted to Islam.

Hasmonean

(167-164 BCE) -the revolt against the Seleucide Greeks ruling the land of Israel. The revolt was prompted by the ban on practicing the Jewish religion and the desecration of the Temple. It was led by Matthatias of the priestly Hasmonean family and later by his five sons, the most prominent warrior of them Judah the Maccabee. In 164 the rebels liberated Jerusalem and purified the Temple.

Solomon

(965-930 BCE) son of King David; further strengthened the kingdom; built many new towns and erected the Temple in Jerusalem.

Infitada

(Arab. Shaking Off). Palestinian uprisings in Gaza and the West Bank to protest Israeli occupation. The first was held between December 1987 and September 1993. The second began in 2000 and ended in 2004/5.

Simon Bar Kokhba

(Aramaic Son of a Star). the leader of the last and most successful Jewish rebellion against Rome in 132-135 CE. He died in battle when the rebellion was defeated. Rabbi Akiva believed he was the Moshiach (Messiah). The Roman emperor Hadrian promised at first to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple, and later changed his mind and decided to establish a Roman colony there instead. After the defeat of the revolt at Betar the Romans leveled Jerusalem and exiled the population.

Ashkenazi

(Ger. Jew) . Term for Jews who trace their lineage to northern Europe and who generally follow the customs originating in medieval German Judaism, in contradistinction to Sephardic Judaism, which has its distinctive roots in Spain and the Mediterranean.

Diaspora

(Gre. scattering) Often used to refer to the Jewish communities living among the gentiles outside of Israel.

Synagogue

(Greek for "gathering"). The central institution of Jewish communal worship and study since antiquity, and by extension, a term used for the place of gathering. The structure of such buildings has changed, though in all cases the ark containing the Torah scrolls faces the ancient Temple site in Jerusalem.

Palestine

(Greek form representing "Philistines," for the seacoast population encountered by early geographers). An ancient designation for the area between Syria (to the north) and Egypt (to the south), between the Mediterranean Sea and the River Jordan; roughly, modern Israel. The name refers to the Land of Israel during the years of the Jewish exile.

Tetragrammaton

(Greek, "four lettered [name]"). YHWH, the sacred name of God in Jewish scriptures and tradition. Since Hebrew was written without vowels in ancient times, the four consonants YHWH contain no clue to their original pronunciation. They are generally rendered "Yahweh" in contemporary scholarship. In traditional Judaism, the name is not pronounced, but Adonai ("Lord") or something similar is substituted. In most English versions of the Bible the tetragrammaton is represented by "LORD" (or less frequently, "Jehovah"). Yiddish (from German "Juedisch" or Jewish). The vernacular of Ashkenazic Jews; it is a combination of several languages, especially Hebrew and German, written in Hebrew script.

Aliya (Aliyot)

(Heb. "to go up") refers to when one is called to the (bimah) to read from the Torah, but also to immigration to Israel. Starting in the 1880's, moving to Palestine was known as "ingathering of the exile" or a "returning" to the promised land, thus bearing significant religious and Zionistic significance.

Gemara

(Heb. Completion) Popularly applied to the Babylonian Talmud as a whole, to discussions by rabbinic teachers on Mishnah, and to decisions reached in these discussions. In a more restricted sense, the work of the generations of the amoraim in "completing" Mishnah to produce the Talmud.

Chanukah (Hanukkah)

(Heb. Dedication) Jewish festival that commemorates the rededication of the Jerusalem temple and the victory of the Maccabees over the Hellenists circa 167 BCE. At the time oil that should only have burned for one day, miraculously burned for eight days.

Ba'al Shem Tov

(Heb. Master of the Good Name, 1698-1760). Rabbi Yisrael ben Eliezer, (also known as the Ba'al Shemtov for his corpus on maintaining proper dialogue), lived in Eastern Europe during the first half of the eighteenth century and founded Chassidic Judaism.

Talmud

(Heb., "study" or "learning"). Rabbinic Judaism produced two of these: the one known as the "Babylonian" is the most famous in the western world, and was completed around the fifth century CE; the other, known as the "Palestinian" or "Jerusalem", was edited perhaps in the early fourth century CE. Both have as their common core the Mishnah collection of the tannaim, to which are added commentary and discussion (gemara) by the amoraim (teachers) of the respective locales. Gemara thus has also become a colloquial, generic term for the Talmud and its study.

Mishnah

(Heb., "teaching"). The digest of the recommended Jewish oral halakha as it existed at the end of the 2nd century and was collated, edited and revised by Rabbi Judah the Prince. The code is divided into six major units and sixty-three minor ones. The work is the authoritative legal tradition of the early sages and is the basis of the legal discussions of the Talmud.

Torah

(Heb., "teaching, instruction"). In general, refers to study of the whole gamut of Jewish tradition or to some aspect thereof. In its special sense, it refers to the "five books of Moses" in the Hebrew scriptures (Pentateuch). In the Quran, it is the main term by which Jewish scripture is identified.

Seder

(Heb., for "order"; pl. sedarim). The traditional Jewish evening service and opening of the celebration of Passover, which includes special food symbols and narratives. The order of the service is highly regulated, and the traditional narrative is known as the Passover Haggadah. Also one of the six divisions of the Mishnah; or one of the 154 sections into which the Torah/Pentateuch is divided for a three year cycle of liturgical readings in the synagogue.

Sephardi

(Heb., for "order"; pl. sedarim). The traditional Jewish evening service and opening of the celebration of Passover, which includes special food symbols and narratives. The order of the service is highly regulated, and the traditional narrative is known as the Passover Haggadah. Also one of the six divisions of the Mishnah; or one of the 154 sections into which the Torah/Pentateuch is divided for a three year cycle of liturgical readings in the synagogue.

Western Wall

(Heb., kotel). The only remaining structure from the second temple left standing after the Roman destruction. Since the Jews are considered to be in a state of "ritual impurity" until certain special sacrifices can be brought (notably the ashes of the red heifer), some authorities hold religious Jews are forbidden to set foot on the actual site of the temple and this is the closest they can come to praying at the temple site. Others hold, however, that Jews may ascend the Temple Mount compound and are only forbidden to enter certain areas inside it.

Pharisees

(Heb., perushim, lit. "separatists" (?); adj. pharisaic). The name given to a group or movement in early Judaism, the origin and nature of which is unclear. Many scholars identify them with the later sages and rabbis who taught the oral and written law; others see them as a complex of pietistic and zealous separatists, distinct from the proto-rabbis. According to Josephus, this group believed in the immortality of souls and resurrection of the dead, in a balance between predestination and free will, in angels as active divine agents and in authoritative oral law. In the early Christian materials, Pharisees are often depicted as leading opponents of Jesus/Joshua and his followers, and are often linked with "scribes" but distinguished from the Sadducees.

Sukkah

(Lit. booth). The temporary dwellings the Jews use during the holiday of Sukkot. One is supposed to eat meals there and some Jews have the custom of sleeping in them.

Yad

(Lit. hand). Hand-shaped pointer used while reading from Torah scrolls.

Shavuot

(Pentecost; Heb., "weeks"). Observed 50 days from the day the first sheaf of grain was offered to the priests; also known as the Festival of First Fruits. It celebrates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai.

Passover

(Pesach). The major Jewish spring holiday (with agricultural aspects) also known as hag hamatzot (festival of unleavened bread) commemorating the Exodus or deliverance of the Hebrew people from Egypt (see Exodus 12-13). The festival lasts eight days, during which Jews refrain from eating all leavened foods and products. A special ritual meal called the Seder is prepared, and a traditional narrative called the Haggadah, supplemented by hymns and songs, marks the event.

Sukkot

(Tabernacles) (Heb., "booths, tabernacles"). Seven-day Jewish fall festival beginning on Tishri 15 commemorating the dwellings where the Israelites lived in the wilderness after the Exodus; also known as hag haasiph, the Festival of Ingathering (of the harvest).

Yahrzeit

(Yiddish, "year-time") Anniversary of a death; a 24-hour candle lit to commemorate the death anniversary of a close relative, also lit on holy days when Yizkor (prayer of remembrance) is recited.

Purim

A Jewish festival commemorating the deliverance of Jews in Persia as described in the biblical book of Esther. Held in late winter (between Hanukkah and Passover), on the 14th of Adar.

Kippah

A Jewish headcovering worn for worship, religious study, meals, or at any other time; also called yarmulke.

Rabbinical Judaism

A general term encompassing all movements of Judaism descended from Pharisaic Judaism; that is, all movements in existence today.

Tallis

A large, four-cornered shawl with fringes and special knots at the extremities, worn during Jewish morning prayers. The fringes, according to the Bible (Numbers 15.38-39), remind the worshiper of God's commandments. It is traditional for the male to be buried in his, but without its fringes.

Conservative Judaism

A modern development in Judaism, reacting to early Jewish Reform movements in an attempt to retain clearer links to classical Jewish law while at the same time adapting it to modern situations. Its scholarly center in the U.S. is the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York.

Karaism

Derived from Heb., qara, "scripture." A Middle Eastern heterodox Jewish group that arose in opposition to Rabbinic Judaism in the 8th century CE and emphasized the written scriptures while criticizing the rabbinic use of oral law."

Pittsburgh Platform

Early statement of American Reform Jewish principles.

Tzitzis

Fringes, (see Numbers 15:38) "...they shall make fringes for themselves on the corners of their garments."

Payot

From a phrase meaning Corners of the Head. Traditionally, Jewish men wore long sideburns 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. Chasidic Jews do not follow this leniency.

Midrash

From darash, "to inquire," whence it comes to mean "exposition" (of scripture). Refers to the "commentary" literature developed in classical Judaism that attempts to interpret Jewish scriptures in a thorough manner. Literary versions may focus either on halaka, directing the Jew to specific patterns of religious practice, or on (h)aggada, dealing with theological ideas, ethical teachings, popular philosophy, imaginative exposition, legend, allegory, animal fables—that is, whatever is not halaka.

Pogrom

From the Russian word for "devastation"; an unprovoked attack or series of attacks upon a Jewish community.

Noachide Covenant

Heb. Sheva mitzvot b'nai Noach) The covenant God made with Noah and his sons, that is, with all the people that survived the flood (Gen. 9:8-17). In rabbinic literature it is interpreted as seven commandments that God gave the whole of humanity (binding on both non-Jews and Jews). The most widely accepted version of the commandments includes the following: to abstain from 1) idolatry (also from polytheism = worshipping multiple gods); 2) murder; 3) sexual immorality, especially adultery and incest; 4) blasphemy; 5) robbery; 6) brutality against animals; and 7) to establish courts of justice (the only positive commandment). Non-Jews who keep these laws will, according to rabbinic teaching, have part in the world to come. These laws are thought to have played a role in the considerations of the council in Jerusalem (Acts 15), where the Jewish apostles decided, not to expect gentile followers of Jesus (Christians) to keep the full extent of the Torah.

Shofar

In Jewish worship, a ram's horn sounded at Rosh Hashanah morning worship and at the conclusion of Yom Kippur, as well as other times in that period during the fall.

Jewish Calendar

In general, Christianity operates on a "solar" calendar based on the relationship between the sun and the earth (365.25 days per year). . .Judaism follows a lunar calendar adjusted every three years or so to the solar cycle (by adding a second 12th month)—thus "lunisolar." The oldest Jewish annual observances are Passover/Pesach, Shavuot, Yom Kippur and Sukkot; other ancient celebrations include Rosh Ha-Shana, Simhat Torah, Hanukkah and Purim.

Temple

In the ancient world, these were the centers of outward religious life, places at which public religious observances were normally conducted by the priestly professionals. In traditional Judaism, the only legitimate one was the one in Jerusalem, built first by King Solomon around 950 B.C.E., destroyed by Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar around 587/6 B.C.E., and rebuilt about 70 years later. It was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE. The site of this ancient Jewish structure is now occupied, in part, by the "Dome of the Rock" Mosque. In recent times, the word has come to be used synonymously with synagogue in Reform Judaism.

Essenes

Jewish sect in the 1st century C.E. according to Josephus, Philo, and other sources. "Qumran community" that apparently produced the "Dead Sea Scrolls" seems to have flourished from the 3rd century B.C.E. to the 1st century CE, and is usually identified with the Jewish Essenes.

Mizrachi

Jews from Northern Africa and the Middle East, and their descendants. Approximately half of the Jews of Israel are this designation.

Moshiach

Lit. anointed. A man who will be chosen by God 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.

Reform Judaism

Modern movement originating in 18th century Europe that attempts to see Judaism as a rational religion adaptable to modern needs and sensitivities. The ancient traditions and laws are historical relics that need have no binding power over modern Jews. The central academic institution in the US is the Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, and it is represented also by the Central Conference of American Rabbis.

Tefila

Prayer.

Thirteen Principles

Statement of classical Jewish outlook by Maimonides.

Days of Awe

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

Zealots

The group of anti-Roman rebels of the 1st century C.E. Their movement started in 6 C.E., but became really active during the period of Jewish Revolt. Their most basic belief was that all means were justified to attain political and religious liberty.

Kol Nidre

The name of the Yom Kippur Eve service and the hymn which is sung during the service.

YHWH (Yahweh)

The sacred name of God in Jewish scriptures and tradition; also known as the tetragrammaton. Since Hebrew was written without vowels in ancient times, the four consonants contain no clue to their original pronunciation. In traditional Judaism, the name is not pronounced, but Adonai ("Lord") or something similar is substituted. In most English versions of the Bible the tetragrammaton is represented by "LORD" (or less frequently, "Jehovah").

Shabbat

The seventh day of the week (Sabbath), recalling the completion of the creation and the Exodus from Egypt. It is a day symbolic of new beginnings and one dedicated to God, a most holy day of rest. The commandment of rest is found in the Bible and has been elaborated by the rabbis. It is a special duty to study Torah and to be joyful. Sabbaths near major festivals are known by special names.

Yarmulke

Yiddish word meaning kippah.