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147 Cards in this Set

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Alenu [ah-LAY-noo]
a concluding liturgical prayer that affirms God's ultimate reign and the unique destiny of the people of Israel.
Aliyah [ah-lee-YAH]
litterally, "going up"; the term is used for a wave of immigrants "going up" to Israel, or, more commonly, for the person being called to "go up" from the congregation to say the Torah blessings while the Torah is being read.
Amidah [ah-mee-DAH]
"the standing prayer," one of the two central prayers in most Jewish services. Another name for the prayer is the Tefillah.
Amora'im [ah-moe-rah-EEM]
the Rabbis from the 3rd to the 7th centuries who composed the Talmud.
Ashkenazim [ash-k'nah-ZEEM]
Jews who trace their ancestry to northern and eastern Europe, as opposed to the Sephardim, whose family history goes back ultimately to Spain and Portugal.
Bal tashchit [BAHL tahsh-KHEET]
"do not destroy"; the Jewish ethical principle banning unnecessary destruction.
Bar mitzvah [bahr MITS-vah]
The age at which a boy becomes religiously responsible for his acts; and by extension, the ceremony celebrating his achieving that status, and generally held around his thirteenth birthday.
Bat mitzvah [baht MITS-vah]
The age at which a girl becomes religiously responsible for her acts; and by extension, the ceremony celebrating her achieving that status, and generally held around her thirteenth birthday.
Baruch atah adonai [bah-ROOKH ah-TAH ah-doe-NYE]
the opening phrase of a blessing.
Bedecken [B'DEH-k'n]
the ritual act of veiling the bride before a wedding.
Bench [bentch]
to "bench" is to say the Grace after Meals, from the Yiddish word benschen, to say a blessing; Jews will say, "Let's bench," and then proceed to say the Grace.
Berachah [B'rah-KHAH]
a blessing or benediction recited over enjoying something in the universe or upon performing a sacred act commanded by G-d (a mitzvah).
Bet hakenesset [BAYT hah-K'NES-set]
"a place of gathering," one of three traditional Hebrew terms for "synagogue."
Bet hamidrash [BAYT hah-meed-RAHSH]
"a place of study," one of three traditional Hebrew terms for "synagogue," but also a place where people come to study Torah.
Bet hatefillah [BAYT hah-t'fee-LAH]
"a place of prayer," one of three traditional Hebrew terms for "synagogue."
Bimah [BEE-mah]
the dais in the sanctuary from which the Torah is read, and where the leader of the service stands while leading services.
Birkat Hamazon [beer-KAHT hah-mah-ZONE]
the Grace after Meals, sometimes referred to simply as "the BEER-kaht."
Brit milah [BREET mee-LAH]
Literally, "covenant of circumcision," this is the ceremony of circumcision, referred to also in the Yiddish short form, B'ris.
Challah [KHAH-lah]
the twisted egg bread used on Sabbath and festival dinners.
Chanukah [KHAH-nuh-kuh]
the Feast of Light, usually falling in December, and commemorating the victory of the Maccabees in 167 BCE.
Charoset [khah-ROE-set]
a pasty substance made usually with wine, nuts, and apples, and eaten at the Passover seder in recollection of the mortar made by the Hebrew slaves in Egypt.
Chasidim [khah-see-DEEM]
ultra-Orthodox Jews who follow an eighteenth-century mystical interpretation of Judaism.
Chavurah [khah-voo-RAH]
an independent Jewish fellowship group, existing as an alternative to the fully structured synagogue and emphasizing radical egalitarian democracy of all its members, or a semi-independent study or prayer group within a synagogue.
Chazzan [khah-ZAHN]
a cantor.
Cholent [TCHO-lent]
a traditional food; an all-night stew.
Chupah [KHOO-pah]
the canopy under which the Jewish marriage vows are taken.
Daf yomi [DAHF YOH-mee]
the study of a page of Talmud every day.
Daven [DAH-v'n]
the traditional style of Jewish worship, and a work often used instead of the English "pray." Jews say, "It is time daven."
D'var torah [d'VAHR TOE-rah]
a short sermon or homily on the Torah portion of the week.
Erev [EH-rev]
"the eve of" a holy day.
Erev Shabbat [EH-rev shah-BAHT]
the day before Shabbat, used frequently, however, just for late Friday, the time when people prepare for Shabbat.
Etrog [ET-roag]
a lemonlike fruit used on Sukkot.
Galut [gah-LOOT]
literally, "exile," a theological term for most of Jewish history when Jews lived outside the Land of Israel.
Gemara [g'MAHR-ah]
another word for Talmud.
Ge'onim [g'oh-NEEM]
Babylonian rabbinic leaders from roughly the eighth to the twelfth centuries, who initiated the writing of Responsa.
Get [GET]
a Jewish divorce document.
Haftarah [hahf-tah-RAH]
the reading from the prophets at Sabbath and festival services.
Haggadah [hah-GAH-dah]
the prayer book for the Passover seder.
Hakafah [hah-kah-FAH]
the ritual of walking around the synagogue sanctuary carrying the Torah or (on Sukkot) a lulav and etrog.
Halachah [hah-lah-KHAH]
Jewish law.
Hamotzi [hah-MOE-tsee]
a blessing over bread, and therefore, the name by which Jews refer to the blessing before meals; sometimes referred to as "the Motzi."
Havdalah [hahv-dah-LAH]
the ritual that marks the end of the Sabbath and festivals. Jews say they "make Havdalah."
Kabbalah [kah-bah-LAH]
the most influential stream of Jewish mysticism.
Kaddish [KAH-dish]
the memorial prayer said for a year after the death of an immediate relative, and on the anniversary of that person's death.
Kadosh [kah-DOSH]
the Hebrew word for "holy."
Kashrut [kahsh-ROOT]
the dietary laws (laws of keeping kosher).
Kedushah [k'doo-SHAH]
a family prary declaring God's sanctity with the words of Isaiah, "Holy, holy, holy."
Keriyah [KREE-yah]
literally, "cutting"; the ceremony of cutting a black ribbon affixed to a mourner's clothes, as a sign of mourning.
Ketubah [k'TOO-bah]
the religious marriage document.
Ketuvim [k'too-VEEM]
the third section of the Jewish Bible, literally, the "writings," such as Psalms, Proverbs, and Job.
Kibbutz [kee-BOOTS]
collective farms in Israel governed under principles that combine Israeli nationalism with socialism.
Kiddush [kee-DOOSH]
the prayer accompanied by wine or grape juice and recited before dinner or the eve of the Sabbath or a festival, to inaugurate the day and proclaim its sanctity; or the food and wine that is customarily served in the synagogue after morning services on the Sabbath or festival.
Kiddushin [kee-doo-SHEEN]
the first part of the Jewish marriage ceremony.
Kippah [kee-PAH]
ritual headcovering. Also called a yarmulke.
Kohen [koe-HAYN]
someone of priestly descent.
Kol Nidre [kole need-RAY]
the opening Yom Kippur prayer, sung to a haunting and very famous melody.
Kosher [KOE-sh'r]
food that may be eaten, according to the dietary laws; also used to describe someone who keeps those laws, as in "I am kosher," meaning, "I keep the dietary laws."
Kotel [KOE-tel]
The only remaining structure of the ancient Temple in Jerusalem, its western wall; the most holy site for Jews.
Kugel [KUH-g'l]
a festival food; a sort of noodle pudding.
Labriyut [lah-bree-YOOT]
The Hebrew equivalent of "Gesundheit!" - what you say to someone who sneezes.
Ladino [la-DEE-noe]
the folk language of Sephardic Jews, a combination of Hebrew and Spanish.
Lag Ba'omer [lahg bah-OH-mehr]
a minor holiday in the period between Passover and Shavuot.
Lamed vov'nicks [lah-med VOHV-niks]
the mythical thirty-six righteous people who sustain the world.
Latkes [LAHT-kahs]
potato pancakes commonly eaten at Chanukah.
L'chayim [l'KHAH-yim]
"To life," the normal Jewish exclamation before taking a drink of wine or alcohol, or upon making a toast.
Levi [lay-VEE]
someone who claims to be descended from the Levites.
Lulav [LOO-lahv]
a palm branch waved at the rituals for Sukkot.
Magen David [mah-GAYN]
"shield of David"; the six pointed Jewish star that appears on the flag of the State of Israel.
Mazal tov [mah-ZAHL TOVE]
"Congratulations," the usual Jewish exclamation at weddings, or joyful events in general.
Megillah [m'gee-LAH]
"a scroll" used for one of five biblical books that are customarily printed on scrolls and read on specific holidays; especially used for the scroll of Esther that is read on Purim.
Menorah [m'NOE-rah]
a seven or eight branched candelabrum; if the latter, used expressly to hold Chanukah candles.
Mezusah [m'ZOO'zah]
ritual object affixed to the doorway of Jewish homes.
Midrash [mid-RAHSH]
a collection of rabbinical commentary on the Bible.
Mikvah [MIK-vah]
ritual bath used, among other things, for conversion ceremony.
Minhag [min-HAHG]
a custom, as opposed to a law.
Minhag hamakom [min-HAHG hah-mah-KOME]
"the custom of a place," a reference to the fact that when ritual practice differs from place to place, guests follow the practice of their hosts.
Minyan [MIN-y'n]
a quorum of ten, traditionally required for public worship.
Mishnah [MISH-nah]
the first comprehensive book of Jewish law, formulated about 200 CE.
Mitnagdim [mit-nahg-DEEM]
members of the traditional religious establishment in Poland who opposed the philosophy and practices of the Chasidim.
Mitzvah [MITS-vuh]
a commandment, or more generally, a good deed.
Mohel [MOE-hayl]
a ritual circumcisor.
Navi [nah-VEE]
the Hebrew word for "prophet."
Ne'illah [n'ee-LAH]
the concluding service for Yom Kippur.
Ner tamid [NAYR tah-MEED]
the eternal light that is kept lit over the synagogue ark.
Nevi'im [n'vee-EEM]
the prophets, either the actual individuals themselves or the biblical books that record their words; if the latter ,the second of the three sections into which Jews divide their scripture.
Niggun [nee-GOON]
a wordless melody, popularized by Chasidic ritual.
Oneg Shabbat [OH-neg shah-BAHT]
literally, "the joy of Shabbat," the principle that Shabbat should be joyous; but by extension, used also to refer to the collation and socializing following Friday night services, and shortened at times to "the oneg."
Parashah [pah-rah-SHAH]
the weekly reading in the Torah, also referred to as a sedra; sometimes referred to more fully as Parashat Hashavu-ah [par-rah-SHAHT hah-shah-VOO-ah], literally, "the reading of the week."
Pesach [PEH-sakh]
the festival of Passover, commemorating the Exodus from Egypt.
Pidyon Haben [pid-YONE hah-BEN]
the traditional ritual of the redemption of the firstborn.
Purim [POO-rim]
the festival commemorating the victory of the Jews over their would-be murderer, Haman, as described in the biblical book of Esther.
Rosh Chodesh [rosh KHO-desh]
the new moon, the first day of the new month.
Rosh Hashanah [ROSH hah-SHAH-nah]
the Jewish New Year.
Sandek [SAHN-deck]
The person who holds a baby boy at the time of his ritual circumcision, and thus, traditionally, the Jewish equivalent of one of his godparents.
Seder [SAY-der]
the evening meal and ritual with which Passover begins.
Sedra [SED-rah]
like Parashah, a word for the weekly Torah portion.
Sefer torah [SAY-fer TOE-rah]
a Torah scroll.
Semichah [s'mee-KHAH]
rabbinic ordination.
Sephardim [s'far-DEEM]
As opposed to Ashkenazim, Jews who trace their roots to Spain or Portugal.
Se'udat mitzvah [s'oo-DAHT mits-VAH]
a religiously commanded banquet.
Shabbat [shah-BAHT]
the Sabbath, often pronounced in its Yiddish form, Shabbos; people will wish each other Shabbat shalom, or Gut Shabbos.
Shabbat shalom [shah-BAHT shah-LOME]
"a peaceful Sabbath to you." This is the normal greeting on the sabbath, or the way you say goodbye on a Thursday or Friday to someone whom you do not expect to see again before the Sabbath arrives.
Shalom [shah-LOME]
peace.
Shanah tovah [shah-NAH toe-VAH]
"a good year"; the traditional greeting for the new year.
Savuot [shah-voo-OTE]
the Festival of Weeks, commemorating the giving of Torah on Mount Sinai.
Shema [sh'MAH]
Perhaps the most famous Jewish prayer, a biblical exclamation affirming the monotheistic principle: "Hear O Israel, the Eternal is our God, the Eternal is One."
Sheva Berachot [SHEH-vah b'rah-KHOTE]
"the Seven Blessings"; the second part of the Jewish marriage ceremony.
Shiva [SHIH-vah]
literally, "seven," referring to the seven days of mourning following the death of an immediate relative.
Sho'ah [SHOA-ah]
the Holocaust.
Shofar [sho-FAHR]
the ram's horn sounded during worship of the New Year.
Shul [shool]
the Yiddish word for synagogue.
Shulchan Arukh [shool-KHAHN ah-ROOKH]
the most famous code of Jewish law.
Simchadik [SIM-khah-dik]
"joyous beyond description."
Simchah [SIM-khah]
"a joyous event"; used to refer to a Jewish wedding, a bar mitzvah, or a bat mitzvah.
Simchat Torah [sim-KHAT to-RAH]
the festival following Sukkot, marking the day we conclude one year's cycle of Torah readings and begin another.
Siyyum [see-YOOM]
a party marking the accomplishment of completing the study of a tractate of Talmud.
Sukkah [soo-KAH]
the booth made to mark the festival of Sukkot.
Sukkot [soo-KOTE]
the harvest festival marked by erecting booths and thanking God for the food of the earth.
Talmud [Tal-m'd]
the most famous collection of Jewish teaching, assembled over the years from the third to the seventh centuries.
Tallit [tah-LEET]
a prayer shawl.
Tanakh [tah-NAHKH]
the Hebrew name for the Bible.
Tanna'im [tah-nah-EEM]
the Rabbis who lived between the destruction of the Temple and the compilation of the Mishnah, that is, from 70 CE to 200 CE.
Tefillah [t'fee-LAH]
literally, prayer, but used generally for the Amidah prayer.
Tefillat Haderech [t'fee-LAHT hah-DEH-rekh]
prayer for a safe journey.
Tefillin [T'FIL-in]
phylacteries, small black boxes containing citations from Torah, to which leather straps are attached. Using the straps, traditional worshipers affix these to their left arm and forehead while they pray.
Teshuvah [t'shoo-VAH]
repentance; Jews speak of "doing teshuvah."
Tikkun olam [tee-KOON]
literally, the act of "repairing the world," a commonly cited purpose in life that Judaism urges upon Jews.
Tisha Be'av [tish-AH b'AHV]
the fast marking the destruction of the First and Second temple.
Treyfah [tray-FAH]
not kosher, ritually inedible according to the dietary laws.
Tsitsit [tsee-TSEET]
the fringes sewn on the four corners of the tallit.
Tu Bishvat [too bish-VAHT]
Jewish Arbor Day when trees are planted, especially in Israel.
Tzedakah [ts'dah-KAH]
charity.
Yad [yahd]
the thin pointer shaped at the end like a hand, which a reader of Torah uses so as not to lose the place.
Yad Vashem [YAHD vah-SHEM]
the Holocaust memorial in Israel.
Yahrtzeit [YAHR-tzite]
the anniversary of the death of an immediate relative.
Yarmulke [YAHR-m'l-kuh]
the Yiddish word for a head covering, otherwise know as a kippah.
Yetser hara [YAY-tser hah-RAH]
the "evil inclination," the part of us that tempts us to go astray.
Yetser hatov [YAY-tser hah-TOVE]
the "good inclination," the part of us that leads us to virtue.
Yiddish [YID-ish]
the fold language of Ashkenazic Jews, a mixture mainly of Hebrew and German, with some eastern European words added as well.
Yisra'el [yis-rah-AYL]
a traditional way to refer to a Jew who claims no lineage of either biblical priests or Levites; that is to say, just an ordinary member of the people of Israel.
Yizkor [YIZ-kore]
the memorial prayer recited on certain holidays, particularly Yom Kippur.
Yom Ha'atsma'ut [yome hah-ahts-mah-OOT]
Israel Independence Day.
Yom Hashoah [yome hah-SHOA-ah]
Holocaust Day; Holocaust memorial day.
Yom Hazikaron [yome hah-zee-kah-RONE]
Remembrance Day in Israel, the day on which Israelis remember their fallen soldiers from all their wars.
Yom Kippur [yome kee-POOR]
the Day of Atonement.
Yom Yerushalayim [yome y'roo-shah-LAH-yeem]
Jerusalem Day, a holiday celebrating the reunification of Jerusalem in the 1967 war.
Zohar [ZOE-hahr]
a lengthy set of medieval mystical writings.