Unless you're fluent in Hebrew and Yiddish, you'll probably need a little help reading through this site. Here's where you can find the meanings of all those ridiculous looking words I insist on torturing you with. You'll find links to this glossary at the top and bottom of all the journal entries and it opens in a new window for your viewing convenience.
· Achdus: Unity.
· Aishes Chayil: Woman of valor.
· Akeidah: Refers to the biblical episode where G-d commands Abraham to bind his son, Isaac, to an alter and sacrifice him.
· Aliyah: Literally, to ascend. Refers to immigration to Israel.
· Ari or Arizal: Refers to Isaac Luriam famous Torah scholar and mystic. He put together a prayer book called "Tehillas Hashem" which is used by a group of chassidim known as Lubavitchers.
· Avraham: Abraham
· Avraham Aveinu: Literally, "our father Abraham." Refers to the Patriarch Abraham.
· Bar mitzvah: Literally "son of the commandments." Refers to the ceremony in which a 13 year old boy accepts the obligations and privileges of a man, for instance, reading from the Torah.
· Baruch Hashem: Thank G-d.
· Bas: Daughter of.
· Bashert: Predestined. Ex. "It was bashert that I ran into you today!" It is also used by unmarried people to refer to their future spouse. Ex. "I hope I meet my bashert soon!"
· Beis Hamikdash: The Holy Temple in Jerusalem, which no longer stands. Jewish belief is that when the Messiah comes the Holy Temple will be rebuilt for the third and final time.
· Bentcher: A small booklet containing the grace after meals prayer.
· Boker tov: Good morning.
· Bracha: Blessing.
· B'samim: Spices. Used in the Havdalah ceremony.
· Chasid: Literally, a pious person. Refers to a Torah observant person who follows a specific rabbi and philosophy.
· Chassidim: Plural of chasid.
· Chassidishe:
· Chassidus: The study of the inner dimensions of the Torah.
· Chevron: Hebrew name for Hebron, a city in Israel.
· Chumash: Hebrew word for Bible, referring to the 5 books of Moses.
· Daven: Pray.
· Diaspora: Refers to those Jews who live outside of Israel.
· Dovid Hamelech: King David.
· Dvar Torah: A small lecture, usually pertaining to the weekly Torah portion.
· Erev: Eve of. Ex. "erev Shabbos" refers to the eve of the Sabbath.
· Frum: Religious. Used to describe a Torah observant Jew. - Ex. "She became frum 2 years ago."
· Galil: Galilee.
· Gam zu le tova: A Hebrew phrase which means, "this also is good." Refers to the belief that everything that happens is from G-d and is for mankind's benefit.
· Golus: Exile.
· Halacha: Jewish Law - according to the Oral Torah. Sometimes is used to refer to one particular law. Ex. "There is a halacha not to eat pork."
· Halachos: Plural of halacha.
· Hamotzi: The blessing made when eating bread.
· Hashem: Literally "the name" - Religious Jews use this word to refer to G-d.
· Hashgacha pratis: Divine providence.
· Hatikva: Literally, the hope. Hatikva is Israel's national anthem.
· Havdalah: Literally, separation. Refers to the ceremony which marks the end of the Sabbath.
· Kabbalah: The famous Jewish book of mysticism.
· Kabbalist: Someone who studies the Kabbalah.
· Kavanah:
· Kedosh HaKedoshim: The Holy of Holies. Refers to a room in the Holy Temple where the Divine Presence dwelt.
· Keppitels: Chapters.
· Kfar: Village.
· Kibbutz: A communal living space where everyone shares belongings and responsibilities.
· Kiddush: Literally, sanctification. Refers to the Sabbath and holiday prayer chanted over wine.
· Kohanim: Men of the tribe of Levi who served or will someday serve in the Holy Temple.
· Korbanos: Sacrifices.
· Kosher: Literally, correct. Refers to the laws concerning Jewish dietary restrictions
· Kotel: The Western Wall, sometimes referred to as the Wailing Wall. Found in Jerusalem, it is part of the remains of the Holy Temple. It is the holiest place in the world to the Jewish people.
· Lecha Dodi: A song which welcomes the Sabbath.
· Levites: Men of the tribe of Levi.
· Licht bentchen: Candle lighting. Refers to the time before the Sabbath when Jewish women light candles and recite a blessing over them to welcome the Sabbath.
· Lubavitch: A city in Russia, it also refers to the chasidic movement and its followers, which evolved from that city.
· Maariv: The evening prayer service.
· Mamesh: Really. Ex. "It was mamesh a miracle you showed up!"
· Mazel tov: Literally "good sign" - used when upon hearing good news. Ex. "Mazel tov! I heard about your engagement."
· Meah Shearim: An extremely religious section of Jerusalem.
· Mechitza: A separation. Refers to the wall or curtain that separates the men from the women in Orthodox synagogues and other places where religious people congregate.
· Mincha: The afternoon prayer service.
· Mitzrayim: Hebrew word for the country of Egypt.
· Mitzvah: Literally, command. Refers to one of the 613 commandments Jews are obligated to follow.
· Mitzvos: Plural of mitzvah.
· Moshiach: Messiah.
· Motzei: After.
· Nusach: Version. Refers to the different kinds of prayer books people use. Ex. "I use Nusach Ari."
· Oy vey: A yiddish expression of dismay or exasperation, or surprise.
· Parsha: The weekly Torah portion.
· Peyos: Sidecurls worn by religious men.
· Purim: The holiday which commemorates our triumph over a plot of genocide in ancient Persia.
· Rebbetzin: A rabbi's wife.
· Rivkah: Rebecca.
· Shabbos: The Sabbath.
· Shacharis: The morning prayer service.
· Shechina: Divine Presence.
· Shemonah Esrei: The main, silent portion of the Jewish prayer services.
· Shiur: Lecture
· Shliach: Literally, messenger. Refers to a person who does outreach with non-observant Jews.
· Shlucha: The feminine version of shliach.
· Shomer negiah: Literally, guarding the touch. Refers to the practice observant Jews have of refraining from any contact with members of the opposite sex.
· Shtetl: Small communities of religious Jews living together in poor conditions.
· Shul: Synagogue.
· Siddur: Prayer book.
· Siddurim: Plural of siddur.
· Simcha: A joyous event.
· Simchas Torah: The Jewish holiday which celebrates the completion of he yearly cycle of Torah readings.
· Tefillin: Phylacteries worn by Jewish men during weekday morning prayer services.
· Tehillim: Psalms.
· Tiveria: Hebrew name for Tiberias, a city in Israel.
· Torah: The 5 books of Moses. In secular society it is usually referred to as the Old Testament.
· Tracht gut vet zayn gut: A Yiddish phrase which means, "think good and it will be good."
· Tzaddik: A righteous person.
· Tzaddikim: Plural of tzaddik.
· Tzedakah: Charity.
· Tzfas: The Hebrew name for Safed, a city in Northern Israel.
· Tznius: Modesty.
· Yaacov: Jacob.
· Yidden: Jews.
· Yiddishkeit: Judaism.
· Yisroel: Israel.
· Yitzchak: Isaac.
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