Greetings
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Chag Sameach |
(KHAHG sah-MEHY-ahkh) Hebrew. Literally, joyous festival. This is an appropriate
greeting for just about any holiday, but it's especially appropriate for Sukkot,
Shavu'ot and Pesach (Passover), which are technically the only festivals (the other
holidays are holidays, not festivals).1 |
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Gut Yontiff |
(GUT YAHN-tiff; gut rhymes with put) Yiddish. Literally, good holiday. This greeting
can be used for any holiday, not necessarily a festival.1 |
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Have an easy fast |
This is the proper way to wish someone well for Yom Kippur. Please, don't wish people
a Happy Yom Kippur; it's not a happy holiday1 |
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L'Shanah Tovah |
(li-SHAH-nuh TOH-vuh; li-shah-NAH toh-VAH) Hebrew. Lit. for a good year. A common
greeting during Rosh Hashanah and Days of Awe. It is an abbreviation of L'shanah
tovah tikatev v'taihatem (May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year).1 |
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Shalom |
(shaw-lome) Hello, goodbye. |
Sabbath and Festivals
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Havdalah |
Ritual ceremony marking the end of the Sabbath and the separation between the sacred
and the profane. All the senses are used in blessing the wine, the light of a special
candle and smelling spices. |
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Passover/Pesach |
An eight day observance according to Biblical command, commemorating the Exodus
from Egypt. It is observed in the synagogue with special readings, and at home by
the SEDER on the first and second nights. Food is to exclude all leavened bread
and is focused on the use of MATZAH which is unleavened bread. It occurs in the
springtime between Purim and Shavuot. |
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Purim |
A merry holiday in late winter, based on the MEGILLAH of Esther which tells of the
rescue of the Jews of Persia from the wicked Haman by Queen Esther and her uncle
Mordecai. The megillah is read in the synagogue. Whenever the name of Haman comes
up it is drowned out by noisemakers called GROGGERS. There is general merrymaking
with costumes and plays called Purimspiels. Charity, here called Shalach Monas,
is in order. Haman Tashen are small filled cakes. |
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Rosh Hashana |
The beginning of the High Holidays, a time of solemn self examination and judgment.
It comes in the fall and lasts two days. It is the beginning of the religious year
so everyone wishes a Happy New Year (Leshana Tova). |
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Shabbat |
Sanctified day of rest in which no work is to be done. A whole day of spiritual
reflection. |
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Shavuot |
The Festival of Weeks comes seven weeks after Passover. It commemorates the giving
of the Torah and is also the festival of the First Fruits - an agricultural holiday
- therefore the synagogue is decorated with flowers and plants. The Book of Ruth
is studied in this Pilgrimage Festival (the other two being Passover and Shavuot).
Ruth was the first recorded convert to Judaism, a Jew by choice. It occurs at the
end of spring so Confirmation usually takes place then. |
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Simchat Torah |
A YOM TOV at the end of Sukkot dedicated to the joy of having been given the Torah.
There is much dancing and singing with the Torah scrolls being carried even into
the streets. |
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Sukkot |
An eight day festival (the festival of Booths) coming five days after Yom Kippur
and culminating in Shemini Atzeret and then Simchas Torah. It is marked by the building
of a temporary structure called a SUKKAH which is roofed over by branches and in
which meals are to be taken and one may sleep therein. This is to recall the dwellings
in the Exodus. |
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Yom Ha'atsmaut |
Israel's independence day. |
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Yom Hashoah |
A day set aside for community remembrance of the six million martyrs of the Holocaust. |
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Yom Kippur |
The most holy day of the year. It ends the ten days of awe begun by Rosh Hashanah.
It is the day of judgment, repentance and forgiveness. Gmar Tov is used as a greeting
on that day. |
Miscellaneous
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Baruch |
(ba-ROOKH) Blessing |
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Shalom |
(shaw-LOME) Peace, hello, goodbye. |
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Agunah |
A woman whose husband has not given her the divorce (get) papers because he was
unwilling for his own reasons, or unable to because he disappeared through war or
other action. She cannot remarry until she is legally divorced according to Jewish
law. |
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Amidah |
The 18 prayers (Shmona Esrei) that are part of every service . Also called silent
devotion or Tefilah. |
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Aron Kodesh |
The enclosure where the Torahs are kept, usually tastefully decorated with sacred
symbols. |
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Aliyah |
'Going up' to the Bimah to read from the Torah. Since the Torah is read at services
on Monday, Thursday and Shabbat as well as all Yom Tovim the honor of reading is
given to various members of the congregation. |
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Aufruf |
A Yiddish word meaning calling up referring to being called up to read from the
Torah on the Sabbath before his wedding. |
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Ashkenazi |
A Jew who originated from Europe (Ashkenaz=Germany). By and large they spoke Yiddish
and had similar customs and practises. |
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Bar/Bat Mitzvah |
Coming of age (13) for boys and girls is marked by being called up to the torah
and leading the congregation in worship as an adult where capable. |
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Bimah |
The raised dais at the front of the synagogue (in the center in Sephardic synogogues)
usually facing the east to Jerusalem, where the officiants stand and lead the service. |
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Birkat Hamazon |
Grace after meals. |
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Brachah/Blessing |
A blessing that is said before eating various foods (wine, bread, fruits, vegetables),
on experiencing some natural or human wonder or significant event and before many
religious rituals. All blessings begin with Blessed art thou O Lord our God, King
of the universe who..................... Baruch utah adonai elohenu melech haolam
asher................. |
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Brit Milah/Bris |
Ritual circumcision mandated for the 8th day of life. It signifies the covenant
between God and Israel. |
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Chalah |
Twisted egg bread used for Shabbat and other festive meals. |
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Chanukah |
A minor festival now accorded more importance because it occurs around the time
of Christmas. It is not Biblical because the events that it commemorates took place
during the Greek control over the Jewish homeland and were forcing their religious
beliefs on the Jews. Judah Maccabee led the fight against Hellenization and liberated
the country and the Temple. After it was cleansed, only enough oil was found to
last one day but miraculously it burned for eight days. Hence we light candles for
eight days of Chanukah in a special candle holder called a Chanukiah in memory of
the heroic deeds of the Maccabees. |
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Chazan |
The cantor, an observant Jew who has learned to lead the congregation in prayer
and who is recognized as having good musical knowledge and abilities. |
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Chosen People |
Special relationship between God and the Jewish people obligating them to act as
a light unto the nations by serving the spirit of God. |
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Chuppah |
The marriage canopy under which all Jewish weddings take place. It symbolizes the
bridal chamber and the Jewish home. |
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Conversion |
Halacha tells us that only a person born of a Jewish mother is Jewish. In some circles
patrilineal descent is accepted especially if one was brought up as a Jew. Those
who choose to take on the Jewish religion must undertake study to be sure that this
is what they really want and also to become knowledgeable Jews able to practice
the rituals and observe Mitzvot (commandments). The ceremony of conversion requires
evidence of knowledge, circumcision, and mikveh (ritual immersion in running water). |
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Diaspora |
Refers to the Jews who live outside of Israel all over the world, since the dispersion
from the homeland after the destruction of the second Temple. |
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Etrog |
A citron (a citrus fruit) used on Sukkot along with the Lulav. |
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Get |
Jewish divorce according to the requirements of the marriage contract (Ketubah)
and the agreement of both parties. |
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Gematria |
The system of numerology where each letter represents a number as in Latin. The
total value of the letters of a word if equal to the total of another word then
the two are related in some way. Certain numbers are good like 18 (chai which means
life) or multiples of it. |
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Halacha |
This is the term for the Jewish way of life as taught by the Torah and the Talmud
and interpreted by the Rabbis through the centuries. Variations depend on basic
philosophy whether Orthodox, Conservative, Reform or Reconstructionist. |
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Kaddish |
Traditional prayer said in every service in memory of the dead and at funerals by
close relatives. It requires a minyan. |
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Kashrut/Kosher |
The dietary laws as prescribed by the Torah and amplified by Halacha. Only certain
animals may be used for food. Milk and meat cannot be mixed requiring separate sets
of dishes and utensils, one for dairy (milchig) and one set for meat (fleishig).
It is a powerful reinforcement of Jewish identity. |
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Ketubah |
The marriage contract written in a prescribed form with decorative borders outlining
the obligations mainly of the husband to the wife. It is signed by two witnesses.
It is the main way of three ways that a man takes a wife -- by contract, by giving
a gift (a ring) or by consummation of the marriage the latter witnessed only by
inference. |
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Kiddush |
Sanctification of a Shabbat or Yom Tov by blessing over the wine and recalling history. |
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Kohain |
Any man who can trace his family roots to the Temple priesthood - most people called
Cohen or any variant of that name but can have other names. They are given the honor
of the fist Aliyah and other perks. Most of us are just plain Yisroelim but some
are Levites. |
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Lulav |
A dried palm branch intertwined with myrtle and willow that along with the Etrog
make up the four species required for ritual on Sukkot. |
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Megilla |
There are five Megillot each coming in its own scroll. These are Megillas Esther,
Megilla Ruth, Lamentations (Echah), Ecclesiastes (Kohellet) and Song of Songs (Shir
Hashirim). They are each studied in conjunction with a holiday - Esther on Purim,
Ruth on Shavuot, Echah on Tisha b' Av, Kohellet on Sukkot but only by Ashkenazim,
and Song of Songs on Pesach. |
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Mezuzah |
A special casing containing a parchment with the Shema on it that is affixed to
the right door post as you enter the house. It is usually kissed on entering. It
signifies that the home is Jewish and is a reminder of the holiness of the home. |
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Midrash |
A deeper more fanciful interpretation of passages from the Torah like reading between
the lines. A Midrash does not have quite the force of Torah or Talmud but are frequently
considered in explaining or interpreting Torah. LIDRASH means to seek or interpret.
A DROSH is a commentary on some part of the Torah. |
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Minyan |
The minimal number of ten Jews required for any communal religious service. In most
Conservative and Reform synagogues women are counted nowadays. |
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Mitzvah |
Commandment from the Torah and also any good deed. There are 613 mitzvot in the
Torah and we are commanded to fulfill as many as possible to lead an observant life. |
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Mohel |
A trained observant Jew who is authorized to perform Brit Milah (ritual circumcision) |
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Motzi |
Refers to the blessing said before partaking of a meal. It thanks God for the food
we are given. See Bracha and Blessing. |
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Moshiach/Messiah |
Literally Anointed One. A descendant of King David who will become king and will
bring universal justice, peace and brotherhood. |
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Ner Tamid |
The eternal light that is kept in the synagogue above the Holy Ark (Aron Kodesh). |
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Oneg Shabbat |
Welcoming the Sabbath joyfully and lovingly. |
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Pidyon Haben |
Redemption of the first born son from the Temple priests, the Kohanim to whom all
first fruits are dedicated. He is redeemed for five shekels on the 31st day of life
at a home ceremony. |
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Pogrom |
Organized harassment and killing of Jews by mobs frequently arranged by the Czarist
government or in other countries as in the Crusades. |
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Righteous Gentiles |
Non-Jews who risked their lives to save Jews from the Holocaust. Our own Rabbi Schulweis
is the founder of one of the first organizations to recognize such heroic souls.
Yad Vashem, the Israeli memorial to the six million martyrs recognizes them with
an avenue of trees. |
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Seder |
A ritual family feast prescribed by custom and the Haggadah the story of Passover.
Its focus is on freedom through open discussion. The legendary four questions are
asked by the youngest and the answer is the explanation of the Exodus , its history
and significance. The Afikomen is the last matzoh to be eaten after being hidden
and then found by the children who thereby earn a prize. The prophet Elijah, the
forerunner of the Messiah the ultimate redeemer, is an honored guest at every seder. |
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Selichot |
Midnight prayers said on the Saturday before Rosh Hashana to get into the mood of
the High Holy Days. S |
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Sephardim |
Jews who came from Spain (Sepharad), North Africa and the Mediterranean. They spoke
Ladino and had local customs and practices. Religiously there are only minor differences
from the western Ashkenazic practice. |
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Shechina |
The spirit of God as it dwells among the people. It is considered to be the feminine
side of the Deity. |
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Shema |
The declaration of faith in the unity of God, said at every service. It is a quote
from Deuteronomy 6 |
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Shochet |
A trained observant Jew who is authorized to perform ritual slaughter of animals
for kosher food. The important thing is to avoid making the animal suffer. |
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Shtetl |
Yiddish word for small town where most Jews lived in eastern Europe within the Pale
of Settlement where they were allowed to live. SHIVA |
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Shofar |
Ram's horn blown on Rosh Hashana and at the end of Yom Kippur. |
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Talit/Tallis |
The prayer shawl with its prescribed fringes used in daily prayer. The fringes are
a reminder of the Mitzvot. |
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Talmud |
A compilation of 63 tractates recording the intellectual, social, national and religious
activities pursued by Jews during the approximately 1000 years of its formation.
It covers commentary by many sages on the Torah using their God-given faculties
of reasoning and judgment to interpret the meanings and implications of Scripture.
It is a fine example of logic and deduction to bring the written word to the every
day life of the people in a meaningful way. The Talmud is known as the Oral Law
(Aggadah) because it came through oral discussion and argumentation. The Tanach
is the written law (Ketuvim). Together they form the basis of the Halacha. The Talmud
was written down in the 2nd C. of the Common Era (CE)by Rabbi Judah the Prince as
the Mission from memories of many Rabbis. It included Rabbinical enactments which
became law. Further updating and extension was added over the next few hundred years
and this was called Gemara. Together they embody religious truths, moral lessons,
laws, history and inspiration regarding Torah and the eternal questions. (From the
'World of Talmud' by Morris Adler, Schocken Books) |
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Tanach |
An acronym for Torah, Neviim, Ketuvim (Five Books of Moses, Prophets and The Sacred
Writings) that make up the entire God-given Holy Scriptures. |
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T'fillin/Philacteries |
Small boxes, containing the Shema, and attached to leather thongs for affixing to
the forehead and the left arm as commanded in the Shema. These are worn daily except
for Shabbat and Holy Days for morning prayer. |
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Torah |
The five books of Moses. The word means teaching and so also means all learning.
The Torah is central to Jewish life. It is considered to be the word of God, whether
actually written by Him or inspired by Him, so it is treated with all due reverence
and love. It is Holy Writ about 3000 years old. It is called the Old Testament by
Christians but not by Jews who do not recognize any new testament. The Torah scrolls
(Sefer Torah) used in the synagogue are written on parchment and stitched together
to form one long roll containing every word as it has been written for three thousand
years by faithful meticulous scribes. In book form it is still treated with reverence.
Here it contains the tropes and commentaries and translations to various degrees. |
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Tropes/Trope |
The markings called cantillation above or below each word in the Torah indicating
the musical chant and emphasis assigned to that word. These indicate the proper
way to chant the Torah, the Haftara and the Megilla each of which have their own
Trope. They do not appear in the Torah scroll. They go back to Temple times. |
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Tzedakah |
Literal meaning is justice but it has come to mean charity because charity is not
by choice but is a mitzvah, an obligatory moral duty. |
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Yahrzeit |
Yiddish for anniversary of the death of a family member. It calls for the recitation
of the Kaddish in a minyan. |
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Yarmulke/Kippah |
Skull cap worn by men during worship, eating or study. Many wear a head covering
all the time as a sign of respect and a reminder of God above. |
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Yizkor |
Hebrew for remembrance. A synagogue service for all the community to remember their
dead. It is said on the pilgrimage festivals of Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot. |
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Zion |
Another name for Israel or Eretz Yisroel. |