Glossary of Jewish & Hebrew Words
Latke? Mechitza? Mohel? What does it all mean? Here we offer definitions of some Jewish and Hebrew words you may have heard before. If there's a word you'd like defined, email Sarah. For more information about Jewish holidays, terminology and teachings, visit www.myjewishlearning.com.
Aleph-bet: The Hebrew alphabet
Aliyah: The honor of being called up in synagogue to read from the Torah - or - a term used to describe Jewish immigration to Israel
Avodah: Work, often used in reference to work that serves God
Bar/Bat Mitzvah: A 13 year old Jewish boy or girl who is seen as an adult in the eyes of the Jewish community - or - a religious ceremony in which a 13 year old boy or girl reads from the Torah and/or leads a prayer service for the first time
Birkat Hamazon: Grace after meals
Brachot: Blessings, singular bracha
Brit Bat: A ceremony welcoming a female Jewish baby with song and prayer
Brit Milah: A ceremony welcoming a male Jewish baby, usually performed on his eighth day of life, involving circumcision and prayer
Challah: Braided or round egg-bread eaten on Shabbat and on some holidays
Chesed: Loving-kindness, virtuous giving with a focus on the recipient
D'var Torah: A brief explanation and discussion of the weekly Torah reading, literally "a word of Torah"
Dreidel: A four-sided spinning top used by children and adults to play a special game at Chankuah
Erev: The evening preceding the day of a Jewish holiday, which also marks the beginning of that holiday because all Jewish days begin and end at sunset
Gan: The Hebrew word for preschool
Gemilut Chasidim: Acts of loving-kindness benefiting others
Haftorah: The book of Prophets, a section of which is read each week following the Torah reading
Hamotzi: The blessing to thank God and the universe for bread
Havurah: A spiritual or religious fellowship or group that gathers for discussion, prayer and celebration
High Holy Days: The holiest days of the Jewish year, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and the 10 days of repentance that fall between them
Kabbalah: The study of mystical aspects of Judaism related to understanding the relationship between the infinite divine and the tangible universe
Kabbalat Shabbat: A ceremony to welcome Shabbat that precedes the Friday night evening service
Kiddush: The blessing said over wine on Shabbat and other holidays
Latke: A delicious fried potato pancake traditionally eaten during Chanukah, the eight day Festival of Lights
Madrichim: Counselors, teachers or leaders, singular madrich or madricha
Mechitza: The divider or curtain separating men and women during traditional or Orthodox Jewish prayer or services
Megillah: The scroll containing the biblical Book of Esther that is read as part of the celebration of Purim
Mentsch: A Yiddish word meaning an honorable person, or someone with integrity and concern for others
Minyan: Ten adult Jewish people, the minimum number required for communal prayer
Mishpocha: A Yiddish and Hebrew word meaning extended family
Mohel: The person who performs the circumcision at a Brit Milah
Oneg: A gathering, usually with refreshments, following Jewish services
Ruach: One's spirit, mind or reasoning powers
Shehecheyanu: A common Jewish prayer said to celebrate special occasions and to give thanks for a new experience
Seder: Literally means "order," the ritual meal eaten as part of the celebration of Passover
Shabbat: The Jewish sabbath celebrated and observed from sunset on Friday evening until the appearance of the first star on Saturday night
Shema: A Jewish prayer combining three passages from the Torah seen as defining the liturgical core of Judaism
Shofar: A ram's horn that is sounded during services for the High Holy Days
Simcha: Great happiness and spiritual rejoicing
Talmud: Ancient rabbinic writings consisting of the Mishneh and the Gemara that serve as the source of much Jewish law
Torah: A scroll containing the five books of Moses, used in a synagogue for services, also refered to as the Pentateuch or the Old Testament; the entire body of Jewish law and including the five books of Moses and the Talmud