Hyman Brand
Hebrew Academy
‫האקדמיה לעברית ע"ש היימן ברנד‬
Ha’academia l’ivrit al shem Hyman Brand
Mini-Hebrew Dictionary
(with a splash of Yiddish)
How to Use:
This dictionary is divided by sections and is not alphabetic, rather
it is thematic. All words are listed as transliterations first with Hebrew script
next to each word, along with a definition. Transliterations are tricky to do and
our transliterations are meant to be phonetic for English readers. The dictionary
themes are: I. Common Phrases, II. Ritual Words and Life Cycle Events, III.
Prayers and Blessings, IV. Holidays and Associated Words, V. Yiddish Words, VI.
Numbers and Calendar Items, VII. Torah and Jewish Literature and VIII. Jewish
Beliefs and Ideas
Section I.
Common Phrases
Daily Greetings
Shalom ‫שלום‬
Boker Tov ‫בוקר טוב‬
Ma Nishma ?‫מה נשמע‬
Baruch Hashem ‫ברוך השם‬
Mah Chadash ?‫מה חדש‬
Mah Hainyanim ?‫מה העניינים‬
Shalom Aleichem ‫שלום עליכם‬
Aleichem HaShalom ‫עליכם השלום‬
L’ehitra’ot ‫להתראות‬
Beruchim Habaim ‫ברוכים הבאים‬
Shalom Yeladim ‫שלום ילדים‬
Hello/goodbye/peace
“Good morning”
How Are You
Bless/Thank God (a response to “how are you?”)
“Wha t’s new?”
Wha t’s happening? How are you?
“Peace unto you”
The response to Shalom Aleichem
See you la ter
“Welcome,” to a group of people
“Hello children”
Holiday and Shabbat Greetings
Shabbat Shalom ‫שבת שלום‬
Gut Shabbes
Shavuah Tov ‫שבוע טוב‬
Chag Sa-may-ach ‫חג שמח‬
Gut Yuntif
Have a peaceful Shabba t
Have a good Shabbat (Yiddish)
Have a good week (Used on Sa turday night)
“Have a Happy Holiday”
Happy Holiday (Passover, Sukkot, Shavuot) (Yiddish)
Life cycle
Yom Huledet Sa-may-ach ‫יום הולדת שמח‬
Baruch Dayan Ha-emet ‫ברוך דיין האמת‬
B’sha-ah Tovah ‫בשעה טובה‬
“Happy Birthday”
“Blessed is the True Judge” (said upon hearing of a dea th)
Wishes for a healthy pregnancy (used in lieu of saying Mazel Tov,
because the baby ha s not yet a rrived)
Celebrating
B’hatzlacha ‫בהצלחה‬
Tov Me-ode ‫טוב מאוד‬
Lechayim ‫לחיים‬
Mazal Tov ‫מזל טוב‬
Kol Hakavod ‫כל הכבוד‬
“Much success!” (used to wish someone good luck)
“Very good”
“To Life” (used as a toast a t a meal/occasion)
Congra tulations (“good fortune”) (used on happy life cycle events)
Grea t job! (“all the honor”)
Manners
Todah ‫תודה‬
Todah Rabah ‫תודה רבה‬
Bevakasha ‫בבקשה‬
B’tayavon ‫בתאבון‬
Sheket Bevakasha ‫בבקשה‬
‫שקט‬
Thank you
Thank you very muc h
You’re welcome
Bon Apeti t!
“Quiet, please”
People in a family
Eema ‫אמא‬
Ahbbah ‫אבא‬
Sahvtah ‫סבתא‬
Sahbbah ‫סבא‬
Ach ‫אח‬
Achot ‫אחות‬
Dod ‫דוד‬
Dodah ‫דודה‬
Yeled ‫ילד‬
Yalda ‫ילדה‬
Eesh ‫איש‬
Eeshah ‫אישה‬
Chatann ‫חתן‬
Kallah ‫כלה‬
Mother
Father
Grandmother
Grandfather
Brother
Sister
Uncle
Aunt
Boy
Girl
Man
Woman
Groom
Bride
School words
Moreh/ Morah ‫מורה‬
Teacher (male/female)
Talmid/Talmidah ‫ ה‬/‫תלמיד‬
Student (male/female)
Adon ‫אדון‬
Mr.
Geveret ‫גברת‬
Mrs.
Keetah ‫כיתה‬
Grade/classroom
Keetah Aleph, Kita Bet…
‫ כיתה ב‬,‫כיתה א‬
First Grade, Second Grade
Misrad ‫משרד‬
Office
Sifriyah ‫ספריה‬
Library
Achote ‫אחות‬
Nurse
Minahel/Minah elet ‫ מנהלת‬.‫מנהל‬
Principal
Misderon ‫מסדרון‬
Hallway
Luach ‫לוח‬
Poster or wall
Shee-oo-ray Bayit ‫שיעורי בית‬
Homework
Yalkoot/Teek ‫ילקוט‬
Backpack
Tah ‫תא‬
Cubbie
Aroneet ‫ארונית‬
Locker
Teek Ochel ‫תיק אוכל‬
Lunch box
Toor/Shurah ‫ שורה‬/ ‫טור‬
Line
Choveret ‫חוברת‬
Workbook
Chofesh ‫חופש‬
Vacation
Hafsahkah ‫הפסקה‬
Recess
Chateef ‫חטיף‬
Snack
Sefer ‫ספר‬
Book
Eepahrone ‫עיפרון‬
Pencil
Torahn/Toraneet ‫ תורנית‬/‫ תורן‬Classroom helper
Section II. Ritual Words and Life Cycle Events
Simchah
‫שמחה‬
“Joy” or “happiness,” A joyous occasion or a celebra tion
Marriage
Aufruf
Ketubah ‫כתובה‬
Chuppah ‫חופה‬
Shevah brachot
Get
Basheh rt
Chatan ‫חתן‬
Kallah ‫כלה‬
Bedeken
Tish
Beit din
‫בית דין‬
Ger ‫גר‬
‫שבע ברכות‬
Pre-ma rriage aliyah taken before wedding day (Yiddish)
Jewish marriage contrac t
Marriage canopy
Seven marriage blessings said at the wedding ceremony and at the festi ve meal
afterwards
Jewish divorce decree
Predestined, made for each other (Yiddish )
Groom
Bride
“To Inspect” Part of ceremony in which the groom lif ts the veil to c heck to see tha t
the bride is indeed herself – based on story of Jacob, Leah and Rachel (Yiddish)
Table where Ketuba h is signed, usually before wedding ceremony
A Jewish Court of Law, which in modern ti mes consists of a t least three rabbis for
rulings on religious law, such as conversion or divorc e (get)
Definition of a Jew by choice (convert)
Birth
B’sha-ah Tovah
‫ בשעה טובה‬Greeting for Pregnancy (used in lieu of saying Mazel Tov, because the baby ha s not
yet arrived)
Brit Meelah ‫ברית מילה‬
Ritual circumcision- Symbol of God's covenant with Abra ha m and the Jewish people
Bris
Ritual circumcision (Yiddish)
Mohel ‫מוהל‬
Ritual circumciser
Simchat Bat ‫שמחת בת‬
Na ming celebra tion for girl
Bar/Bat Mitzvah ‫ בת מצוה‬/‫ בר‬Coming of age for religious responsibility. "Ba t" mi tzvah and custom of big party are
relati vely recent developments
Death
Chevrah Kadishah ‫" חברה קדישא‬Holy Society," (People who prepare body for burial through ri tual washing)
Kree-ah ‫קריעה‬
Tearing of garment a s sign of mourning
Kaddish (yatom) ‫קדיש‬
Prayer of praise of God, said by mourners
Shivah ‫שבעה‬
First seven days of mourning
Sh'loshim ‫שלושים‬
First 30 days of mourning
Baruch Dayan Ha’emet ‫" ברוך דין האמת‬Blessed is the true Judge," a phra se said when Jews hear of a dea th
Yahrzeit
Anniversary of da te of dea th
Yizkor ‫יזכור‬
Memorial service added to services on Yom Kippur, Shmini Atzeret, Pesac h and
Shavuot
Ahzkahrah ‫אזכרה‬
“The recalling,” (referring to the unveiling ceremony a t a gravesi te)
School Words
Beit Sef er ‫בית ספר‬
Yeshivah ‫ישיבה‬
Melavah Malkah ‫מלווה מלכה‬
Chag Siddur ‫חג סידור‬
Chag Chumash ‫חג חומש‬
“House of the Book,” which refers to a religious school
A Jewish School of higher learning in Tora h, Talmud and classic Jewish Tex ts
“Accompanying the Queen,” (refering to the festi val meal at the end of Shabbat)
“Holiday of the Siddur,” where students a re given their first formal prayer book
“Holiday of the Chuma sh,” where students are given thei r first formal
Ritual Objects
Megillah (pl. megillot)
Menorah ‫מנורה‬
Mezuzah
‫מגילה‬
‫מזוזה‬
Klahf ‫קלף‬
Chamsah ‫חמסה‬
Geneezah
‫גניזה‬
Tzedakah
‫צדקה‬
"Scroll"; scroll on which the Book of Esther is written, read on Puri m
La mpstand with 7 branc hes which stood in Temple in Jerusalem; also used to refer
to chanukkiah
"Doorpost, ” (refers to scroll inscribed with Tora h passages which i s a ttached to
doorpost of Jewish homes)
Parchment inside the Mezuza h
From the word “five” – a good luck charm in the shape of a hand (Arabic) to
symbolize the “hand of God”
“Hidden Away” (a storage place for prayer books or ri tual items tha t must be buried
because they contain a written na me of God)
"Righteousness" (refers to money given to cha ri ty)
Food Related Terms
Kosher
‫כשר‬
Trayf
Glatt Kosher
Hechsher ‫הכשר‬
Mashgiach ‫משגיח‬
Pareve
Fleishig
Milchig
Va’ad Ha-kashrut
‫הכשרות‬
Tha t which is permi ssible to be ea ten by biblical and rabbinic standards; most
notably this precludes pork produc ts, shellfish, and any combina tion of mea t and
milk products
Food tha t is classified by its na tural sta te a s being unkosher (i.e. pork, shellfish)
Strictly Kosher, especially in reference to checking for flaws in the lungs of a
slaughtered ani mal (Yiddish)
An official seal of approval tha t food is Kosher tha t is issued by a mashgiach
A trained person who inspec ts and makes sure all the laws of Kashrut are followed
Products tha t are, by their na ture, nei ther mea t nor dairy (Yiddish)
Products tha t are, by their na ture, mea t (Yiddish)
Products tha t are, by their na ture, dairy (Yiddish)
‫ ועד‬A local organization of rabbis and mashgichi m tha t oversees standards of ka shrut
and bestows certificates of compliance
Names of God:
Na mes used only in a ri tual contex t:
Na mes used in all contex ts:
Adonai ‫אדוני‬, Elohim ‫אלוהים‬, Shaddai ‫שדי‬
Adoshem '‫ה‬, Ha-Kadosh Baruc h Hu ‫ברוך הוא‬
‫ הקדוש‬Ha-shem ‫השם‬
Section III.
Prayers and Blessings
Places, Objects and People in Worship:
Tefilah
‫תפילה‬
Daven ‫דוון‬
Beit Midrash ‫בית מדרש‬
Beit K'nesset ‫בית כנסת‬
Kippah ‫כיפה‬
Tallit ‫טלית‬
Tzeetzeet ‫ציצית‬
Tzee-tzees
Tefillin ‫תפילין‬
Aron Hakodesh ‫ארון הקודש‬
Beemah ‫בימה‬
Shaliach tzibbur ‫שליח ציבור‬
Chazzan ‫חזן‬
Kavannah ‫כוונה‬
Kevah ‫קבע‬
Minyan ‫מנין‬
Siddur ‫סידור‬
Machzor ‫מחזור‬
Ner Tameed ‫נר תמיד‬
Mikveh ‫מקווה‬
Prayer
Pray (Yiddish)
House of Study
House of Assembly
Ritual Head covering
Prayer shawl
Fringes required on corners of four-corner garments
Fringes (Yiddish)
Phylacteries, lea ther straps worn in tradi tional daily prayer
Holy ark, resting place of Tora h scolls
Platform a t f ront of sanc tuary
Congrega tion's representa tive in prayer (Cantor)
The one who leads the singing and chanting of the service; cantor
Devotional intent in worship
Fixed prayers
Quorum of 10 adul ts required for public worship.
Prayer book (except High Holy days)
Prayer book for High Holy days
Eternal light which hangs in front of the ark
Ritual Ba th; a body of water used for ri tual cleaning, must u se na tural water sourc e
Services/Components:
Mahareev ‫מעריב‬
Evening service
Shachareet ‫שחרית‬
Morning service
Musaf ‫מוסף‬
Additional service for Shabba t, Rosh Hodesh and major holidays
Mincha ‫מנחה‬
Af ternoon service
Beerchot Hashachar ‫ברכות השחר‬
Morning Blessings in Daily Service
P'sukei D'zimrah ‫פסוקי דזימרא‬
Introduc tory morning service
Brachah ‫ברכה‬
“Blessing’” (basic unit of Jewish prayer)
Amidah ‫עמידה‬
Priva te prayers, "The Prayer," reci ted while standing.
Kedushah ‫קדושה‬
Prayer of sanctification in Amidah
Kaddish ‫קדיש‬
Prayer of praise; concludes service sec tions
Korbanote ‫קרבנות‬
Sacrifices / section of prayers which review s sac rifices which were offered
Hallel ‫הלל‬
Psalms of praise added to service on selec ted holidays
Yom Tov ‫יום טוב‬
Festival day - work prohibi ted
Chol Hamo-eyd ‫חול המועד‬
Intermedia te festival days
Mechitzah ‫מחיצה‬
The physical means of separa tion, usually a curtain or wall, between men’s and
women’s sections of a synagogue
Aliyah ‫עליה‬
honor of being called to bless the Torah
Baal/Baalat Korey ‫ בעלת קורא‬/‫בעל‬
Torah reader a t public prayer service
Gabbai (pl. gabbai'im) ‫גבאי‬
One of two people who conduct the Tora h reading, standing on ei ther side of the
Torah reader
Hagbahah
‫הגבהה‬
The honor of lifting the Tora h after i t is read to the congrega tion
Geleelah ‫גלילה‬
The one who rolls the Tora h af ter i t i s read and dresses i t
Haftarah
‫הפטרה‬
Mi She’bei’rach
‫מי שברך‬
Parashah ‫פרשה‬
Sidrah ‫סדרה‬
Siddur (pl. siddurim)
Teekkune ‫תיקון‬
‫סידור‬
Trope
Yad ‫יד‬
D’var Torah
‫דבר תורה‬
Portion from one of the books of the prophets read eac h Shabba t to compli ment the
Torah portion
"The One who blessed,” (prayer reci ted for those who have an aliyah and read the
Torah)
"Portion," (the Tora h portion assigned to a particular week or holy day)
Weekly Torah portion
Prayerbook for Shabba t, weekdays, and festivals, or some combina tion of the above
Printed edi tion of the Torah whic h ha s vocalized and pointed tex t in one column, and
a photographic representa tion of a Sefer Tora h nex t to i t, used to learn to chant
Torah
System of cantilla tion marks and thei r music, which are used to c hant sacred books;
there are trope systems for Torah, haf tarah, La menta tions, and the megillot.
“Hand,” (Pointer used to keep one's place while reading Torah)
Commenta ry/sermon given about the weekly Torah portion
Blessings:
Bentscher/Beerkhon
‫בירכון‬
Small booklet tha t contains Grace af ter Meals and other songs and prayers
associa ted with meals (Yiddish then Hebrew)
Baruch Atah Adonai ‫“ ברוך אתה אדוני‬Blessed a re you, Adonai,” (Words tha t begin most blessings)
Beerkhat Hamazon ‫ברכת המזון‬
The Grace Af ter Meals Prayer
Shehecheyanu ‫שהחיינו‬
The blessing tha t thanks God for long life and for reaching a happy occasion
Amidah ‫עמידה‬
“Standing,” (This is the long, centerpiece prayer of the synagogue service)
Shemoneh Esrei ‫ שמונה עשרה‬Another na me for the Amida h, Li terally, “18 benedic tions” for the 18 blessings tha t
are a part of the prayer
Borei Pre-Hagafen ‫בורא פרי הגפן‬
The blessing over the “f rui t of the vine,” i.e. the wine
Ha’Motzi ‫המוציא‬
The blessing over the bread
Ha’etz ‫העץ‬
The blessing over the “f rui t of the tree”
Ha’ahdahmah ‫האדמה‬
The blessing over the “f rui t of the ground”
Mizonot ‫מזונות‬
The blessing over the ea ting produc ts of whea t, barley, rye, oa ts, or spel t
She’hakol nihiyeh b’dvaroh ‫שהכל נהיה בדברו‬
The blessing over ea ting all other foods
Lechem ‫לחם‬
The blessing over the bread
N’Teelat Yadayim ‫ נטילת ידיים‬The blessing over the washing of the hands
Section IV. Holidays and Associated Words
Shabbat:
Muktzeh ‫מוקצה‬
Items not touched on Shabba t ei ther because they might lead to a violation of
Shabba t or because i t was not prepa red before Shabba t for use on Shabba t
Kiddush ‫קידוש‬
Sanctification of the day, usually said using wine
Kabbalat Shabbat ‫ קבלת שבת‬Service of welcome for Shabba t
Se-udah Shlisheet ‫סעודה שלישית‬
Third meal on Shabba t
Havdalah ‫הבדלה‬
Service of separa tion to mark end of Shabba t
Yayin ‫יין‬
Wine or grape juice used for Kiddish
Besamim ‫בשמים‬
“Spices,” (referring al most always to spices used for Havdalah)
Aish ‫אש‬
“Fire,” (the fla me of the candle used a t Ha vdalah)
Motzah-ay Shabbat ‫מוצאי שבת‬
Leaving of Shabba t (Sa turday night)
Had-lahkot Neirat ‫הדלקת נרות‬
Candle Lighting a t the beginning of Shabba t
Licht Benchen
Candle Lighting a t the beginning of Shabba t (Yiddish)
Oneg Shabbat ‫עונג שבת‬
“Sabbath Delight,” (referring to informal rec eption af ter Shabba t Services, ei ther
Friday evening or Sa turday morning)
Shabbaton ‫שבתון‬
A special Shabbat progra m for learning and fellowship
Shomer Shabbat ‫“ שומר שבת‬Sabbath Guardian,” (referring to a Jew who stric tly observes the Sabbath
according to halakhah or Jewish Law )
Challah ‫חלה‬
The portion of bread dough which i s burned enti rely as a sacrifice to God; today,
however, the term is used to ref er to a braided loaf of white bread used to
celebra te the Sabba th
High Holy Days:
Yameem Norah-eem
Shofar ‫שופר‬
‫ימים נוראים‬
Seleechot ‫סליחות‬
Yom Had een ‫יום הדין‬
Yom Hazikarohne ‫יום הזיכרון‬
Yom Teruah ‫יום תרועה‬
Avinu Malkeinu ‫אבינו מלכנו‬
Shevareem ‫שברים‬
Tekee’ah ‫תקיעה‬
Teruah ‫תרועה‬
Kol Nidre ‫כל נדרי‬
Ne’eelah ‫נעילה‬
Tashlich ‫תשליך‬
“Days of Awe”
A hollowed out ra m’s horn tha t is blown like a trumpet during Elul and the high
holidays: 4 sounds are Tekiah, Teruah, Shevari m and Tekia h Gedolah
Prayers a sking Divine forgiveness
“Day of Judgment,” a na me for Rosh Ha shanna
“Day of Remembering,” a name for Rosh Hashanna
“Day of Shofar Sound,” a name for Rosh Hashanna
"Our Fa ther, our King," list of brief supplica tions, all begin with tha t phrase
Shofar sound: three notes
Shofar sound: one blast
Shofar sound: wavering sound of nine stacca to notes
Formula for absolution of vows, said immediately before Yom Kippur begins
Final service on Yom Kippur.
“Throw,” (referring to a ceremony performed on the af ternoon of the first day of
Rosh Hashanah to ca st away sins of the year by throwing bread crumbs into wa ter)
Sukkot / Shmini Atzeret/Simhat Torah:
Sukkah ‫סוכה‬
Booth erected for Sukkot
Sekhakh ‫סכך‬
Roofing ma terial for sukka h
Arbah-at Hameeneem ‫ארבעת המינים‬
Four plant species used during Sukkot services
Lulav ‫לולב‬
Palm; also na me gi ven for arba h mini m
Hadas ‫הדס‬
Myrtle; twigs (3) used in "lulav"
Aravah ‫ערבה‬
Willow; twigs (2) used in "lulav"
Etrog ‫אתרוג‬
Hoshanah
‫הושענא‬
Hoshana Rabba ‫הושענא רבה‬
Shmini Atzeret ‫שמיני עצרת‬
Simchat Torah ‫שמחת תורה‬
Hakkafot ‫הקפות‬
Ushpizin ‫אושפיזין‬
Passover/Pesach:
Seder ‫סדר‬
Bedikat Chametz ‫בדיקת חמץ‬
Be'ur Chametz ‫ביעור חמץ‬
Chametz ‫חמץ‬
Haggadah ‫הגדה‬
Matzah ‫מצה‬
Afikomen ‫אפיקומן‬
Maror ‫מרור‬
K’ahrah ‫קערת הסדר‬
Mah-neesh-tanah ‫נשתנה‬
‫מה‬
Citron f rui t used with lulav in sukkot ri tuals
"Save, I pray," (prayer added each morning during Sukkot. Ex tra verses a re added
on the last day of Sukkot, Hoshanah Rabbah)
Last day of hol ha mo-ed Sukkot; last chance for repentance
“Eighth day of assembly,” last day of Sukkot but, liturgically, a separate holiday
“Rejoicing in the Tora h,” holiday marking completion and beginning of Tora h reading
cycle
Circuits a round sanc tuary with Tora h Scrolls
“Visi tors,” (referring to the ancestors who are summoned to the Sukka h)
“Order,” (Special meal of retelling the Exodus from Egypt)
“Search for ha metz,” held night before first seder
“Destruction of ha metz,” morning of first sed er, by 11:00
Fermented; whea t, oa ts, rye, barley or spel t af ter they come in contac t with water
for 18 minu tes af ter harvest. Also dishes and utensils which have been in contac t
with ha metz foods during the year
Book used a t seder to retell the story
Unleavened bread ea ten on Passover
A piece of ma tzah tha t is hidden during the Passover Seder
A bi tter herb, usually horseradish, tha t is on the Seder plate to symbolize the
bitterness of slavery in Egypt
Seder pla te
The Four Questions introduc tion or “tune” tha t is sung or reci ted during the Seder
Shavuot:
Shavuot ‫שבועות‬
Pentecost- feast of weeks. 50 days after second day of Pesach
Megillot Root ‫מגילת רות‬
The scroll real on Sha vuot, the book of Ruth
Tikkun Layl Shavuot ‫תיקון ליל שבועות‬
All night study session to recall giving of Ten Command ments
Asseret Hadeebrot ‫עשרת הדברות‬
The Ten Command ments
Minor Holidays:
Hanukkah (or Ch anukah)
‫"חנוכה‬Dedication," holiday celebrating the vic tory of the Maccab ees against the
Menorah
‫מנורה‬
Hanukkeeah ‫חנוכייה‬
Shammesh ‫שמש‬
Gelt
Latke/Liveeva ‫לביבה‬
Nes Gadol Hayah Sham
Siveevon/Dreidel ‫סביבון‬
Sufganeeyot ‫סופגניות‬
Al Hanissim ‫על הניסים‬
Maccabees ‫מכבים‬
Asarah B'Tevet
‫שם‬
‫עשרה בטבת‬
Assyrian-Greek
7 branch candelabra used in Temple
9 branch candelabra used for Hanukka h celebra tion
"Servant,” (refers ei ther to the 9th candle in the chanukkia h which is used to light
the other 8 candles, or to one who serves as the custodian of the synagogue)
“Money,” (referring to foil wrapped chocolate coins used when playing dreidel at
Hanukah) (Yiddish)
Pota to pancakes; traditional Hanukkah meal (Yiddish/Hebrew)
‫“ נס גדול היה‬A grea t miracle happened there” – letters of the Si veevon/Dreidel
Spinning top; used in children's ga mes a t Hanukka h
Jelly doughnuts; tradi tional Hanukkah trea t
Prayer of thanksgiving added to Amidah on Hanukkah and Puri m
A Jewish rebel army who libera ted pa rts of the Land of Israel from the rule of the
Assyrian-Greeks
10th of Tevet, minor fast day noting sta rt of Babylonian siege of Jerusalem, 587
B.C.E.
Tu B’shvat ‫ט"ו בשבט‬
“Fifteenth of Sheva t,” (new year for trees)
Chag Ha-eelanote ‫“ חג האילנות‬Holiday of the Trees”
Etz ‫עץ‬
“Tree”
Purim ‫פורים‬
“Lots,” (holiday celebrating the vic tory of Mordecai and Esther over Ha man)
Ta-aneet Ester ‫ תענית אסתר‬Fast day preceding Puri m
Megillat Ester ‫מגילה‬
Megillah read on Puri m
Mishloach Manot ‫ משלוח מנות‬Gifts of food (2 kinds) sent to friend s on Puri m
Shalach Munis
Mishloah Manot (Yiddish)
Matanot L' evyoneem ‫ מתנות לאביונים‬Gifts of tzedakah gi ven to poor on Puri m
Se’udat Puri m ‫סעודת פורים‬
Special meal of celebra tion a t Puri m's end
Achahshvahrosh ‫אחשורוש‬
King or Persia in Book of Esther
Mordechai ‫מרדכי‬
The cousin of Queen Esther and one of the heroes of the Puri m story
Omer
‫עומר‬
Sheaf offering brought to Temple on 16 Nisan; na me for period between the second
day of Pesach and Shavuot
Yom Hashoah ‫יום השואה‬
Holocaust Commemora tion day, 27 Nisan
Yom Hazeekaron ‫ יום הזיכרון‬Israel Memorial Day, 3 Iyar
Degel ‫דגל‬
“Flag”
Hateekvah ‫התקווה‬
“The Hope,” (Israeli Na tional Anthem)
Yom Ha-atzmaoot ‫יום העצ מאות‬
Israel Independence Day, 4 Iyar
Lag B'omer ‫לג בעומר‬
“33rd day of omer,” Minor festival day, 18 Iyar (free from restric tions)
Yom Yerush alyim ‫ יום ירושלים‬Reunification of Jerusalem, 1967, 28 Iyar
Shivah Asar B'Tammuz ‫שבעה עשר בתמוז‬
“17th of Ta mmuz,” Minor fast day noting Babylonians entering
Jerusalem, 587 B.C.E.
Tisha B'av ‫תשעה באב‬
“9th of Av,” Day of mourning for Jewish tragedies, including loss of two Temples,
expulsion from Spain in 1492
Tzohm ‫צום‬
A “Fast”
Tzohm Gedahliaya ‫ צום גדליה‬An annual fast day insti tuted by the Jewish Sages to commemora te the
assassination of Geda hliaya Ben Ac hika m, the Governor of Isra el during the days of
Nebuchadnetzar King of Babylonia
Section V. YiddishWords
Bubbe
Bubkes
Chazerai
Haimish
Kibbitz
Klutz
Kvell
Kvetch
Macher
Mensch
Nosh
Schmooze
Shlep
Shluff
Shmatte
Shmeer
Shmutz
Shpiel
Shtick
Tchotchke
Tsuris
Zayde
Grandmother
Something worthless
Cheap, worthless stuff
Unpretentious, homey
Fool around, joke
Clumsy or awkward
To be delighted, pleased, proud
To chronically complain
A big wheel/opera tor
A caring, decent person
A littl e snack
Friendly conversa tion
To carry or lug
To sleep
Rag, an old worn piece of clothing
A dab or a spread
Dirt or stain
A long involved story or tale
Overused actions or behavior
Any cute or insignificant object (doll)
Troubles or worries
Grandfather
Section VI. Numbers and Calendar Items
Common numbers:
Ehad (masc.) ‫ אחד‬/ Ahat (femin.)‫אחת‬
Shnayim (masc.) ‫ שניים‬/ Shtayim (femin.) ‫שתיים‬
Shlosha (masc.) ‫ שלושה‬/ Shalosh (femin.) ‫שלוש‬
Arbaah (masc.) ‫ ארבעה‬/ Arba (femin.(
‫ארבע‬
Hamisha (masc.) ‫ חמישה‬/ Hamesh (femin.) ‫חמש‬
Shisha (masc.) ‫ שיש ה‬/ Shesh (femin.)
‫שש‬
Shivah (masc.) ‫ שבעה‬/ Sheva (femin.) ‫שבע‬
Shmona (masc.) ‫ שמונה‬/ Shmoneh (femin.)‫שמונה‬
Tishah (masc.) ‫ תשעה‬/ Taysha(femin.)
‫תשע‬
Asara (masc.) ‫עשר ה‬/ Eser (femin.) ‫עשר‬
Esreem ‫( עשרים‬no gender)
Shlosheem ‫שלושים‬
Arbayim ‫ארבעים‬
Hamesheem ‫חמישים‬
Shisheem ‫ששים‬
Sheveem ‫שבעים‬
Shmoneem ‫שמונים‬
Tisheem ‫תשעים‬
May’a ‫מאה‬
Elef
‫אלף‬
One (1)
Two (2)
Three (3)
Four (4)
Five (5)
Six (6)
Seven (7)
Eight (8)
Nine (9)
(10)
Twenty (20)
Thirty (30)
Forty (40)
Fifty (50)
Sixty (60)
Seventy (70)
Eighty (80)
Ninety (90)
One Hundred (100)
One Thousand (1000)
Calendar Items:
Erev
‫ערב‬
The day prior to a holiday/Shabba t (Erev Shabba t, Erev Puri m)
Months (Hodesh) of the Hebrew Year (Shana) and their Holidays (Chag)
Tishray (30 days)
‫תשרי‬
1-2
Rosh Hashanah
‫ראש השנה‬
Nisan (30 days)
‫ניסן‬
15-23 Pesach ‫פסח‬
3
Fast of Gedaliah
‫צום גדליה‬
27
Yom Hashoa h ‫השואה‬
10
Yom Kippur
‫יום כיפור‬
15-22
22
23
‫סכות‬
‫שמיני עצרת‬
‫שמחת תורה‬
Sukkot
Shmini Atzeret
Simha t Torah
Iyar (29 days)
3
4
18
28
Heshvan (29/30 days -No Holidays) ‫חשון‬
Kislev (29/30 days)
5-29(30) Hanukka h
‫כסלו‬
‫חנוכה‬
6-7
Tevet (29 days)
‫טבת‬
1-2(3) end of Hanukkah
10
Asara h B'Tevet (Fast of Tevet
Shevat (30 days)
15
‫יום הזיכרון‬
‫יום העצמאות‬
‫לג בעומר‬
‫יום ירושלים‬
‫סיון‬
Shauvot
Tammuz (29 days)
‫עשרה בטבת‬
Tu Bisheva t
‫טו בשבט‬
Adar (30 days, during leap year add Adar II: 29) ‫אדר‬
13
14
15
‫אייר‬
Yom Hazikaron
Yom Ha-a tzma -ut
Lag B'Omer
Yom Yerushalyi m
Sivan (30 days)
‫יום‬
Ta-anit Ester (Fast of Esther( ‫אסתר‬
Purim
‫פורים‬
Shushan Puri m
‫שושן פורים‬
‫תענית‬
17
‫תמוז‬
Sh'va Asar B'Ta mmuz (Minor Fast Day)
Av (30 days)
9
‫שבועות‬
Tisha B'a v (Nonth of Av)
Elul (29 Days( - No Holidays
‫אב‬
‫תשעה באב‬
‫אלול‬
Section VII.
Text and Commentary
Torah ‫תורה‬
Chumash ‫חו מש‬
The Torah is divided into:
Sefer ‫ספר‬
Perek ‫פרק‬
Pasuk ‫פסוק‬
Parasha ‫פרשה‬
Tanakh ‫תנך‬
Pentateuch
Decalogue
Asseret Hadibrot
Talmud Torah ‫תורה‬
Midrash ‫מדרש‬
Talmud ‫תלמוד‬
Mishnah ‫משנה‬
Gemara ‫גמרא‬
Mitzvah ‫מצוה‬
Aggadah ‫אגדה‬
Halakha ‫הלכה‬
Zohar ‫זוהר‬
Aprocrypha
Pirkei Avot
‫תלמוד‬
‫פרקי אבות‬
Torah and Jewish Literature
Five books of Moses. Hebrew root means " to guide" or " to teach."
Printed edi tion of the Torah, of ten containing transla tion and commenta ries
Books: Bereshi t ‫ בראשית‬, Shmot ‫ שמות‬, Vayikra ‫ויקרא‬, Bemidbar ‫ במדבר‬,
Deva ri m ‫דברים‬
Chapter
Verse
The Torah is divided into 54 sec tions for weekly study and for public readings
during Shabba t morning services
Acronym for the Bible: Tora h; Nevii m (Prophets); Ketuvi m (Wri tings)
Five books of Moses
Ten command ments
Ten command ments
Mi tzva h of study
Early Rabbinic Commenta ry on Biblical tex t
Collection of ancient rabbinic laws, commenta ries and traditions compri sed of:
Legal concepts from which laws are learned, compiled by Judah the Prince ≈ 200 CE
Commenta ry on and expansion of the Mi shna h
Command ment; one of 613 from Torah; a good deed is not the best translation
Narra ti ve (non-legal) parts of the Tal mud
Law
“Radiance,” (referring to the mystical book tha t is the canon of Kabalah)
A group of 14 books tha t were originally included in the Septuagint ( the oldest
Greek version of the Old Testa ment)
A tracta te of the Mishnah tha t contains a collec tion of maxi ms, quotes and popular
sayings from ancient Jew ish sages and scholars, which is of ten transla ted as Ethics
of Our Fathers
Haftarah
Megillot
‫הפטרה‬
‫מגילות‬
Mishneh Torah ‫משנ ה תורה‬
Mishnah Berurah
‫ה ברורה‬
Shulchan Arukh
‫שולחן ערוך‬
The reading of the Prophets tha t is part of the Sabba th and Festival morning
Service, usually contained in a Chumash af ter the weekly Torah reading
“Scrolls,” which are a part of the Hebrew Bible. Read on festi vals, they are: Ruth,
Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Esther, and Lamentations
A fa mous, comprehensi ve Code of Jewish Law by Moses Mai monides ≈ 1200 CE
‫משנ‬
A work of halakha (Jewish law) by Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan, better known as
the Chofetz Chaim≈ 1850 CE
“The prepa red table,” which is an authori ta tive code of Jewish law (halakhah)
written by Joseph Karo in 1565
Figures in Jewish Literature
Hillel and Shamai ‫הלל‬
The most well renowned of the pairs of teachers during the early Mishnaic period
Rabbi Akiva ‫רבי עקיבא‬
The most legendary of all the teac hers during the Mishnaic period: of ten considered
the fa ther of the oral tradi tion
Rashi ‫רש"י‬
The most authori ta ti ve Medieval Torah and Tal mud commenta tor
Moses Maimonides/Rambam ‫הרב משה בן מימון‬
The Medieval physician/legal scholar whose intellectual
prowess is still revered
Baal Shem Tov ‫ בעל שם טוב‬Known also by the acronym “Besht”, Fa ther of the mystical Modern Ha sidic
movement tha t eleva ted prayer and the notion of the ordinary person as being of
unique value to God and the communi ty
Section VIII.
Jewish Beliefs and Ideas
Ahavat Yi srael ‫אהבת ישראל‬
Love Israel
Bikur Holim
‫ביקור חולים‬
Visi ting the sick
‫אמת‬
Truth
Emunah ‫אמונה‬
Faith
Gematria ‫גי מטריה‬
“Geometry,” (ref erring to an ancient system of Hebrew numerology)
Gemilut Hasadim ‫גמילות חסדים‬
Acts of loving -kindness
Hakhnasat orchim ‫הכנסת אורחים‬
Welcoming guests
Hiddur Mitzvah ‫ הידור מצוה‬Beautifying a mi tzvah
Hillul ha-Shem ‫חילול השם‬
Profaning God’s Name by unethical behavior
Kabbalah ‫קבלה‬
Received mystical tradi tion
Kavod ‫כבוד‬
Honor/respect
Kavod Ha-met ‫כבוד המת‬
Respecting the dead
Kiddush Ha-Shem ‫קידוש השם‬Sanctifying God’s name through exemplary deeds
Loshon ha-ra ‫לשון הרע‬
Gossip tha t is considered to be malicious even if i t is true
Ma’asim tovim ‫ מעשים טובים‬Good deeds
Mashiach ‫משיח‬
Messiah, the concept tha t when he comes the world will be transformed
Emet
Menschlikhkeit
Beha ving ethically, kindly and sweetly (Yiddish)
‫מנהג‬
Neshamah ‫נשמה‬
Minhag
Nefesh ‫נפש‬
Nichum aveilum
‫ני חום אבלים‬
Olam ha-ba ‫עולם הבא‬
Pikuach nefesh ‫פיקוח נפש‬
Rachmones ‫רחמנות‬
Ruach ‫רוח‬
Shalom bayit ‫שלום בית‬
Shekhinah ‫שכינה‬
Teshuvah ‫תשובה‬
Tikun olam‫תיקון עולם‬
A custom tha t does not ha ve the sta tus of law
From the word “brea the,” The Soul, the a spec t of a person tha t is spiri tual and
immortal
From the word “brea th,” interchangeable with Nesha ma h
Consoling the mourner during shiva: the week of mourning
The world to come
Saving a life for which one can transgress a command ment
Sympahy or empa thy
Wind or spi ri t
“A tranquil home,” very i mportant especially during Shabbat and festi vals
“Dwelling,” (referring to the ancient Tal mudic na me for G -d’s presence)
“Return,” (referring to a return to God by mending our ways and confessing our sins)
“Repair the world,” which has come to be a synonym for social justice, and caring
For the general (not Jewish) communi ty
Torah mi-Sinai
Tzneeut
‫תורה מסיני‬
‫צני עות‬
Torah from Sinai, refers to the belief tha t the Torah was given by God a t Mt. Sinai
The Jewish principle of mod esty and decorum, which applies to more than outward
dress and appearance
‫יצר הרע‬
Yetzer ha-tov ‫יצר הטוב‬
Evil inclination, the desire to do bad things
Yiddishkeit
Jewishness (Yiddish)
Yetzer ha-ra
Good inclination, the desire to do good things