A Yiddish/Hebrew refresher course: Dictionary of Judaica (Ke

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dict     18933    960301 Dictionary of Judaica (Key words and phrases)
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                DICTIONARY OF KEY WORDS AND PHRASES
                 A Yiddish/Hebrew refresher course
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                                                   A JewishGen InfoFile
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     * S 3   O N - L I N E   G L O S S A R Y *
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An Introductory Sampling of Foreign Words & Expressions
 Used within the Judaism Section of the Religion Forum
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Contents of Sections
--------------------

FOREWORD

I.   Common Words & Brief Expressions

II.  Important Acronyms

III. Several Important Religious Occasions

IV.  Some Basic Religious Texts

V.   A Sample of Other Significant Expressions

=========================================================


FOREWORD
--------

The following brief sections of word lists have been compiled to assist,
primarily, newcomers to the Judaism Section of the Religion Forum, both
Jews and non-Jews, who may be unfamiliar with the frequent use of Hebrew
and Yiddish words and expressions that they will likely encounter in the
various message threads.

Pronunciation and parts of speech for these selected words are omitted:
nobody `hears' forum posts -- and the simple definitions offered herein
are deemed sufficient for the small scope of this glossary's usefulness.
Also, since the spelling of words differs considerably among forum
members, the reader will need to use discernment in identifying variant
spellings; the same holds true for the initial and internal
capitalization of letters within some words.

Of course, one will still encounter many foreign words on-line that are
not included in this file.  In such cases, if the words aren't
translated by the writer, one can politely request translations from the
person in question or ask for help from the co-section leaders.
"Chabad-Lubavitch in Cyberspace" also has a small glossary of terms,
many of which aren't mentioned here, that can be easily accessed through
their WWW page at "http://www.chabad.org/" (don't use the quotation
marks when using this address); this is another fine resource for
finding answers to other questions about Judaism.

             *     *     *     *     *

Special thanks must be mentioned for the help of Alan Ganapol
(73352,1212) and Gedalayah Blumenthal (71242,2130) (current co-section
leader in the Judaism Section of the Religion Forum).  Additional thanks
are extended to Francine Beth Ferraro (72241,2340) and Dan Rickman
(100322,205) for their excellent suggestions and contributions toward
the beginning of this humble gesture of hospitality.  The efforts of
those above are certainly appreciated along with all other efforts to
promote unity among Jews and represent a very warm welcome to all
non-Jews who respectfully wish to become more familiar with Judaism.

Please send e-mail to my address below, if you have any further
suggestions or corrections.  I will be happy to continue improving this
file as needed.

L'Shalom...

Jerry J. Haumberger

CompuServe  71722,373
INTERNET:71722.373@compuserve.com

January 6, 1995

----------------------

Third `revised edition' -- 2/11/96.

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I.  Common Words & Brief Expressions
    --------------------------------

aleph-baiz (-bayz) -- the alphabet; the `abcs'.

aliyah -- (lit.,an `ascending') a return to Israel with
holy significance for Jews; also, being called upon to
read the Torah in a synagogue.

amain, omain -- amen.

am-ha'aretz -- a common, ordinary person -- often used
to denote an `ignorant' person.

apikoros -- unbeliever; heathen.

Ashkenazic Jews -- one of the branches of Jews that
primarily originated from northern France, central and
eastern Europe.

averah -- sin.

avodah -- worship; service.

baleboss -- the man of the house.

baleboosteh -- the lady of the house, and usually an
especially praiseworthy one.

bentsh -- to bless, say a blessing.

bais (bet, bes) din -- rabbinical court.

Baruch Habah -- welcome (masc.).

binah -- wisdom.

B'Nai Noach -- Sons of Noah; name for non-Jews who strive
to live by basic laws for humanity derived from the Torah.

bris, brith -- (literally) covenant; commonly refers to the
circumcision ceremony, or circumcision itself.

broche (pl. broches) -- a blessing.

Brucha Habaha -- welcome (fem.).

B'Shalom -- in peace.

B'Shira -- in song.

bubeleh -- (loosely translated) dear, sweetheart, etc..

chacham (pl. chachamim) -- a wise person.

chachma -- wisdom.

Chag Sameach -- happy festival.

chametz -- anything with leaven in it.

Chassid (pl. Chassidim) -- a disciple within a branch of
Judaism (founded in Europe in the eighteenth century).
Chasidim are widely considered to adhere strictly to
traditional Jewish custums, and, among other things, to
stress the importance of a personal relationship with G-d
by spontaneous prayer, tznius, emunah, tzedaka, etc..

chassidus -- teachings, etc., which involve Chassidim.

chazzen, hazzen -- one who leads in liturgical prayer;
cantor.

chaver (masc.), chaverta (fem.), chavarim (pl.) --
friend.

cheder -- a room or school where Hebrew is taught.

Chelm -- a make-believe town of happy, not-too-bright
and foolish people.

chesed -- kindness.

chevra -- group of friends.

chutzpa -- something brazenly outrageous.

cohen (kohen) -- Hebrew priest.

daven -- pray.

dayan, dayyan (pl. dayanim) -- rabbinical judge.

drasha -- word of Torah.

draydl -- four-sided, top-like toy used during
Chanuka.

dybbuk -- an evil spirit.

emmes -- truth.

emunah -- faith.

Eretz Yisrael -- the Land of Israel.

Erev Shabbat -- the eve of a Sabbath.

eytse -- advice.

Freilichen Yomtov -- `have a pleasant festival'.

frum -- observant; orthodox.

gadol -- (literally) huge, large, great; `great one',
leading Torah personality.

Galut -- the Diaspora; exile.

Gan Eden -- The Garden of Eden.

gaon -- the honorary title of a very great rabbi,
especially, the head of a Talmudic academy.

gebentsht -- blessed.

get -- a divorce.

G-d -- a respectful way to write a common designation
for Hashem.

golem -- an unintelligent, sub-human creature, which,
according to Jewish legend, was created as a protector
and servant of Jews.

gonif -- a thief; a dishonest, shady person.

goy (pl. goyim) -- non-Jew.  It's best for non-Jews to
use only the plural, if at all, since the singular has
been so commonly used in a derogatory way.  The words
"gentile" or "non-Jew" are safer.

halevai (alevai) -- if only; I hope.

haimish -- comfortable, informal, cozy.

halacha -- Jewish law.

Haskalah -- a movement among Jews similar to the
Enlightenment in Europe during the eighteenth century.

Hashem, Ha-Shem -- The Name; another designation for G-d.

Havdala -- a ceremony indicating the end of the Sabbath.

hechsher -- kosher certification; seal of approval.

heter (pl. heterim) -- halachic ruling.

inyan -- idea.

Kabbalah, Cabala -- (literally) tradition; the Jewish
mystical movement.

Kaddish -- a prayer given at the end of synagogue
prayers that glorifies the name of G-d.

kahal -- congregation.

kashrut, kashrus -- kosher observance.

kibbutz -- a settlers' community co-op in Israel.

kibbitz -- to talk, comment and advise someone while
they are working, playing, etc..

Kiddush -- a prayer and ceremony used to sanctify the
Sabbath and other Jewish holy days.

kippa -- a skullcap worn by observant Jewish males.

Kol Nidre -- the prayer which ushers in Yom Kipper.

Kol Tuv -- all the best.

kosher -- something ritually clean to eat according to
Jewish dietary laws (kashrus).

latke -- potato pancake.

L'Chayim -- to life; to good health (as when offering a
toast).

l'havdil, lehavdil -- (lit., "the difference"); used to
contrast, as a form of modesty, something great to
something far less significant.

L'hitraot --  good-bye; `see you later'.  

lox -- smoked salmon.

L'Shalom -- to peace, to wholeness.

maggid (pl. maggidim) -- itinerant teacher; preacher.

mama-loshen -- mother's tongue, i.e., *her* way of
speaking; often it refers to Yiddish itself.

mamzer -- a child born from an adulterous union.

mashgiach -- one who oversees the kashrut of an eating
establishment.

Mashiach, Moshiach -- the Messiah, as defined by Jewish
tradition.

matzo -- unleavened bread.

mazel tov -- good luck!  congratulations!

melacha -- work; (specifically) one of the specified 39
categories of labor prohibited on Shabbat.

melamed -- a teacher, especially of elementary Hebrew.

menorah -- candelabrum; usually refers to the
eight-branched one used during Chanuka.

mensh, mensch -- a *real* man; a decent, noble person.

mezuzah -- a small, oblong container set to the right of
a Jew's front door-jamb, in which there is a tiny scroll
with the Shema (Deut. 6:4-9; 11:12-21) written on it.

midrash -- commentary; interpretation.

mikva -- a bath for the ritual purity of Orthodox Jewish
women.

mincha -- the daily religious service performed late in
the afternoon.

minhag -- a custom.

minyon -- ten male Jews required for religious services.

mishpocheh -- family; ancestors; lineage.

mitzvah (pl. mitzvot) -- a commandment; good deed.

mohel -- one who circumcises.

Moshe -- Moses.

naches -- pride and joy; (especially) the pleasure
which parents receive from their children.

narr -- a fool.

narrishkeit -- foolishness.

neshoma -- soul.

nosh -- to snack.

oy! -- similar to "Oh!".

oy vay! -- woe is me! (similar to "oh, no!" or
"good grief!").

pareveh -- an adjective that qualifies a food,
according to the Jewish laws of kashrus, that has
neither dairy or animal products in it and can be
eaten with either of these.

parsha (pl. parshot) -- weekly Torah reading.

payot -- unshorn sideburns of Orthodox Jews.

pilpul -- hair-splitting debate.

poskim -- an authoratative halachic ruling.

p'shat -- simple, obvious meaning (as with a
sacred text).

reb, rav, rov -- short for rebbe = rabbi.

rebbitzen -- rabbi's wife.

refuah shelaymah - [have a] full and peaceful healing.

sefer -- book.

Sephardic Jews -- one of the branches of Jews that
primarily originated in Spain and southern France.

Shabbat Shalom -- [have a] peaceful Sabbath.

Shabbes, Shabbos, Shabbat -- Sabbath.

shadchen -- a professional matchmaker.

shailo -- a judgement; ruling.

shalom -- peace.

1. shalom aleikhem; 2. aleikhem shalom -- (1st., when
greeting) `may you have peace'; (and 2nd., when saying
`good-bye') `and peace unto you'.

shammes -- the caretaker of a synagogue.

Shavuah Tov -- [have a] good week.

shaytel -- an Orthodox (Ashkenazic) Jewish woman's wig.

shechitah -- ritual animal slaughter.

Shema -- see mezuzah.

shiddach -- an arranged marriage.

shikker -- to be drunk.

shiva -- (literally) seven; the first seven days
which begin the period of mourning by those with
a death in the immediate family.

shlemiel -- a foolish, clumsy person; a misfit.

shlep -- to drag something; to lag behind.

shlepper -- a sloppy, lazy person.

shlimazel -- an unusually unlucky person.

shlump -- a slouchy, depressing person.

shmooze, schmooze -- informal and pleasurable
conversation.

shnook -- a passive, `wishy-washy' person; a patsy.

shnorrer -- begger; bum; cheapskate.

Shoah -- the Holocaust.

shofar -- a ram's horn used in announcing festivals,
Shabbat, etc..

shohet -- a ritual slaughterer.

shtetl -- a little Jewish village, especially of
Ashkenazic Jews of eastern Europe before World War II.

shul -- synagogue.

simcha -- a happy occasion; celebration.

slicha -- excuse me.

sufganiah (pl. sufganiot) -- jelly doughnut.

tallis -- prayer shawl used by Jewish males when praying
at religious services.

talmid chacham -- a wise scholar and expert of the
Talmud.

tefilla -- prayer.

tefillin -- phylacteries.

teshuvah -- repentence (lit., "return").

Todah Rabah -- thank you.

trayf -- not kosher.

tzaddik -- a holy, righteous man.

tzedakah -- (literally) righteousness, justice; (loosely
trans.) charity.

tzitzit -- fringes on a male's prayer shawl and the
tallis katan (a sort of jacket worn underneathe an
Orthodox male's outer garment).

tznius -- modesty.

tzooris, tzuris -- trouble; woe; suffering.

vort -- explanation; discourse; opinion.

yarmulke -- same as kippa.

Yahrzeit -- anniversary of someone's death.

Yasher Koach -- `you should have strength'.

yeshiva -- a rabbinical college.

yeshiver bucher -- a yeshiva student.

yiches -- family status or prestige.

Yid (pl. Yidden) -- a Jew.  Non-Jews should avoid using
this word in the singular, as it has often been used by
them in a derogatory sense which bothers some Jews.

Yiddishkeit, Yiddishkleyt -- Jewishness.

yontif -- holiday.

Zion -- Jerusalem.

=========================================================


II.  Important Acronyms
     ------------------

B"H -- Boruch Hashem, blessed be the Name (literally),
used as a sign of piety normally at the beginning of a
correspondence.

n"y (nero yoir) -- `may his candle shine' (literally);
similar in general sentiment to shlita, but said of
lesser mortals.

shlita -- short for *shyehai lo yomim tovim vearuchim*:
that `a person should have good and many days'.  Said of
an acknowledged scholar, religious leader, while they are
still alive.

z"l (zichrono levrochah) -- `may he be remembered for
good'.  The phrase for an am-ha'aretz (a regular person)
who has passed on.

z"tl (zecher tzaddik livrocho) -- (literally) `remembering
the righteous person for a blessing'.  This is an Orthodox
custom, said of an acknowledged scholar and/or religious
leader, and refers to the general belief that the tzaddik
(righteous person) can intercede favorably on our behalf
in the Olam Haba (world to come, afterlife).

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III. Several Important Religious Occasions *
     -------------------------------------

Chanuka, Chanukah -- Festival of Dedication or Lights;
commemoration of the victory of the Jewish Maccabees
(167 B.C.) over Syrian despots for religious freedom.

Pesach -- Passover.

Purim -- festival commemorating the rescue of Persian
Jews (based on the record in the book of Esther).

Rosh Hashanah -- celebration, commemoration, of the
Jewish new year; the anniversary of the Creation.

Shevuot(h) -- the Festival of Weeks; Pentecost.

Simchat Torah -- a festival celebrating the end and
beginning of the cycle of Torah readings for the year.

Succot(h) -- the Feast of Booths that begins on the fifth
day after Yom Kippur and lasts eight days among the
Orthodox Jews, seven in Israel and among Reform Jews.

Yom Kippur -- Day of Atonement; annual occasion of Jewish
confession and repentance.


* SPECIAL NOTE
  ------------

Chag -- related to the Rabic Haj (pilgrimage) used
traditionally for the three foot festivals (Pesach --
Passover; Shavout -- Pentecost; Succot -- Tabernacles),
which required a pilgrimage to Jersusalem when the Bais
(or Bet in Sephardi -- Spanish, oriental pronunciation)
Hamikdosh, Temple, was standing.  Nowadays used by
modern Orthodox to describe almost any day of any
significance, even Yom Ha'atmaut (Israel's Independence
Day -- this would be Yom Hatmaus in Ashkenaz (east
European/German pronunciation), but no-one says this!).

(Special comments on "Chag" by courtesy of Dan Rickman.)

=========================================================


IV.  Some Basic Religious Texts
     --------------------------

Gemara -- commentary on the Mishna.

Gematria -- Jewish work on numerology.

Haftorah -- a portion from the Nevi'im (Prophets) that's
read on the Sabbath or other festivals.

Haggadah -- 1. the part of the Talmud without the same
authoritative law of the Halacha; 2. the narrative read
at the Passover Seder, which describes the Jews rescue
from Egyptian bondage.

Mishnah -- the codified core of the Oral Law.

Sefer Torah -- The scroll of the five books of Moses
that's kept in the Ark at the front of a synagogue or
temple.

Shulchan Aruch -- the codified standard reference of
the Jewish Law.

Siddur -- daily and Shabbat prayer book.

Tanach, TaNaCH -- the Sacred Scriptures of the Jews
grouped into three main sections:  the Torah (the Written
Law); the Nevi'im (the Prophets); the Kethubim (the
Writings). Christendom calls these writings the `Old
Testament', which includes the `books' of Genesis to
Malachi.

Torah -- Written Law; the five books of Moshe (Moses).

Talmud -- sixty-six volumes of commentary on the Torah;
composed of the Mishna (Oral Law) and Gemara (commentary
on the Mishna).  Legally binding parts of the Talmud are
called the Halacha, other portions the Haggadah.

Zohar -- the most important book of the Cabbalistic
movement.

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V.   A Sample of Other Significant Expressions
     -----------------------------------------

chas vesholem -- (lit., peace and pity) close to
"G-d forbid!"; "chas vechalila" is used in a similar
way.

chillul Hashem -- profanation of The Name.

Da'as Torah -- Torah perspective.

Derech Eretz -- good manners; (literally) way of the
land.

ein somchim al ha'nes -- `one should not rely on a
miracle', i.e., halacha forbids a person to fulfill a
mitzva in a hazardous manner.

hashgocho protis -- divine providence (intervention).

kal va-khomer -- `how much more so', a common statute
defining how the application of a principle that
is true on a lesser level *must* be true on a greater
level.

kibud av v'em -- respect for mother and father.

loshen hora -- slander.

Ma-aseh Listor (or Rayo Listor) -- an expression in the
Talmud that means `a proof to the contrary' (or `on the
contrary').

Olam Haba -- the next world; the world to come.

Tikkun Olam -- the `repairing of the world'; more
precisely applies, in the view of Orthodox Jews, to a
`repairing of matters' among Jews themselves.

yetzer hara -- evil inclination.

yetzer tov -- good inclination.

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[3Mar96]bik
Provider: Jerry J. Haumberger <71722.373@compuserve.com>
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