Judaism Vocab

Aleinu

A short prayer marking end of all three daily prayer service

Amidah

A prayer that must be recited while you’re standing.

Ashkenazic

Major group of Jews settled in Central and Eastern Europe, France, or Germany.

Bar Mitzvah

Coming of age celebration for boys at the age of 13.

Bat Mitzvah

Coming of age celebration for girls at the age of 12. This is not observed for Orthodox Jews because women are not legally obligated to follow public mitzvot under the Jewish law.

Berakha

referring to a single blessing or benediction

Bris

Ritual circumcision, a seal of the covenant and sign of obedience to God; performed on the eighth day of life during the day by a mohel.

Chevra Kadisha

a burial society; holy society

Conservative

a form of Judaism that balances a deep respect for Jewish law and tradition with a willingness to adapt those laws to modern circumstances, occupying a middle ground between Orthodox Judaism (which emphasizes strict adherence to law) and Reform Judaism (which prioritizes individual autonomy and reform).

Covenant

A formal promise, agreement, or pact, often found in legal contracts, deeds, and religious contexts

Gemara

Additional commentaries that were written on the Mishnah in Jerusalem and Babylon.

Get

A paper that a husband needs to hand to his wife physically, and the wife has to hand it to the Rabbi for the marriage to be officially over.

Halakah

Traditional Jewish law.

Israel

Land promised by God to Abraham. This promise is reaffirmed to Abraham's descendants, Isaac and Jacob (also known as Israel), and forms the basis of the Jewish people's ancestral connection to the land.  

Kaddish

An ancient Aramaic Jewish prayer that glorifies and sanctifies God's name and expresses hope for peace and a better world

Ketubah

A marriage contract

Kosher

(of food, or premises in which food is sold, cooked, or eaten) satisfying the requirements of Jewish law. Dietary restriction.

Ma’ariv

Evening Worship

Messiah/Mashiach

The promised deliverer of the Jewish nation prophesied in the Hebrew Bible. The leader or the savior of Judaism.

Mezuzah

Small box affixed on the door of a Jewish house. The box has a small parchment with prayers written on it.

Mincha

Afternoon Worship

Minyan

Also called Quorum; in orthodoxy, 10 adults (males) need to be present

Mishnah

The name of the Written Torah

Mitzvot

Hebrew word meaning "commandment" and refers to the 613 religious commandments found in the Torah, which are central to Jewish life

Mohel

The man or woman who performs the bris.

Olam Ha Ba

The world to come

Orthodox

They are very traditional and follow the Torah and the Jewish teachings as they are. There are no alternatives for them and no exceptions.

Passover

Also called Peshach. A Jewish spring holiday celebrating the liberation of the ancient Israelites from slavery in Egypt

Reconstructionist

Politically and religiously progressive Jewish movement that is the smallest and youngest of the so-called “big four”. It's a dynamic, contemporary approach that blends deep respect for Jewish tradition with modern ideas, emphasizing the importance of community, egalitarian values, and participatory worship and study to adapt Judaism for today's world. 

Reform

The most liberal branch of Judaism, believing that Judaism should adapt to modern life, emphasizing ethical living and social justice, and viewing the Torah as a divinely inspired but evolving document rather than a literal divine command

Rosh Hashanah

Jewish New Year and the "birthday of the world," a time for self-reflection, prayer, and repentance that begins the 10-day period of the High Holidays leading to Yom Kippur

Sephardic

Middle Eastern Jews

Shabbat

Celebrated on the seventh day of the Jewish week. No doing work, no carrying around phones, not cooking, etc,. G-d provided double manna on the sixth day; none appeared on the seventh. Jews stay home, go to synagogue, and have feasts from the food made before the start of shabbat.

Shacharit

Morning Worship

Shavuot

Pentecost. Celebrates the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai. Traditions to eat dairy products and marks to entering into a covenant.

Shema

The most important and significant prayer in Judaism. One of the only two prayers commanded in the Torah. It is the oldest fixed daily prayer, recited during mornings and nights since ancient times.

Shiva

The period of mourning that generally lasts seven days, starting when the mourners return after the funeral.

Siddur

The Jewish Prayer book. It contains core Jewish prayers like the Shema and Amidah.

Sukkot

An annual Jewish festival that commemorates the 40 years of wandering in the desert after the Exodus from Egypt and the fall harvest. Jews live outside of their homes in tents specially made for this festival until it lasts.

Tallit

A traditional Jewish fringed prayer shawl

Talmud

“Oral’ Torah, or explanations of the written Torah and how to apply it.

Tanakh

The 24 books of the Jewish Bible; corresponds to the 24 books of the Christian Old Testament.

Tefillin

Is worn when you go to the synagogue, shabbat, or special occasions. They’re are mostly made by orthodox Jews and 90% worn by men. It’s worn on the body (on the arm and on the forehead)

Tikkun Olam

Repairing the world

Torah

Broadest sense, the entire body of Jewish teachings.

Yom Kippur

The most solemn day in the Jewish Calendar. Celebrated 10 days after Rosh Hashanah.