Judaism Vocabulary

Aleinu

A closing Jewish prayer praising God and expressing hope for the future.

Amidah

The central standing prayer in Jewish services, often called the "silent prayer."

Ashkenazic

Jews of Central and Eastern European origin and their traditions.

Bar mitzvah

A Jewish boy’s coming-of-age ceremony at age 13.

Bat mitzvah

A Jewish girl’s coming-of-age ceremony at age 12 or 13.

Berakha

A short blessing praising God, often before or after daily acts.

Bris

The circumcision ceremony for Jewish baby boys.

Chevra kadisha

A sacred group that prepares the dead for burial.

Conservative

A Jewish movement balancing tradition with modern life.

Covenant

The sacred agreement between God and the Jewish people.

Gemara

Commentary on the Mishnah, forming part of the Talmud.

Get

A Jewish divorce document.

Halakah

Jewish religious law and practice.

Israel

The historic and modern homeland of the Jewish people.

Kaddish

A prayer praising God, often said in mourning.

Ketubah

A Jewish marriage contract.

Kosher

Food that meets Jewish dietary laws.

Ma’ariv

The evening prayer service.

Messiah/Mashiach

The future anointed leader who will bring redemption.

Mezuzah

A scroll with biblical verses placed on doorposts.

Mincha

The afternoon prayer service.

Minyan

A group of ten adults required for certain prayers.

Mishnah

The first written collection of Jewish oral laws.

Mitzvot

Commandments or good deeds in Judaism.

Mohel

A person trained to perform circumcisions.

Olam ha ba

The concept of the "world to come" or afterlife.

Orthodox

A Jewish movement strictly following traditional laws.

Passover

Holiday remembering the Exodus from Egypt.

Reconstructionist

A modern movement seeing Judaism as an evolving culture.

Reform

A Jewish movement adapting traditions to modern values.

Rosh Hashanah

The Jewish New Year and day of judgment.

Sephardic

Jews of Spanish, Portuguese, or Middle Eastern origin.

Shabbat

The weekly day of rest from Friday evening to Saturday evening.

Shacharit

The morning prayer service.

Shavuot

Festival marking the giving of the Torah at Sinai.

Shema

Central declaration of Jewish faith in one God.

Shiva

Seven-day mourning period after a close relative dies.

Siddur

The Jewish prayer book.

Sukkot

Festival with temporary huts recalling the desert journey.

Tallit

A prayer shawl with fringes (tzitzit).

Talmud

Collection of Mishnah and Gemara, central to Jewish study.

Tanakh

The Hebrew Bible: Torah, Prophets, and Writings.

Tefillin

Small boxes with scriptures worn during prayer.

Tikkun olam

The idea of repairing the world through good deeds.

Torah

The first five books of the Hebrew Bible, core of Jewish teaching.

Yom Kippur

The Day of Atonement, fasting and seeking forgiveness.