World Religions

Aleinu

A Jewish prayer recited at the end of daily services, expressing the duty to praise God and hope for the world’s future perfection.

Amidah

The central prayer of Jewish worship, recited while standing, consisting of blessings praising God and asking for help.

Ashkenazic

Refers to Jews of Central and Eastern European descent and their traditions.

Bar mitzvah

The coming-of-age ceremony for a Jewish boy at age 13, when he becomes responsible for Jewish law.

Bat mitzvah

The coming-of-age ceremony for a Jewish girl at age 12 or 13, when she becomes responsible for Jewish law.

Berakha

A blessing, usually recited before or after performing a mitzvah, eating, or experiencing something special.

Bris

The Jewish circumcision ceremony performed on an eight-day-old boy, symbolizing the covenant with God.

Chevra kadisha

The “holy society” responsible for preparing Jewish bodies for burial according to tradition.

Conservative

A Jewish movement that seeks to conserve tradition while allowing modern interpretation of Jewish law.

Covenant

A sacred agreement, especially the one between God and the Jewish people.

Gemara

The part of the Talmud that contains rabbinic discussions and commentary on the Mishnah.

Get

A Jewish divorce document that must be given by the husband to the wife.

Halakah

Jewish law derived from the Torah, Talmud, and rabbinic tradition.

Israel

Both the biblical people descended from Jacob (Israel) and the modern State of Israel, central to Jewish identity.

Kaddish

A prayer praising God, often recited by mourners.

Ketubah

A Jewish marriage contract outlining a husband’s responsibilities to his wife.

Kosher

Food that meets Jewish dietary laws.

Ma’ariv

The evening prayer service.

Messiah

The anointed one; a future leader expected to bring peace and redemption.

Mezuzah

A small case containing Torah verses placed on the doorpost of Jewish homes.

Mincha

The afternoon prayer service.

Minyan

A quorum of ten Jewish adults required for certain prayers.

Mishnah

The first written collection of Jewish oral law, completed around 200 CE.

Mitzvot

Commandments or good deeds; there are 613 in Jewish tradition.

Mohel

A trained person who performs circumcisions.

Olam ha-ba

The “world to come,” often understood as the afterlife or messianic age.

Orthodox

The branch of Judaism that strictly follows traditional laws and practices.

Passover

A holiday celebrating the Israelites’ liberation from slavery in Egypt.

Reconstructionist

A modern Jewish movement that views Judaism as an evolving religious civilization.

Reform

A liberal branch of Judaism emphasizing ethics and personal choice over strict law.

Rosh Hashanah

The Jewish New Year, a time of prayer, self-reflection, and the sounding of the shofar.

Sephardic

Refers to Jews descended from Spain, Portugal, and later Middle Eastern/North African communities, with distinct traditions.

Shabbat

The weekly day of rest and worship, from Friday evening to Saturday evening.

Shacharit

The morning prayer service.

Shavuot

The festival commemorating the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai.

Shema

A central declaration of Jewish faith: “Hear, O Israel: the Lord is our God, the Lord is One.”

Shiva

The seven-day mourning period after the death of a close relative.

Siddur

The Jewish prayer book.

Sukkot

The festival of booths, commemorating the Israelites’ time in the wilderness.

Tallit

A prayer shawl with fringes (tzitzit) worn during prayer.

Talmud

A central text of Judaism, containing the Mishnah and Gemara.

Tanakh

The Hebrew Bible (Torah, Prophets, and Writings)

Tefillin

Small leather boxes containing Torah verses, worn during weekday morning prayers.

Tikkun olam

“Repairing the world,” a Jewish value emphasizing social justice and good deeds.

Torah

The first five books of the Hebrew Bible; the central text of Judaism.

Yom Kippur

The Day of Atonement, the holiest day of the Jewish year, devoted to fasting, prayer, and repentance.