Definitions in Judaism

aliyah

Literally "going up," this term refers to immigrating to Israel; generally referred to in English as "making aliyah."

anti-Semitism

Hostility and prejudice toward Jews.

Ark of the Covenant

The wooden chest that held the tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments; the temple in Jerusalem became its home.

bar/bat mitzvah

The religious initiation ceremony of a Jewish boy (thirteen) or girl (twelve or thirteen), meaning "son/daughter of the commandment."

chosen people

The idea that God chose the Jewish people to be the keepers of his covenant on earth.

circumcision

The cutting off of the foreskin of the penis, first practiced by Abraham and his family as a sign of the covenant.

covenant

A solemn and binding agreement between God and humanity, as used in the Bible.

crimes against humanity

Murder, extermination, enslavement, deportation, persecution, or any inhumane act committed against a civilian population or identifiable group.

Diaspora

A Greek word meaning "sowing of seed" or "dispersal," referring to the Jewish population living outside of Israel.

Exodus

The significant event in which Moses led the Israelites out of bondage in Egypt to freedom in the Promised Land.

genocide

The mass extermination of a group of people, especially a race, religious group, or nation.

gerut

The process of conversion to Judaism.

ghetto

An area of a city in which minority groups such as Jews were required to live; the first was in Venice in 1516.

Haggadah

The book used to explain the events of the Exodus.

Hanukkah

The eight-day festival of lights, usually in December, commemorating the rededication of the temple.

Hellenization

The process of adopting Greek culture and language.

Holocaust

The mass murder of 6 million Jews by the Nazis during the Second World War.

Holy Ark

A cabinet-like structure in a synagogue that houses the Torah scrolls.

Judaica

Literature, customs, ritual objects, artifacts, etc., which are of particular relevance to Judaism.

kiddush

A blessing recited when drinking wine that has been specially sanctified for the Sabbath or a holy day.

kippah

A small circular cap worn by Jewish men; also known as a yarmulke.

kosher

Fulfilling the requirements of the Jewish dietary laws of Kashruth.

menorah

A candelabrum with seven branches, used at home and in the synagogue on the Sabbath and holidays.

Messiah

Means "anointed one," representing hope for a great king to lead the Jews.

Midrash

Interpretation and commentary on the Bible, compiled by rabbis by 100 CE.

minyan

The quorum of ten men (or men and women) over thirteen years of age required for worship.

Mishnah

Early rabbinic teachings on how to live in accordance with the Torah, compiled around 200 CE.

mitzvah

A commandment from God; the act of performing a good deed, with the Ten Commandments being well known examples.

monotheistic

Believing in only one God.

Pesach

The Passover festival in spring commemorating the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.

Promised Land

The area of Canaan that the Hebrews believed was promised to them by God.

prophet

A person who receives a message from God and delivers it to God's people.

rabbi

A Jewish scholar or teacher, especially of the law; an appointed Jewish religious leader.

Rosh Hashanah

The festival celebrating the Jewish New Year.

Seder

A ritual service and ceremonial dinner for the first night or first two nights of Passover.

Sefer Torah

The handwritten text of the five books of Moses, essential for worship and the most sacred object of Jewish life.

shiva

A seven-day period of mourning for the dead beginning immediately after the funeral.

Shoah

A Hebrew term for the Holocaust meaning "destruction."

shofar

A trumpet made of a ram’s horn, used in religious ceremonies.

Star of David

A figure consisting of two interlaced equilateral triangles, used as a Jewish and Israeli symbol.

synagogue

A place for congregational worship that emerged during the Exile and became important after the destruction of the temples.

tallis

A prayer shawl.

Talmud

Rabbinic teachings derived from the Mishnah, the main source of Jewish teaching from medieval period to present.

Tanakh

The Jewish Bible, consisting of the Torah, the Prophets, and the Writings.

tefillin

Either of two small leather boxes containing parchment scrolls of Biblical text, worn during morning prayer.

Torah

Refers to the Law of Moses and the entire belief system of the Jewish faith, often translated as "law," but more accurately as "teaching" or "instruction."

Western Wall

The remaining part of the wall of Herod’s temple in Jerusalem, where Jews traditionally pray.

yarmulke

A small circular cap worn by Jewish men; also known as a kippah.

Yom Kippur

The most solemn religious day of the Jewish year, marked by fasting and prayers of repentance.

Zionism

A movement originally for the re-establishment of a Jewish nation, now for the development of a Jewish nation in what is now Israel.