halacha and modernerity final

Amira L'Akum

The prohibition of asking a non-Jew to perform forbidden work on Shabbat.

Shabbat

The Jewish Sabbath, a day of rest and spiritual enrichment.

Melacha

Work or labor that is forbidden on Shabbat.

Removing Annoyance

A method permitted for a non-Jew to perform work on Shabbat by hinting to them to remove an annoyance.

Shvut D'Shvut

Permissibility for a non-Jew to perform a Rabbinic prohibition for a mitzvah.

Bikkur Cholim

Visiting the sick; a mitzvah that can permit certain actions on Shabbat.

Mechitzah

A partition or barrier, often referring to separating men and women in a synagogue context.

Lifnei Iver

The prohibition against causing someone to transgress a sin.

Chilul Hashem

Desecration of God's name; actions that can bring shame to the Jewish community.

Tzedakah

Charity or giving to those in need.

Shabbos Elevator

An elevator designed to operate automatically on Shabbat without manual intervention.

Bal Tosif

Prohibition against adding to the commandments of the Torah.

Gnevah

The act of stealing or theft.

Moser

An informer; someone who betrays fellow Jews to non-Jewish authorities.

Census

Counting people, particularly Jews, which has specific religious implications.

Chalanah

A rabbinic ruling or educational custom for the approval of health measures.

Hatzalat Nefesh

The mitzvah of saving a life, which may override other prohibitions.

Havdalah

The ceremony that concludes Shabbat.

Leaning during the Seder

A practice during Passover of reclining while eating to signify freedom.

Chometz

Leavened grain products forbidden during Passover.

Kashering

The process of making kitchen items suitable for use in accordance with kosher laws.

Matzah

Unleavened bread eaten during Passover.

Machatzit Hashekel

Half shekel; a biblical commandment in counting the Jewish people.

Sh'mira

The act of watching or safeguarding; often used in the context of mitzvot.

Yom H'

Literal translation: 'Day of the Lord'. Found in prophetic texts about the future.

Gemara

The Rabbinical analysis of and commentary on the Mishnah.

Mitzvot

Commandments or good deeds prescribed by Jewish law.

Sefer Torah

The handwritten scroll of the Torah, central to Jewish liturgy.

Tikkun Olam

Repairing the world; a concept for social justice in Judaism.

Hesed

Acts of kindness and compassion essential to Jewish ethics.