Jewish Terms Knowt-Ready Flashcard Notes (Unit 02)

Practice flashcards covering Jewish legal terms, greetings, and major biblical figures from Unit 02 of the Geirus Curriculum.

De’oraita

Torah-level law, which is the highest level of Jewish law.

Halacha l’Moshe MiSinai

An oral law given to Moshe at Sinai and passed down through Jewish tradition; it has binding authority despite not having a direct scriptural verse.

Divrei Kabbalah

Laws or practices rooted in the Prophets (Nevi'im) or Writings (Ketuvim).

Derabbanan

Rabbinic laws enacted by the Sages as opposed to Torah-level laws.

Minhag

A binding Jewish custom.

Chumra

A stringency or a stricter practice followed beyond the basic halachic requirement.

Kula

A leniency; a valid halachic position that permits something or applies the law less strictly.

Gezeira

A rabbinic decree made as a safeguard to prevent the violation of a Torah law.

Safek de’rabbanan l’kula

A principle stating that in cases of genuine doubt about rabbinic law, we are often lenient.

Safek de’oraita l’chumra

A principle stating that in cases of genuine doubt about Torah-level laws, we are generally strict.

Assur

Forbidden by halacha; something that is not permitted under Jewish law.

Mutar

Permitted by halacha; something that is allowed under Jewish law.

Heter

A halachic permission or allowance for a particular case.

Machmir

Being strict or following a stricter halachic opinion than the minimum requirement.

Shavua Tov

A Hebrew greeting meaning 'good week,' typically said after Shabbat ends.

Gut Vuch

A Yiddish greeting meaning 'good week,' commonly said after Shabbos ends.

Good Yuntif

A Yiddish/English holiday greeting used on Jewish festivals, meaning 'good Yom Tov.'

Chag Sameach

A Hebrew greeting meaning 'happy holiday' used on Jewish holidays and festivals.

Good Shabbos

A common Ashkenazi/Yiddish-influenced Shabbat greeting meaning 'good Shabbat.'

Shabbat Shalom

A Hebrew greeting meaning 'peaceful Shabbat' or 'Shabbat peace,' used before and during Shabbat.

Shalom Aleichem

A traditional Hebrew greeting meaning 'peace be upon you.'

Aleichem Shalom

The traditional response to 'Shalom Aleichem,' meaning 'upon you be peace.'

Beit Midrash

Literally 'house of study'; a place where Torah is studied, often part of a synagogue.

Midrash

Rabbinic interpretation or teaching based on the biblical text, including legal interpretations, moral lessons, and stories.

Beit haKnesset

Literally 'house of assembly'; a synagogue used for prayer, Torah reading, and communal gathering.

Aveira

A sin, transgression, or violation of Jewish law.

b’Shogeg

An action performed accidentally or unintentionally through ignorance or forgetfulness.

b’Meizid

An action performed intentionally or knowingly, especially when one knows it is forbidden.

Refuah Sheleimah

A blessing or wish meaning 'complete recovery,' said for someone who is sick.

Aufruf

A pre-wedding honor in many Ashkenazi communities where the groom is called to the Torah.

Chasuna / Chatuna

A Jewish wedding (Chasuna is the Yiddish/Ashkenazi pronunciation; chatuna is Hebrew).

Levayah

A funeral; the word refers to accompanying the deceased.

Shiur (Learning)

A structured Torah class or lesson on subjects such as halacha or Gemara.

Shiur (Measurement)

A required halachic amount or minimum measurement needed to fulfill a mitzvah or prohibition.

Zemirot

Traditional Shabbat or holiday songs sung at meals to create a spiritual atmosphere.

Benching

The act of reciting Birkat Hamazon, the Grace After Meals, after eating a meal that includes bread.

Bencher

A booklet containing Birkat Hamazon, Kiddush, Havdalah, and other common prayers or songs.

Halacha

Jewish law; the system of legal obligations and practices that guide how a Jew 'walks' through life.

Hashkafa

Jewish worldview, outlook, or philosophy; how a community understands religious life and values.

Lechatchila

Ideally or from the outset; the preferred way to do something before the fact.

Bedieved

After the fact; refers to something that may still be valid even if not done in the ideal way.

Safek

Doubt or uncertainty regarding a fact or Jewish law.

Mamesh

Really, actually, or literally; used conversationally for emphasis.

Avot

The Patriarchs: Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov.

Imahot

The Matriarchs: Sarah, Rivka, Rachel, and Leah.

Avraham

The first patriarch and the first Jew in the covenantal sense, known for serving one God and practicing chesed.

Yitzchak

The second patriarch, son of Avraham and Sarah, central to the Akeidah (the binding of Isaac).

Yaakov

The third patriarch, father of the twelve tribes, who was later renamed Yisrael.

Sarah

The first matriarch and wife of Avraham; foundational figure in the Jewish covenantal family.

Rivka

The wife of Yitzchak and mother of Yaakov and Esav; she ensured Yaakov received the covenantal blessing.

Rachel

One of Yaakov's wives and mother of Yosef and Binyamin; associated with prayer and longing.

Leah

One of Yaakov's wives and mother of many tribes, including Yehudah and Levi.

Adam

The first human being created by God; his story introduces moral responsibility and sin.

Chava

The first woman and mother of humanity; her name is connected to 'life.'

Kayin

The first child of Adam and Chava and the first murderer; he killed his brother Hevel.

Hevel

The brother of Kayin and the first murder victim; his offering was accepted by God.

Yosef

Son of Yaakov and Rachel who rose to power in Egypt and saved his family during a famine.

Yehudah

Ancestor of the tribe of Judah and the Davidic royal line; the word 'Jew' is derived from his name.

Binyamin

The youngest son of Yaakov and Rachel; the tribe from which King Saul descended.

Moshe

The greatest prophet who led the Israelites out of Egypt and received the Torah at Mount Sinai.

Yehoshua

Successor to Moshe who led the Jewish people into the Land of Israel.

Devorah

A prophetess and judge who led Israel spiritually and politically in the Book of Judges.

Shlomo

The son of King David and builder of the First Temple (Beit HaMikdash), known for his wisdom.

Eliyahu

A major prophet known for opposing idolatry and associated with future redemption and the Pesach Seder.

Yeshayahu

A major prophet of the First Temple period known for visions of justice, comfort, and messianic peace.

Yirmiyahu

A prophet who warned of the First Temple's destruction and gave messages of future restoration.

Yechezkel

A prophet of the Babylonian exile known for the vision of the dry bones and national restoration.