Glossary
Please click on a letter to find all glossary entries beginning with that letter:

1
10 Days of Repentance — Ten days of repentance between and including Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur View Halachot about 10 Days of Repentance
10th of Tevet (tay-vayt ) — Fast day marking the beginning of the siege of Jerusalem, ending in the First Temple's destruction View Halachot about 10th of Tevet
17th of Tamuz — Fast day inaugurating the Three Weeks of mourning for the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem View Halachot about 17th of Tamuz
To Top

A
Ad dlo yada (ahd dlo yah-dah ) — lit., Until he doesn't know; the commandment to get somewhat drunk on Purim until one doesn't know the difference between "Cursed is Haman" and "Blessed is Mordechai" means that one's essence should be on a high enough spiritual level that, even when one's mind is impaired by alcohol, one can see God's hand in the actions of both the evil Haman and the good Mordechai View Halachot about Ad dlo yada
Adam ha'rishon (ah-dahm hah-ree-shon ) — First man; Adam View Halachot about Adam ha'rishon
Adar (& Adar II) (ah-dahr ) — 12th (and, in leap year, 13th) Hebrew month View Halachot about Adar (& Adar II)
Adonai (ah-doh-nai ) — lit., My master; name for God View Halachot about Adonai
Afikoman (ah-fee-koh-mahn ) — lit., Dessert; piece of matza that represents the Passover lamb offering, eaten to conclude the seder View Halachot about Afikoman
Alenu (ah-lay-noo; Ashkenazit: aw-lay-noo ) — Prayer following the amida, acknowledging G-d’s kingship View Halachot about Alenu
Aliya , pl. aliyot (ah-lee-yah ah-lee-yoht) — lit., Going up to 1) the bima during the reading of the Torah or 2) live in Israel View Halachot about Aliya
Alot ha'shachar (ah-loht ha-sha-char ) — lit., Rising up of the dawn; daybreak, when light is first seen on the eastern horizon View Halachot about Alot ha'shachar
Ama , pl. amot (ah-mah ah-moht) — lit., Cubit; measure, representing the length of an adult's forearm, of 21 1/2 to 24 inches (depending on the application), equal to 6 tefachim View Halachot about Ama
Amaleik (ah-mah-layk ) — Nation descended from Esau/Esav who seek to annihilate the Jewish people View Halachot about Amaleik
Amen (ah-mayn ) — lit., Confirmed, so be it; word signifying agreement to someone else's blessing View Halachot about Amen
Amida (ah-mee-dah; Ashkenazit: ah-mee-dah ) — lit., Standing; main series of prayers in each prayer service; said standing View Halachot about Amida
Aneinu (ah-nay-noo ) — Addition to fast-day mincha amida View Halachot about Aneinu
Ani (ah-nee ) — lit., Poor person; person who does not have enough money to exist View Halachot about Ani
Anshei Knesset HaGedola (ahn-shay kneh-seht hag-doh-lah ) — lit., Men of the Great Assembly, aka Sanhedrin, headed initially by Ezra the Scribe. Operating during the Second Temple period, this group of sages decided legal matters, wrote the amida prayer, and created extra rules (fences) to protect mitzva observance View Halachot about Anshei Knesset HaGedola
Aravot (ah-rah-voht ) — lit., willows; part of lulav View Halachot about Aravot
Aron (ah-rohn ) — lit., Box, closet; housing for the Torah scrolls in a synagogue; also, a coffin View Halachot about Aron
Aseh lecha rav (ah-seh lih-chah rahv ) — lit., Make for yourself a rabbi; find a rabbi who you can learn from View Halachot about Aseh lecha rav
Ashkenazi (ahsh-kih-nah-zee ) — lit., Of Ashkenaz (Germany); pertaining to Jewish communities originating in northern Europe or to their customs View Halachot about Ashkenazi
Asur b'hana'a (ah-soor bih-hah-nah-ah ) — lit., Forbidden to be enjoyed; something from which Jews may not derive any benefit or use View Halachot about Asur b'hana'a
Aufruf (oof-roof ) — a groom's aliya to the Torah the Shabbat before his wedding View Halachot about Aufruf
Av (ahv ) — 1) Fifth Jewish month View Halachot about Av
Av melacha , pl. avot melacha (ahv mih-lah-chah ah-voht mih-lah-chah) — lit., Head form of creative activity; category heading for each of the 39 types of creative activity (melacha) that are forbidden on Shabbat View Halachot about Av melacha
Aveilut (ah-vay-loot ) — Mourning View Halachot about Aveilut
Avel, , pl. aveilim (ah-vehl ah-vay-leem) — Mourner View Halachot about Avel,
Aver min ha'chai (ay-vehr meen ha-chai ) — lit., Limb from the living animal; the Torah prohibition for Jews and non-Jews to take and eat a limb from an animal while it is still alive View Halachot about Aver min ha'chai
Avoda (ah-voh-dah ) — lit., Service read on Yom Kippur recalling the Yom Kippur service done by the High Priest. View Halachot about Avoda
Avoda zara (ah-voh-dah zah-rah ) — idol worship View Halachot about Avoda zara
Avraham, Avram (ahv-rah-hahm; ahv-rahm ) — Our forefather Abraham View Halachot about Avraham, Avram
aw-mayn (Ashkenazi) — See Amen View Halachot about aw-mayn (Ashkenazi)
Ayin ha'ra (ah-yeen ha-rah ) — lit., Evil eye; means wishing evil on someone View Halachot about Ayin ha'ra
To Top

B
B'di'avad (bih-dee-ah-vahd ) — lit., After the fact or action; something halachically questionable that may receive a lenient ruling since it has already happened and was without initial intent View Halachot about B'di'avad
B'tei'avon (bih-tay-ah-vohn ) — lit. With appetite; Hearty appetite! View Halachot about B'tei'avon
Ba'al kabala (bah-ahl kah-bah-lah ) — see Kabbalist View Halachot about Ba'al kabala
Ba'al korei (bah-ahl koh-reh ) — lit., Master or owner of reading; person who reads the Torah at a prayer service: Ba'al koreh View Halachot about Ba'al korei
Ba'al tefila (bah-ahl t'fee-lah ) — lit., Master or owner of prayer; person who leads a prayer service, see Chazan View Halachot about Ba'al tefila
Ba'al teshuva (bah-ahl teh-shoo-vah ) — lit., Master or owner of returning/repentance; someone not brought up religiously observant who now follows Jewish law View Halachot about Ba'al teshuva
Bal tashchit (bahl tahsh-cheet ) — lit., Don't destroy; it is forbidden to waste anything that has a use but we may use anything for a purpose View Halachot about Bal tashchit
BaMidbar (bah-meed-bahr ) — lit., In the desert; fourth book of Jewish Bible View Halachot about BaMidbar
Bar mitzva (bahr meetz-vah ) — lit., Son of commandment; boy who has turned 13 years old and is now obligated to observe Jewish commandments View Halachot about Bar mitzva
Bar mitzvah — See View Halachot about Bar mitzvah
Bar'chu (bah-rih-choo; Ashkenazit: bor-choo ) — Beginning of line “Bar'chu et Adonai ham’vorach,” which signifies part of the prayer service that ideally has at least a minyan (quorum of 10 men 13 years old or more) View Halachot about Bar'chu
Bareich (bah-raych ) — lit., Bless; 13th step of Passover seder View Halachot about Bareich
Basis (bah-sees ) — lit., Base; an object that has become muktza by being under another muktza item View Halachot about Basis
Bat mitzva (baht meetz-vah ) — lit., Daughter of commandment; girl who has turned 12 years old and is now obligated to observe Jewish commandments View Halachot about Bat mitzva
Batel ba'rov (bah-tayl bah-rohv ) — lit., Nullified by the majority; smaller amount of non-kosher food nullified by being in a larger amount of kosher food View Halachot about Batel ba'rov
Batel ba'shishim (bah-tehl bah-shee-sheem ) — lit., Nullified in 60; a problematic food's being nullified by constituting less than 1/60th of the total volume and, functionally, means that no taste remains from the original substance View Halachot about Batel ba'shishim
Bayit (bah-yeet ) — lit., House; a name for the box of the head or arm tefilin View Halachot about Bayit
Bechor , pl. bechorot (bih-chohr bih-choh-roht) — lit., First-born male; a Jewish first-born son or Jewish-owned first-born male sheep, goat, cow, or donkey, who/which must be redeemed View Halachot about Bechor
Bedika (bih-dee-kah ) — lit., checking; Often refers to any internal examination of vaginal area to determine if menstruation has stopped. View Halachot about Bedika
Bedikat chametz (bih-dee-kaht chah-mehtz ) — lit., Search for chametz; special candle-light search for chametz in the home the night before Passover View Halachot about Bedikat chametz
Begged ish (beh-gehd eesh ) — lit., Man's clothes; prohibition of women's wearing men's clothing View Halachot about Begged ish
Beheima , pl. beheimot (bih-hay-mah bih-hay-moht) — lit., Animal or domestic animal; kosher ruminant animals, e.g., cows, sheep, goats, etc. View Halachot about Beheima
Bein adam l'chaveiro (bayn ah-dahm leh-chah-vay-roh ) — lit., Between man and his friend; civil laws or rules governing interpersonal behavior View Halachot about Bein adam l'chaveiro
Bein ha'shmashot (bayn hahsh-mah-shoht ) — lit., Between the suns; dusk--from sunset until the stars are visible, when it is not clear whether it is day or night View Halachot about Bein ha'shmashot
Beitza (bay-tzah ) — lit., (size of an) Egg View Halachot about Beitza
Bereishit (bih-ray-sheet ) — lit., In the beginning; first book in Jewish Bible View Halachot about Bereishit
Besamim (bih-sah-meem ) — lit., spices View Halachot about Besamim
Bet din (bayt-deen ) — lit., House of judgment (or House of Jewish law); group of (usually) three rabbis who judge Jewish legal cases (effectively, a Jewish law court) or preside over someone's conversion to Judaism View Halachot about Bet din
Bet midrash (bait meed-rahsh ) — lit., House of study; building for Torah study View Halachot about Bet midrash
Bi'ur (bee-oor ) — lit., burning View Halachot about Bi'ur
Bikur cholim (bee-koor choh-leem ) — lit., Visiting the sick View Halachot about Bikur cholim
Bikurim (bee-koo-reem ) — lit, First; first fruits View Halachot about Bikurim
Bima (bee-mah ) — Platform in synagogue from which the Torah is read publicly and from which the prayer leader leads the prayer service View Halachot about Bima
Birchot (beer-chot ) — lit., Blessings of; see bracha View Halachot about Birchot
Birchot ha'shachar (beer-chot hah-shah-chahr ) — lit., Blessings of dawn; early segment of Shacharit View Halachot about Birchot ha'shachar
Birchot mitzva (beer-choht meetz-vah ) — Blessings said over doing a commandment View Halachot about Birchot mitzva
Birchot nehenin (beer-choht neh-heh-neen ) — Blessings said over enjoyment of something View Halachot about Birchot nehenin
Birkat ha'mazon d'rabanan (beer-kaht ha-mah-zohn ) — lit., Rabbis' birkat ha'mazon; Requirement to say birkat ha'mazon after eating 1.3 fl. oz. of food, even if you are not satiated View Halachot about Birkat ha'mazon d'rabanan
Bishul akum (bee-shool ah-koom ) — lit., Cooking of idol-worshippers; "prestigious" food that has been cooked only by non-Jews View Halachot about Bishul akum
Bitul (bee-tool ) — lit., annul View Halachot about Bitul
Blech (blehch ) — sheet of metal View Halachot about Blech
Bnai Brak (b'nay brahk ) — Jewish town famous for Jewish sages at time of the Romans View Halachot about Bnai Brak
Boneh (boh-neh ) — lit., Building; a melacha forbidden on Shabbat View Halachot about Boneh
Boreir (boh-rayr ) — lit., Selecting; selecting desired food from associated non-food or undesired food, or selecting non-food or undesired food from desired food View Halachot about Boreir
Bracha , pl. brachot (brah-chah brah-choht) — lit., Blessing; usually, a short prayer thanking God or acknowledging His beneficence throughout everyday life as well as to mark holy, special, or sublime events; said before or after doing an activity or experiencing something View Halachot about Bracha
Bracha achrona (brah-chah ahch-roh-nah ) — lit., Last blessing; after-blessing made after eating food View Halachot about Bracha achrona
Bracha l'vatala (brah-chah leh-vah-tah-lah ) — lit., Blessing made in vain View Halachot about Bracha l'vatala
Bracha rishona (brah-chah ree-shoh-na ) — lit., First blessing; fore-blessing made over food View Halachot about Bracha rishona
Brit mila (breet mee-lah ) — lit., Covenant of circumcision; circumcision View Halachot about Brit mila
Briya (bree-yah ) — whole creature View Halachot about Briya
brocha (bruh-chah ) — See Bracha View Halachot about brocha
To Top

C
Cana'an (kih-nah-ahn ) — Land of Israel before the Jews took possession; borders were not identical to Eretz Yisrael View Halachot about Cana'an
Carmelit (cahr-meh-leet ) — Domain that is unbounded and not intended as a public thoroughfare (people are not expected to transit through it), e.g., an unfenced lawn, a parking lot, the ocean, a desert View Halachot about Carmelit
Chadash (chah-dahsh ) — lit., New; grain planted after one Passover that has not yet passed the first day of chol hamo'ed of the following Passover View Halachot about Chadash
Chag , pl. chagim (chahg chah-geem) — Festival, or "major," holiday; these include the Three Pilgrimage Festivals (Pesach/Passover, Shavuot, Sukkot/Simchat Torah) and the High Holidays (Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur) and have activity restrictions similar to Shabbat. For non-chag holidays, see Rabbinic holidays View Halachot about Chag
Chagav (chah-gahv ) — A kosher type of grasshopper View Halachot about Chagav
Chagiga (chah-gee-gah ) — lit., Offering in the Temple in Jerusalem on the Jewish festivals; in present times, represented by egg on the seder plate View Halachot about Chagiga
Chalak (chah-lahk ) — lit., Smooth; see Glatt View Halachot about Chalak
Chalav stam (chah-lahv stahm ) — lit., Common milk; milk sold in conventional stores and without a hechsher View Halachot about Chalav stam
Chalav Yisrael (cha-lahv yees-rah-ehl ) — Milk supervised by Jews View Halachot about Chalav Yisrael
Challa , pl. challot (chah-lah chah-loht) — lit., Portion of dough given to Jewish priests (cohanim); bread for use on Shabbat and holidays View Halachot about Challa
Chamar medina (chah-mahr mih-dee-nah ) — lit., Drink of the country; any social beverage that cannot be refused on the grounds that you are not thirsty; drink that is locally considered suitable to serve for social purposes View Halachot about Chamar medina
Chametz (chah-maytz ) — lit., Fermented; leavened food, fermented grains, or their derivatives View Halachot about Chametz
Chametz gamur (chah-maytz gah-moor ) — lit., Fermented in its entirety; food that is entirely leavened, such as bread, beer, or alcohol made from fermented wheat or barley View Halachot about Chametz gamur
Chanuka (chah-noo-kah ) — lit., Dedication; 8-day minor holiday celebrating Jews' victory over Greeks View Halachot about Chanuka
Chanukiya (chah-noo-kee-yah ) — Menora/candle holder for Chanuka View Halachot about Chanukiya
Charata (chah-rah-tah ) — Regret View Halachot about Charata
Charif (chah-reef ) — lit., Hot-spicy; hot-spicy food or other substance View Halachot about Charif
Charoset (chah-roh-seht ) — Ground fruit and nut mixture used on Passover. View Halachot about Charoset
Chashmonai (chahsh-moh-nah-ee ) — lit., Dynasty of the Maccabees - Jewish priest-warriors in the Chanuka story View Halachot about Chashmonai
Chashuv (chah-shoov ) — Something that is important View Halachot about Chashuv
Chaticha ha'reuya l'hitchabed (chah-tee-chah hah-reh-oo-yah lih-heet-chah-behd ) — food with which you could honor a guest View Halachot about Chaticha ha'reuya l'hitchabed
Chatima tova (chah-tee-mah toh-vah ) — lit., [May you have a] Good sealing; greeting for Jewish New Year View Halachot about Chatima tova
Chatzeir (chah-tzayr ) — lit., Yard/courtyard; domain View Halachot about Chatzeir
Chatzot (chah-tzoht ) — lit., Midnight or midday View Halachot about Chatzot
Chaviv (chah-veev ) — Something you like View Halachot about Chaviv
Chaya , pl. chayot (chah-yah, chah-yoht ) — Wild animals; alternatively, kosher animals (mammals) that are not domestic, such as deer View Halachot about Chaya
Chazaka (chah-zah-kah ) — lit., Established claim or probability; something established as true or reliable because it was observed or happened three times in a row. There are many types of chazaka: View Halachot about Chazaka
Chazal (chah-zahl ) — lit., Our Sages, May Their Memory Be for a Blessing (abbrev.); Sages. See also: Rabbis, Posek, Congregational Rabbi, Anshei Knesset HaGedola, Sanhedrin, Sofrim, Takanat Chachamim View Halachot about Chazal
Chazan (chah-zahn ) — Cantor or leader of a public prayer service View Halachot about Chazan
Chazeret (chah-zeh-reht ) — Bitter herb optionally used on seder plate View Halachot about Chazeret
Chazon Ish (chah-zohn eesh ) — Rabbi Avrohom Yeshaya Karelitz, leader of Hareidi Jewry in Israel until his death in 1953 View Halachot about Chazon Ish
Cheilev (chay-lehv ) — type of fat View Halachot about Cheilev
Chesed (cheh-sehd ) — lit., Righteousness; an act of kindness View Halachot about Chesed
Cheshvan — 8th Hebrew month View Halachot about Cheshvan
Chevra kadisha (chehv-rah kah-dee-shah ) — lit., Holy Society; organization that prepares dead Jewish bodies for burial View Halachot about Chevra kadisha
Chilul Hashem (chee-lool hah-shehm ) — lit., Defaming of the Name View Halachot about Chilul Hashem
Chisheiv et ha'keitz (chee-shayv eht hah-kaytz ) — lit., Calculated the end; phrase from Passover hagada View Halachot about Chisheiv et ha'keitz
Chol ha'moed (chohl hah-moh-ayd ) — lit., Secular days of the Jewish festival; intermediate days of Passover and Sukkot View Halachot about Chol ha'moed
Choleh b'chol gufo (choh-leh bih-chohl goo-foh ) — lit., Sick throughout his body; systemic illness View Halachot about Choleh b'chol gufo
Choleh b'echad eivarav (choh-leh bih-eh-chahd ay-vah-rahv ) — lit., Sick in one of his limbs; localized illness View Halachot about Choleh b'echad eivarav
Cholent (choh-lent; chohlnt ) — Stew kept warm from before Shabbat starts and eaten on Shabbat day View Halachot about Cholent
Choreish (choh-raysh ) — lit., plowing; first category of the 39 categories of melacha (creative activities) from which we refrain on Shabbat View Halachot about Choreish
Chumash (choo-mahsh ) — lit., Five part; Five Books of Moses View Halachot about Chumash
Chuppa (choo-pah ) — Wedding canopy View Halachot about Chuppa
Cohen , pl. cohanim (coh-hayn coh-hah-neem) — lit., Priest; Jewish man of priestly lineage as descended from Aaron the Priest View Halachot about Cohen
Cohen gadol (coh-hayn gah-dohl ) — lit., Great priest; high priest of first the Tabernacle and then the Jerusalem Temple View Halachot about Cohen gadol
To Top

D
D'oraita (d'oh-ry-tah ) — lit., From the Torah View Halachot about D'oraita
D'rabanan (dih-rah-bah-nan ) — lit., From the Rabbis; laws instituted by the Rabbis View Halachot about D'rabanan
D'tzach-Adash-B'Achav (dih-tzahch ah-dahsh bih-ahch-ahv ) — Rabbi Yehuda's abbreviations of the first letter of each of the Ten Plagues View Halachot about D'tzach-Adash-B'Achav
Dagesh (dah-gehsh ) — lit., Emphasis; dot in some letters to indicate emphasis in pronunciation View Halachot about Dagesh
dairy (dare ee ) — Any food that either contains milk or its significant (according to halacha) traces View Halachot about dairy
Dalet amot (dah-leht ah-moht ) — lit., 4 amot; distance symbolic of one's personal space View Halachot about Dalet amot
Darchei shalom (dahr-chay shah-lohm ) — lit., Ways of peace; Jews' behaving in ways that lead to good relations between themselves and other Jews and also with non-Jews. View Halachot about Darchei shalom
Dash (dahsh ) — lit., threshing; 5th category of the 39 categories of melacha (creative activities) from which we refrain on Shabbat View Halachot about Dash
Davar she'ba'minyan (dah-vahr sheh-bah-meen-yahn ) — Item that is bought by the piece View Halachot about Davar she'ba'minyan
Davar she'yesh lo matirin (dah-vahr sheh-yeish loh mah-tee-reen ) — something that is not permitted now but will become permissible in the future View Halachot about Davar she'yesh lo matirin
Dayenu (dah-yay-noo ) — lit., Enough for us; song in seder View Halachot about Dayenu
Derech achila (deh-rehch ah-chee-lah ) — lit., Way of eating; normal way of eating a kind of food View Halachot about Derech achila
Derech achilah — See View Halachot about Derech achilah
Derech eretz (deh-rehch eh-rehtz ) — lit., Way of the land; doing things in a normal or respectful way View Halachot about Derech eretz
Devarim (dih-vah-reem ) — Fifth book of Jewish Bible View Halachot about Devarim
Divrei Sofrim (deev-ray soh-freem ) — lit., Words of the Scribes; ancient rabbinical laws View Halachot about Divrei Sofrim
To Top

E
Ein bishul achar bishul b'davar yaveish (ayn bee-shool ah-chahr bee-shool bih-dah-vahr yah-vehsh ) — lit., There is no cooking after cooking for something dry; you may heat up a dry cooked food on Shabbat without incurring the prohibition of cooking since the dry cooked food is already halachically "cooked" View Halachot about Ein bishul achar bishul b'davar yaveish
Eino ben yomo (ay-noh behn yoh-moh ) — More than one day old; a utensil that has not been used for at least the past 24 hours and therefore whose absorbed food does not influence its gender or kosher status View Halachot about Eino ben yomo
Eishet Chayil (ay-sheht chah-yeel ) — Song sung before Friday night kiddush; excerpt from Proverbs 31 View Halachot about Eishet Chayil
Eliyahu (ay-lee-yah-hoo ) — Elijah the Prophet View Halachot about Eliyahu
Elohai neshama (eh-loh-hai nih-shah-mah ) — lit, My God, (my) soul...; one of the prayers we say in the morning View Halachot about Elohai neshama
Elohim (eh-loh-keem ) — Name of God referring to His attribute of justice View Halachot about Elohim
Elul (eh-lool ) — Sixth Jewish month View Halachot about Elul
Eretz Yisrael (eh-retz yees-rah-ehl ) — lit., Land of Israel; the Land of Israel according to Jewish law (not identical in borders nor in Jewish law to the modern State of Israel) View Halachot about Eretz Yisrael
Erev (eh-rehv ) — lit., Evening of or before; Jewish calendar day starts at sunset View Halachot about Erev
Eruv (chatzeirot) (ay-roov ) — lit., Mixture; boundary of physical structures, natural topographic features, and a series of presumptive doorways that enclose an area in order to allow the carrying of items within that domain on Shabbat View Halachot about Eruv (chatzeirot)
Eruv tavshilin (ay-roov tahv-shee-leen ) — lit., Mixture of cooked things; setting aside a baked and a cooked food to be eaten on a Shabbat immediately following a Jewish festival, which permits cooking on that festival for that Shabbat View Halachot about Eruv tavshilin
Eruy rotchim (ee-roy roht-cheem ) — lit., Boiling pouring; the hot-water pour method of kashering View Halachot about Eruy rotchim
Esav (ay-sahv ) — Esau; brother of Jacob View Halachot about Esav
Etrog (eht-rohg ) — Citron; large citrus fruit held and waved with lulav on Sukkot View Halachot about Etrog
Evyon (ehv-yohn ) — Someone who has less than a person so poor he or she does not have enough money to exist View Halachot about Evyon
To Top

F
Fleishig (flay-sheeg ) — lit., Meat (Yiddish) View Halachot about Fleishig
Four Species-Lulav (consisting of palm branch myrtle branches) — and etrog; waved on Sukkot View Halachot about Four Species-Lulav
To Top

G
G'henna, Gehinom (geh-hen-ah gay-hee-nohm) — Hell View Halachot about G'henna, Gehinom
Gadol ha'bayis — See View Halachot about Gadol ha'bayis
Gadol ha'bayit (gah-dohl hah-bah-yeet ) — lit., Major one in house; head of household View Halachot about Gadol ha'bayit
gadol ha'dor (gah-dl ha-dohr ) — See Gadol HaDor View Halachot about gadol ha'dor
Gadol habayis — See View Halachot about Gadol habayis
Gadol habayit — See View Halachot about Gadol habayit
Gadol HaDor (g'dohl ha-dohr ) — lit., Great one of the generation; greatest rabbi/sage of the generation View Halachot about Gadol HaDor
Gefilte fish (gih-fihl-tih ) — lit., Stuffed fish; balls or servings mostly of ground fish whose bones have been removed and thus do not have to be removed (removing the bones on Shabbat would violate the prohibition of boreir/selecting) View Halachot about Gefilte fish
Gemara (geh-mah-rah ) — lit., Completion; commentaries that discuss, summarize, and explain Jewish learning based on the Mishna (or Oral Law) View Halachot about Gemara
Gematria (geh-maht-ree-yah ) — Numerical system based on the Hebrew letters View Halachot about Gematria
Gemirat da'at (geh-mee-raht dah-aht ) — lit., Determination of thought View Halachot about Gemirat da'at
Gezeira , pl. g'zeirot (gih-zay-rah gih-zay-roht) — lit., Decrees; Jewish laws decreed by a rabbi but based on Torah laws View Halachot about Gezeira
Gid ha'nasheh (geed hah-nah-sheh ) — sciatic nerve and associated structures that Jews are not allowed to eat in meat View Halachot about Gid ha'nasheh
Gil chinuch (geel chee-nooch ) — lit., Age of education; age at which a child can understand the meaning of doing certain commandments and not just the actions required to perform those commandments View Halachot about Gil chinuch
Giloy arayot (gee-looy ah-rah-yoht ) — Prohibited relationships listed in Torah View Halachot about Giloy arayot
Glatt (glaht ) — lit., Smooth; glatt meat comes from a kosher, 4-legged animal with no raised lung lesions. Applied to mean a high level of kosher (even when absurd, as in glatt chicken, fish, or lettuce!) View Halachot about Glatt
Glila (gli-lah ) — lit., Rolling; the act of rolling up the Torah scroll after reading from it in synagogue View Halachot about Glila
Gmar chatima tova (gmahr chah-tee-mah toh-vah ) — lit., [May] The end of your sealing be good! View Halachot about Gmar chatima tova
Gmar tov (gmahr tohv ) — lit., [May you have a] Good ending! View Halachot about Gmar tov
Gneivat da'at (gnei-vaht dah-aht ) — lit., Stealing thought; giving a false impression View Halachot about Gneivat da'at
Grama (grah-mah ) — lit., Cause; indirect action View Halachot about Grama
To Top

H
Ha'gomel (hah-goh-mehl ) — Blessing thanking G-d for saving one from danger View Halachot about Ha'gomel
Ha'magbi-ah (hah-mahg-bee-ah ) — lit., One who lifts; one who lifts the Torah scroll before or after the public reading in synagogue View Halachot about Ha'magbi-ah
Ha'motzi (hah-moh-tzee ) — Blessing before eating bread (eating the minimum quantity of bread determines a "meal" by Jewish law) View Halachot about Ha'motzi
Hachnasat kalla (hach-nah-saht kah-lah ) — lit., Bringing in the bride; charity given to poor bride so she can have at least a minimal wedding and set up her household View Halachot about Hachnasat kalla
Hachnasat orchim (hahch-nah-saht or-cheem ) — lit., Bringing in guests; the commandment of hospitality View Halachot about Hachnasat orchim
Hadassim (hah-dah-seem ) — Myrtle branches (used in lulav) View Halachot about Hadassim
Hafrashat challa (hahf-rah-shaht chah-lah ) — lit., Separating challa; the commandment to separate a portion of dough View Halachot about Hafrashat challa
Haftara (hahf-tah-rah ) — Portion of the Prophets section of the Torah, read after the Torah portion on Shabbat View Halachot about Haftara
Hag'ala (hahg-ah-lah ) — lit., Scalding; to kasher by boiling View Halachot about Hag'ala
Hagada , pl. hagadot (hah-gah-dah hah-gah-doht) — lit., Telling; book used to guide participants through the Passover seder View Halachot about Hagada
Hagbaha (hahg-bah-hah ) — lit., Lifting up; lifting up the Torah scroll after the Torah reading in synagogue to give honor to the Torah View Halachot about Hagbaha
Hakarat ha'tov (hah-kah-raht hah-tov ) — lit., Acknowledging the good View Halachot about Hakarat ha'tov
Halacha , pl. halachot (hah-lah-chah hah-lah-choht) — lit., Walkings; a Jewish law; the body of Jewish law; pertaining to those laws View Halachot about Halacha
Halachic, halachically (hah-lah-chihk ) — adjective and adverb of halacha View Halachot about Halachic, halachically
Hallel (hah-lehl ) — lit., Praise; Set of psalms of praise for God that is normally read the morning of Jewish festivals, Chanuka, and Rosh Chodesh; 14th step of Passover seder when most of Hallel is said View Halachot about Hallel
Halva'a (hahl-vah-ah ) — Loan View Halachot about Halva'a
Haman (hah-mahn ) — Antagonist, Purim story (Persian who wanted to kill all the Jews) View Halachot about Haman
Hamentashen (hah-mehn-tah-shehn ) — lit, Haman's pockets (or bags); triangular filled pastries eaten on Purim View Halachot about Hamentashen
Hana'a (hah-nah-ah ) — lit., Enjoyment; as applied, appreciation View Halachot about Hana'a
Hashavat aveida (hah-shah-vaht ah-vay-dah ) — lit., returning a lost article View Halachot about Hashavat aveida
Hashem (hah-shehm ) — lit., The Name; generic word designating God. Each of God's many Hebrew names has a different application, meaning, and use View Halachot about Hashem
Hashem echad (hah-shehm eh-chahd ) — lit., God is One; last two words of opening line of shema prayer View Halachot about Hashem echad
Hashgacha (hahsh-gah-chah ) — lit., Supervision; normally applies to kosher food supervision or to Hashem's supervision of our (humans') needs View Halachot about Hashgacha
Hashkafa (hahsh-kah-fah ) — Outlook; Jewish religious point of view View Halachot about Hashkafa
Hatafat dam (hah-tah-faht dahm ) — Drawing small amount of blood for circumcision of unusual circumstances View Halachot about Hatafat dam
Hatarat nedarim (hah-tah-raht neh-dah-reem ) — lit., Release from vows View Halachot about Hatarat nedarim
Hatmana (haht-mah-nah ) — Keeping food warm by insulating it View Halachot about Hatmana
hava nitchakmah — See View Halachot about hava nitchakmah
Havdala (hahv-dah-lah ) — lit., Separation; ceremony ending Shabbat and Jewish festivals View Halachot about Havdala
Hayu kor'im (hah-yoo kohr-eem ) — lit., They would bow; line in the Yom Kippur service View Halachot about Hayu kor'im
ha’motzi — See View Halachot about ha’motzi
Hechsher (hehch-shayr ) — lit., Validation, ritual permit; approval of the fitness of kosher food supervision View Halachot about Hechsher
Hefkeir (hehf-kayr ) — lit., Abandoned; ownerless View Halachot about Hefkeir
Hefsek (hehf-sehk ) — interruption, often between the beginning of doing a mitzva (such as saying the blessing) and its completion View Halachot about Hefsek
Hefsek tahara (hehf-sehk tah-hah-rah ) — specific internal examination whose purpose is to determine whether menstrual bleeding has stopped View Halachot about Hefsek tahara
Heichal (hay-chahl ) — Antechamber in the Temple in Jerusalem View Halachot about Heichal
Hesech da'at (heh-sehch dah-aht ) — lit., Cessation of thought; a discontinuity in an action, which may require a new reciting of a blessing View Halachot about Hesech da'at
hesech hada'at (heh-sech hah-dah-at ) — See Hesech da'at View Halachot about hesech hada'at
Heter (heh-tayr ) — lit., Leniency, allowance; a permission that allows a more lenient practice than would be required by a strict application of the relevant law View Halachot about Heter
Heter iska (heh-tayr ees-kah ) — Legal loophole changing a loan into an investment, which will permit taking a profit View Halachot about Heter iska
Hidur mitzva (hee-door meetz-vah ) — lit., beautifying a mitzva View Halachot about Hidur mitzva
Hoshana Rabba (hoh-shah-nah rah-bah ) — lit., The Great Save us;7th day of Sukkot. View Halachot about Hoshana Rabba
Hoshanot (hoh-shah-noht ) — Circling the synagogue bima with lulav on Sukkot and reciting prayers for God's salvation View Halachot about Hoshanot
Hoshiya et amecha (hoh-shee-ah eht ah-meh-chah ) — lit., Save your people; 10-word segment in Psalms 28 sometimes used to count 10 Jews. Full phrase: View Halachot about Hoshiya et amecha
Hotza'a (hoh-tzah-ah ) — lit., Brought out; transferring a physical item from one domain to another, normally from a private domain to a public domain but also private to private View Halachot about Hotza'a
To Top

I
Isru chag (ees-roo chahg ) — Day after a Jewish festival (Passover, Shavu'ot, Sukkot) has ended View Halachot about Isru chag
Iyar — 2nd Hebrew month View Halachot about Iyar
To Top

J
Jewish festival — See Chag View Halachot about Jewish festival
Jewish festivals — See Chag View Halachot about Jewish festivals
To Top

K
K'beitza (kih-bay-tzah ) — lit., Like (the volume of) an egg; 1.9 fl. oz., or 53 ml, or 1/4 cup View Halachot about K'beitza
K'dei achilat prat (kih-day ah-chee-laht praht ) — time it takes for someone to eat 5.7 to 7.6 fl. oz. of bread, depending on the opinion and application View Halachot about K'dei achilat prat
K'dei klipa (kee-day klee-pah ) — smallest thickness that it is possible to slice or peel a food View Halachot about K'dei klipa
K'dei netila (kee-day nih-tee-lah ) — 1 layer of food away from the knife or other implement that cut it View Halachot about K'dei netila
K'viat zman l'Torah (kvee-aht zmahn lih-toh-rah ) — Setting time for Torah study View Halachot about K'viat zman l'Torah
K'zayit (kih-zy-eet ) — lit., Like (the volume of) an olive; actually, 1/2 the volume of an average hen's egg (approximately 1 fl. oz., depending on the application) View Halachot about K'zayit
Kab, kabim (kahb kah-beem) — Unit of volume equalling the volume of 24 eggs; one kab = 4 login View Halachot about Kab, kabim
Kabbala (kah-bah-lah ) — lit., Something received; traditional interpretation of Torah or other holy texts; system of Jewish mystical thought View Halachot about Kabbala
Kabbalistic (kah-bah-lis-tihk ) — Adjective for kabbala View Halachot about Kabbalistic
Kad v'chad (kahd vih-chahd ) — lit., rounded (end) and pointed (end); characteristics of a kosher egg View Halachot about Kad v'chad
Kaddish (kah-deesh ) — Mostly Aramaic prayer sanctifying G-d; said numerous times throughout the prayer service, including a version said by mourners View Halachot about Kaddish
Kadeish (kah-daysh ) — lit., Sanctify; first of 15 steps in the Passover seder View Halachot about Kadeish
Kadmoniyot (kahd-moh-nee-oht ) — lit., Ancient; last word in last segment of the amida View Halachot about Kadmoniyot
Kadosh (kah-dohsh ) — Holy, separated, sanctified View Halachot about Kadosh
Kaparot (kah-pah-roht ) — lit., Atonements; custom among some Jews to symbolically transfer their sins to an object (chicken, then slaughtered and used to feed the poor; coins, given to the poor; etc.). This may be done anytime between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur View Halachot about Kaparot
Kareit (kah-rayt ) — lit., Cut off; very severe punishment of being "cut off" from the Jewish people either physically (early death) or spiritually (offender's spiritual existence is limited) View Halachot about Kareit
Karpas (kahr-pahs ) — Greens such as celery and parsley; third step in Passover seder View Halachot about Karpas
Kasher (kah-shayr ) — To make something (usually food) fitting View Halachot about Kasher
Kashrut (kahsh-root ) — System of laws as to what is kosher View Halachot about Kashrut
Katan (kah-tahn ) — lit., Small; a boy not yet 13 years old View Halachot about Katan
Kavana (kah-vah-nah ) — lit., Intention, directedness; concentration during prayers or intention toward performing a commandment View Halachot about Kavana
Kavod habri'ot (kah-vohd hah-bree-oht ) — lit., Honor of the created (people); human dignity View Halachot about Kavod habri'ot
Kedoshim (kih-doh-sheem ) — lit., Holy; set apart View Halachot about Kedoshim
Kedusha (keh-doo-shah ) — Holiness; also the name of the responsive prayer in amida prayers View Halachot about Kedusha
Keter (keh-tehr ) — lit., Crown; first word of the k'dusha section of the Sefardi amida for musaf View Halachot about Keter
Ketiva v'chatima tova (kih-tee-vah vih chah-tee-mah toh-vah ) — lit., A good inscribing and sealing View Halachot about Ketiva v'chatima tova
Ketuba (kih-too-bah ) — lit., Written document; marriage document View Halachot about Ketuba
Ketuvim (kih-too-veem ) — lit., Writings; last 11 books of the Jewish Bible View Halachot about Ketuvim
Kibud av va'eim (kee-bood ahv vah-aym ) — lit., Honoring father and mother View Halachot about Kibud av va'eim
Kiddush (kee-doosh ) — Series of blessings and verses said over a cup of wine to begin Shabbat and Jewish festivals View Halachot about Kiddush
Kiddush Hashem (kee-doosh ha-shehm ) — lit., Sanctification of God's Name; i.e., performing an honorable or noble public act that makes people view Jews and Judaism in a positive way View Halachot about Kiddush Hashem
Kiddush levana (kee-doosh leh-vah-nah ) — Series of blessings and verses sanctifying the moon; said in the first part of each Jewish month, only at night and when the moon is visible View Halachot about Kiddush levana
Kiddushin (kee-doo-sheen ) — lit., Sanctifications; wedding ceremony View Halachot about Kiddushin
Kilayim (kee-lay-eem ) — Prohibition of mixing plants, inter-breeding animals or plants, grafting trees of two disparate types, or wearing clothing made of a mixture of linen and wool View Halachot about Kilayim
Kilei ha'kerem (kee-lay hah-keh-rehm ) — lit., Mixed plantings including grapevines; a type of kilayim View Halachot about Kilei ha'kerem
Kinyan (keen-yahn ) — lit., Acquisition View Halachot about Kinyan
Kiruv (kee-roov ) — lit., Bringing close; helping Jews learn about Judaism and to become religiously observant View Halachot about Kiruv
Kis b'toch kis (kees b'tohch-kees ) — lit., Pocket inside a pocket; double covering View Halachot about Kis b'toch kis
Kisei Eliyahu (kee-say ay-lee-yah-hu ) — Elija's chair; ornamental chair set up at brit mila View Halachot about Kisei Eliyahu
Kisei ha'kavod (kee-say ha-kah-vohd ) — lit., Seat of Honor; God's Throne View Halachot about Kisei ha'kavod
Kislev — 9th Hebrew month View Halachot about Kislev
Kisuy rosh (kee-sooy rohsh ) — lit., Covering the head; head covering View Halachot about Kisuy rosh
Kitniyot (keet-nee-yoht ) — lit., Legumes; beans and other foods rabbinically forbidden on Passover for Ashkenazi Jews View Halachot about Kitniyot
Kittel (kih-tihl ) — plain white robe worn by adult males in marriages and burials, by married men on Yom Kippur, and by some men at the Passover seder View Halachot about Kittel
Kitzur Shulchan Aruch (kee-tzur shool-chahn ah-rooch ) — lit., Shortened Shulchan Aruch; concise 19th century compilation of Jewish laws by Rabbi Shlomo Ganzfried View Halachot about Kitzur Shulchan Aruch
Kli rishon (klee ree-shohn ) — lit., First vessel; the pot, pan or other utensil used directly on the stove or in the oven View Halachot about Kli rishon
Kli sheini (klee shay-nee ) — lit., Second vessel; utensil into which the contents of the kli rishon is placed or poured View Halachot about Kli sheini
Kli shlishi (klee shlee-shee ) — lit., Third vessel; utensil into which the contents of the kli sheini is placed or poured View Halachot about Kli shlishi
Kli, pl. Keilim (klee, kay-leem ) — Utensil(s) or any item created with the intention of being used as a tool or utensil to make an activity easier. View Halachot about Kli, pl. Keilim
Kol isha (kohl ee-shah ) — lit., Woman's voice; prohibition for men to hear a solitary woman's voice singing View Halachot about Kol isha
Kolshehu (kohl sheh-hoo kohl-sheh-hoo) — Any small amount View Halachot about Kolshehu
Korban, korbanot (kohr-bahn kohr-bah-noht) — lit., Sacrifice: section of morning prayers that substitutes for the actual offering of sacrifices in Temple View Halachot about Korban, korbanot
Koreich (koh-rehch ) — lit., Bind up, sandwich; 10th step in Passover seder View Halachot about Koreich
Kos pagum (kohs pah-goom ) — lit., Blemished cup: View Halachot about Kos pagum
Kos shel bracha (kohs shehl brah-chah ) — lit., Cup of Blessing; a cup of wine or grape juice used for kiddush on Shabbat or a Jewish festival or on certain other occasions of Jewish celebration View Halachot about Kos shel bracha
Kosher (koh-shur ) — lit., Fitting, suitable; the status of being fit to eat according to Jewish law View Halachot about Kosher
Kotzeir (koh-tzair ) — lit., Harvesting; 3rd category of the 39 categories of melacha (creative activities) from which we refrain on Shabbat View Halachot about Kotzeir
Kovei'a se'uda (koh-vay-ah sih-oo-dah ) — lit., Establish a halachic meal View Halachot about Kovei'a se'uda
Kri'a (kree-ah ) — lit., Tearing; ripping clothing as a sign of mourning, usually done at funeral of close relative or when seeing the place of the Temple in Jerusalem for the first time in 30 days View Halachot about Kri'a
Kugel (koo-gel ) — lit., Round; baked starchy food served especially on Shabbat and Yom Tov View Halachot about Kugel
To Top

L
L'chatchila (leh-chaht-chee-lah ) — lit., From the beginning; optimal practice or method View Halachot about L'chatchila
L'ma'an tizkor (lih-mah-ahn teez-kohr ) — lit., In order that you should remember View Halachot about L'ma'an tizkor
L'shana tova tikateiv v'tichateim (lih-shah-nah toh-vah tee-kay-tayv vih-tee-kah-taym ) — lit., May you be written and sealed for a good year; Jewish new year's greeting View Halachot about L'shana tova tikateiv v'tichateim
Lag Ba'Omer (lahg bah-oh-mayr ) — lit., 33rd day of the omer; minor holiday celebrating cessation of plague among Rabbi Akiva's 24,000 students View Halachot about Lag Ba'Omer
Lash (lahsh ) — lit., Kneading; one of the 39 melachot forbidden on Shabbat View Halachot about Lash
Lashon ha'ra (lah-shohn hah-rah ) — lit., Evil tongue/speech; bad mouthing-saying bad things about people, even if true View Halachot about Lashon ha'ra
Latke (laht-kee laht-kih) — pancake; usually, potato pancake eaten on Chanuka View Halachot about Latke
Lavan (lah-vahn ) — Laban; Jacob's wicked uncle View Halachot about Lavan
Lavud (lah-vood ) — Within 3 tefachim; two structures within 10.5 inches of each other and considered contiguous View Halachot about Lavud
Le'ayein (lih-ah-yayn ) — lit., to inspect View Halachot about Le'ayein
Lechem ha'panim (leh-chehm hah-pah-neem ) — lit., Face bread; 12 loaves of showbread on showbread table in Temple View Halachot about Lechem ha'panim
Lechem mishneh (leh-chehm meesh-neh ) — lit., Double bread; the two loaves of bread used for Shabbat and Jewish festival meals View Halachot about Lechem mishneh
Lechem oni (leh-chehm oh-nee ) — lit., Bread of the Poor; matza View Halachot about Lechem oni
Lechi (leh-chi ) — upright portion of an eruv View Halachot about Lechi
Leil Shimurim (layl shee-moo-reem ) — Night of Guardings; Passover seder night, on which God guards us as he did during the first Passover night View Halachot about Leil Shimurim
Lema'an tizkor (lih-mah-ahn teez-kohr ) — lit., in order that you should remember; commandment for telling the Passover story at the seder View Halachot about Lema'an tizkor
Levaya (leh-vah-yah ) — lit., Escort; funeral View Halachot about Levaya
Levi , pl. levi'im (lay-vee lih-vee-eem) — Jewish man descended from the tribe of Levi View Halachot about Levi
Levites (lee-viytz ) — lit., Of the tribe of Levi; assistants to the cohanim/priests in the Temple in Jerusalem View Halachot about Levites
Libun (lee-boon ) — Heating something with a high heat View Halachot about Libun
Libun gamur (lee-boon gah-moor ) — Heating something to "red hot" in order to kasher it View Halachot about Libun gamur
Libun kal (lee-boon kahl ) — Heating something hot enough to burn paper in order to kasher it View Halachot about Libun kal
Limudei kodesh (lee-moo-day koh-dehsh ) — lit., Holy studies; Jewish religious studies View Halachot about Limudei kodesh
Lishma (leesh-mah ) — lit., For its own sake View Halachot about Lishma
Lo titor (lo tee-tohr ) — Do not bear a grudge View Halachot about Lo titor
Log , pl. login (lohg lohg-ihn) — Volume of 6 eggs View Halachot about Log
Lulav (loo-lahv ) — lit., Palm branch; one unopened date palm leaf bundled with some myrtle and willow branches, waved on Sukkot. Implies inclusion of etrog held together with the rest of the lulav. View Halachot about Lulav
To Top

M
M'lo lugmov (m'loh log-mahv ) — lit., Full cheek; 2 fl. oz. View Halachot about M'lo lugmov
Ma'ariv (mah-ah-reev ) — lit., Bringing on the evening; evening prayer service View Halachot about Ma'ariv
Ma'aser (mah-ah-sehr ) — lit., Taking a tenth; 1/10th of a Jew's produce or income, originally donated to the priests in Jerusalem. Also, the minimum amount of after-tax income that should be given to charity by every Jew View Halachot about Ma'aser
Ma'aser ani (mah-ah-sehr ah-nee ) — lit., Tithe for the poor; ma'aser given to the poor on the 3rd and 6th years of the shmita cycle View Halachot about Ma'aser ani
Ma'aser kesafim (mah-ah-sehr kih-sah-feem ) — Giving a tenth of your money to charity/tzedaka View Halachot about Ma'aser kesafim
Ma'aser rishon (mah-ah-sehr ree-shohn ) — View Halachot about Ma'aser rishon
Ma'aser sheini (mah-ah-sehr shay-nee ) — lit., Second tithe; ma'aser on the 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th years of the shmita cycle and eaten in Jerusalem (unless you redeem it). View Halachot about Ma'aser sheini
Ma'oz Tzur (mah-ohz tzoor ) — Song sung when lighting Chanuka candles View Halachot about Ma'oz Tzur
Maccabee (mah-cah-bee ) — Nickname for the Hashmonaim (family of the Chanuka wars and later leaders of the Jewish state) View Halachot about Maccabee
Machmir (mahch-meer ) — lit., Someone who makes things stringent; someone who takes a stringent approach to Jewish law View Halachot about Machmir
Machzor (mahch-zor ) — lit., Cycle; prayer book for High Holidays View Halachot about Machzor
Maftir (mahf-teer ) — the person who reads the maftir portion of the weekly Torah reading View Halachot about Maftir
Magid (mah-geed ) — lit., Telling; fifth step in Passover seder View Halachot about Magid
Makat bechorot (mah-kaht bih-choh-roht ) — lit. Smiting of the First-Born; 10th of the Ten Plagues in Egypt View Halachot about Makat bechorot
Makom kavu'a (mah-kohm kah-voo-ah ) — lit., set place; in prayer, your own established place for prayer View Halachot about Makom kavu'a
Mamzeir , pl. mamzeirim (mahm-zair mahm-zay-reem) — offspring of forbidden union;;Mamzer, mamzerim View Halachot about Mamzeir
Mar'it ayin (mahr-eet ah-yeen ) — lit., Appearance to the eye; doing a permissible action that seems to an observer to be forbidden View Halachot about Mar'it ayin
Maror (mah-roor ) — lit., Bitter herbs; ninth step in the Passover seder View Halachot about Maror
Masechta (mah-sehch-tah ) — one of 63 volumes of the Talmud View Halachot about Masechta
Mashgiach (mahsh-gee-ahch ) — lit., Supervisor; usually applied to one who supervises kosher food production View Halachot about Mashgiach
Masig gvul (mah-seeg gvool ) — lit., Move a boundary; Stealing property or business from someone else. This includes taking over someone else's business territory. View Halachot about Masig gvul
Masora (mah-soh-rah ) — lit., That which is transmitted; tradition; something that we know was used by previous generations; frequently refers to which fowl are permitted to be eaten View Halachot about Masora
Masoret (mah-soh-reht ) — See Masora View Halachot about Masoret
matsos (Ashkenazi) — See Matza View Halachot about matsos (Ashkenazi)
Mattityahu (mah-teet-yah-hoo ) — , son of Yochanan-Jewish High Priest who, along with his five sons, fought the Hellenizers and Greeks about 132-135BCE; their victory of the weak over the strong is celebrated with the holiday of Chanuka View Halachot about Mattityahu
Matza , pl. matzot (mah-tzah mah-tzot) — Unleavened bread; also, eighth step in Passover seder View Halachot about Matza
Matza brei (mah-tzah bree, bry ) — dish of fried matza pieces and egg View Halachot about Matza brei
Matza shmura (maht-zah shmoo-rah ) — lit., Guarded matza; matza (handmade or machine made) from grain supervised from harvest time to ensure it has no contact with water and therefore no danger of containing chametz View Halachot about Matza shmura
matzos (Ashkenazi) — See Matza View Halachot about matzos (Ashkenazi)
Mayim achronim (mah-yeem ahchroh-neem ) — lit., Last water; water for washing hands after a meal View Halachot about Mayim achronim
Mechira (mih-chee-rah ) — lit., Selling View Halachot about Mechira
Mechitza (mih-chee-tzah ) — lit., Separation; typically in a synagogue View Halachot about Mechitza
Megila , pl. megilot (mih-gee-lah mih-gee-loht) — lit., Roll, scroll; rolled parchment scroll inscribed with one of the 24 holy books of the Jewish Bible (most commonly refers to Megilat Esther) View Halachot about Megila
Mehadrin (mih-hah-drin ) — Enhanced level of kosher; observing non-required stringencies View Halachot about Mehadrin
Meikeil (may-kayl ) — lit., Someone who makes things easy; someone who takes a lenient approach to Jewish law View Halachot about Meikeil
Mekubal (meh-koo-bahl ) — Someone well-versed in the spiritual world View Halachot about Mekubal
Melacha , pl. melachot (mih-lah-chah mih-lah-chot) — Any of 39 creative activities forbidden on Shabbat and Jewish festivals View Halachot about Melacha
Melacha d'oraita (mih-lah-chah d'oh-ry-tah ) — lit., Melacha of the Torah; any of the 39 creative activities that are forbidden by the Torah (without rabbinic additions) on Shabbat and Jewish festivals, performed the same way and for the same purpose as for building or servicing the Tabernacle in the wilderness View Halachot about Melacha d'oraita
Melacha d'rabanan (mih-lah-chah dih-rah-bah-nahn ) — lit., melacha of our Rabbis; restrictions imposed by chazal in order to create the spirit of Shabvat. Shvut is melacha d'rabanan and muktza is part (subset) of shvut. View Halachot about Melacha d'rabanan
Melave malka (mih-lah-veh mahl-kah ) — lit., Accompanying the Queen; food accompanied occasionally by singing and/or dancing and/or stories after Shabbat ends to honor the Shabbat as she leaves View Halachot about Melave malka
Meluy v'eruy (mee-looy vih-ee-rooy ) — lit., Filling and pouring; a method of kashering glass by submerging the glass in cold water for three 24-hour periods, changing the water each time View Halachot about Meluy v'eruy
Menora , pl. menorot (mih-noh-rah mih-noh-roht) — Candelabra with 8 candles and one "shamash" for Chanuka View Halachot about Menora
Merakeid (mih-rah-kaid ) — lit., Sifting; 9th category of the 39 categories of melacha (creative activities) from which we refrain on Shabbat View Halachot about Merakeid
Mesader kidushin (mih-sah-dair kee-doo-sheen ) — lit., Arranger of the wedding; (usually) rabbi in charge of the wedding View Halachot about Mesader kidushin
Metzitza (mih-tzee-tzah ) — lit., Sucking, especially sucking out some blood by mouth during a brit View Halachot about Metzitza
Mevareich (mih-vah-rehch ) — lit., One who blesses View Halachot about Mevareich
Mevushal (mih-voo-shahl ) — lit., Cooked; also refers to wine heated to allow its handling by non-Jews when observant Jews will be drinking it View Halachot about Mevushal
Mezamein (mih-zah-mehn ) — Prayer leader for birkat ha'mazon View Halachot about Mezamein
Mezonot (mih-zoh-noht ) — lit., Grain-based food; non-bread food made of one or more of the Five Grains, plus, sometimes, rice View Halachot about Mezonot
Mezuman (mih-zoo-mahn ) — lit., Invited; quorum of at least three adult males who join to say the birkat hamazon (blessing after a meal) together View Halachot about Mezuman
Mezuza , pl. mezuzot (mih-zoo-zah mih-zoo-zoht) — lit., Doorpost; parchment written with two paragraphs from the Torah and attached to the doorpost View Halachot about Mezuza
Mi'ameir (mih-ah-mayr ) — lit., Gathering (of produce); 4th category of the 39 categories of melacha (creative activities) from which we refrain on Shabbat View Halachot about Mi'ameir
Mi'sheyakir (mee-sheh-yah-keer ) — lit., From the time he (you) can recognize a person with whom you are somewhat familiar from 7 feet away; the earliest time for putting on talit and tefilin in the morning while saying the blessings on them View Halachot about Mi'sheyakir
Midat chasidut (mee-daht chah-see-doot ) — Saintly behavior View Halachot about Midat chasidut
Midot (mee-doht ) — lit., Measures; (usually refined) character traits View Halachot about Midot
Midrash , pl. midrashim (mee-drahsh mee-drah-sheem) — lit., derivation; traditional insights that develop Torah themes, but which do not necessarily have halachic authority View Halachot about Midrash
Mikva (meek-vah ) — lit., Gathering, as of water; can be a natural or artificial body of water used for ritual purification View Halachot about Mikva
Mil , pl. milin (meel mee-leen) — 0.7 miles View Halachot about Mil
Mila (mee-lah ) — see brit mila View Halachot about Mila
Milchig (mihl-chihg ) — lit., Milk (Yiddish) View Halachot about Milchig
Mincha (meen-chah ) — lit., Flour offering; afternoon prayer service View Halachot about Mincha
Mincha gedola (meen-chah gdoh-lah ) — lit., Big mincha: 1/2 local hour after midday until sunset: earliest time when you may say mincha View Halachot about Mincha gedola
Mincha ketana (meen-chah ktah-nah ) — lit., Little mincha: 2 1/2 local hours before sunset until sunset: preferred time period for saying mincha View Halachot about Mincha ketana
Minhag (meen-hahg ) — lit., Custom; a Jewish community's custom that has a force similar to law View Halachot about Minhag
Minhag tov (meen-hahg tohv ) — lit., Good custom View Halachot about Minhag tov
Minyan (meen-yahn ) — lit., Counting; quorum of at least 10 adult males who pray together View Halachot about Minyan
Mishkan (meesh-kahn ) — lit., Dwelling place [of God's Presence (Shechina)]; the Tabernacle View Halachot about Mishkan
Mishlo'ach manot (meesh-loh-ahch mah-noht ) — sending gifts of food to friends on Purim View Halachot about Mishlo'ach manot
Mishna , pl. mishnayot (meesh-nah meesh-nah-yoht) — 6 orders of oral law written down following the destruction of the Second Temple; redaction begun by Rabbi Yehuda Hanasi View Halachot about Mishna
Mishna Berura (meesh-nah broo-rah ) — lit., Clear Mishna; the Chofetz Chaim's 6-volume update of laws and commentaries on the first book of the Shulchan Aruch View Halachot about Mishna Berura
Mitzva , pl. mitzvot (meetz-vah meetz-voht) — lit., Commandment; generically, can mean a good deed View Halachot about Mitzva
Mitzvot Aseh (meetz-voht ah-seh ) — Commandments of actions that you should do; positive commandments. See Mitzvot Lo Ta'Aseh View Halachot about Mitzvot Aseh
Mitzvot Lo Ta'Aseh (meetz-voht loh tah-ah-seh ) — Commandments of actions that you should refrain from doing; negative commandments View Halachot about Mitzvot Lo Ta'Aseh
Modim (moh-deem ) — lit., We praise; section of amida prayer at which we bow View Halachot about Modim
Mohel (moh-hehl ) — Jewish expert at performing circumcisions View Halachot about Mohel
Molad (moh-lahd ) — First appearance of the new crescent moon as seen over Jerusalem each month View Halachot about Molad
Mordechai (mor-deh-chai ) — Protagonist, Purim story; Jew who masterminded the rise to power of his niece, Esther, and who worked to save the Jews throughout the Persian empire from Haman's destructive plans View Halachot about Mordechai
Moshe, Moshe Rabbeinu (moh-sheh; moh-sheh rah-bay-noo ) — Moses; Moses Our Rabbi/Teacher View Halachot about Moshe, Moshe Rabbeinu
Motza'ei Shabbat (moh-tzah-ay shah-baht ) — lit., Exiting of Shabbat; after Shabbat, defined as once the sky is dark on Saturday night View Halachot about Motza'ei Shabbat
motzaei Shabbos (moh-tzee shah-buhs ) — See Motza'ei Shabbat View Halachot about motzaei Shabbos
Motzi (moh-tzee ) — lit., Bringing out; seventh step of Passover seder View Halachot about Motzi
Motzi shem ra (moh-tzee shaym rah ) — Lashon ha'ra that is false View Halachot about Motzi shem ra
Muktza (mook-tzah ) — lit., Out of bounds; objects that cannot be used or moved on Shabbat or Jewish festivals View Halachot about Muktza
Mun (mahn ) — lit., What; miraculous white layer of food that God sent every day to feed the Israelites in the desert for nearly 40 years View Halachot about Mun
Musaf (moo-sahf ) — lit., Additional; additional morning prayer service on Shabbat and Jewish festivals View Halachot about Musaf
To Top

N
Nach (nahch ) — Initials of Neviim-Ketuvim: section of Jewish Bible starting with the Book of Joshua until the end View Halachot about Nach
Nedava (nih-dah-vah ) — lit., Voluntary; free-will offering View Halachot about Nedava
Neder (neh-dehr ) — Promise View Halachot about Neder
Negia (n'gee-ah ) — lit., Contact; pertaining to refraining from intimate physical contact between men and women View Halachot about Negia
Nehenin (neh-heh-neen ) — lit., Enjoyment; refers to blessings over things we enjoy such as pleasant scents View Halachot about Nehenin
Nekama (neh-kah-mah ) — Revenge View Halachot about Nekama
Neta revai (neh-tah rih-vye ) — lit., fourth planting; fruit of a tree in its fourth year, which must be redeemed before being eaten View Halachot about Neta revai
Neveila (nih-vay-lah ) — Dead animal that has not been slaughtered in accordance with Jewish law View Halachot about Neveila
Nevi'im (nih-vee-eem ) — lit., Prophets; Middle third of the Jewish Bible View Halachot about Nevi'im
Nichum aveilim (nee-choom ah-vay-leem ) — lit., Comforting of mourners; consoling mourners at synagogue on Friday night when they enter after mizmor shir View Halachot about Nichum aveilim
Nida (nee-dah ) — lit., Moved away; refers to a menstruating woman or her status of ritual impurity after her menstruation has begun and until she has immersed herself in a mikva View Halachot about Nida
Nida d'oraita (nee-dah d'oh-ry-tah ) — Nida by Torah law View Halachot about Nida d'oraita
Nida d'rabanan (nee-dah dih-rah-bah-nan ) — Nida by rabbinic law View Halachot about Nida d'rabanan
Nifsal k'ma'achal kelev (nif-sahl kih-mah-ah-chahl keh-lehv ) — lit., Rejected as unsuitable for even dog food; items so repulsive, inedible, or removed from their original state that they are not considered food forbidden to be eaten by Jews View Halachot about Nifsal k'ma'achal kelev
nifsal mei'achilat kelev (nif-sahl meh-ah-chee-lah ) — See Nifsal k'ma'achal kelev View Halachot about nifsal mei'achilat kelev
Nine Days — Mourning period from Rosh Chodesh Av through Tish'a b'Av commemorating the siege and destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem View Halachot about Nine Days
Nirtza (neer-tzah ) — lit., Desired; 15th step of Passover seder View Halachot about Nirtza
Nisan (nee-sahn ) — First Jewish month (in spring) View Halachot about Nisan
Nusach (noo-sahch ) — lit., Formulation; traditional tunes used in the public prayer service or, alternatively, format of prayer used by various subgroups of Jews, based largely on their ancestors' country of origin View Halachot about Nusach
To Top

O
Ofeh (oh-feh ) — lit., bakes; 11th category of the 39 categories of melacha (creative activities) from which we refrain on Shabbat View Halachot about Ofeh
Ol malchut shamayim (ohl mahl-choot shah-mah-yeem ) — Accepting the yoke of Heaven View Halachot about Ol malchut shamayim
Olam HaBa (oh-lahm hah-bah ) — lit., World to Come View Halachot about Olam HaBa
Oleh (oh-leh ) — lit., One who goes up; person at prayer service honored by being called up to the platform (bima) to say a blessing over the Torah when it is read View Halachot about Oleh
Omer (oh-mayr ) — lit., Measure of grain; also, period of 49 days between second day of Passover and Shavuot View Halachot about Omer
One-Time Method — Washing hands with a cup pouring once (and sometimes a second time) on each hand View Halachot about One-Time Method
Oneg (oh-nehg ) — enjoyment View Halachot about Oneg
Oneg Shabbat (oh-nehg Shah-baht ) — enjoyment of Shabbat View Halachot about Oneg Shabbat
Onen , pl. onenim (oh-nayn oh-nih-neem) — Person whose close relative has died and has not yet been buried; an onen may not do mitzvot until after the burial View Halachot about Onen
Onenut (oh-neh-noot ) — State of being an onen View Halachot about Onenut
Oral Law/Oral Torah — Halachot and information transmitted from God to Moshe on Mt. Sinai along with the written Bible to expand and explain how we should live View Halachot about Oral Law/Oral Torah
Orla (or-lah ) — Fruit forbidden for the first three years of a tree's growth View Halachot about Orla
Otzar bet din (oh-tzahr beht deen ) — An organization set up to handle shmita produce View Halachot about Otzar bet din
To Top

P
P'ru u'rvu (pih-roo oo-rih-voo ) — lit., Be fruitful and multiply View Halachot about P'ru u'rvu
Pareve (pahr-veh ) — Neutral food, neither dairy nor meat View Halachot about Pareve
Parsa (pahr-sah ) — 4 mil, or 2.8 miles View Halachot about Parsa
Parsha (pahr-ah-shah ) — Weekly Torah portion View Halachot about Parsha
Passover Offering — Sacrificial lamb offered on the eve of Passover by the Jews in Temple times; represented by the shank bone on the seder plate View Halachot about Passover Offering
Passover, Pesach (peh-sahch ) — Festival holiday celebrating 1) freedom of the Jews from Egyptian slavery and 2) the spring season View Halachot about Passover, Pesach
Pasuk (pah-sook ) — Phrase or sentence from the Torah View Halachot about Pasuk
Pasul (pah-sool ) — Invalid for its intended purpose View Halachot about Pasul
Pat akum (paht ah-koom ) — Bread baked by non-Jews View Halachot about Pat akum
Pat Yisrael (paht yees-rah-ayl ) — Bread baked by Jews::Pas Yisroel View Halachot about Pat Yisrael
Patriarchs — Fathers of the Jewish people: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob View Halachot about Patriarchs
Pesach Sheni — See View Halachot about Pesach Sheni
Pesachdik (pay-sahch-dihk ) — (Yiddish) Compliant with Passover laws View Halachot about Pesachdik
Peter rechem chamor (peh-tehr reh-chem chah-mohr ) — lit., First-born of the womb of a donkey; first-born male offspring of a Jewish-owned donkey View Halachot about Peter rechem chamor
Petter rechem (peh-tehr reh-chem ) — lit., First-born of the womb; first-born boy of Jewish mother or the first-born male offspring of a Jewish-owned sheep, goat, cow, or, sometimes, donkey View Halachot about Petter rechem
Pidyon (peed-yohn ) — Redemption View Halachot about Pidyon
Pidyon ha'ben (peed-yohn hah-bayn ) — Redemption of first-born son View Halachot about Pidyon ha'ben
Pikuach nefesh (pee-koo-ahch neh-fehsh ) — Saving a life View Halachot about Pikuach nefesh
Pilgrimage Festivals — The three Jewish festivals when Jewish men came to the Temple with offerings: Pesach/Passover*, Shavuot, Sukkot*/Shmini Atzeret* View Halachot about Pilgrimage Festivals
Pirsumei nisa (peer-soo-may nee-sah ) — Publicizing the miracle; usually said of Chanuka candles View Halachot about Pirsumei nisa
Pitom (pee-tohm ) — Short stalk on the flowering end of an etrog View Halachot about Pitom
Piyutim (pee-yoo-teem ) — Poems aluding to the connection of Hashem and the Jewish people View Halachot about Piyutim
Plag ha'mincha (plahg hah-meen-chah ) — lit., Divider of mincha; 1 1/4 local hours before sunset: latest time to say mincha if you want to say maariv before sunset; also the earliest time you may say ma'ariv, as long as you have said mincha before plag ha'mincha View Halachot about Plag ha'mincha
Posek , pl. poskim (poh-sayk pos-kim) — Learned rabbi qualified to rule on halachic questions View Halachot about Posek
Pritzut (pree-tzoot ) — Deviation from norms of attire for observant Jews View Halachot about Pritzut
Psak , pl. piskei (psahk pees-kay hah-lah-chah) — Determination of a religious law View Halachot about Psak
Psalms — A segment or whole poem of 150 poems in the Biblical Book of Psalms View Halachot about Psalms
Psik reisha d'la nicha lei (pseek ray-shah dih-lah nay-chah lay ) — lit., Cut off its head and it does not die?; immediate and inevitable consequence of an action; unintended action that will cause a violation of a halacha but from which you receive no benefit View Halachot about Psik reisha d'la nicha lei
Psik reishah — See View Halachot about Psik reishah
psik resha — See View Halachot about psik resha
psik reshah — See View Halachot about psik reshah
Psolet (psoh-leht ) — worthless matter View Halachot about Psolet
Psukei d'zimra (p'soo-kay d'zeem-rah ) — lit., Lines or phrases of song; part of the morning prayer service praising God View Halachot about Psukei d'zimra
Psukim (psoo-keem ) — Lines or phrases from the Torah or other holy Jewish texts View Halachot about Psukim
Purim (poor-eem ) — lit., Lots; minor holiday celebrating the overturning of a decree in ancient Persia that would have resulted in the death of the Jews View Halachot about Purim
Purim se'uda (poor-eem sih-oo-dah ) — lit., Purim feast; one of the five mitzvot of Purim View Halachot about Purim se'uda
To Top

Q
Queen Esther (ehs-tayr ) — heroine of Purim story View Halachot about Queen Esther
To Top

R
Ra'oi l'achilat kelev (rah-ooy l'ah-chee-laht keh-lev ) — lit., Fit for eating by a dog; food a dog would eat View Halachot about Ra'oi l'achilat kelev
Raavad — Rabbeinu Avraham ben David; 12th century French Talmudic scholar and commentator View Halachot about Raavad
Rabbi , pl. rabbis (Rabbi Rabbis) — lit., My teacher(s); today, someone who has studied Jewish law and been ordained (received smicha). Many rabbis with smicha do not lead congregations. In the plural, often refers to past Jewish Sages who commented on holy Jewish texts or instituted various laws View Halachot about Rabbi
Rabbi Akiva — Sage of Israel during Roman period (2nd century) View Halachot about Rabbi Akiva
Rabbi Yehuda — Sage of Israel during Roman period (2nd century) View Halachot about Rabbi Yehuda
Rabbinic — adjective for rabbis (Jewish Sages of previous generations) View Halachot about Rabbinic
Rabbinic holidays — Minor, or non-festival, holidays: Chanuka*, Purim*, Tu b’Shvat*, Lag ba’Omer,* and the fast of Tish’a b’Av* along with other minor fasts View Halachot about Rabbinic holidays
Rachtza (rahch-tzah ) — lit., Washing the hands; sixth step in Passover seder View Halachot about Rachtza
Rambam (Maimonides ) — Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon (Maimonides); 12th century Jewish scholar and commentator (Spain, Egypt) View Halachot about Rambam
Ramban — Rabbi Moshe ben Nachman (Nachmanides); 13th century Jewish scholar and commentator (Spain, Israel) View Halachot about Ramban
Rav muvhak (rahv moov-hahk ) — Teacher from whom you have gained most of your Torah knowledge View Halachot about Rav muvhak
Refu'a (reh-foo-ah ) — Healing View Halachot about Refu'a
Reishit (ray-sheet ) — lit., First; the first, given to cohanim; applies to first-born male Jews, Jewish-owned kosher domestic male mammals, first-born Jewish owned male donkeys, a portion of dough, a portion of wool, and yearly first fruits View Halachot about Reishit
Reishit ha'geiz (ray-sheet hah-gayz ) — lit., first shearing; a portion of sheep's wool given to cohanim View Halachot about Reishit ha'geiz
Reshut ha'rabim (rih-shoot hah-rah-beem ) — Public domain; i.e., unenclosed area View Halachot about Reshut ha'rabim
Reshut ha'yachid (rih-shoot hah-yah-cheed ) — Private domain; i.e., enclosed area View Halachot about Reshut ha'yachid
Responsa (rihs-pohn-sah ) — lit., Responses; the body of literature of people's questions to their rabbis, and the rabbis' answers View Halachot about Responsa
Revi'it , pl. revi'ot (rih-vee-eet; rih-vee-oht ) — 4 fl. oz. View Halachot about Revi'it
Ribit (ree-beet ) — Interest on a loan View Halachot about Ribit
RMH (ar-em-eich ) — Rabbi Moshe Heinemann View Halachot about RMH
Rodeif (roh-dayf ) — Pursuer with murderous intent View Halachot about Rodeif
Rosh Chodesh (rohsh choh-desh ) — lit., Head of the month; first day of the Jewish month. Can be one or two days. When it is two days, the first day is the 30th day of the previous month View Halachot about Rosh Chodesh
Rosh Hashana (rohsh hah-shah-nah ) — lit., Head of the year; first day of Jewish year, also known as Day of Remembrance; observed as two days long View Halachot about Rosh Hashana
Rov kos (rov kos ) — lit., Majority of a cup; amount you must drink at seder View Halachot about Rov kos
Ru'ach metzuya (roo-ahch mih-tzu-yah ) — Normal wind found at any specific location and season View Halachot about Ru'ach metzuya
Ru'ach ra'a (roo-ahch rah-ah ) — A negative spiritual force View Halachot about Ru'ach ra'a
To Top

S
Safek (sah-fayk ) — Doubt in some determination of reality as it affects an application of Jewish law View Halachot about Safek
Sakana (sah-kah-nah ) — Danger View Halachot about Sakana
Sandak (sahn-dahk ) — Godfather who holds baby during the brit mila View Halachot about Sandak
Sanhedrin (san-hehd-reen ) — Body of 70 Jewish rabbis, plus a leader, who taught and decided Jewish law View Halachot about Sanhedrin
Schach (schahch ) — Covering for a sukka View Halachot about Schach
Schita (schee-tah ) — lit., Wringing out; a component of one of the 39 melachot forbidden on Shabbat View Halachot about Schita
Se'ah (say-ah ) — Liquid measure of approximately 280 fl. oz. View Halachot about Se'ah
Se'uda mafseket (sih-oo-dah mahf-seh-keht ) — lit., Concluding meal; last meal before Tish'a B'Av and Yom Kippur View Halachot about Se'uda mafseket
Se'uda shlishit (sih-oo-dah shlee-shleet ) — lit., Third meal; third meal on Shabbat View Halachot about Se'uda shlishit
Se'udat mitzva , pl. se'udot mitzva (sih-oo-daht meetz-vah sih-oo-doht meetz-vah) — A meal that accompanies and celebrates the fulfillment of a commandment View Halachot about Se'udat mitzva
Seder (say-dehr ) — lit., a. Order; a 15-step family Passover meal commemorating God's rescuing the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt and intended to help recreate the experience for Jews every year b. One of the six divisions (pl., sidrot) of the Mishna View Halachot about Seder
Sefaradit (s'fahr-ah-deet ) — lit., Of Spain; Hebrew pronunciation used by Israeli Jews View Halachot about Sefaradit
Sefard (sfahrd ) — lit., Spain; a version (nusach) of the Jewish prayer service followed by some of the Jews whose families originated in southern Europe and north Africa View Halachot about Sefard
Sefardi (sfahr-ah-dee ) — lit., Of Spain; a Jew whose family origins are from Spain, northern Africa, Yemen, or the communities that spread out from those places View Halachot about Sefardi
Sefer kodesh , pl. sifrei kodesh (say-fehr koh-dehsh seef-ray koh-dehsh) — lit., any book of Jewish content that contains God's name in Hebrew; any lines (psukim) of Torah, midrashim, or halacha in any language; or Talmud and its commentaries View Halachot about Sefer kodesh
Sefer Torah (say-fehr toh-rah ) — lit., Torah book; Torah scroll View Halachot about Sefer Torah
Sefira , pl. sefirot — View Halachot about Sefira
Sefirat HaOmer (sfee-raht hah-oh-mayr ) — lit., Counting of the Omer; 49-day period from second day of Passover to Shavuot View Halachot about Sefirat HaOmer
Segula , pl. segulot (sih-goo-lah sih-goo-lot) — lit., (Good) omen View Halachot about Segula
Selichot (slee-choht ) — Prayers said before Rosh Hashana and also between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. View Halachot about Selichot
Selichot — Piyutim said before Rosh Hashana (for at least 4 days and sometimes more) until Yom Kippur. Also said on certain other days View Halachot about Selichot
Seven Species — The seven fruits/grains for which the Land of Israel is praised; consists of two of the Five Grains and all Five Special Fruits, listed in Deuteronomy 8:8: Wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates. View Halachot about Seven Species
Sfichin (sfee-cheen ) — Grasses and vegetables that grow by themselves from seeds View Halachot about Sfichin
Sha'a zmanit , pl. sha'ot zmaniyot (sha'ah zmah-neet shah-oht zmah-nee-oht) — Local hour pl., local hours; halachic hour pl., halachic hours.Time period equal to 1/12 of local daytime: divide by 12 the total hours and minutes from sunrise to sunset on a specified day at a specified location View Halachot about Sha'a zmanit
Sha'atnez (shaht-nehz ) — lit., Abbreviation for process of fabric-making; mixture of linen and wool forbidden to be worn by a Jew, except for special priestly clothing View Halachot about Sha'atnez
Shabbat (shah-baht ) — lit., Cessation of activity; Sabbath--seventh day of week, beginning at sundown Friday night and continuing until nightfall Saturday night. (There are exceptions due to the international dateline.) On Shabbat we perform acts reminding us of God's creating the universe and saving us from Egyptian slavery (categorized as zachor, or remember), and we refrain from acts of creative activity (categorized as shamor, or keep; these include the 39 melachot of Shabbat). See Shabbat d'oraita and Shabbat d'rabanan View Halachot about Shabbat
Shabbat d'oraita (shah-baht d'oh-ry-tah ) — lit., Shabbat of the Torah; Shabbat laws that derive directly from the Torah. These are based on the 39 categories of creative activity used to build and service the Tabernacle in the desert. The activity must be done in a similar way and for the same purpose as was done in the Tabernacle View Halachot about Shabbat d'oraita
Shabbat d'rabanan (shah-baht dih-rah-bah-nan ) — lit., Shabbat of the Rabbis; Shabbat laws instituted by the Rabbis to prevent violation of the d'oraita laws and also to engender the spirit of a day of rest as the Torah intended View Halachot about Shabbat d'rabanan
Shabbat goy (shah-baht goy ) — Non-Jew who does activities on Shabbat that benefit Jews but that are forbidden for Jews to do directly View Halachot about Shabbat goy
Shacharit (shah-cha-reet ) — lit., Of dawn; morning prayer service View Halachot about Shacharit
Shalach manot — lit., Send portions; a serving of at least two foods sent to someone on Purim to promote friendship View Halachot about Shalach manot
Shalom Aleichem (shah-lohm ah-lay-chehm ) — lit, Peace Be upon You; song sung Friday evening before saying kiddush View Halachot about Shalom Aleichem
Shalom bayit (shah-lohm by-yeet or shlohm by-yeet ) — lit., Peace of the home View Halachot about Shalom bayit
Shalosh regalim (shah-lohsh rih-gah-leem ) — lit., Three legs; three pilgrimage festivals: Passover, Shavuot, Sukkot View Halachot about Shalosh regalim
Shamash (shah-mahsh ) — lit., Servant; candle from which the other 8 Chanuka candles are lit; also, someone who takes care of synagogue needs; also, one of the tzitzit strings View Halachot about Shamash
Shamor (shah-mor ) — lit., Keep; one of the two main commandment-categories of Shabbat observance(for the other, see Zachor) View Halachot about Shamor
Shava pruta (shah-vah proo-tah ) — lit., Value of a pruta coin; value of 1/2 a barley grain's volume in silver. Intended to be the lowest-value coin having any practical use in commerce View Halachot about Shava pruta
Shavuot (shah-voo-oht ) — lit., Weeks; festival holiday that celebrates 1) receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai and 2) first fruits of the year View Halachot about Shavuot
She'at ha'dchak (shih-aht hah-dchahk ) — exception made for extenuating cirmcumstances View Halachot about She'at ha'dchak
She'eila (shi-ay-lah ) — borrowing, borrowed item View Halachot about She'eila
She'hecheyanu (sheh-heh-cheh-yah-noo ) — Blessing of thanks for having been allowed to stay alive to experience certain events, holidays, or experiences View Halachot about She'hecheyanu
Shechina (shih-chee-nah ) — Divine Presence View Halachot about Shechina
Shechita (shih-chee-tah ) — Kosher slaughtering View Halachot about Shechita
Sheimot (shay-moht ) — lit., Names; written words that must be treated carefully, protected from unclean places, and buried rather than trashed. Sheimot pieces of paper may contain: God’s name in Hebrew or, in some cases, even in other languages; 3 words of Torah in Hebrew; Halacha in any language. View Halachot about Sheimot
Sheitel (shay-tel ) — lit., Covering, as for a mezuza or a woman's wig View Halachot about Sheitel
Shekel (sheh-kehl ) — lit., Weight; coin View Halachot about Shekel
Shel rosh (shehl rohsh ) — lit., Of the head; refers to head tefilin View Halachot about Shel rosh
Shel yad (shehl yahd ) — lit., Of the arm; refers to arm tefilin View Halachot about Shel yad
Shema (View Halachot about Shema
Shemoneh esrei (shmoh-neh ehs-ray ) — The main, 19-blessing (on weekdays) prayer, said three times a day, standing View Halachot about Shemoneh esrei
Sheretz ha'shoreitz al ha'aretz (hah-sheh-rehtz hah-shoh-raytz ahl hah-ah-rehtz ) — lit., Creeping thing that creeps on the ground; one Torah definition of non-kosher bugs View Halachot about Sheretz ha'shoreitz al ha'aretz
Sheva brachot (sheh-vah brah-choht ) — lit., Seven blessings; set of seven blessings said before the bride and groom during a wedding and for six days afterwards View Halachot about Sheva brachot
Shevach v'hoda'a (sheh-vahch vih-hoh-dah-ah ) — lit., Praise and thanks View Halachot about Shevach v'hoda'a
Shevarim (shi-vah-reem ) — Broken shofar blasts View Halachot about Shevarim
Shi'ur (shee-oor ) — lit., Quantity or measure; usually refers to the minimum amount of a particular food or beverage that requires a blessing. Can also mean a class or lecture on a Jewish topic View Halachot about Shi'ur
Shilu'ach ha'kein (shee-loo-ahch hah-kayn ) — lit., Sending away of the nest; Torah commandment requiring sending away a mother bird from her nest before taking her eggs or young View Halachot about Shilu'ach ha'kein
Shinu'i (shee-nooy ) — lit., Change; deviation in the normal way to perform an action, which changes the action from possibly being a violation of a Torah law to a lesser violation or not a violation at all View Halachot about Shinu'i
Shir ha'ma'alot (sheer hah-mah-ah-loht ) — Psalm 127, said before birkat ha'mazon on Shabbat and Jewish festivals View Halachot about Shir ha'ma'alot
Shir shel yom (sheer shehl yohm ) — lit., Poem of the day; Psalm of that particular day of the week View Halachot about Shir shel yom
Shiv'a (shiv-ah ) — lit., Seven; seven-day mourning period beginning after burial View Halachot about Shiv'a
Shloshim (shloh-sheem ) — lit., 30; 30-day mourning period beginning after burial View Halachot about Shloshim
Shmini Atzeret (shmee-nee ah-tzeh-reht ) — holiday that follows the last day of Sukkot View Halachot about Shmini Atzeret
Shmita (shmee-tah ) — lit., Sabbatical; letting the Land of Israel rest from intense agricultural activity every seventh year View Halachot about Shmita
Shmot (shmoht ) — lit., Names; second book of the Torah View Halachot about Shmot
Shmura matza (shmoo-rah maht-zah ) — see Matza shmura View Halachot about Shmura matza
Shochet , pl. shochtim (shoh-cheht shohch-teem) — lit., Jewish ritual slaughterer View Halachot about Shochet
Shofar (shoh-fahr ) — Hollow horn of the goat, sheep, or antelope families, blown from Rosh Chodesh Elul until Rosh Hashana and again at Neila of Yom Kippur View Halachot about Shofar
Shogeg (shoh-gehg ) — By mistake View Halachot about Shogeg
Shomer mitzvot , pl. shomrei mitzvot (shoh-mayr meetz-voht shohm-ray meetz-voht) — lit., Commandments-observer; observant Jew View Halachot about Shomer mitzvot
Shomer Shabbat (shoh-mayr shah-baht ) — lit., Shabbat observer; observing the Shabbat laws is the standard criterion for a Torah-observant Jew and a reliable witness in a Jewish court View Halachot about Shomer Shabbat
Shomer, f. shomeret (shoh-mayr shoh-meh-reht) — Guard View Halachot about Shomer, f. shomeret
Shul (shool ) — Synagogue View Halachot about Shul
Shulchan Aruch (shool-chahn ah-rooch ) — lit., Set Table; Rabbi Yosef Karo's 16th century compilation of Jewish law View Halachot about Shulchan Aruch
Shulchan oreich (shool-chahn oh-rehch ) — lit., Set table; 11th step of Passover seder View Halachot about Shulchan oreich
Shushan (shoo-shahn ) — Capital of Persian empire at time of Purim story View Halachot about Shushan
Shushan Purim (shoo-shahn Poo-reem ) — 15th of Adar, celebrated as Purim by various cities such as Jerusalem that had walls around them at the time of Joshua's conquest View Halachot about Shushan Purim
Shvat — 11th Hebrew month View Halachot about Shvat
Shvut (shvoot ) — Restrictions by the Sages to prevent Shabbat desecration View Halachot about Shvut
Siddur (see-door ) — lit., Order; prayer book View Halachot about Siddur
Siman bracha (see-mahn brah-chah ) — lit., symbol of blessing View Halachot about Siman bracha
Simanin (see-mah-neem ) — lit., Symbols; symbolic foods eaten on Rosh Hashana View Halachot about Simanin
Simcha (seem-chah ) — joy View Halachot about Simcha
Simchat beit ha'sho'eva (seem-chaht bayt hah-shoh-ay-vah ) — lit., Celebration of the Water Drawing; joyous celebration every evening of Sukkot in the Beit HaMikdash View Halachot about Simchat beit ha'sho'eva
Simchat Torah (seem-chaht toh-rah ) — lit., Joyous celebration of Torah; holiday that follows Sukkot and celebrates the annual completion of reading the Torah View Halachot about Simchat Torah
Sivan — 3rd Hebrew month View Halachot about Sivan
Siyum (see-yoom ) — lit., Completion; celebration of finishing the study of mishnayot or part of Torah, Talmud, etc. View Halachot about Siyum
Smicha (smee-chah ) — Transfer of authority from teacher/rabbi to an accomplished rabbinical student to authorize the student to become a teacher/rabbi View Halachot about Smicha
Sof zman kriat shema (sohf zmahn kree-aht shih-mah ) — lit., End of the time [by which to say] the Shema prayer View Halachot about Sof zman kriat shema
Sofer , pl. sofrim (soh-fayr sohf-reem, sohf-roht) — lit., Scribe; highly trained religious Jewish male who writes text on parchment scrolls for mezuzot, tefilin, and Torah View Halachot about Sofer
Stam yeinam (stahm yay-nahm ) — formerly kosher wine that was not cooked/mevushal and that has been handled while open by anyone other than a shomer-Shabbat Jew View Halachot about Stam yeinam
Sufganiot (soof-gah-nee-oht ) — jelly-filled doughnuts eaten in Israel during Chanuka View Halachot about Sufganiot
Sukka , pl. sukkot (soo-kah soo-koht) — lit., Hut, branch or twig covering; booth with a temporary roof for eating and living in during the Sukkot holiday View Halachot about Sukka
Sukkot (soo-koht ) — lit., Huts; festival holiday that celebrates the harvest and commemorates the Jews' having lived in the Wilderness in tents for 40 years while trusting God to keep them alive View Halachot about Sukkot
Syag (see-yahg ) — lit., Fence; rabbinically enacted extra protections for Torah law View Halachot about Syag
Synagogue (sihn-uh-gahg ) — Jewish house of prayer View Halachot about Synagogue
To Top

T
Ta'am (tah-ahm ) — flavor View Halachot about Ta'am
Ta'aroves chametz — See View Halachot about Ta'aroves chametz
Ta'arovet chamets — See View Halachot about Ta'arovet chamets
Ta'arovet chametz (tah-ah-roh-veht chah-maytz
) — lit., Mixture of foods with chametz View Halachot about Ta'arovet chametz
taaroves chametz — See View Halachot about taaroves chametz
taarovet chamets — See View Halachot about taarovet chamets
taarovet chametz — See View Halachot about taarovet chametz
Tabernacle — Movable prayer tent erected by the Jews of the Exodus as an antecedent to the Temple in Jerusalem; in Hebrew, mishkan View Halachot about Tabernacle
Tabouli (tah-boo-li ) — Wheat-based salad View Halachot about Tabouli
Tachanun (tah-chah-noon ) — Set of supplicatory prayers after the amida View Halachot about Tachanun
Tahara (tah-hah-rah ) — lit., Spiritual purity; also, the process of ritually purifying a dead body before burial View Halachot about Tahara
Taharat ha'mishpacha (tah-hah-rat hah-meesh-pah-chah ) — lit., Family purity; laws of Jewish family purity View Halachot about Taharat ha'mishpacha
Tahor, tehora (tah-hor tih-hor-rah) — View Halachot about Tahor, tehora
Takana; Takanat chachamim (tah-kah-nah; tah-kah-naht chah-chah-meem ) — lit., New rule instituted by the Sages View Halachot about Takana; Takanat chachamim
Talit , pl. talitot (tah-leet tah-lee-toht) — Large rectangular garment with tzitzit in each of its four corners, used by adult males during morning prayer service and certain other services View Halachot about Talit
Talit katan (tah-leet kah-tan ) — 4-cornered garment with tzitzit in each corner is worn in order to fulfill a Torah commandment for Jewish men and boys View Halachot about Talit katan
Talmid chacham , pl. talmidei chachamim (tahl-meed chah-chahm tahl-mee-day chah-chah-meem) — lit., Wise students; Jewish sages; a student of a wise (Jewish scholar) person View Halachot about Talmid chacham
Talmud (tahl-mood ) — lit., the Study; compendium of commentaries on the mishna; originally orally transmitted, now written down (also known as the Gemara) View Halachot about Talmud
Talmud Torah k'negged kulam (tahl-mood Toh-rah kih-neh-gehd koo-lahm ) — The study of Torah is as important as all of them (the rest of the commandments) View Halachot about Talmud Torah k'negged kulam
Tamei, f. temei'a (tah-may tih-may-ah) — ritually impure View Halachot about Tamei, f. temei'a
Tamuz — 4th Hebrew month View Halachot about Tamuz
Tana'im (tah-nah-eem ) — lit., Teachers; commonly used to refer to a group of Jewish Sages of Mishna times View Halachot about Tana'im
Tanach (tah-nahch ) — lit., acronym for Torah (Five Books of Moses), Nevi'im (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings); the entire 24 books of the Jewish Bible View Halachot about Tanach
Tanayim (tah-nah-yeem ) — lit., Terms, conditions; Jewish prenuptial engagement document and signing ceremony View Halachot about Tanayim
Tarat (tah-raht ) — Order of shofar blasts: Teki'a-Teru'a-Teki'a View Halachot about Tarat
Targum (tahr-goom ) — lit., Translation; usually refers to Targum Onkelos' Aramaic translation of the Chumash View Halachot about Targum
Tashat (tah-shaht ) — Order of shofar blasts: Teki'a-SHevarim-Teki'a View Halachot about Tashat
Tashbitu (tash-bee-too ) — lit., You should cause it to cease to exist; directive for getting rid of chametz for Passover View Halachot about Tashbitu
Tashlumin (tahsh-loo-meen ) — lit., Completions; saying the amida prayer twice in a row to compensate for having missed the previous prayer service View Halachot about Tashlumin
Tashmishei kedusha (tahsh-mee-shay kih-doo-shah ) — Items used in conjunction with holy items; e.g., tefilin cover, bima for the Torah, Torah scroll cover, mezuza cover View Halachot about Tashmishei kedusha
Tashmishei mitzva (tahsh-mee-shay meetz-vah ) — Items used in conjunction with mitzvot items but that don't have any inherent holiness; e.g., lulav and etrog holder View Halachot about Tashmishei mitzva
Tashrat (tahsh-raht ) — Order of shofar blasts: Teki'a-SHevaRim-Teru'a-Teki'a View Halachot about Tashrat
Techelet (tih-cheh-leht ) — lit., Blue color; blue dye from a sea creature used on tzitzit threads View Halachot about Techelet
Techiyat ha'meitim (t'chee-yaht hah-may-teem ) — Resurrection of the Dead View Halachot about Techiyat ha'meitim
Techum Shabbat (tih-choom shah-baht ) — lit., Limit, or border, of Shabbat; a distance of 2000 amot from the domain in which a person has started Shabbat and beyond which he or she may not travel during that Shabbat View Halachot about Techum Shabbat
Tefach , pl. tefachim (teh-fahch tfah-cheem) — Measurement of top to bottom of fist; 4 fingers’ width; about 3-4 inches View Halachot about Tefach
Tefila , pl. t'filot (tih-fee-lah tih-fee-loht) — Prayer(s) or prayer service; when used specifically, refers to the amida prayer View Halachot about Tefila
Tefila , pl. tefilin (tih-fee-lah tih-fee-leen) — Two leather boxes containing handwritten parchments of paragraphs from the Torah, affixed to men's arms and forehead by leather straps. Tefilin are worn by Jewish males 13 years old and above during the weekday morning prayer service (and during the afternoon service of Tish'a b'Av instead of that morning) View Halachot about Tefila
Tefila shel rosh (tih-fee-lah shehl rohsh ) — Tefila (singular of tefilin) placed on the head View Halachot about Tefila shel rosh
Tefila shel yad (tih-fee-lah shehl yahd ) — Tefila (singular of tefilin) placed on the arm View Halachot about Tefila shel yad
Tefilat ha'derech (tih-fee-laht hah-deh-rehch ) — Traveler’s prayer View Halachot about Tefilat ha'derech
Tehilim (tih-hee-leem ) — Selections from (or entire) Book of Psalms, frequently recited as petitions for health, children, marriage partner, etc. View Halachot about Tehilim
Teki'a (tih-kee-ah ) — Long shofar blast View Halachot about Teki'a
Temple — Center of Jewish worship and sacrifices in Jerusalem, built originally by King Solomon and ministered by Levites and Cohanim/Priests View Halachot about Temple
Tenai (tih-nai ) — Condition View Halachot about Tenai
Teru'a (the-roo-ah ) — Staccatto shofar blasts View Halachot about Teru'a
Teruma , pl. terumot (tih-roo-mah troo-moht) — lit., Separation; an amount of a Jew's produce, grown in Eretz Yisrael, that was given to the cohen/priest. See halachot section for details View Halachot about Teruma
Teruma gedola (tih-roo-mah gih-doh-lah ) — lit., Large separation; 2\\% of produce, which was given to a cohen/priest View Halachot about Teruma gedola
Terumat ma'aser (tih-roo-maht mah-ah-sayr ) — Tenth of the Yisrael's donation to the Levi, which the Levi then donates to a Cohen View Halachot about Terumat ma'aser
Teshuva (tih-shoo-vah ) — 1) lit., Return; usually describes the process of becoming religiously observant after having lived a non-observant life 2) lit., Answer; “answer” to a question of Jewish law View Halachot about Teshuva
Tevet — 10th Hebrew month View Halachot about Tevet
Tevila (tih-vee-lah ) — Immersing a person or utensil into a natural body of water or ritual bath to make the person or utensil spiritually pure View Halachot about Tevila
Three Weeks — Mourning period from 17 Tammuz through *Tish’a b’Av, commemorating the final siege and destruction of Jerusalem View Halachot about Three Weeks
Three-Times Method — Washing hands with a cup alternating hands three times on each side. View Halachot about Three-Times Method
Tinok she'nishba (tee-nok sheh-neesh-bah ) — Jew who did not have the opportunity to learn Torah or how to live as a Jew View Halachot about Tinok she'nishba
Tircha d'tzibura (teer-cha dih-tzee-boo-rah ) — Wasting the public's time or upsetting them View Halachot about Tircha d'tzibura
Tircha tsibur — See View Halachot about Tircha tsibur
Tirchah tsibur — See View Halachot about Tirchah tsibur
Tirchah tzibur — See View Halachot about Tirchah tzibur
Tish'a B'Av (teesh-ah b'ahv ) — lit., Ninth of Av; 25-hour fast commemorating the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. Gloomiest day in the Jewish calendar View Halachot about Tish'a B'Av
Tishrei — 7th Hebrew month View Halachot about Tishrei
Tithes — Giving 1/10th of one's income to charity; see ma'aser View Halachot about Tithes
Tochacha (toh-chah-chah ) — rebuking; must be done only if the person will listen to you View Halachot about Tochacha
Tochein (toh-chain ) — lit., Grinding; 8th category of the 39 categories of melacha (creative activities) from which we refrain on Shabbat View Halachot about Tochein
Toda (toh-dah ) — lit., Thanks; the thanksgiving offering at the Tabernacle and, later, at the Temple in Jerusalem View Halachot about Toda
Toelet (toh-eh-leht ) — Useful purpose View Halachot about Toelet
Torah (toh-rah ) — lit., Teaching; the Jewish laws and ways of life, as well as the Jewish Bible and Talmud in which they are mentioned View Halachot about Torah
Tovel (toh-vayl ) — To immerse in a mikva to spiritually purify View Halachot about Tovel
Trafe (trayf ) — lit., Torn; generically used to mean any non-kosher food. Originally used to describe a particular type of non-ritually slaughtered (and therefore not kosher) animal View Halachot about Trafe
Traibor (tray-behr ) — To remove from a slaughtered mammal certain parts forbidden to eat, especially the sciatic nerve but also certain nerves, sinews, blood vessels, and fats View Halachot about Traibor
Trop (truhp ) — Cantillation notes in reading the Torah View Halachot about Trop
Tu B'Av (too bih-ahv ) — 15th of Av View Halachot about Tu B'Av
Tu B'Shvat (too beesh'vaht ) — lit., 15th of Shvat; holiday celebrating the first blossoming of trees in Israel View Halachot about Tu B'Shvat
Tum'a (toom-ah ) — Ritual impurity; normally results from any transition from life to death, even on a small level or to a small extent View Halachot about Tum'a
Tzadik (tzah-deek ) — Righteous person View Halachot about Tzadik
Tzafun (tzah-foon ) — lit., Hidden; 12th step in Passover seder View Halachot about Tzafun
Tzanu'a (tzah-noo-ah tzih-noo-ah) — Condition of being modest View Halachot about Tzanu'a
Tzedaka (tzih-dah-kah ) — lit., Righteousness; as applied, it means charity View Halachot about Tzedaka
Tzeit ha'kochavim (tzayt ha-koh-cha-veem ) — lit., Going out of the stars; when three medium-sized stars are visible; marks when one Jewish day is over; 36 to 72 minutes after sunset, depending on the opinion, purpose, and location View Halachot about Tzeit ha'kochavim
Tzitzit , pl. tzitziyot (tzee-tzeet tzee-tzee-yoht) — 4 twisted threads, with a series of knots, tied onto a 4-cornered garment in order to fulfill a Torah commandment. Although customs for how to tie and twist the threads vary, there are always 4 threads, doubled, giving 8 threads hanging off of each of the garment's 4 corners View Halachot about Tzitzit
Tzni'ut (tznee-oot ) — lit., Hidden; in Jewish law, modesty. Tzniut applies to attire, to general behavior, and even to speech patterns View Halachot about Tzni'ut
Tzom Gedalia — lit., Fast of Gedalia; third day of Jewish month of Tishrei; commemorates murder of the last Jewish governor of the Jewish remnant in Israel after the exile to Babylon View Halachot about Tzom Gedalia
Tzurat ha'petach (tzoo-raht ha-peh-tahch ) — lit., Form of an opening; a structure representing a doorway that delineates a public domain and allows carrying or moving objects within that domain on Shabbat View Halachot about Tzurat ha'petach
To Top

U
U'rchatz (oor-chahtz ) — lit., And wash the hands; second step in Passover seder View Halachot about U'rchatz
To Top

V
V'ga'alti (vih-gah-ahl-tee ) — lit., I will redeem them; fourth expression of freedom from slavery in Egypt View Halachot about V'ga'alti
V'heiveiti (vih-hay-vay-tee ) — lit., I will bring them; fifth expression of freedom from slavery in Egypt View Halachot about V'heiveiti
V'hitzalti (vih-hee-tzahl-tee ) — lit., I will save them; second expression of freedom from slavery in Egypt View Halachot about V'hitzalti
V'hotzeiti (vih-hoh-tzay-tee ) — lit., I will send them out; first expression of freedom from slavery in Egypt View Halachot about V'hotzeiti
V'lakachti (vih-lah-kahch-tee ) — lit., I will take them; third expression of freedom from slavery in Egypt View Halachot about V'lakachti
V'noflim al pneihem (v-nof-lim al pneihem ) — lit., And fall on their faces; description of how the people in the Temple bowed on Yom Kippur when they heard God's name pronounced View Halachot about V'noflim al pneihem
Vayikra (vah-yeek-rah ) — lit., And He called; Book of Leviticus View Halachot about Vayikra
Vidui (vee-doy ) — lit., Confession View Halachot about Vidui
To Top

W
Wadi (wah-dee ) — River bed that goes dry in dry seasons; Hebrew: nachal View Halachot about Wadi
Written Torah — The five books given by God to Moses on Mt. Sinai. View Halachot about Written Torah
To Top

Y
Ya'akov (Yah-ah-kohv ) — Our forefather Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebecca View Halachot about Ya'akov
Ya'aleh v'yavo (yah-ah-leh vih-yah-voh ) — Addition to prayers on Jewish festivals View Halachot about Ya'aleh v'yavo
Yachatz (yah-chahtz ) — lit., Breaking the middle Seder matza; fourth step in Passover seder View Halachot about Yachatz
Yad soledet bo (yahd soh-leh-deht boh ) — lit., A hand gets scalded in it; too hot to keep your hand in for more than a moment; 120 degrees F (47 degrees C) View Halachot about Yad soledet bo
Yahrzeit (yahr-tzyt ) — Anniversary of a death View Halachot about Yahrzeit
Yahrzeit (yahr-tzyt ) — candle-Candle lit to remember a dead person and elevate their soul. Lit on the anniversary of the person's death and also on certain holidays. Burns for more than 24 hours View Halachot about Yahrzeit
Yashan (yah-shan ) — lit., Old; grain from the previous year that becomes permissible once the omer offering has been given (i.e., first day of chol ha'moed Passover) View Halachot about Yashan
Yayin nesech (yah-yeen neh-sehch ) — Wine that has been offered to a pagan god or used for idolatrous purposes View Halachot about Yayin nesech
Yerushalayim (yih-roo-shah-lah-yeem ) — Hebrew name of Jerusalem View Halachot about Yerushalayim
Yetzer ha'ra (yay-tzehr hah-rah ) — Evil inclination View Halachot about Yetzer ha'ra
Yetzer ha'tov (yay-tzehr hah-tohv ) — Good Inclination View Halachot about Yetzer ha'tov
Yichud (yee-chood ) — lit., Together; laws that prescribe when men and women may be with each other, if no one else is present; also, after Jewish marriage ceremony, when bride and groom enter a closed room together, symbolizing their new home View Halachot about Yichud
Yir'at shamayim (yeer-aht shah-my-yeem ) — lit., Fear of Heaven; devotion to God View Halachot about Yir'at shamayim
Yitzchak (yeetz-chahk ) — Our forefather Isaac, son of Abraham and Sara View Halachot about Yitzchak
Yizkor (yeez-kohr ) — lit., He will remember; prayer said at the end of some Jewish festivals in memory of the deceased. View Halachot about Yizkor
Yom Kippur (yohm kee-poor ) — Day of Atonement View Halachot about Yom Kippur
Yom Teru'a (yohm tih-roo-ah ) — lit., Day of (Shofar) Blowing; Rosh Hashana View Halachot about Yom Teru'a
Yom Tov (yohm tohv ) — lit, Good day; Jewish festival View Halachot about Yom Tov
To Top

Z
Zachor (zah-chor ) — lit., Remember; one of the two main categories of commandments of Shabbat (for the other, see Shamor) View Halachot about Zachor
Zechut (zih-choot ) — Merit View Halachot about Zechut
Zeicher l'Churban (zay-chehr lih-choor-bahn ) — lit., In memory of the Destruction (of the Temple) View Halachot about Zeicher l'Churban
Zman , pl. zmanim (zmahn zmah-neem) — lit., Time; refers to the correct or suitable times of day for certain prayers or religious activities to be performed View Halachot about Zman
Zmirot (zmee-roht ) — Songs; usually refers to special songs sung on Shabbat and holidays; zmirot have the status of semi-prayers View Halachot about Zmirot
Zohar (zoh-hahr ) — lit., Splendor; Jewish mystical book View Halachot about Zohar
Zoreh (zoh-reh ) — lit., Winnowing; 6th category of the 39 categories of melacha (creative activities) from which we refrain on Shabbat View Halachot about Zoreh
Zorei'a (zoh-ray-ah ) — lit., Sowing; 2nd category of the 39 categories of melacha (creative activities) from which we refrain on Shabbat View Halachot about Zorei'a
To Top