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DICTIONARY OF KEY WORDS AND PHRASES
A Yiddish/Hebrew refresher course
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An Introductory Sampling of Foreign Words & Expressions
Used within the Judaism Section of the Religion Forum
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Contents of Sections
--------------------

FOREWORD

I. Common Words & Brief Expressions

II. Important Acronyms

III. Several Important Religious Occasions

IV. Some Basic Religious Texts

V. A Sample of Other Significant Expressions

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FOREWORD
--------

The following brief sections of word lists have been compiled to assist,
primarily, newcomers to the Judaism Section of the Religion Forum, both
Jews and non-Jews, who may be unfamiliar with the frequent use of Hebrew
and Yiddish words and expressions that they will likely encounter in the
various message threads.

Pronunciation and parts of speech for these selected words are omitted:
nobody `hears' forum posts -- and the simple definitions offered herein
are deemed sufficient for the small scope of this glossary's usefulness.
Also, since the spelling of words differs considerably among forum
members, the reader will need to use discernment in identifying variant
spellings; the same holds true for the initial and internal
capitalization of letters within some words.

Of course, one will still encounter many foreign words on-line that are
not included in this file. In such cases, if the words aren't
translated by the writer, one can politely request translations from the
person in question or ask for help from the co-section leaders.
"Chabad-Lubavitch in Cyberspace" also has a small glossary of terms,
many of which aren't mentioned here, that can be easily accessed through
their WWW page at "http://www.chabad.org/" (don't use the quotation
marks when using this address); this is another fine resource for
finding answers to other questions about Judaism.

* * * * *

Special thanks must be mentioned for the help of Alan Ganapol
(73352,1212) and Gedalayah Blumenthal (71242,2130) (current co-section
leader in the Judaism Section of the Religion Forum). Additional thanks
are extended to Francine Beth Ferraro (72241,2340) and Dan Rickman
(100322,205) for their excellent suggestions and contributions toward
the beginning of this humble gesture of hospitality. The efforts of
those above are certainly appreciated along with all other efforts to
promote unity among Jews and represent a very warm welcome to all
non-Jews who respectfully wish to become more familiar with Judaism.

Please send e-mail to my address below, if you have any further
suggestions or corrections. I will be happy to continue improving this
file as needed.

L'Shalom...

Jerry J. Haumberger


January 6, 1995

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Third `revised edition' -- 2/11/96.

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I. Common Words & Brief Expressions
--------------------------------

aleph-baiz (-bayz) -- the alphabet; the `abcs'.

aliyah -- (lit.,an `ascending') a return to Israel with
holy significance for Jews; also, being called upon to
read the Torah in a synagogue.

amain, omain -- amen.

am-ha'aretz -- a common, ordinary person -- often used
to denote an `ignorant' person.

apikoros -- unbeliever; heathen.

Ashkenazic Jews -- one of the branches of Jews that
primarily originated from northern France, central and
eastern Europe.

averah -- sin.

avodah -- worship; service.

baleboss -- the man of the house.

baleboosteh -- the lady of the house, and usually an
especially praiseworthy one.

bentsh -- to bless, say a blessing.

bais (bet, bes) din -- rabbinical court.

Baruch Habah -- welcome (masc.).

binah -- wisdom.

B'Nai Noach -- Sons of Noah; name for non-Jews who strive
to live by basic laws for humanity derived from the Torah.

bris, brith -- (literally) covenant; commonly refers to the
circumcision ceremony, or circumcision itself.

broche (pl. broches) -- a blessing.

Brucha Habaha -- welcome (fem.).

B'Shalom -- in peace.

B'Shira -- in song.

bubeleh -- (loosely translated) dear, sweetheart, etc..

chacham (pl. chachamim) -- a wise person.

chachma -- wisdom.

Chag Sameach -- happy festival.

chametz -- anything with leaven in it.

Chassid (pl. Chassidim) -- a disciple within a branch of
Judaism (founded in Europe in the eighteenth century).
Chasidim are widely considered to adhere strictly to
traditional Jewish custums, and, among other things, to
stress the importance of a personal relationship with G-d
by spontaneous prayer, tznius, emunah, tzedaka, etc..

chassidus -- teachings, etc., which involve Chassidim.

chazzen, hazzen -- one who leads in liturgical prayer;
cantor.

chaver (masc.), chaverta (fem.), chavarim (pl.) --
friend.

cheder -- a room or school where Hebrew is taught.

Chelm -- a make-believe town of happy, not-too-bright
and foolish people.

chesed -- kindness.

chevra -- group of friends.

chutzpa -- something brazenly outrageous.

cohen (kohen) -- Hebrew priest.

daven -- pray.

dayan, dayyan (pl. dayanim) -- rabbinical judge.

drasha -- word of Torah.

draydl -- four-sided, top-like toy used during
Chanuka.

dybbuk -- an evil spirit.

emmes -- truth.

emunah -- faith.

Eretz Yisrael -- the Land of Israel.

Erev Shabbat -- the eve of a Sabbath.

eytse -- advice.

Freilichen Yomtov -- `have a pleasant festival'.

frum -- observant; orthodox.

gadol -- (literally) huge, large, great; `great one',
leading Torah personality.

Galut -- the Diaspora; exile.

Gan Eden -- The Garden of Eden.

gaon -- the honorary title of a very great rabbi,
especially, the head of a Talmudic academy.

gebentsht -- blessed.

get -- a divorce.

G-d -- a respectful way to write a common designation
for Hashem.

golem -- an unintelligent, sub-human creature, which,
according to Jewish legend, was created as a protector
and servant of Jews.

gonif -- a thief; a dishonest, shady person.

goy (pl. goyim) -- non-Jew. It's best for non-Jews to
use only the plural, if at all, since the singular has
been so commonly used in a derogatory way. The words
"gentile" or "non-Jew" are safer.

halevai (alevai) -- if only; I hope.

haimish -- comfortable, informal, cozy.

halacha -- Jewish law.

Haskalah -- a movement among Jews similar to the
Enlightenment in Europe during the eighteenth century.

Hashem, Ha-Shem -- The Name; another designation for G-d.

Havdala -- a ceremony indicating the end of the Sabbath.

hechsher -- kosher certification; seal of approval.

heter (pl. heterim) -- halachic ruling.

inyan -- idea.

Kabbalah, Cabala -- (literally) tradition; the Jewish
mystical movement.

Kaddish -- a prayer given at the end of synagogue
prayers that glorifies the name of G-d.

kahal -- congregation.

kashrut, kashrus -- kosher observance.

kibbutz -- a settlers' community co-op in Israel.

kibbitz -- to talk, comment and advise someone while
they are working, playing, etc..

Kiddush -- a prayer and ceremony used to sanctify the
Sabbath and other Jewish holy days.

kippa -- a skullcap worn by observant Jewish males.

Kol Nidre -- the prayer which ushers in Yom Kipper.

Kol Tuv -- all the be

Torah-Based Code of Laws Summary
I. Foundations of Faith
1. To know and believe that God exists and is one (Exodus 20:2, Deuteronomy 6:4).
2. Not to believe in or worship any other gods (Exodus 20:3).
3. Not to make or bow to idols (Exodus 20:4–5).
4. Not to take God's name in vain (Exodus 20:7).
5. To love and fear God (Deuteronomy 6:5, 10:20).
6. To follow God's commandments and walk in His ways (Deuteronomy 28:9).
---
II. Torah and Prayer
7. To study Torah daily (Deuteronomy 6:7).
8. To pray to God (Exodus 23:25).
9. To bless God after eating (Deuteronomy 8:10).
10. To wear tefillin on the arm and head (Deuteronomy 6:8).
11. To affix a mezuzah on the doorposts (Deuteronomy 6:9).
12. To wear tzitzit on four-cornered garments (Numbers 15:38).
---
III. The Sabbath and Festivals
13. To rest on the seventh day (Exodus 20:10).
14. Not to perform work on the Sabbath (Exodus 20:10).
15. To sanctify the Sabbath with words (kiddush) (Exodus 20:8).
16. To observe the festivals: Passover, Shavuot, Sukkot, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur
(Leviticus 23).
17. To eat matzah on Passover (Exodus 12:15).
18. To dwell in a sukkah during Sukkot (Leviticus 23:42).
19. To fast on Yom Kippur and refrain from work (Leviticus 23:27–32).
---
IV. Dietary Laws (Kashrut)
20. To eat only permitted animals (Leviticus 11).
21. Not to eat unclean animals, birds, or fish (Leviticus 11).
22. Not to eat blood (Leviticus 17:10).
23. Not to eat meat and milk cooked together (Exodus 23:19).
24. To slaughter animals by shechitah (Deuteronomy 12:21).
25. To check produce for insects and avoid eating them.
---
V. Family and Purity
26. To marry according to Jewish law (Deuteronomy 24:1).
27. Not to commit adultery (Exodus 20:13).
28. Not to engage in forbidden relations (Leviticus 18).
29. To observe the laws of niddah (Leviticus 15:19–24).
30. To honor father and mother (Exodus 20:12).
31. To educate children in Torah (Deuteronomy 6:7).
---
VI. Ethical and Social Laws
32. To love your neighbor as yourself (Leviticus 19:18).
33. Not to hate your brother in your heart (Leviticus 19:17).
34. Not to take revenge or bear a grudge (Leviticus 19:18).
35. To judge others righteously (Leviticus 19:15).
36. Not to steal, rob, or cheat (Exodus 20:13, Leviticus 19:11).
37. To use honest weights and measures (Leviticus 19:35–36).
38. To give tzedakah (charity) to the poor (Deuteronomy 15:7–8).
39. To leave parts of the harvest for the poor and stranger (Leviticus 19:9–10).
40. Not to oppress the stranger, widow, or orphan (Exodus 22:20–21).
41. To pay workers on time (Leviticus 19:13).
42. Not to gossip or speak slander (Leviticus 19:16).
43. To return lost property (Deuteronomy 22:1).
---
VII. Justice and Government
44. To appoint judges and officers (Deuteronomy 16:18).
45. To obey the rulings of the Sanhedrin (Deuteronomy 17:11).
46. Not to curse judges or leaders (Exodus 22:27).
47. To establish cities of refuge (Deuteronomy 19:3).
48. To enforce justice and righteousness (Deuteronomy 16:20).
---
VIII. Agricultural and Land Laws
49. To let the land rest every seventh (sabbatical) year (Leviticus 25:2–4).
50. Not to work the land during the sabbatical year (Leviticus 25:4).
51. To bring first fruits to the Temple (Exodus 23:19).
52. To separate tithes for the Levites and the poor (Numbers 18:21, Deuteronomy 14:28).
---
IX. Ritual and Temple
53. To build a Sanctuary for God (Exodus 25:8).
54. To offer sacrifices only there (Deuteronomy 12:14).
55. To respect the Temple and its holiness (Leviticus 19:30).
56. To maintain ritual purity where required (Leviticus 15).
---
X. General Moral Conduct
57. To be kind, humble, and merciful (Micah 6:8).
58. Not to harm or shame others.
59. To honor the elderly and the wise (Leviticus 19:32).
60. To act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8).
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