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These Are The Words
These Are The Words
The English of the American Jewish community is peppered with phrases from Hebrew, Yiddish and elsewhere that can be baffling if you are not familiar with them. This glossary might help you find a foothold; and if there is a word you think we should be added, let us know!
We're grateful to our friends at Congregation Bnai Jeshurun for the core of this list, and if it's of interest, a fuller glossary, These Are the Words
, is available in book form is available here.
- Arvit – (also known as Ma’ariv) – from the word “erev,” meaning evening. It is the evening prayer service.
- Daven – (Yiddish) to pray
- Erev – Evening, as in the eve of a holiday. It signifies the beginning of a (Jewish) holiday. The Jewish day begins in the evening because in Genesis it says, “evening and morning were the first day.”
- Gemilut Hasadim – Deeds of loving-kindness, such as feeding the hungry, visiting the sick, and burying the dead
- Hakhnasat Orhim – Hospitality shown to guests
- Havdalah - A brief ceremony marking the end of Shabbat or a holiday.
- Hazzan – Cantor
- Hechsher – The special marking found on the packages of products that have been certified as kosher.
- Heschel, Rabbi Abraham Joshua – Heschel (1907-1972) was a scholar of Talmud, mysticism, and ethics who immigrated to the United States just before the Holocaust. He is considered by many to be one of the greatest Jewish theologians and philosophers of the past century. Heschel strove to integrate traditional Judaism into modern American life and was very active in the civil rights movement and protesting the Vietnam War.
- Kabbalat Shabbat – Receiving of the Sabbath. It is the opening section of the friday night service.
- Kaddish - A central prayer, one version of which, the mourners kaddish, is said by a mourner in memory of a loved one.
- Kadosh – Designated, differentiated, consecrated, or set aside for a purpose. The term is used in many prayers to denote holiness.
- Kavannah – Conscious thought or intention. It refers to the ideal state in which one should perform actions such as prayer.
- Kehillah Kedoshah – Sacred community. This term is often used to describe the congregation.
- Kippah – (plural: Kippot, also known as yarmulke) A head covering.
- Klaf - the parchment or vellum used by a sofer/et to write a ritual object such as a Torah scroll, a mezuzah, or a Purim megillah.
- Ma’ariv – (also known as Arvit) – from the word “erev,” meaning evening. It is the evening prayer service.
- Mikvah – a pool of living waters used to effect purity or a transition from one state to another in Jewish practice.
- Minyan – The quorum of 10 adult Jews needed in order to pray a complete service, including the public Torah reading and the Mourner’s Kaddish.
- Niggun – A tune or melody, it is a song without words.
- Oneg – Joy or delight. A gathering after friday night services is called an oneg.
- Parasha – Portion or section. This refers to a Torah portion.
- Parashat Hashavu’a – The Torah portion of the week.
- Parve - neither milk nor meat; appropriate to be eaten with either
- Rosh Chodesh – The first of the month. Rosh Chodesh is the beginning of each month on the Jewish calendar, which coincides with the new moon. It is also traditionally a celebration of women and femininity. At BHA, women gather to study, discuss, and celebrate together at these times.
- Seder - Ritualized Passover (or Pesach) meal celebrating the exodus from Egypt.
- Shiva - The days of mourning following the death of a loved one. It is a mitzvah to join with a family in morning for prayers and remembrances.
- Siddur – from the word “seder,” or order. The Siddur is the daily prayer book. The High Holy Day prayer book is called a mahzor.
- Simha – Happiness, a joyous occasion
- Sofer or soferet - scribe who writes sacred and ritual texts such as Torah scrolls, mezuzot, and divorce decrees.
- Yahrzeit - the anniversary of the death of a loved one, observed by lighting a memorial lamp or candle and reciting the Kaddish with a minyan at public prayer services.
- Yasher Koach - Way to go! Mad Props! This is a phrase often used to recognize someone’s accomplishment and congratulate someone.
Wed, May 25 2022
24 Iyyar 5782
All Events
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Thursday ,
MayMay 26 , 2022Masa Ma’agal: Spring Trimester Mystics at the Movies with Education Director Rishe Groner (Grades 4*-7)
Thursday, May 26th 4:00p to 5:15p
Learn Jewish spiritual concepts from Hasidism and Kabbalah through exploring popular kids’ movies from Moana to Frozen 2. -
Thursday ,
MayMay 26 , 2022Masa Ma’agal: Rabbi Brent’s Backyard (Grades K-3)
Thursday, May 26th 4:00p to 4:45p
Gather in Rabbi Brent’s backyard for stories, songs and games around the campfire. -
Thursday ,
MayMay 26 , 2022Men's Fire Circle
Thursday, May 26th 8:00p to 10:00p
The Mens' Fires are opportunities for participants to go deeper into the work we do during our Moonlight Hikes. If you are interested in being involved, please come to the next moonlight hike. -
Friday ,
MayMay 27 , 2022Friday Kehillah at BHA
Friday, May 27th 4:00p to 5:30p
Kehillah means “community”, and this is our weekly chance to come together in a social environment at the BHA Outdoor Classroom, featuring Mitzvah Labs, a chance to explore Jewish ritual and holidays following the theme of each Hebrew month. Open to all, suggested donation $36 per family, included with Masa. -
Friday ,
MayMay 27 , 2022The Language of Truth/Sefat at BHA
Friday, May 27th 5:00p to 6:00p
The Sefat Emet (R. Yehudah Aryeh Leib Alter of Gur, 1847-1905) was a Hasidic Rebbe known for his keen insight, spiritual and emotional sensitivity, and accessible Torah. Join Rabbi Brent for a weekly exploration of his Torah commentary and the illumination it can provide us. We will be meeting in person at the BHA.
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Wed, May 25 2022 24 Iyyar 5782