daf yomi lit.=page of the day: practice of learning a page of Gemara each day
darshen to interpret, esp. in religious issues
daven (Yid.) pray
Dayenu "It Would Have Sufficed," a Seder song; "Enough already!"
dayun (Heb.) judge [n]
derech eretz lit.=the way of the land: courtesy
Diaspora those Jews not living in Israel
din (Heb.) law
drasha sermon
dreidel toy top used on Chanukah
duchan blessing the congregation [v], done by kohanim
D'varim Deuteronomy
dvar Torah lit.=word of Torah: speech on enlightening biblical passage or any aspect of religious thought
dybbuk (Yid.) dead person's soul inhabiting a living person
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E
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Eicha Lamentations
Einsatzgruppen Special Forces of the Nazi Army
El Al lit.=to above: Israel's airline
Elul 12th Jewish month (Aug-Sept)
emunah (Heb.) faith
eppis something undefinable, a "you-know-what"
Eretz Yisrael (Heb.) The Land of Israel
Erev... lit.=evening: the night before, esp. Shabbat or yom tov; like New Year's Eve
eruv series of posts connected with string that fence in an area, making it permissible to carry on Shabbat in that area
etrog citron, used on Sukkot
ezra (Heb.) help [n]
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F
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Falasha lit.=wanderer: derogatory name for Ethiopian Jews
far vus (Yid.) for what, why
farblonget (Yid.) lost
farbrengen (Yid.) party [n], esp. religious or family
farbrent (Yid.) burning; zealous
farfallen (Yid.) collapsed, fallen in
felafel pita sandwich with fried chick-pea balls
ferdrimmeled (Yid.) dreaming, daydreaming
ferklempt (Yid.) clenched
fermished (Yid.) mixed up, messed up
ferpitzed (Yid.) dressed up
fershtays (Yid.) understand
fershimmeled (Yid.) moldy
ferschnoshked (Yid.) drunk
fertootsed (Yid.) over-dressed, overdone
fleischig containing or relating to meat
fress (Yid.) gobble
fresser (Yid.) glutton
freylach (Yid.) festive
frosk (Yid.) slap
fumfer (Yid.) mumble
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G
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
gaon head of a Babylonian yeshiva; composer of the Talmud
gabbai rabbi's synagogue assistant
Gallil lit= rolling: the northern, grassy, hilly part of Israel
Galut lit.=exile: where the Diaspora lives
Gan Aiden The Garden of Eden
ganev thief; clever person
gan k’tanim lit.=garden of (the) small (ones): kindergarten
gantze megilla (Yid.) the whole story
gantze mishpocha (Yid.) the whole family
gartl (Yid.) belt, sash
gefilt croht stuffed cabbage
gefilte fish fish cakes
gelilah rolling and re-clothing of Torah scroll after hagbah
gelt (Yid.) money, esp. as Chanukah gift
Gemara commentary on the Mishna
gemilut chasadim acts of kindness
genizah storage/burial for worn-out, but holy, papers, books, etc.
ger convert [n]
geshmackt (Yid.) delicious, lip-smacking
geshrai (Yid.) cry, shout, yell [n]
get divorce document
gezunt (Yid.) healthy
gezuntheit (Yid.) good health
glatt lit.=smooth: highest level of fleishig kashrut
glick (Yid.) good fortune
Goldena Medina lit.=Golden Country: the United States
golem automaton; mindless person
gomel one who has just undergone a dangerous experience
gorgl (Yid.) neck
gornisht (Yid.) nothing, emptiness
gottenyu "Dear G-d!"
grogger Purim noisemaker
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H
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
HaAretz lit.=the land: The Land of Israel
hachnasat orchim the welcoming of guests; hospitality
hader (Heb.) pride
hadasim myrtle leaves, used on Succot
Haftorah after Torah reading, a reading from Prophets, usu. related in content or theme to parsha just read
hagbah raising and display of the Torah scroll after reading
Hadassah U.S.-based Jewish women's organization
Haggadah Pesach guidebook, used during Seder
hakafot dances around bimah on Succot [n]
hak'n a chainik lit.=banging a kettle: annoying [v]
halachah Jewish law
ha-levai (Yid.) "If only!"
Hallel holiday prayer of thanks-giving Psalms
halvah sesame candy
hamentash(en) Purim cookie(s), filled with fruit or poppyseeds
HaMotzi the blessing over bread
HaShem The Name (in place of G-d's actual Name)
Haskala 19th cent. European Jewish "Enlightenment"
HaTikvah lit.=The Hope: Israel's anthem
Havdala prayer bidding farewell to Shabbat
haymish lit.=home-like: friendly, joyous
hefker abandoned, ownerless
Herzl, Theodore early Zionist, Hebrew-language proponent
Holocaust always capitalized
hora fast, festive circle-dance
hoshanah prayer for hakafot
Hoshanah Rabbah holiday at end of Succot
hummus chick-pea paste, a Mid-Eastern dish
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I
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
ikor core, essence
im yirtza HaShem "G-d willing."
ima (Heb.) mother
Iyar 8th Jewish month (May), 5th is Yom HaAtzma'ut, 18th is Lag BaOmer.
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J
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Judenrat council of ghetto Jews charged with picking Jews to give to Nazis for delivery to concentration/death camps
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K
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Kabalah lit.=acceptance: Jewish mysticism
Kaddish mourner's prayer
kallah study session
kapo head of a Judenrat
kaporah atonement
karpas vegetables (usu. parsley, celery, potato) dipped in salt water and eaten at Seder
kasha couscous-like dish made of buckwheat
kashe question, esp. on ritual observance
kasher to make kosher, esp. meat or dishes
kashrut the laws of kosher-ness
kapoteh long, black coat worn by chasidim
kedoshim lit.=holy ones: martyrs
kedushin the marriage ceremony
kehilla congregation; community
ken ayina hora lit.=without the evil eye: "Not to jinx it" (said after complimenting)
keter Torah ornamental crown placed on Sefer Torah
ketubah lit.=writ: marriage contract
khap grab, snatch; understand [v]; insight [n]
kibbitz (Yid.) chitchat
kibbutz (pl. kibbutzim) Israeli collective farm
kichel air-filled cookies
kiddish celebratory meal after synagogue services
Kiddush prayer/blessing for wine
kiddush HaShem lit.=sanctification of the Name: selfless act, esp. martyrdom
Kiddush Lavona prayer for the new moon
kinder(lach) (small) children
kipah (pl. kipot) (Heb.) skullcap
kiruv lit.=closeness: outreach
kishka seasoned mashed potatoes in a casing
kishkas (Yid.) innards; "guts" ("She's got..."; "I feel it in my...")
Kislev 3rd Jewish month (Nov-Dec), 25th is Chanukah
kitel white robe, esp. for Pesach and Yom Kippur
Klal Yisrael (Heb.) The Jewish People
klezmer Yiddish music: part Jewish, part big-band
klutz (Yid.) clumsy one
Knesset Israel's Parliament
k'neidlach thin noodles, esp. for soup
k'nish puff pastry filled with meat or potatoes
ko'ach strength; endurance, energy
kodesh (Heb.) holy
kohen (pl. kohanim) descendant of Moses, Aaron; thus, a member of the priest class
Kol Nidre "All Vows," key prayer, by chazan on Erev Yom Kippur
korban (Heb.) holy sacrifice; (Yid.) scapegoat
kos (Heb.) wine goblet
kosher permissible to eat under Jewish law
Kotel (HaMa'aravi) The (Western) Wall
kovod (Heb.) honor [n]
kreplach won tons
Kristallnacht "Night of Broken Glass," Nazi pogrom on Nov.9-10, 1938; the worst pogrom ever, it marked the Holocaust's start
kriyah lit.=rip: the tearing of one’s clothes to signify mourning
kriyat haTorah the reading of the Torah
kugel casserole, usu. of potatoes or noodles; tease [v, slang]
kvell derive deep pride or intense satisfaction
kvetch whine(r), complain(er)
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L
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Ladino the Jewish-Spanish language
Lag BaOmer the thirty-third day of the Omer, minor spring holiday
landsman fellow native (usu. of place in Old Country)
landsmanshaft(en) organization(s) of fellow natives
lashon harah lit.=bad language: slander, gossip
Lashon HaKodesh lit.=holy tongue: Hebrew
latke potato pancake, esp. for Chanukah
lavayah lit.=procession: funeral
layn read from the Torah, etc., with trop
l'chaim "To Life!"
lechem (Heb.) bread
lev (Heb.) heart
levi (pl. leviim) member of the tribe of Levi, but not a descendant of Moses or Aaron; thus, a member of the priest-assistant class
licht lit.=light: Shabbat or yom tov candles
Likud Israeli conservative political party
loch in kopf lit.=a hole in (the) head: "the last thing I need"
lochshen wide noodles, esp. for kugel
l'shanah tova lit.=for a good year: Rosh HaShanah greeting
Lubavitch large and influential chaisidic group focusing on outreach
luftmensch lit=air man: one without visible means of (monetary) support
lulav palm frond. used on Succot
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M
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Ma'arat HaMachpela Tomb of the Patriarchs
ma'ariv evening prayer
Maccabi follower of Judah of the Maccabis
maccabiah Jewish preteen mini-Olympics (cap. if official version)
machotin child's father-in-law
machatonim child's spouse's parents, co-in-laws
machatonista child's mother-in-law
macher lit.=maker: mover-and-shaker
machzor holiday prayerbook, esp. for High Holidays
madrich camp counselor; youth-group leader; tour guide
makos (Heb.) whip-lashes; plagues
Mama Loshon lit.=mother tongue: Yiddish
mandel brot almond pastry
Ma Nishtanah "What Distinguishes?" set of children's questions in Haggadah, the "Four Questions"
maot chitim lit.=wheat money: charity given for poor to buy matzah
Marrano lit.=pig: derogatory name for Converso
marror bitter herb eaten on Pesach
matzah (pl. matzot) unleavened bread, esp. eaten on Pesach
matzah brei French-toasted matzah
matzevah tombstone
mayven expert; know-it-all
mazel lit.=constellation: luck
Mazel Tov lit.= (a) good star: "Congratulations!"
mazik impish person, esp. a child
mechaya lit.= which makes live: relief; joy (said of a person, thing, or situation)
mechitza partition between men and women in shul
medina country (the actual territory)
Medinat Yisrael (Heb.) The State of Israel
megillah (Heb.) Esther, Ruth, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Lamentations (Yid.) any long, drawn-out story
Megillah The Book of Esther
melamed religious teacher, esp. a non-rabbi
melaveh malkeh Shabbat party
melech/Melech king/ capitalize in reference to G-d
menachem avel lit.=comforting a mourner: paying a condolence call
menorah candelabra, esp. for Chanukah
mensch (pl. menschen) (Yid.) upstanding person
menschlach decent, morally upright, polite
meshuge (Yid). crazy
meshugene (Yid.) crazy one
metziah lit.=a find: a bargain
mezuzah biblical passage on a parchment scroll, placed in an ornamental case and affixed to a doorpost
Midrash collection of extra-biblical stories
mikvah ritual bath
milchig dairy
mincha afternoon prayer
minyan quorum of 10 required for certain prayers
mishalach manot gifts of food given on Purim
misheberach blessing of healing given during kriyat haTorah
mishpacha (Heb.) family
Mishkan portable Holy Temple used during Exodus
mishmash eclectic collection or arrangement
Mishnah oral law, parallel to Torah. Written down circa 200 C.E.
mitzvah (pl. mitzvot) religious commandment
Mizbe'ach altar used in Holy Temple
mizrach east, dir. American Jews face when praying
Mizrachi Orthodox Zionist movement
Mogen David lit.=Shield of David: Jewish star
mohel one who performs circumcisions
Mordechai hero of Book of Esther
moshav kibbutz, but with more private property
Moshiach the Messiah
moshol parable, fable, usu. with a moral
motzi see "HaMotzi"
muktzah forbidden on Shabbat, said esp. of an object
musaf lit.=gathered: additional post-shacharit prayers on holidays
mussar constructive criticism
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N
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
na'areshkeit lit.=adolescent stuff: worthless things or activities
nachas pride, esp. parental pride for children
nais (Heb.) miracle
ner tamid lit.=forever candle: eternal flame, esp. in shul
nasi lit.=prince: head of Biblical tribe or Sanhedrin
navi prophet
nazir ascetic abstainer from wine, haircuts, and contact with death
Nevi'im biblical writings and stories of Prophets
nebach (Yid.) "(Such) a pity!"
nebbish pitiful person
nechomah (Heb.) pity
Negev the southern, desert part of Israel
Ne'ilah flnal prayer on Yom Kippur
neshoma (Heb.) soul
netilat yadayim the washing of the hands, esp. before eating bread
niggun tune to which liturgy is sung; wordless melody sung by chasidim
Nisan 7th Jewish month (Mar-Apr), 15th starts Pesach, 27th is Yom HaShoah
Nine Days days of mourning leading up to Tisha B'Av
nisht gerferalach lit.=not important: "Don't worry."
no-goodnick a good-for-nothing person
nosh snack [n,v]
nosherai snack foods; silly, time-wasting stuff
nu (Yid.) "So?"
nudge pest [n], to pester [v]
nudnick unthinking, inconsiderate person
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O
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
olam world; universe; everything; forever
Olam HaBah The World to Come
oleh (pl. olim) lit.=ascender: immigrant to Israel
Omer period of 49 days between the second night of Pesach and the first night of Shavuot; first 33 are period of national mourning
oneg party, usu. on Shabbat
(The) O.U. The Orthodox Union (full name: Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America), or its kashrut insignia.
Oy, gevalt "Oh, drat!"; "Quick, help!"
Oy, gottenyu "Oh, G-d!"
Oy, vey lit.=(it) hurts: "Oh, no!"
Oy, vey is mir "Oh, woe is me."
oysvorf (Yid.) layabout, ne'er-do-well
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P
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
parnasah livelihood
parsha chapter, esp. of Torah
parshat hashavua weekly parsha read in shul; the parsha for a given week
parve status of food containing neither dairy nor meat ingredients; wishy-washy [slang]
paskin to answer a question on religious practice
pe'ah li.=corner: section of field left for poor to glean
perek paragraph, esp. in Torah
perochet ornamental curtain in front of aron
Pesach Passover, in spring
pesachdik legal for Passover use or consumption
Petach Tikva Israeli city, east of Tel Aviv-- Chicago's Israeli "sister city"
peyis sideburns, esp. long ones worn by chasidim
pidyon haben the redemption of the bachor from Temple service; still done ceremoniously
pidyon shvuyim lit.=the redeption of captives: the rescue of refugees
Pirkei Avot "Ethics of the Fathers," a Mishnaic book of sages' sayings
pikuach nefesh the tenet of violating Jewish law to save a life
pintele (Yid.) lit.=the point of a Jew: the "spark" of Jewishness within all Jews
pisk (Yid.) mouth; loudmouth
pits'l (Yid.) tiny bit; very young or small child
plotz (Yid.) explode, esp. with intense emotion
pogrom violent, anti-Semitic attack of a Jewish village or area
posek one trusted to made halachic decisions
potch (Yid.) spank
potchkied (Yid.) overdone, overwrought
prust rough, coarse; socially unrefined
pupik (Yid.) navel, belly button
Purim spring holiday for Book of Esther events
punim (Yid.) face
pushka box or canister for collecting tzedakah
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R
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
rachmanut (Heb.) mercy
rav term of endearment for rabbi
reb/rebbe/rebbie terms of endearment for rabbi
rebbetzin wife of a rabbi
refusenik one refused an exit visa from the Soviet Union
regah (Heb.) minute; "One minute!"
rimon (Heb.) pomegranate; grenade
rimonim ornamental cylinders placed on Sefer Torah
Rishonim post-Gemarah-era commentators, incl. Rashi & Maimonides
Rosh Chodesh first day of the new month
Rosh HaShanah lit.=head of the year: Jewish New Year, autumn holiday
ruach (Heb.) spirit; enthusiasm
ruggelach croissant-like pastries, usu. w/ chocolate or cinnamon
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S
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
saba (Heb.) grandfather
sabra (Heb.) prickly-pear fruit
Sabra native Israeli
sakanot nefashot life-endangerment
same'ach (Heb.) happy
savta (Heb.) grandmother
Sanhedrin ancient rabbinical council of 70 sages
saychel (Yid.) common sense
s'chach loose thatch used for succah roof, must be from plants
schav cold soup of leafy vegetables
schlaf (Yid.) sleep [v]
schlemazel luckless one
schlemiel bumbler, one who "can't do anything right"
schlep carry; drag, lug; drag one's feet; travel a great distance [v], lazy one; unkempt person [n]
schlump (Yid.) flop [v]; stoop-shouldered person [n]
schmaltz (Yid.) fat, grease, oil; maudlin sentimentality
schmateh (Yid.) rag; cheap piece of clothing
schmeggege disorganized one, one who "doesn't have it together"
schmeichl (Yid.) smile; smooth-talk
schmooze (Yid.) intimate chat [n]; persuade [v]
schmutz (Yid.) filth, scum
schnook unscrupulous one; cheater, crook
schpiel (Yid.) story; sales pitch
schpilkes lit.=pins: anxiousness
schtick bit, piece; comic act; eccentricity
schtickl(ach) little bit(s) or piece(s)
schtiebl small synagogue, often a storefront or private home
schtreiml round, fur-edged hat worn by chasidim
seder Pesach ceremonial meal
sedrah reading from Tanach
sefer (Heb.) book, esp. of religious topic
Sefer Torah the Torah scroll itself
sefirat haOmer counting of the days of the Omer
Sephardi of Mediterranean Jewish tradition
se'udah feast [n], esp. for Shabbat or holiday
sha "Shh! Quiet!"
Shabbat the Sabbath
shacharit morning prayer
shadchan matchmaker
shailah question, esp. on religious matters
shaliach messenger; representative; ambassador; Israeli delegate to community, youth group, synagogue, etc.
shaliach tzibur (abbr. shatz) lit.=messenger of (the) congregation: cantor
shalom peace; "Hello/Goodbye"
shalom aleichem lit.=peace to you: "Hello" (response is "aleichem, shalom")
shalom bayit lit.=peace of the house: domestic harmony
shalosh se'udot third and last meal of Shabbat
shamos assistant synagogue manager
shamosh candle that kindles the Chanukah candles
shanda (Yid.) disgrace, scandal
Shavuot holiday for receiving the Torah, in autumn
shayna maideleh (Yid.) beautiful girl
Sh'china G-d's presence
shchita kosher slaughtering
shecht slaughter, esp. in a kosher manner; to defeat soundly, as in sports [slang]
Shehecheyanu blessing for annual, lifetime, or historic events
sheket (Heb.) quiet, silence
Shema lit.=Hear (O, Israel): a key Jewish prayer
Sheva B'rachot set of seven blessings said at weddings and at parties for one week after
sheytl (Yid.) wig, esp. for married women
shidduch match (see shadchan)
shira (pl. shirim) (Heb.) song
shiva period of mourning observed for seven days after a family member's funeral
Shiv-asor B'Tamuz 17th of Tamuz, summer fast day for destruction of Holy Temple
shloshim period of mourning observed for thirty days after a family member's funeral
Sh'mini Atzeret eighth day of Succot, a holiday
shmita Shabbat of the land: every seventh year, when Israeli land lies fallow
Shmonah Esrei lit.=18: 19-blessing (1 was added later) shacharit Amidah
Shmot Exodus (2nd bk. of Torah)
Shoah lit.=destruction: The Holocaust
shochet slaughterer who slaughters in the kosher manner
shofar ram's horn, blown like a bugle on holidays
shok’l sway meditatively during prayers
shul synagogue
shtetl Eastern European Jewish village
Shulchan Aruch lit.=set table: Code of Jewish Law
shvach (Yid.) weak; tepid, unsubstantial
sh'varim shofar blast of three short sounds
Shvat 5th Jewish month (Jan-Feb), 15th is Tu B'Shvat
shvitz sweat [v]; sauna [n]
siddur daily prayerbook
simcha happiness; special happy occasion, esp. bris, wedding, etc.
Simchat Torah holiday celebrating the Torah, in autumn
Sivan 9th Jewish month (May-Jun), 5th and 6th are Shavuot
sivivon (Heb.) dreidle, esp. in Israel
siyum completion of the study of a section of scripture; a celebration thereupon
slicha forgiveness; "Forgive me/Pardon me"
Slichot prayers of repentance said around High Holidays
smicha rabbinic ordination
sofer scribe; author
S.S. the Nazi infantry, "Brownshirts"
succah (pl. succot) outdoor booth lived in on Succot
Succot harvest holiday, in autumn
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T
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
tachlis (Yid.) essence, substance; worth; basics, "brass tacks"
takkah (Yid.) really
talit (pl. taliot) prayer shawl
Talmud Mishna with its relevant Gemara, bound together
Tamuz 10th Jewish month (Jun-Jul), 17th is Shiv-asor B'Tamuz
Tana'im lit.=teachers: compilers of Mishna
tante (Yid.) aunt
tarfos that which is trayf
Tashlich Rosh HaShanah practice of throwing bread, etc. into water, symbolically casting away our sins
techina sesame paste, a Mid-Eastern food
tefillah prayer
tefillin biblical passages on parchment scrolls, placed in small boxes and affixed with leather straps, worn during prayer
Tehillim Psalms
teiglach small, fruit- or nut-filled pastries, dipped in honey
teretz reason, explanation
Tevet 4th Jewish month (Jan), 10th is Asoroh B'Tevet
Three Weeks period of mourning from Shiv-asor B'Tamuz to Tisha B'Av
thirty-nine melochot 39 categories of "work" prohibitted on Shabbat
tichel kerchief; headcovering, esp. for married women
tikun study book for layning
tikun layl Shavuot all-night study session on the eve of Shavuot
tikun olam the repair or completion of the world
tikva (Heb.) hope
Tisha B'Av the 9th of Av, a major fast day for the destruction of the Holy Temples, in summer
Tishrei 1st Jewish month (Sep-Oct), 1st is Rosh HaShanah, 10th is Yom Kippur, 15th is Succot, 22nd is Sh'mimi Atzeret, 23rd is Simchat Torah
t'kia shofar blast of one long sound
todah (rabbah) "Thank you (very much)"
Torah the written Jewish law
tractate section of the Talmud
trayf lit.=torn: not kosher
trop marks indicating musical notes for chanting the Torah, etc.
tru'a shofar blast of nine staccato sounds
truma tenth of a crop, given to kohanim
Tu B'Shvat the 15th of Shvat, Jewish Arbor Day
tuchus lit.=under: buttocks
tzadik righteous person, esp. a rabbi.
tzadreit (Yid.) mixed up
tzar ba'aleh chaim the suffering of living things
tzedakah lit.=justice: charity
tzibur congregation
tzimis carrot/pineapple compote, usu. with raisins or prunes; a hullabaloo [slang]
tzitzit fringes worn on the corners of a four-cornered garment; the garment and fringes together
tzniut modesty, esp. of dress
tzom day of fasting
tzuros (Yid.) pains; troubles, problems, distresses
tzutzik (Yid.) ambitious or energetic person
Tzvah Haganah L'Yisrael (Tzahal) Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Israel's army
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U
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
ulpan Hebrew-language course, esp. in Israel
ungebloozen (Yid.) surly
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V
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Vaad... Committee (or Council) of...
Vayikra Leviticus
viduy confession to G-d of a sin
vilde chaya (Yid.) wild animal; uncontrolled person
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Y
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
yad (pl. yaddayim) lit.=hand: Torah pointer
Yad VaShem lit.=hand and name: Israeli Holocaust Museum
yam pron. "yom": (Heb.) sea
Yam HaMelech (...of salt) the Dead Sea
Yam HaGadol (...the large one) the Mediterranean Sea
Yam Kinneret (...shaped like a harp) Sea of Galilee
Yam Suf (...the final one) the Red Sea
yarmulke pron. "yamaka": (Yid.) skullcap
yartzeit anniversary of a death
yasher ko'ach lit.=(go) straight, (as) strong: "Good job! Keep up the good work!"
yente gossipy one [n]
yerusha inheritance; heritage
Yerushalayim (Heb.) Jerusalem
yeshiva (pl. yeshivot) Talmudic seminary
yeshiva boch'r seminary student
yeshuv Israeli town
yetzer tov/harah good/evil impulse
Yetziat Mitzrayim (Heb.) Exodus from Egypt
Yiddishkeit Jewishness
yisrael member of a tribe other than Levi; thus a member of the nonpriest class
Yisrael (Heb.) Israel
Yizkor communal service for personal mourning
yom pron. "yome": (Heb.) day
Yom HaAtzma'ut Israel Independence Day
Yom HaShoah Holocaust Memorial Day
Yom HaZikaron Israel Memorial Day
Yom Kippur Day of Atonement, in autumn
yom tov lit.=good day: holiday
Yom Yerushalayim Jerusalem Reunification Day
Yomim Nora'im High Holidays, Rosh HaShanah & Yom Kippur
yored (pl. yordim) lit.=descender: emigrant from Israel (considered impolite)
Yovel every 50th yr.; see shmita (trans. Jubilee)
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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
za'atar an Israeli spice
zachor remember
zecher in remembrance of
zecher tzadik livracha (abbr. zt"l) "(May) the memory of the righteous (be) for a blessing." Said of deceased rabbis
zechut merit, worth
zeide (Yid.) grandfather
zhlub (Yid.) slob
zichrono livracha (abbr. z"l) "(May) his/her memory (be) for a blessing." Said of the deceased
zmirah (pl. zmirot) Shabbat song
Zohar major tract of Kabbalah
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