Otzar HaMunachim: Treasury of Terms

The study of Scripture often introduces readers to unfamiliar words and concepts rooted in Hebrew, Aramaic, Jewish tradition, and the world of Second Temple Judaism. This Otzar HaMunachim (Treasury of Terms), or glossary provides brief explanations of key terms related to Torah, Jewish thought, and Messianic interpretation in order to help illuminate the historical and cultural context of the Biblical text. By understanding these ideas, readers can approach Scripture with greater clarity and appreciation for the rich intellectual and spiritual world from which it emerged.

A

• Abba (אבא) - ah-BAH Father, the *Sefirah Chochmah

• Abarbanel (אברבנאל) — ah-bar-bah-NEL R' Don Isaac Abarbanel, a major medieval Jewish commentator. See Index of Sages.

• Acharit HaYamim (אַחֲרִית הַיָּמִים) — ah-kha-REET ha-yah-MEEM The last days; the time before the Messianic Era

• Achdut (אַחְדוּת) — akh-DOOT Unity. Rooted in the word אחד (echad, one)

• Adon Olam (אֲדוֹן עוֹלָם) — ah-DON oh-LAHM “Master of the Universe”, also a classic Jewish liturgical hymn.

• Adonai (אֲדֹנָי) — ah-doh-NYE A reverential title for God, often translated “Lord.”

• Aggadah (אַגָּדָה) — ah-gah-DAH The narrative, ethical, and theological (non-halachic) side of rabbinic literature.

• Ahavat HaShem (אַהֲבַת הַשֵּׁם) — ah-ha-VAHT ha-SHEM Love of God.

• Ahavat Yisrael (אַהֲבַת יִשְׂרָאֵל) — ah-ha-VAHT yis-rah-EL Love for the people of Israel.

• Akedah (עֲקֵדָה) — ah-kay-DAH The binding of Isaac in Genesis 22. See our article, "Vayera: Akeidah".

• Aleinu (עָלֵינוּ) — ah-LAY-nu A prayer in the Litugy declaring God’s kingship over all creation.

• Aliyah (עֲלִיָּה) — ah-LEE-yah Ascent; immigration to Israel; also being called up to read from the Torah.

• Am HaAretz (עַם הָאָרֶץ) — ahm ha-AH-retz In rabbinic usage, an unlearned person.

• Am Yisrael (עַם יִשְׂרָאֵל) — ahm yis-rah-EL The people of Israel.

• Amen (אָמֵן) — ah-MEN “So be it.” Acronym for אל מלך נאמן – El Melekh Ne'eman (God, the Faithful King). See our article "Avinu".

• Amidah (עֲמִידָה) — ah-mee-DAH The central standing prayer in Jewish liturgy.

• Amora (אָמּוֹרָא) — ah-moh-RAH A rabbinic sage of the Talmudic era.

• Anavah (עֲנָוָה) — ah-nah-VAH Humility.

• Anshei Knesset HaGedolah (אַנְשֵׁי כְּנֶסֶת הַגְּדוֹלָה) — ahn-SHAY k’NEH-set hag’do-LAH The Men of the Great Assembly.

• Apocrypha Ancient Jewish books outside the Jewish canon.

• Aramaic A Semitic language widely used in the Second Temple and rabbinic periods.

• Aron Kodesh (אֲרוֹן קֹדֶשׁ) — ah-RON KOH-desh The holy ark in a synagogue that houses Torah scrolls.

• Aseret HaDibrot (עֲשֶׂרֶת הַדִּבְּרוֹת) - ah-SEH-ret ha-dee-BROHT Ten Commandments, literally the "Ten Words"

• Avinu (אָבִינוּ) — ah-VEE-nu “Our Father." See our article, "Avinu".

• Avinu Malkeinu (אָבִינוּ מַלְכֵּנוּ) — ah-VEE-nu mahl-KAY-nu “Our Father, Our King,” a classic penitential prayer.

• Avinu Shebashamayim (אָבִינוּ שֶׁבַּשָּׁמַיִם) — ah-VEE-nu sheh-bah-shah-MAH-yim “Our Father in Heaven.”

• Avodah (עֲבוֹדָה) — ah-voh-DAH Service, worship, or Temple service.

• Avot (אָבוֹת) — ah-VOTE The patriarchs; Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

B

• Baal Teshuvah (בַּעַל תְּשׁוּבָה) — BAH-al t’shoo-VAH One who returns to repentance or observance.

• Baal Koreh (בַּעַל קוֹרֵא) — BAH-al koh-RAY

  The public Torah reader.

• Baal Shem Tov — BAH'ahl shem TOVE Founder of the Hasidic movement.

• Bar (בַּר) — bar Aramaic for “son”; important in Psalm 2:12

• Baraita (בָּרַיְיתָא) — bah-rye-TAH An external tannaitic tradition not included in the Mishnah.

• Basar (בָּשָׂר) — bah-SAHR Flesh. Meat.

• Bat Kol (בַּת קוֹל) — baht KOHL A heavenly voice, an echo.

• Bat Mitzvah (בַּת מִצְוָה) — baht MITZ-vah A girl who comes of age under the commandments.

• Bechor (בְּכוֹר) — b’KHOR Firstborn.

• Bein Adam LaMakom (בֵּין אָדָם לַמָּקוֹם) — bane ah-DAHM lah-mah-KOHM Duties between a person and God.

• Bein Adam LeChavero (בֵּין אָדָם לַחֲבֵרוֹ) — bane ah-DAHM leh-kha-vay-ROH Duties between one person and another.

• Beit Din (בֵּית דִּין) — bayt DEEN Rabbinic court.

• Beit Midrash (בֵּית מִדְרָשׁ) — bayt mid-RAHSH House of study.

  

• Beit HaMikdash (בֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ) — bayt ha-meek-DAHSH The Holy Temple in Jerusalem.

• Ben Adam (בֶּן אָדָם) — ben ah-DAHM Son of man; human being.

• Ben David (בֶּן דָּוִד) — ben dah-VEED Son of David; A title for the Messianic King.

• Ben Elohim (בֶּן אֱלֹהִים) — ben eh-loh-HEEM Son of God.

• Berakhah (בְּרָכָה) — beh-rah-KHAH Blessing.

• B'reishit (בְּרֵאשִׁית) — b’rey-SHEET “In the beginning”; Hebrew title of Genesis.

• Besorah (בְּשׂוֹרָה) — b’soh-RAH Good news; gospel.

• Bikkurim (בִּכּוּרִים) — bee-koo-REEM Firstfruits.

• Binah (בִּינָה) — bee-NAH Understanding. The third Sefirah. The Partzuf of Imma.

• Birkat HaMazon (בִּרְכַּת הַמָּזוֹן) — beer-KAHT ha-mah-ZOHN Blessing after meals.

• Birkat Kohanim (בִּרְכַּת כֹּהֲנִים) — beer-KAHT koh-hah-NEEM The priestly blessing.

• Bittul (בִּטּוּל) — bit-TOOL Self-nullification before God.

• Brit (בְּרִית) — BREET Covenant.

• Brit Chadashah (בְּרִית חֲדָשָׁה) — breet kha-dah-SHAH New Covenant, and the term is applied to the Apostolic Scriptures as "New Testament".

• Brit Milah (בְּרִית מִילָה) — breet mee-LAH Covenant of circumcision.
  

C

• Cantillation — kan-tih-LAY-shun The melodic system used in reading the Hebrew Bible publicly.

• Chabad — kha-BAHD A Hasidic movement whose name is an acronym for Chochmah, Binah, and Da’at (Wisdom, Understanding and Knowlege), the upper three Sefirot.

• Chacham (חָכָם) — kha-KHAM A Sage; wise person.

• Chag (חַג) — khag Festival, Holiday

• Chagigah (חֲגִיגָה) — kha-gee-GAH Festival offering; also a tractate of the Talmud.
  

  

• Challah (חַלָּה) — kha-LAH Sabbath bread; also the portion of dough separated as an offering.

• Chasid (חָסִיד) — kha-SEED A pious person.

• Chavruta (חַבְרוּתָא) — khahv-roo-TAH Study partnership.

• Chazon (חָזוֹן) — kha-ZOHN Vision.

• Chelek (חֵלֶק) — KHEH-lek Portion, part, or share.

• Cherem (חֵרֶם) — KHEH-rem Ban or exclusion.

• Chesed (חֶסֶד) — KHEH-sed Lovingkindness; covenant loyalty.

• Chevra Kadisha (חֶבְרָא קַדִּישָׁא) — khev-RAH kah-DEE-shah Burial society.

• Chiddush (חִידּוּשׁ) — khee-DOOSH A fresh insight or new teaching.

• Chillul HaShem (חִלּוּל הַשֵּׁם) — khil-LOOL ha-SHEM Desecration of God’s Name.

• Chochmah (חָכְמָה) — KHOKH-mah Wisdom. The second Sefirah. The Partzuf of Abba.

• Chol HaMoed (חוֹל הַמּוֹעֵד) — khohl ha-moh-ED Intermediate festival days.

• Chumash (חוּמָשׁ) — khoo-MAHSH Printed edition of the Five Books of Moses.

• Chuppah (חֻפָּה) — khoo-PAH Wedding canopy.

• Churban HaBayit (חוּרְבַּן הַבַּיִת) — khur-BAHN ha-BAH-yit The destruction of the Temple. Both temples were destroyed on Tisha B'av.

D

• Da’at (דַּעַת) — DAH-aht Knowledge, especially relational knowledge.

• Daf — dahf Page, especially in Talmud study.

• Daf Yomi — dahf YOH-mee The daily Talmud study cycle.

• Darshan (דַּרְשָׁן) — dar-SHAHN Preacher or expositor.

• Davar (דָּבָר) — dah-VAR Word, matter, or thing. See John 1:1.

• Dayan (דַּיָּן) — dye-YAHN Rabbinic judge.

• Devekut (דְּבֵקוּת) — d’vey-KOOT Cleaving to God.

• Drash (דְּרַשׁ) — drash Interpretive exposition; one level of PaRDeS.

• Derekh Eretz (דֶּרֶךְ אֶרֶץ) — DEH-rekh EH-retz Proper conduct.

• Didache — DID-uh-kay An early Messianic Jewish text.

• Din (דִּין) — deen Judgment or justice.

• Divrei Torah (דִּבְרֵי תוֹרָה) — div-RAY TOH-rah Words of Torah; a short teaching.
  

E

• Edah (עֵדָה) — ay-DAH Community or congregation.

• Echad (אֶחָד) — eh-KHAD One.

• Eicha (אֵיכָה) — ay-KHAH Lamentations; also a cry of lament.

• Ein Sof (אֵין סוֹף) — ayn SOHF The Infinite, in Kabbalah.

• Eruv (עֵרוּב) — ay-ROOV A legal boundary or mixing arrangement.

• El Elyon (אֵל עֶלְיוֹן) — el el-YOHN God Most High.

• El Shaddai (אֵל שַׁדַּי) — el shah-DYE God Almighty. See our article on "Metatron".
  

• Emet (אֱמֶת) — eh-MET Truth.

• Emunah (אֱמוּנָה) — eh-moo-NAH Faithfulness, trust, steadfastness.

• Epiousion — eh-pee-OO-see-on A rare Greek word in the Lord’s Prayer often translated “daily.” See our article "Avinu".

• Eretz Yisrael (אֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל) — EH-retz yis-rah-EL The Land of Israel.

  

• Erev Shabbat (עֶרֶב שַׁבָּת) — EH-rev shah-BAHT Sabbath eve (Friday Night).

• Etrog (אֶתְרוֹג) — et-ROHG Citron used during Sukkot.

• Etz Chaim (עֵץ חַיִּים) — aytz kha-YEEM Tree of life.

F

• Farbrengen — far-BREN-gen A Hasidic gathering for teaching and encouragement.

• Frum — froom Religiously observant.

G

• Gaon (גָּאוֹן) — gah-OHN A great sage; also a title for leading rabbinic authorities.

• Galut (גָּלוּת) — gah-LOOT Exile.

• Gan Eden (גַּן עֵדֶן) — gahn AY-den Garden of Eden; paradise.

• Gemara (גְּמָרָא) — geh-mah-RAH The Talmudic discussion on the Mishnah.

• Gematria (גִּימַטְרִיָּא) — gee-mah-tree-AH Interpretation by numerical value of Hebrew letters.

• Geulah (גְּאוּלָּה) — geh-oo-LAH Redemption.

• Gezerah Shavah (גְּזֵרָה שָׁוָה) — g’zeh-RAH shah-VAH Rabbinic argument linking verses with similar wording.

• Gmilut Chasadim (גְּמִילוּת חֲסָדִים) — g’mee-LOOT kha-sah-DEEM Acts of lovingkindness.

H

• Haftarah (הַפְטָרָה) — haf-tah-RAH The Prophets reading paired with the weekly Torah portion.

• Haggadah (הַגָּדָה) — hah-gah-DAH Passover liturgy telling the Exodus story.

• Halakhah (הֲלָכָה) — ha-la-KHAH Jewish law; the way of walking.

• Hallel (הַלֵּל) — ha-LEL Psalms of praise recited on festivals.

• HaMotzi (הַמּוֹצִיא) — ha-moh-TZEE Blessing over bread.

• Hanukkah (חֲנֻכָּה) — kha-noo-KAH Festival of Dedication. See our article, "Mikketz: Infinite Light".

• HaShem (הַשֵּׁם) — ha-SHEM “The Name,” a reverential substitute for the Divine Name. See Matthew 26:64, Hebrews 1:3 for similar circumlocutions.

• Havdalah (הַבְדָּלָה) — hav-dah-LAH Ceremony ending Shabbat.

• Heikhal (הֵיכָל) — hay-KHAL Sanctuary or palace. The main structure in the Temple complex.

• Hekhalot — hay-kha-LOHT Jewish mystical literature on heavenly palaces.

• Hiddur Mitzvah (הִדּוּר מִצְוָה) — hee-DOOR mitz-VAH Beautifying a commandment.

• Hillel — hil-EL A famous first-century sage.

• Hineni (הִנֵּנִי) — hee-NAY-nee “Here I am.” A powerful Hebrew phrase signifying presence and readiness to serve, cf. Genesis 22:1.

• Hitbodedut (הִתְבּוֹדְדוּת) — hit-boh-deh-DOOT Solitary prayer.

• Hoshanah Rabbah (הוֹשַׁעְנָא רַבָּה) — hoh-shah-NAH rah-BAH The seventh day of Sukkot with special prayers.

• Humra (חוּמְרָה) — khoom-RAH Stringency.

I

• Iggeret — ig-GEH-ret Letter or epistle.

• Ikkar (עִקָּר) — ee-KAHR Root, principle, essential point.

• Ikveta d’Meshicha (עִקְּבְתָא דִּמְשִׁיחָא) — ik-v’TAH di-m’shee-KHAH The footsteps of the Messiah; the era before redemption.

• Immanu El (עִמָּנוּאֵל) — ee-mah-noo-EL “God with us.”

• Issur (אִיסּוּר) — ee-SOOR Prohibition. Literally, "bound".

• Ivrim (עִבְרִים) — iv-REEM Hebrews.
  

J

• JPS Jewish Publication Society.

• Jubilee The fiftieth-year release; see also Yovel
  

K

• Kabbalah (קַבָּלָה) — kah-bah-LAH Jewish mystical tradition. A broad term that can mean different things, requiring education and discernment.

• Kabbalat Shabbat (קַבָּלַת שַׁבָּת) — kah-bah-LAHT shah-BAHT The liturgy welcoming Shabbat.

• Kaddish (קַדִּישׁ) — kah-DEESH Aramaic prayer sanctifying God’s Name.

• Kadosh (קָדוֹשׁ) — kah-DOHSH Holy; set apart. Special (as opposed to common, every day, mundane)

• Kal vaChomer (קַל וָחוֹמֶר) — kal vah-KHOH-mer A rabbinic reasoning method that argues from a lesser to a greater scenario. An a fortiori argument.

• Kapporet (כַּפֹּרֶת) — kah-POH-ret Mercy seat; cover of the Ark.

• Karaites — KAH-rah-ites Jews who reject rabbinic oral tradition.

• Karet (כָּרֵת) — kah-RAYT Spiritual excision.

• Kashrut (כַּשְׁרוּת) — kash-ROOT Jewish dietary law.

• Kavanah (כַּוָּנָה) — kah-vah-NAH Intentional focus, especially in prayer.

• Kedushah (קְדוּשָּׁה) — k’doo-SHAH Holiness.

• Kehillah (קְהִלָּה) — k’hee-LAH Community, congregation.

• Ketiv / Qere — k’TEEV / k’RAY Written form and traditional reading form in the Masoretic text.

• Ketubah (כְּתוּבָּה) — k’too-BAH Marriage contract.

• Ketuvim (כְּתוּבִים) — k’too-VEEM The Writings; third section of the Tanakh.
  

  

  
  

• Kiddush (קִדּוּשׁ) — kid-DOOSH / KID-dish (Depending on Sephardic/Ashkenaz pronunciation) Sanctification blessing over wine.

• Kiddush HaShem (קִדּוּשׁ הַשֵּׁם) — kid-DOOSH ha-SHEM Sanctification of God’s Name.

• Kinah (קִינָה) — kee-NAH Lament.

• Kippah (כִּפָּה) — kee-PAH Head covering, skullcap, i.e. a yarmulke.

• Klal Yisrael (כְּלַל יִשְׂרָאֵל) — k’LAHL yis-rah-EL The collective body of Israel.

• Kohen (כֹּהֵן) — koh-HANE Priest descended from Aaron.

• Kohen Gadol (כֹּהֵן גָּדוֹל) — koh-HANE gah-DOHL High Priest.

• Kol Nidrei (כָּל נִדְרֵי) — kol nee-DRAY Opening Yom Kippur declaration concerning vows.

• Korban (קָרְבָּן) — kor-BAHN Offering or sacrifice.

• Kriyat Shema (קְרִיאַת שְׁמַע) — k’ree-AT sh’MAH Recitation of the Shema.

• Ktav Ashurit (כְּתָב אַשּׁוּרִית) — k’tahv ah-shoo-REET Square Hebrew script.

L

• Lag B’Omer — lahg boh-OH-mer The thirty-third day of the Omer.

• Lashon Hara (לָשׁוֹן הָרַע) — lah-SHOHN ha-RAH Harmful speech.

• Lechem HaPanim (לֶחֶם הַפָּנִים) — LEH-khem ha-pah-NEEM Bread of the Presence.

• Lechem Chukki (לֶחֶם חֻקִּי) — LEH-khem khook-KEE Needful bread; bread appointed for me.

• Lev (לֵב) — lev Heart.

• Levi (לֵוִי) — LAY-vee A Levite.

• Likkutim — lih-koo-TEEM Collected teachings.

• Likutei Moharan — lih-koo-TAY moh-ha-RAHN

  Principal work and magnum opus of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov.

• Lishmah (לִשְׁמָהּ) — lish-MAH For its own sake.

• Liturgy Structured forms of prayer and worship.

• Lulav (לוּלָב) — loo-LAHV Palm branch used during Sukkot.

M

• Maaseh Avot Siman LaBanim (מַעֲשֵׂה אָבוֹת סִימָן לַבָּנִים) — mah-ah-SAY ah-VOTE see-MAHN la-bah-NEEM “The deeds of the fathers are a sign for the children.”

• Machloket (מַחֲלוֹקֶת) — makh-loh-KET Dispute or debate.

• Machzor (מַחְזוֹר) — mahkh-ZOR Festival and High Holy Day prayer book.

• Magen David (מָגֵן דָּוִד) — mah-GEN dah-VEED Shield/Star of David.

• Maggid — mah-GEED Preacher or storyteller.

• Maharal — mah-ha-RAHL Rabbi Judah Loew of Prague. See Index of Sages.

• Malbim — MAL-bim Rabbinic commentator, R. Meir Leibush ben Yechiel. See Index of Sages.

• Malchut (מַלְכוּת) — mahl-KHOOT Kingship, kingdom.

• Manna (מָן) — mahn The bread from heaven in the wilderness.

• Mashal (מָשָׁל) — mah-SHAL Parable or proverb.

• Mashiach (מָשִׁיחַ) — mah-SHEE-akh Messiah; anointed one.

  

• Mashiach ben Yosef (מָשִׁיחַ בֶּן יוֹסֵף) — mah-SHEE-akh ben yo-SEF The suffering or preparatory Messiah in Jewish tradition.
  

  

• Mashiach ben David (מָשִׁיחַ בֶּן דָּוִד) — mah-SHEE-akh ben dah-VEED The Davidic king who completes redemption.

• Masorah / Mesorah (מָסוֹרָה / מְסוֹרָה) — mah-soh-RAH / meh-soh-RAH Tradition or transmission of the biblical text.

• Masoretic Text — mas-oh-RET-ik text The traditional Hebrew text of the Bible.

• Matan Torah (מַתַּן תּוֹרָה) — mah-TAHN TOH-rah Giving of the Torah.

• Matzah (מַצָּה) — maht-ZAH Unleavened bread.

• Mechitzah (מְחִיצָה) — meh-khee-TZAH Partition, often in a synagogue.

• Mekhilta — meh-KHEEL-tah Halakhic midrash on Exodus.

• Melech (מֶלֶךְ) — MEH-lekh King.

• Melakhah (מְלָאכָה) — meh-lah-KHAH Creative or work activity forbidden on Shabbat.

  
  

  

  
  

• Menorah (מְנוֹרָה) — meh-noh-RAH Temple lampstand.

• Menuchah (מְנוּחָה) — meh-noo-KHAH Rest.

• Merkavah (מֶרְכָּבָה) — mehr-kah-VAH Chariot; mystical tradition of heavenly ascent.

• Messianic Judaism Jewish faith in Yeshua lived within a Jewish framework.

• Midah (מִדָּה) — mid-DAH Measure, attribute, or character trait.

• Midrash (מִדְרָשׁ) — MID-rahsh Rabbinic interpretation or exposition of Scripture.

• Midrash Rabbah — MID-rash RAB-bah Classical anthology of midrashim.

• Mikdash (מִקְדָּשׁ) — meek-DAHSH Sanctuary.

• Mikveh (מִקְוֶה) — MIK-veh Ritual immersion pool.

• Mincha (מִנְחָה) — MIN-khah Afternoon prayer; also grain offering.

• Minhag (מִנְהָג) — min-HAHG Custom.

• Minyan (מִנְיָן) — MIN-yahn Quorum of ten for certain prayers.

• Mishkan (מִשְׁכָּן) — mish-KAHN Tabernacle.

• Mishnah (מִשְׁנָה) — mish-NAH The foundational written collection of Oral Torah.

• Mishneh Torah — mish-NAY TOH-rah Maimonides’ legal code.

• Mitzvah (מִצְוָה) — MITZ-vah Commandment.

• Moed (מוֹעֵד) — moh-ED Appointed time or festival.

• Moshe Rabbenu (מֹשֶׁה רַבֵּנוּ) — MOH-sheh rah-BAY-noo Moses our teacher.

• Mussaf (מוּסָף) — moo-SAHF Additional prayer service on Shabbat and festivals.

• Mussar (מוּסָר) — moo-SAHR Ethical discipline and moral instruction.

N

• Nagid (נָגִיד) — nah-GEED Prince, ruler, or leader.

• Nashku Var (נַשְּׁקוּ־בַר) — nahsh-koo bar Phrase in Psalm 2:12 often translated “kiss the son.” See our article, "Psalm 2:12: Kiss the Son".

• Nazir (נָזִיר) — nah-ZEER One under a vow of separation.

• Nefesh (נֶפֶשׁ) — NEH-fesh Soul, life, person.

• Neilah (נְעִילָה) — n’ee-LAH Closing service of Yom Kippur.

• Neshamah (נְשָׁמָה) — n’shah-MAH Soul, breath-soul.

• Netilat Yadayim (נְטִילַת יָדַיִם) — n’tee-LAHT yah-dye-EEM Ritual handwashing.

• Netzach (נֵצַח) — NEH-tzakhE ndurance or victory; one of the sefirot.

• Nevi’im (נְבִיאִים) — n’vee-EEM Prophets; second section of the Tanakh.

• Niggun (נִיגּוּן) — nee-GOON Melody, often devotional.

• Nikkud (נִקּוּד) — nee-KOOD Hebrew vowel points.

• Nisan (נִיסָן) — nee-SAHNF irst biblical month.

• Nivul Peh (נִיבוּל פֶּה) — nee-vool PEH Profane or vulgar speech.

• Noahide — NOH-ah-hide A non-Jew observing the Noahide laws.

• Nusach (נוּסַח) — NOO-sakh Liturgical rite or textual version.

O

• Ohel Moed (אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד) — OH-hel moh-ED Tent of Meeting.

• Olam HaBa (עוֹלָם הַבָּא) — oh-LAHM ha-BAH The World to Come.

• Olam Hazeh (עוֹלָם הַזֶּה) — oh-LAHM ha-ZEH This present world.

• Oneg Shabbat (עֹנֶג שַׁבָּת) — OH-neg shah-BAHT Delight of the Sabbath.

• Oral Torah The oral dimension of Torah preserved in rabbinic literature.

• Orthodox Judaism Judaism committed to Torah, halakhah, and rabbinic tradition.

P

• PaRDeS (פַּרְדֵּ״ס) — par-DESS Four levels of interpretation: Peshat, Remez, Drash, Sod.

• Parashah (פָּרָשָׁה) — pah-rah-SHAH Weekly Torah portion.

• Parochet (פָּרֹכֶת) — pah-ROH-khet Veil before the ark or Temple veil.

• Pesach (פֶּסַח) — PEH-sakh Passover.

• Pesach Sheni (פֶּסַח שֵׁנִי) — PEH-sakh shay-NEE Second Passover.

• Pesikta de-Rav Kahana — peh-SEEK-tah d’rahv kah-HAH-nah Classical midrashic anthology.

• Peshat (פְּשָׁט) — p’shaht Plain sense of the text.

• Pharisees / Perushim (פְּרוּשִׁים) — p’roo-SHEEM A major Jewish group in the Second Temple period.

• Phylacteries / Tefillin — fi-LAK-tuh-reez / t’fee-LEEN Scripture boxes worn in prayer.

• Pidyon Haben (פִּדְיוֹן הַבֵּן) — pid-YOHN ha-BEN Redemption of the firstborn son.

• Piyyut (פִּיּוּט) — pee-YOOT Liturgical poem.

• Pilpul (פִּלְפּוּל) — pil-POOL Sharp analytical Torah reasoning.

• Pirkei Avot (פִּרְקֵי אָבוֹת) — peer-KAY ah-VOTE Ethics of the Fathers.

• Posek (פּוֹסֵק) — poh-SEK A halakhic decisor, an expert in Jewish law.

• Pseudepigrapha — soo-duh-PIG-ruh-fah Ancient Jewish writings attributed to biblical figures.

• Purim (פּוּרִים) — POO-rim Festival commemorating the events of Esther.

Q

• Qahal / Kahal (קָהָל) — kah-HAL Assembly or congregation.

• Qere / Ketiv — k’RAY / k’TEEV Traditional reading form and written form in the Masoretic text.

• Qumran — KOOM-rahn Site associated with the Dead Sea Scrolls.

R

• Rabban (רַבָּן) — rah-BAHN An elevated rabbinic title.

• Rabbi (רַבִּי) — RAH-bee My master; teacher.

• Rabbenu (רַבֵּנוּ) — rah-BAY-noo “Our teacher.”

• Radak (רד״ק) — rah-DAHK Rabbi David Kimchi, medieval commentator. See Index of Sages.

• Rambam — rahm-BAHM Maimonides. See Index of Sages.

• Ramban — rahm-BAHN Nachmanides. See Index of Sages.

• Rashi (רש״י) — RAH-shee Rabbi Shlomo Yitzhaki, central Jewish commentator. See Index of Sages.

• Rebbe — REB-ee Spiritual master, especially in Hasidic circles.

• Remez (רֶמֶז) — REH-mez Hint, symbolic level of interpretation.

• Responsa — reh-SPON-sah Rabbinic questions and answers.

• Rishonim — ree-shoh-NEEM Early medieval rabbinic authorities.

• Rosh Chodesh (רֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ) — rohsh KHOH-desh New month.
  

• Rosh Hashanah (רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה) — rohsh ha-shah-NAH The Jewish New Year.

• Ruach (רוּחַ) — ROO-akh Spirit, wind, breath.

• Ruach HaKodesh (רוּחַ הַקֹּדֶשׁ) — ROO-akh ha-KOH-desh Holy Spirit.

S

• Sadducees / Tzedukim (צְדוּקִים) — tzeh-doo-KEEM Priestly group of the Second Temple period.

• Sanhedrin (סַנְהֶדְרִין) — san-hed-RIN The high court in Jewish tradition.

• Sefaria — seh-FAR-ee-ah Online Jewish text library. See Sefaria.org

• Sefer Torah (סֵפֶר תּוֹרָה) — SAY-fer TOH-rah Torah scroll.

• Sefirot (סְפִירוֹת) — seh-fee-ROHT Kabbalistic divine emanations.

• Segulah (סְגֻלָּה) — s’goo-LAH Special treasure or spiritual quality.

• Selichot (סְלִיחוֹת) — s’lee-KHOHT Penitential prayers.

• Semikhah (סְמִיכָה) — s’mee-KHAH Ordination; laying on of hands.

• Sefardi / Sephardic (סְפָרַדִּי) — s’FAHR-dee Jewish tradition rooted in Spain and the Middle East.

• Seudah (סְעוּדָה) — s’oo-DAH Meal, often festive.

• Seyag LaTorah (סְיָג לַתּוֹרָה) — s’yahg la-TOH-rah Fence around the Torah.

• Shacharit (שַׁחֲרִית) — sha-kha-REET Morning prayer.

• Shaliach (שָׁלִיחַ) — shah-LEE-akh Agent or emissary.

• Shaliach Tzibbur (שְׁלִיחַ צִבּוּר) — sh’LEE-akh tzee-BOOR Prayer leader for the congregation.

• Shalosh Regalim (שָׁלוֹשׁ רְגָלִים) — shah-LOSH r’gah-LEEM The three pilgrimage festivals.

• Shamayim (שָׁמַיִם) — shah-MAH-yim Heaven, heavens.

• Shavuot (שָׁבוּעוֹת) — shah-voo-OHT Feast of Weeks.

• Shekhinah / Shechinah (שְׁכִינָה) — sheh-khee-NAH Divine indwelling presence.

• Shema (שְׁמַע) — sh’MAH The central declaration of Jewish faith.

• Shehecheyanu (שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ) — sheh-heh-kheh-YAH-noo Blessing thanking God for reaching a special occasion.

• Shemoneh Esrei (שְׁמוֹנֶה עֶשְׂרֵה) — sh’MOH-neh es-RAY Another name for the Amidah.

• Sheol (שְׁאוֹל) — sheh-OHL The realm of the dead in biblical thought.

• Shir HaShirim (שִׁיר הַשִּׁירִים) — sheer ha-shee-REEM Song of Songs.

• Shivah — shiv-AH Seven-day mourning period.

• Shivim Panim LaTorah (שִׁבְעִים פָּנִים לַתּוֹרָה) — shiv-EEM pah-NEEM la-TOH-rah Seventy faces to the Torah.

• Shofar (שׁוֹפָר) — shoh-FAHR Ram’s horn.

• Shomer Mitzvot — shoh-MER mitz-VOHT One who keeps the commandments.

• Shul (שׁוּל) — shool Yiddish term for synagogue, lit. "school".

• Shulchan Arukh (שֻׁלְחָן עָרוּךְ) — shool-KHAHN ah-ROOKH Major code of Jewish law.

• Siddur (סִדּוּר) — sid-DOOR Prayer book.

• Simcha (שִׂמְחָה) — sim-KHAH Joy.

• Simchat Torah (שִׂמְחַת תּוֹרָה) — sim-KHAHT TOH-rah Rejoicing of the Torah.

• Sim Shalom (שִׂים שָׁלוֹם) — seem shah-LOHM Prayer asking God to grant peace.

• Sifra — SIF-rah Halakhic midrash on Leviticus.

• Sifrei — SIF-ray Halakhic midrash on Numbers and Deuteronomy.

• Sitra Achra (סִטְרָא אַחֲרָא) — sit-RAH akh-RAH The “Other Side” in Kabbalah.

• Sod (סוֹד) — sohd Secret or mystical level of interpretation.
  

  

• Sofer (סוֹפֵר) — soh-FAIR Scribe.

• Sofrut — sohf-ROOT The craft of ritual scribal writing.

• Soncino — son-SEE-noh Publisher and translation series for Jewish texts.

• Sotah — soh-TAHA tractate of the Talmud; also a biblical procedure.

• Sukkah (סֻכָּה) — soo-KAH Booth used during Sukkot.

• Sukkot (סֻכּוֹת) — soo-KOHT Feast of Booths.

• Sugya (סוּגְיָא) — SOOG-yah A unit of Talmudic discussion.

• Sulam (סֻלָּם) — soo-LAHM Ladder, as in Jacob’s ladder.

  

  
  

T

• Ta’am (טַעַם) — TAH-am Taste, reason, or cantillation mark.

• Ta’anit (תַּעֲנִית) — tah-ah-NEET A fast; also the name of a tractate dealing with fast days.

• Tachanun (תַּחֲנוּן) — tah-kha-NOON Supplicatory prayers recited after the Amidah on many weekdays.

• Taharah (טָהֳרָה) — tah-ha-RAH Purity.

• Tahor (טָהוֹר) — tah-HOR Pure.

• Takkanah (תַּקָּנָה) — tah-kah-NAH Rabbinic ordinance.

• Tallit (טַלִּית) — tah-LEET Prayer shawl.

• Tallit Katan (טַלִּית קָטָן) — tah-LEET kah-TAHN Small fringed garment worn under clothing.

• Talmid (תַּלְמִיד) — tal-MEED Disciple or student.

• Talmid Chacham (תַּלְמִיד חָכָם) — tal-MEED kha-KHAM Torah scholar.

• Talmud (תַּלְמוּד) — tal-MOOD The Mishnah with Gemara; central rabbinic corpus.

• Talmud Bavli — tal-MOOD BAHV-lee The Babylonian Talmud.

• Talmud Yerushalmi — tal-MOOD yeh-roo-shahl-MEE The Jerusalem Talmud.

• Tammuz (תַּמּוּז) — tah-MOOZ Fourth Hebrew month.

• Tanakh (תנ״ך) — tah-NAKH Acryonm for Torah, Nevi'im, and Ketuvim, Torah, Prophets, and Writings; the Hebrew Bible.

• Tanna (תַּנָּא) — tah-NAH A sage of the Mishnah era.

• Targum (תַּרְגּוּם) — tar-GOOM Aramaic translation or paraphrase of Scripture.

• Targum Onkelos — tar-GOOM ON-keh-lohs The classic Aramaic translation of the Torah.

• Taryag Mitzvot — tahr-yahg mitz-VOHT The traditional 613 commandments.

• Tashlich (תַּשְׁלִיךְ) — tash-LEEKH Rosh Hashanah custom of symbolically casting away sins.

• Techiyat HaMetim (תְּחִיַּת הַמֵּתִים) — t’khee-YAHT ha-may-TEEM Resurrection of the dead.

• Tefach (טֶפַח) — TEH-fakh A handbreadth; a traditional unit of measurement in halakhah.

• Tefillah (תְּפִלָּה) — t’fee-LAH Prayer.

• Tefillin (תְּפִלִּין) — t’fee-LEEN Phylacteries worn in prayer.

• Tehillim (תְּהִלִּים) — t’hil-LEEM Psalms.

• Tekhelet (תְּכֵלֶת) — t’KHEY-let Blue thread associated with tzitzit.

• Temple Judaism / Second Temple Judaism Jewish life in the period of the Second Temple.

• Terumah (תְּרוּמָה) — t’roo-MAH Contribution, heave offering.

• Teshuvah (תְּשׁוּבָה) — t’shoo-VAH Repentance, return.

• Teshuvot — t’shoo-VOHT Responsa; rabbinic answers to legal questions.

• Tetragrammaton — teh-trah-GRAM-uh-ton The four-letter Divine Name.

• Tevilah (טְבִילָה) — t’vee-LAH Immersion.

• Tiferet (תִּפְאֶרֶת) — tif-EH-ret Beauty or glory; one of the sefirot.

• Tikkun (תִּיקּוּן) — tee-KOON Repair or rectification.

• Tikkun Olam (תִּיקּוּן עוֹלָם) — tee-KOON oh-LAHM Repairing the world.

• Tisha B’Av — tee-shah b’AHV Fast commemorating the destruction of the Temples.

• Toledot (תּוֹלְדוֹת) — tohl-DOHT Generations, descendants, account.
  

  

• Torah (תּוֹרָה) — TOH-rah Instruction, teaching; commonly the Five Books of Moses.

• Torah MiSinai — TOH-rah mee-see-NYE Torah from Sinai.

• Torah of Messiah — TOH-rah of meh-SYE-uh A Messianic term for Torah as embodied and clarified in Messiah.

• Torah Shebikhtav — TOH-rah sheh-bikh-TAHV Written Torah.

• Torah Shebe’al Peh — TOH-rah sheh-b’al PEH Oral Torah.

• Tosefta (תּוֹסֶפְתָּא) — toh-SEF-tah Supplementary tannaitic collection alongside the Mishnah.

• Tosafot — toh-sah-FOHT Medieval glosses on the Talmud.

• Trope — trope Cantillation notes.

• Tzaddik (צַדִּיק) — tzah-DEEK Righteous person. Plural: tzaddikim.

• Tzedakah (צְדָקָה) — tz’dah-KAH Charity or righteous giving.

• Tzedek (צֶדֶק) — TZEH-dek Righteousness or justice.

• Tzelem Elohim (צֶלֶם אֱלֹהִים) — TZEH-lem eh-loh-HEEM Image of God.

• Tzimtzum (צִמְצוּם) — tzim-TZOOM A Kabbalistic concept of divine self-limitation or contraction.

• Tzitzit (צִיצִית) — tzee-TZEET Fringes on a four-cornered garment.

• Tzniut (צְנִיעוּת) — tz’nee-OOT Modesty.

U

• Ulpan — OOL-pahn Hebrew language school or intensive study program.

• Unetanneh Tokef (וּנְתַנֶּה תֹּקֶף) — oo-n’TAH-neh TOH-kef A solemn High Holy Day prayer reflecting on judgment and repentance.

• Ushpizin (אוּשְׁפִּיזִין) — oosh-pee-ZEEN Mystical guests invited into the sukkah.

• Urim veTumim (אוּרִים וְתֻמִּים) — oo-REEM v’too-MEEM Priestly oracular items.

V

• Vidui (וִדּוּי) — vee-DOO-ee Confession.

• Vilna Gaon — VIL-nah gah-OHN Major Lithuanian rabbinic authority.
  

W

• World to Come — world to come See Olam HaBa.
  

Y

• Yachid (יָחִיד) — yah-KHEED Only one; unique one.

• Yad (יָד) — yahd Hand; Torah pointer.

• Yahrzeit — YAHR-tzite Anniversary of a death, often marked by prayer and remembrance.

• Yamim Noraim (יָמִים נוֹרָאִים) — yah-MEEM noh-rah-EEM Days of Awe. The ten days from Rosh HaShanah to Yom Kippur.

• Yechidah (יְחִידָה) — ye-khee-DAH Highest level of the soul in mystical thought.

• Yedid Nefesh (יְדִיד נֶפֶשׁ) — yeh-DEED NEH-fesh Beloved of the soul; a mystical Sabbath hymn.

• Yehudi (יְהוּדִי) — yeh-hoo-DEE Jew; Judean.

• Yemot HaMashiach (יְמוֹת הַמָּשִׁיחַ) — y’moht ha-mah-SHEE-akh Days of the Messiah.

  
  

  

• Yerushalayim (יְרוּשָׁלַיִם) — yeh-roo-shah-LAH-yim Jerusalem.

• Yeshiva (יְשִׁיבָה) — yeh-SHEE-vah House of advanced Torah study.

• Yesod (יְסוֹד) — yeh-SOHD Foundation; the ninth Sefirah.

• Yeshua (יֵשׁוּעַ) — yeh-SHOO-ah Hebrew name of Jesus meaning "salvation".

• Yetzer HaRa (יֵצֶר הָרַע) — YAY-tzer ha-RAH Evil inclination.

• Yetzer HaTov (יֵצֶר הַטּוֹב) — YAY-tzer ha-TOVE Good inclination.

• Yichud (יִחוּד) — yee-KHOOD Union or seclusion.

• Yirah / Yirat HaShem (יִרְאָה / יִרְאַת הַשֵּׁם) — yir-AH / yir-AT ha-SHEM Fear or awe of God.

• Yisrael (יִשְׂרָאֵל) — yis-rah-EL Israel.

• Yizkor — YIZ-kor Memorial prayer for the departed.

• Yom Kippur (יוֹם כִּפּוּר) — yohm kee-POOR Day of Atonement.

• Yom Tov (יוֹם טוֹב) — yohm TOVE Festival day.

• Yom Teruah (יוֹם תְּרוּעָה) — yohm t’roo-AH Day of trumpet blasts.

• Yosef HaTzaddik — yoh-SEF ha-tzah-DEEK Joseph the righteous.

• Yovel (יוֹבֵל) — yoh-VEL Jubilee.

Z

• Zechut (זְכוּת) — z’KHOOT Merit.

• Zechut Avot (זְכוּת אָבוֹת) — z’KHOOT ah-VOTE Merit of the fathers.

• Zera (זֶרַע) — ZEH-rah Seed; offspring.

• Zerubavel — zeh-RUH-bah-vel Post-exilic leader in restoration prophecies.

• Zikaron (זִכָּרוֹן) — zee-kah-ROHN Memorial or remembrance.

• Zimrah — zim-RAH Song.

• Zivug — zee-VOOG Match, pairing, marriage union.

  

• Zohar (זֹהַר) — ZOH-har Foundational work of Jewish mysticism.

• Zot HaTorah (זֹאת הַתּוֹרָה) — zoht ha-TOH-rah “This is the Torah.”

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Frequently Confused Terms

• Torah vs. Tanakh Torah usually refers to the Five Books of Moses. Tanakh refers to the entire Hebrew Bible: Torah, Prophets, and Writings.

• Halakhah vs. Aggadah Halakhah is law and practice. Aggadah is narrative, theology, ethics, and interpretive reflection.

• Peshat vs. Midrash Peshat is the plain sense. Midrash is interpretive expansion and application.

• Peshat vs. Remez Peshat is the straightforward meaning. Remez is a hint or symbolic layer.

• Drash vs. Sod Drash is sermonic and interpretive exposition. Sod is the hidden or mystical layer.

• PaRDeS vs. Pardes PaRDeS is the acronym for four interpretive levels. Pardes literally means orchard or paradise.

• Mitzvah vs. Minhag A mitzvah is a commandment. A minhag is a custom.

• Kadosh vs. common Kadosh means holy or set apart. Its opposite is common or profane, not evil.

• Kiddush HaShem vs. Chillul HaShem Kiddush HaShem sanctifies God’s Name. Chillul HaShem desecrates it.

• Mashiach ben Yosef vs. Mashiach ben David Mashiach ben Yosef is the suffering or preparatory messianic role in Jewish tradition. Mashiach ben David is the reigning Davidic redeemer.

• Ben Adam vs. Son of Man Ben Adam is a Hebrew phrase for human being. Son of Man can also carry apocalyptic and messianic resonance depending on context.

• Yemot HaMashiach vs. Olam HaBa Yemot HaMashiach is the messianic age. Olam HaBa is the world to come.

• Teshuvah vs. Regret Teshuvah is not mere regret; it is repentance, return, and changed direction.

• Shema vs. prayer in general The Shema is a specific declaration of covenant loyalty. It is not a generic prayer.

• Amidah vs. Kaddish The Amidah is the central standing prayer. Kaddish is a sanctification prayer with several liturgical forms.

• Siddur vs. Machzor A siddur is the regular prayer book. A machzor is used for festivals and the High Holy Days.

• Shabbat vs. Yom Tov Shabbat is the weekly Sabbath. Yom Tov refers to festival holy days.

• Tzitzit vs. tallit Tzitzit are the fringes. A tallit is the garment that bears them.

• Tefillin vs. mezuzahTefillin are worn on the body during prayer. A mezuzah is affixed to a doorway.

• Temple vs. synagogue The Temple was the unique sacrificial sanctuary in Jerusalem. A synagogue is a place of prayer and study.

• Mishkan vs. Mikdash Mishkan usually refers to the Tabernacle. Mikdash means sanctuary more broadly.

• Kohen vs. Levite All kohanim are Levites, but not all Levites are kohanim.

• Mishnah vs. Talmud The Mishnah is the earlier core text. The Talmud includes the Mishnah and the Gemara.

• Gemara vs. Midrash Gemara is Talmudic discussion. Midrash is interpretive exposition of Scripture.

• Kabbalah vs. superstition Kabbalah is a serious Jewish mystical tradition, though it is often misunderstood or oversimplified. Authentic Torah Kabblah is NOT witchcraft. There are many corruptions of "Kabbalah", hence the need for a teacher to 'receive' the Tradition.

• Law vs. Torah “Law” can sound narrow or merely legal. Torah more fully means instruction, guidance, and teaching.

• Belief vs. Emunah Emunah includes trust, faithfulness, loyalty, and steadiness, not only mental belief.