Glossary of Terms and Concepts

Though I would by no means characterize myself as an authoritative Hebrew scholar, I have a great love of Hebrew and Yiddish. In fact, I believe that because its authors were Jewish, even the New Testament can only be fully understood by those with a grasp of Hebrew. Therefore, I speak to you of Hebrew out of the passion of a starved user, rather than the satiety of a scholar.

This glossary grew out of a need to understand the essential concepts that are intrinsic to the Tanakh and the B’rit Hadashah (the Old and New Covenant).

These definitions are not meant to be exhaustive but referral. They reflect the way I choose to use them in my approach to Scriptural midrash. Since this is not meant to be a technical treatise, some issues, such as the use of masculine and feminine, or the technically appropriate use of plurals, have been largely ignored. The terms are spelled as they are generally used, rather than as they probably SHOULD be used.

In many cases, I’ve included the appropriate reference number found in Strong’s concordance and many other study tools so that further biblical research can be facilitated.

Choosing English letters to replace Hebrew characters (a process referred to as “transliteration”) is an incredible challenge. It almost seems that there are as many ways to transliterate as there are Hebrew scholars! After changing the way I spelled words a couple dozen times, out of frustration, I finally settled on a few protocols of my own. They include:

1. With few exceptions, I have chosen to use Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11^th edition as my guide.
2. Most Hebrew words emphasize the last syllable. This emphasis is indicated by the capitalized letters in my pronunciation guides.
3. Generally, if the Hebrew word begins with the letter hay I have chosen to use the English “h” as in home.
4. If the Hebrew word begins with the letter het (a guttural sound not found in English), or if the word has het or haf in the middle, I generally use “ch’” to indicate this sound in my transliteration and “kh” in the pronunciation guide. The same usage applies to an ending khaf. Generally, I’ve found that anywhere you see ch in anyone’s transliteration it indicates this guttural sound rather than the Anglit soft ch as in “church” or hard ch as in “character”. The reason I use the apostrophe is that I found myself often forgetting that difference when I saw the simple ch and sometimes accidentally memorized the word wrong. Then it was very difficult to get that wrong pronunciation out of my head. So I started using the apostrophe to make it look just different enough to help me remember. I’m kind of slow. I have to use those kinds of tricks. So sue me.
5. Ch’ indicates a guttural h sound. Any other time an apostrophe is found in a word indicates a glottal stop. For example Ani Ma’amin is pronounced ah-NEE mah-ah-MEEN with a glottal stop between “mah” and “ah”
6. For the sake of simplicity (and space), I have not painstakingly phoneticized every single phrase. Most of the principle words have pronunciation helps. A person who wants to make sure they are pronouncing a phrase correctly only has to scan a few surrounding words to get a gist of the appropriate sounds.
7. Generally:
• A – ah as in “father”
• Ai – igh as in “high”
• Ch’ – kh; this guttural h sound has no English equivalent
• Ei – ay as in “day”
• Er – air as in “air”
• I – ee as in “feet”
• Im – eem as in “redeem”
• In – een as in “seen”
• It – eet as in “beet”
• Kn – kuh-n…as in “connection”
• Shon – shone as in “shone”
• Ur – oor as in “boor”

A

Abba – (AH-bah); (Strong’s #1); Literally “father” but less formal. Better understood as “daddy”.

Abur ach’er – (ah-BOOR ah-KHAIR); (Strong’s #5668 +309); Altruism; literally for the sake of another

Ach’arei aruch’at hatzohorayim - After lunch

Acharei hatzohorayim - In the afternoon

Ach’aron shel Pesach’ – the last day of Passover

Ach’at - One

Ach’eret - Otherwise

Ach’i - My brother

Ach’ich’em - Your brother

Ach’iv - His brother

Ach’inu - Our brother

Ach’oti - My sister

Ach’otich’em - Your sister

Ach’otenu - Our sister

Adar - Jewish month, corresponding to February-March.

Adat ha E-l Ch’ai - Community of the Living God

Adat Hashem - Congregation of Hashem

Ad ha erev - Until this evening (response upon departing)

Ad mach’ar - Until tomorrow (response upon departing)

Ad me’ah ve’esrim shanah! - May you live to be 120!

Admor - Leader and teacher of the Adonaists. See also: Tsaddik, Reb, Rebbe.

Adonaic Law: see Halach’a

Adon ha shamayim ve Eretz - Master of heaven and Earth

Adon olam - Master of the Universe

Af al pe ch’ain - Despite that it is so; In spite of it all

Aggadah – (ah-gah-DAH); This is the singular Aramaic form. The plural is aggadoth (ah-gah-DOTE). It literally means “narrative.” Aggadoth are stories, legends, historical stories, jokes, ethical tales, and sermons. They are not considered legally binding but are used to explain and elaborate on the Scriptures and the required behavior of the Ransomed.

Agunah – (ah-goo-NAH); literally “chained”. A person who has divorced for the wrong reasons is considered “agunah” or “chained”. They are not permitted to remarry with the blessing of the church. Of course they may seek a civil marriage and they will be loved and allowed to attend church and even have certain forms of ministry. However, they are considered to be living in adultery and are thus barred from leadership or teaching positions.

Ahavah – (Strong’s #160) Love

Ahavah olam - Everlasting love or eternal love

Ahavat haemet - Love of the truth

Ahavat ch’esed - Love of kindness

Ahavat Yisra’el – (ah-hah-VAHT yis-rah-ALE); It literally means “love of the Jewish people.”

Ain davar k’zeh- There is no such thing; drop it, it doesn’t exist

Ain mazel b’Yisrael - The people of Yisrael transcend astrological influences

Ain shaliach’ le-dvar aveierah – (ighn shah-LEE-akh lay-duh-VAHR ah-vay-RAH); Literally “there is no messenger in a case of sin. Normally a messenger is not responsible for the content of the message he delivers; responsibility is borne by the one who sent it. But if a messenger is sent to perform an evil act (a hired assassin, for example), he cannot defend himself with the claim that he was acting at someone else’s command. The messenger bears responsibility for the evil he does. (insight by Rabbi J. Telushkin)

Akedah – (ah-kay-DAH); Literally “binding.” This term refers to the time when God commanded Abraham to bind his son Isaac and sacrifice him. It is thus also sometimes referred to as “akedat Yitzchak.” The term is used in Adonaism to communicate the Ransomed’s willingness to sacrifice for their beliefs.

Alav ha shalom – (ah-LAHV hah-shah-LOME); A phrase customarily said immediately after mentioning the name of someone who has died that is similar to “may he/she rest in peace.” The masculine is alav. The feminine is alev.

Al tedag - Don’t worry

Amarta amarta - You said, you said; You said it, so it’s good enough for me

Aman – (ah-MAHN) (Strong’s #539) steadfastness, faithfulness, to stand firm, to trust, to be certain, to believe in.

Amen – (ah-MEN); Literally, “so be it.” It is generally used as either an ending statement for prayer or as a statement of agreement to a point another has made.

Am Hasefer – (ahm-ha-say-FAIR); “People of the Book” referring to godly people’s love for the Scriptures.

Am Kadshech’a - People of Your Holiness

Amud - page

Am Yisrael - The People of Israel [all Jews]

Anach’nu - We

Anglit - English

Ani - I

Ani Ch’ai - I live

Ani etkasher ele’ch’a - I’ll call you

Ani koreh Ivrit, aval lo medaber (masc.) - I read Hebrew but do not speak

Ani koreh vekotev, aval lo medaber (fem.) - I read and write [Hebrew] but do not speak

Ani ledodi vedodi li - I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine

Ani lo mevin (masc.); Ani lo mevinah (fem.) - I do not understand

Ani lo mevin otch’a (masc.); ani lo mevin otach’ (fem.) - I don’t understand you

Ani lo yode’a (masc.); Ani lo yoda’at (fem.) - I don’t know

Ani ma’amin – (ah-NEE mah-ah-MEEN); Literally “I believe.” It is sometimes used as the first words of a series of doctrinal statements.

Ani medaber Ivrit (masc.); Ani medaberet Ivrit (fem.) - I speak Hebrew

Ani mitzta’er (masc.); Ani mitzta’eret (fem.) - I’m sorry

Ani ohev otach’ (masc.); Ani ohevet otch’a (fem.) - I love you

Ani tzarich’ lalech’et ach’shav - I must go now

Ani ve’atah neshane et ha’olam! - You and I will change the world!

Ani yode’a (masc.); Ani yoda’at (fem.) - I know

Ani yode’a Ivrit (masc.); Ani yoda’at Ivrit (fem.) - I know Hebrew

Ani yode’a milim ach’adot (masc.) - I know a few words [of Hebrew]

Ani yoda’at rak milim ach’adot (fem.) - I know only a few words [of Hebrew]

Arba – Four

Arba minim – the four species of vegetation used in ritual observance during the holiday of Sukkot (see Leviticus 23:40). Traditionally they are:

· Lulav – a ripe green closed frond from a date palm tree.

· Hadass – boughs with leaves from a myrtle tree

· Aravah – branches with leaves from a willow tree

· Etrog – the fruit of a citron tree

Arba pinot ha Eretz - The four corners of the Earth

Arbaim yom ve’arbaim lailah - Forty days and forty nights

Aruch’at boker - Breakfast

Aruch’at erev - Dinner

Aruch’at tzohorayim - Lunch

Asir todah (masc.); Asirat todah (fem.) - Ever so grateful

Atah (masc. sing.); At (fem. sing.) - You

Atah bech’artanu - You have chosen us

Atah lo mevin (masc.); At lo mevina’ (fem.) - You don’t understand

Atah lo tzodek (masc.); Ata lo tzodeket (fem.) - You are wrong

Atah medaber Ivrit? (masc.); At medaberet Ivrit (fem.) - Do you speak Hebrew?
Possible Responses:

Me’at - A little;
Ken, me’at - Yes, a little;
Me’at me’od - Very little;
Rak me’at - Just a little;
Lo, ani lo medaber (masc.) - No, I do not speak

Atah mevine? (masc.); At mevina? (fem.) - Do you understand?

Atah mevin Ivrit? (masc.) - Do you understand Hebrew?

At mevinah et hamilim (fem.); Do you understand the words?
Possible Responses:

Ken, ani mevinah et hamilim (fem.) - Yes, I understand the words;
Ani mevin et hamilim, aval lo et hamishpat (masc.) - I understand the words, but not the sentence;
Ani mevin, aval lo medaber (masc.) - I understand but do not speak;

Atah tzodek (masc.); At tzodeket (fem.) - You are right

Atem (masc. plural); Aten (fem. plural) - You

Av Beit Din: The supervisor of the Beit Din and all of its functions. In Adonaic Christianity the senior teaching elder of the church is appointed the Av Beit Din or his designee as the administrator in any Beit Din proceeding or hearing.

Avad (Strong’s #6) (Jonah 1:6,14; 3:9; 4:10) To wander away; to go astray; to be lost. To die, perish, or be destroyed (but not annihilated). To lose usefulness. The Ransomed believe that before they submitted their will to Hashem’s, and made Him their King, their Master, or their Shepherd, they were “avad.”

Avak lashon hara – (ah-VAK lah-SHONE hah-RAH) This is literally “the dust of an evil tongue.” In this case a person is not making a positive statement that could entrap him if the lie is discovered. What the person does is simply choose which part of the truth to tell. It is in the lack of full disclosure or the timing of the telling in which the sin lies. Because it is more insidious, in my opinion this is a far more dangerous sin and should be dealt with more harshly by the elders.

Av haroeh beseter - Father Who sees in secret

Avi - My father

Avich’em - Your father

Avi ch’ol - Father of all

Avodah – (ah-voh-DAH); Literally, “divine service.” There are three great pillars upon which righteous behavior rests: 1) Study of the Scripture; 2) Acts of kindness toward our fellow man; 3) Humble service to and worship of God. This is often used in the Christian sense of “sanctification” i.e. efforts made toward self-refinement empowered by the Ruach’ ha Kodesh.

Avodat Hashem – service rendered to the Name.

Avodah zarah - (ah-voh-DAH zah-RAH) idolatry

Avoteinu - Our fathers

Avraham avinu - Avraham our father

Avinu Malkeinu - Our Father, Our King

Av she bashamayim - Father in heaven

Avinu she bashamayim - Our Father in heaven

Ayin – (ah-YEEN); the Hebrew word for “well” or “spring”. Oddly enough, it also means “eye”.

Az haroth - Exhortations.

Azkarah – a memorial service.

Az mah? - So what?

Azov oti - Leave me [alone]

Azoi? - Really?

Azru li! - Help me!

B

Baal hakerem -Master of the vineyard

Baal bayit -Master of the house

Baal midot tovot (masc.); Baalat midot tovot - Master of good attributes; A person of good character

Baal Nefesh – A religious Jew

Baali - My husband

Baboker - In the morning

Bach’ur (masc.); Bach’urah (fem.) - Young man; Young woman

Ba li - I felt/feel like it

Balnes - Miracle worker

Balshem - Faith healer; performer of miracles

Bamidbar – Lit. “In the wilderness”; Used of the fourth book of the Torah which is called in English “Numbers”.

Barch’ot vetefillot - Blessings and prayers

Barei lev - pure in heart

Bari veshalem - Safe and sound

Bar Mitzvah (masc.); Bat Mitzvah (fem.) - Son/Daughter of the Commandment

Baruch’ atah Adonai – (bah-RUKH ah-TAH ah-doe-NYE); These three words begin many prayerful blessings (brach’ot). It can be translated “Blessed are You, Adonai.”

Baruch’ habah! (pl. Bruch’im habaim) - Welcome!

Baruch’ habah b’Shem Adonai - Blessed is the Name of the Lord

Baruch’ Hashem – (bah-RUKH hah-SHEM); Literally, “blessed be the Name”. An expression meaning “Thank God!”

Baruch’ Hu vebaruch’ Shmo - Blessed be He and Blessed be His Name

Baruch’ She’amar - Blessed be He who spoke

Baruch’ Shem kivod leolam va’ed - Blessed be His glorious majesty forever and ever

Baruch’ Shem kivod malch’uto leolam va’ed - Blessed be His glorious name whose kingdom is forever and ever

Baruch’ Shemah - Blessed be the Name

Bat - Daughter

Bat Tziyon - Daughter of Zion

Batu’ach’? - Are you sure?

B’ahavah - With love

B’H – An abbreviation of the Hebrew “Baruch’ Hashem” meaning “blessed is God.” It is used to express gratitude to the Lord and to recognize the fact that all our success and health comes from Him.

BSD (Aramaic acronym - B’Siyata D’Shamaya) - With the help of heaven/God

Bech’ayech’a! (masc.); Bech’ayech’! (fem.) - On your life!; Really? Oh sure!

Bech’ayai! - Really! Sure!

Bech’ol’zot - Nevertheless

Be’einei Hashem - In the eyes of Hashem

Behatzlach’a - Good luck!; All the best!

Beit Din – (BAYT-DEEN); A group of elders gathered together in order to render a ruling or judgment on a matter. A Beit Din should be composed of at least three adult believers, at least one of whom needs to be widely knowledgeable in halach’a, and must be sufficiently knowledgeable to instruct the other two members in any matters of halach’a relevant to the case being heard. A Beit Din may be called to rule on such religious matters as the granting of a gett or to determine a persons’ fitness to lead in ministry.

Beit ha ch’aim – a cemetery.

Beit hesped – a funeral home.

Beit ha Mikdash – the First or Second Temple in Jerusalem.

Beit knesset – (BAYT-kuh-NESS-et); Literally, “house of assembly.” This phrase can be used to refer to a gathering of believers or a church.

Beit midrash – (BAYT mid-RASH); Literally “house of study.” Used to emphasize the role of study (biblical or secular) in the life of the church and the tzaddikim. Can also be used of a room devoted (even temporarily or occasionally) to that purpose. See also Beit sefer, Yeshivah.

Beit sefer – (BAYT SAY-fair); Literally, “house of (the) book.” A religious or parochial school. See also Beit midrash, Yeshivah.

Bekarov - Soon

Bemeshech’ hayom - During the day

Ben - Son

Bentsch – (BENCH); To recite a blessing or say grace at a meal. The word can also refer to the reciting of any blessing.

Berach’ot - blessings

Beratzon - With pleasure

Beresheet – Lit. “In the beginning”; the first book of the Torah called in English Genesis.

Berishonah - In the first place

B’seder - All right

Be’tach’! - Sure!

Betodah me-rosh - Thank you in advance

Betulah - Unmarried woman

Bevakasha - Please

Bevakasha et zeh - This, please

Bikur ch’olim – (bee-COOR khoe-LEEM); Literally, “visiting the sick.” It refers to doing mitzvot, or good deeds, for someone who is ill. These can include taking them a meal, visiting them in the hospital, or sending them a “get well” card.

Bilui naim - Have a good time

Bimah – (BEE-mah); The raised platform or stage at the front of the sanctuary from which the people are taught the Scriptures.

Bin or Binah – (bee-NAH); Literally “reasoned understanding.” A Hebrew word for discernment that appears 247 times in the OT. It is etymologically related to the word “discrimination” as in the ability to tell the difference between truth and falsehood and so may be defined as the ability to distinguish truth from falsehood or the ability to decipher the hidden meaning of profound statements. In this second meaning, binah entails the process of drawing out, expanding, analyzing or synthesizing the initial insights gained from ch’ach’mah. It is either inextricably linked to “tevunah” (discernment) or almost interchangeable with it. It also can be used to infer intuition or conceptualization or analysis. For further treatment see “tevunah”.

Binat halev - An understanding of the heart

Bitach’on - Trust [in God]

Bobbeh – Grandmother (also spelled bubbee)

Boch’er - Bachelor; unmarried man; young man

Bri’at haolam - Creation of the world

Bevakasha - Please [or your welcome]

B’ezrat Hashem (the acronym appearing as BE’H) - With God’s help

Bli safek - Without a doubt

Bimheirah b’yameinu - Speedily in our days

Boker tov - Good morning

Brach’a – (brah-KHAH); The plural is brach’ot (brah-KHOTE). A Hebrew word that can be literally translated “blessing” but that connotes heaviness, meaning or impact. See also “k’lala.” Used in sense of a prayer, it refers to the many different prayers the Ransomed may raise to thank God for various things. Many brach’a begin with the phrase “Baruch atah Adonai…” (Blessed are You, Adonai). Sometimes it is transliterated “broch’o”.

Brach’a vehazlaha - Blessing and Much Success

Bris – Hebrew for circumcision.

B’rit – (BREET); A covenant, specifically between man and God. For example, after Noah demonstrated his faith by obediently building the ark, God made a covenant with him that He would never again destroy humanity by flooding. God also made a covenant with Abraham, promising that through him all nations would be blessed.

B’rit Hadashah – (BREET hah-dah-SHAH); The New Covenant. What many Christians refer to as the New Testament.

Bruch’im haba’im - Blessed are those who come [to you and your family]; Welcome

Bubbee – Grandmother (also spelled bobbeh)

C

Charakter – (KARE-uhk-ter); A Greek word that we have transliterated into “character.” A charakter was the engraving on a stylus or stamp.

Charaktocracy – (kare-uhk-TAW-kruh-see); A term I made up to discuss rule by those with the best character. Ideally this is the goal of church government.

Chosen People – The Ransomed believe that the Jewish people have been uniquely singled out by God to be the source of the Scriptures and the Messiah. God told Abraham that all who blessed Abraham’s descendants would be blessed and those who cursed them would be cursed. God further promised that through Abraham all the nations would be blessed. This came literally true when the Messiah was born among the people of Israel. The Chosen People rejected their Messiah and for a while, they have been set aside. However, when the Messiah returns the people of Israel will recognize Him and convert en masse. He will then reign from Jerusalem, placing them once again in a place of leadership in the world. For these and many other reasons, the Ransomed have ahavat Yisra’el (love of the Jewish people). We pray daily for them and support them in any way we can.

Ch’ (sometimes also transliterated KH)

Ch’abdeihu vech’oshdeihu - Take him with a grain of salt

Ch’ach’mah – (Khakh-MAH) Intuitive wisdom. An flash of insight. Sometimes referred to as the “Aha!” moment. Ch’ach’mah is a valuable tool but must be tempered by sound biblical scholarship and/or binah.

Ch’ag same’ach’! - Happy festival!; Joyous festival!

Ch’ag kasher vesame’ach’ Pesach’! - Happy & kosher Passover festival!

Ch’ag same’ach’ - Happy holidays

Ch’ai – (KHIGH); Ch’aim (KHIGHM); Literally “life”. For example “Lach’aim!” means “to life!”

Ch’allah – the traditional braided loaf of bread eaten on Shabbat.

Ch’alomot tovim - Sweet dreams

Ch’amesh – Five

Ch’ametz – leavened bread, which is forbidden on Passover.

Ch’am li - It is hot to me; I feel hot

Ch’ane – (KHAIN) (Strong’s #2580) grace; As in Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. (Genesis 6:8)

Ch’aron af Hashem - Wrath [anger] of Hashem

Ch’as vech’alilah! - God beware/God forbid!

Ch’as veshalom! - God forbid!

Ch’aval al hazman - Don’t waste your time; It is a waste of time

Ch’aver - friend

Ch’aver shelach’ (masc.); Ch’avera shelach’ (fem.) - Your friend

Ch’ayei olam - Eternal life

Ch’azak – (KHAH-zak); Assertiveness; strength; resoluteness; firmness (Strong’s #2388)

Ch’azak u baruch’ – (KHAH-zak oo bah-RUKH); Literally, “be strong and be blessed.” A term of congratulations and good wishes.

Ch’azzan - A ch’azzan (literally “cantor”) is the person who leads the congregation in prayer and singing. Any person with good moral character and thorough knowledge of the scriptures, songs, hymns and spiritual melodies can lead the service, and in many synagogues or Adonaic congregations, members of the community lead some or all parts of the service. In smaller congregations, the rabbi often serves as both rabbi and ch’azzan. However, because music plays such a large role in Adonaic religious services, larger congregations usually hire a professional ch’azzan, a person with both musical skills and training as a religious leader and educator.

Professional ch’azzans are ordained clergy. One of their most important duties is teaching other people to lead all or part of a worship service so that every generation will be able to continue praising and worshipping the Lord. But they can also perform many of the pastoral duties once confined to rabbis, such as conducting weddings and funerals, visiting sick congregants, and teaching adult education classes. The rabbi and ch’azzan work as partners to educate and inspire the congregation.

Ch’eder (pl. Chadarim) – (Yiddish) lit. “rooms” as in a “learning room” but generally indicating a kindergarten.

Ch’ele kodesh - Sacred objects

Ch’esed – (KHEH-said); Literally, “loving kindness.” Used to indicate loving feelings based on gratitude and compassion. It is the emotional imperative which drives gemilut hasadim.

Ch’eshbon ha nefesh – (KHESH-bone hah-NEH-fesh); Literally “inventory of the soul.” Soul searching, spiritual introspection, self-examination. Making a personal, moral self-assessment that is usually accompanied by either confession, repentance and restitution or, when positive growth is found, encouragement and praise.

Ch’eshvon – eighth month of the Hebrew calendar.

Ch’illul Hashem – (KHIH-lool hah-SHEM); Desecrating the name of the Lord. Identifying yourself as a righteous person but living an unethical, immoral, unworthy life and thus bringing shame to Hashem’s name and His people.

Ch’och’ma - wisdom

Ch’och’em - Wise Man; A Wise Guy (slang)

Ch’odesh - Month

Ch’odesh tov - A good month

Ch’odesh tov u mevorach’ - A good and blessed month

Ch’ophshi – (KHOEF-shee); (Strong’s #2670); Free; freedom; free will.

Ch’osson - Hebrew word for bridegroom. He is known as a ch’osson from the time of the engagement until eleven months after the wedding.

Ch’ozer bitshuvah - A Jew who has become religious

Ch’umash – the Five Books of Moses; the Pentateuch. The word "chumash" is from the Hebrew word meaning "five".

Ch’utzpah – When used positively it means audacity. When used negatively it means utter nerve or insolence.

D

Dan lekaf zech’ut - To judge on the scale of merit

Davka – Hebrew (DAV-kah); An ironic phrase similar to “Can you believe it?” indicating a circumstance with an unlucky twist as in “The day I was to meet her parents – davka – I had to change a flat tire in the mud!”

Daven, Davenen – Praying; prayers; the avodah of praying at length, being guided by one’s siddur and interspersing the prayers with pauses for disciplined meditation from memory on related texts. See also Oved.

Dayan – (dah-YAHN); Judge or arbitrator. An elder who is acting as a judge in matters of interpersonal conflict or theological debate is called a dayan (dayanim being the plural form). A group of such dayanim are referred to as a Beit Din. See also Moreh Tzedek, Zaquen.

De’ot – (day-OUGHT) Knowledge. After the initial insight (ch’ach’mah) is gained, reasoned understanding (binah) is applied and knowledge (de’ot) is hopefully achieved.

Derash – (duh-RASH); From the root that means “to interpret.” the application of a verse. For example, in John 1:14 we read, “The Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We observed His glory, the glory as the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” A missionary might consider the “derash” of this verse to be that, like the Master, he too needs to attempt to attempt to “walk in the shoes” of the natives he is trying to reach, and condescend to be one of them though he has the right to live a more comfortable life. Or a person who is struggling with their tongue might consider the “derash” of John 1:14 to be that he needs to work at balancing grace and truth in his conversations with others. There are probably an unlimited number of scriptural derash and we need to be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit and the plain teaching of the Scriptures in order to get the best derash possible. Derash is contrasted with peshat, which is the literal meaning of the words. See PARDES

Derech: Heb 'way' refers to a path in serving Hashem.

Derech’ eretz - (DER-ek EH-rets); (also spelled derech’); It literally means “way of the land” but it implies good conduct or what is considered to be normal, polite behavior within a social setting. In its broadest sense, it means to demonstrate love and honor to our fellow human beings and, in so doing, fulfilling the will of God. As it says in the Pikei Avot “he who is pleasant to mankind is pleasant in the eyes of God”. This adage is ably proven in the lives of the prophet Samuel…

· 1 Samuel 2:26 HCSB By contrast, the boy Samuel grew in stature and in favor with the LORD and with men.

…and as it says of our Master,

· Luke 2:52 HCSB And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people.

Devar Elohim - Word of God

Derech’ Hashem - Way of Hashem (also spelled derech’)

Devar kathab – (deh-VAR kaw-THAWB); Literally “clarifying Scripture”. A short speech or sermon that explains or comments on the Scriptures.

Devar Mishnah: Clear settled law. Black letter law. Compare to shikul ha da’at. Sometimes also spelled d’var mishnah.

Devir - Holy of Holies

Dina d’malch’uta dina – (dee-NAH duh-mahl-koo-TAH dee-NAH); Literally “the law of the land is law.” This phrase is a guide to elders as they try to apply Scripture to day to day ethical, spiritual and legal conundrums. For instance, OT law states that witches should be killed. However, we are told to “render to Caesar what is due Caesar” and to “honor the magistrate.” In this society in which we temporarily reside, it is against the law to stone witches. Therefore dina d’malch’uta dina applies. The law of the land in which we live rules us as long as it does not ask us to deny God.

Din Torah: A hearing. A more formal presentation before a Dayan or before a panel of Dayanim. Unless Scriptural law has been clearly violated, there is no appeal to the ruling of a Din Torah.

Divrei ha nevu’ah - Words of prophecy

Divrei ch’ibushim - Words of admonition

Dodah - Aunt

Drishat shalom (acronym appears as D’SH or DASH) - Regards; kind regards; greetings (response upon departing)

Drishat shalom la mishpach’a - Regards to the family (response upon departing)

Drishat shalom le - Give my regards to….

D’var – (duh-VAHR); A prophetic message that comes in the form of a “divine word.” An equivalent Greek word with which many are familiar is “logos”. John modified the first verse of Genesis by saying “in the beginning was the logos”. This use of logos is similar to the Hebrew dvar adonai – the “word of the Lord.”

D’vekut – (duh-vay-KOOT); Literally “cleaving” to God. Intensity of devotion. A Hebrew word identifying the deep, passionate, mystical relationship or communion that can exist between the Spirit of God and the spirit of a human.

E

Ecotheology – A systematic, biblical doctrine of nature and its care. A study of the humanity’s stewardship of God’s natural resources.

Efes - Zero

Efshar’ - Possible

Eich’ omrim et zeh be’ [Anglit] - How do you say this in [English]?

Eifo atah gar? - Where do you live?

Eifo ha sherutim? - Where is the bathroom?

Ei, gut - Great, just great!

Ein be’ad ma - You’re welcome

Ein ba’aya! - It’s nothing!

Ein be’ayot - No problems

Ein brerah - No choice

Ein li klum (Ein li shum davar) - I don’t have anything; I have nothing

Ein sof – (AYN SOFE); The term literally means “without end” and is used to communicate God’s infinite, transcendent mysteriousness. Other than His willingness to directly communicate to us, certain of His aspects would be completely unknowable. In fact, even with His Scriptures, because of our limited minds we will never fully understand Him.

Ein somch’in al haness - Don’t rely on miracles

Eizel - Fool; dope

El Adon - God is Master

Ela Mai - What then?; So what?; But what happens?

El Emunah - God of Faithfulness

Elokei - My God

Elokeich’a (Elokeich’em) - Your God

Elokeinu - Our God

Elokim yerach’em - God will have mercy

Elul - The month preceding the New Year and Day of Atonement. It is devoted to self-examination and soul-searching in preparation for the divine judgment. Corresponds to September-October.

Ema – (EE-mah); Literally “mother” but less formal. It is similar to “mommy.”

Emanu - Our Mother

Emet – (eh-MET); Literally, “truth.” Truth or honesty. The discipline of speaking the truth, dealing honestly with others and acting properly. It is also used as an adjective as in “Emet Melek” referring to God as our “True King.” It can also be used colloquially as in “Emet?” meaning “Are you telling me the truth?” “Are you putting me on?” or “Really?”

Emet ve yatziv - True and certain

Emunah – (eh-MOO-nah); The Hebrew word for faith or deep abiding belief. Its first occurrence however, can be found in the story of the Israelites' battle with the Amalekites (Ex. 17:8-13). We read that when Moses' hands were "steady", Israel’s army won. Interestingly, the Hebrew word translated "steady" in this text (Ex. 17:12) is emunah! The implication is that faith, rather than being understood as a one-time mental decision, should be understood as a steady pursuit of God, or faithfulness!

Eretz Yisra’el – (EH-rets yis-rah-ALE); Literally the “Land of Israel.”

Erev – (EH-rev); Literally “evening.” The Jewish day runs from sunset to sunset so all the holidays begin just before sundown the night before. This stems from the creation account in Genesis 1 where God apparently used this system to denote a day saying, “Evening came, and then morning: the first day.” (Genesis 1:5).

Erev tov - Good evening

Eser – Ten

Eshet ch’ayil – a valorous woman

F

Farbrengen – (Yiddish) an assemblage addressed by a rabbi; an informal gathering of Believers for mutual edification and brotherly criticism.

Four Questions – The four questions asked during the Pesach’ Seder. The answers to these explain the meaning and the symbols of the holiday. During the seder, it is traditional for the youngest child to read the Four Questions. The leader of the Seder answers each question by guiding the guests through the haggadah, which tells the story of the Israelites’ Exodus from Egypt. The questions are introduced with the query “Why is this night different from all other nights?” and are as follows: (1) On all other nights we eat bread or matzah. Why on this night do we eat only matzah? (2) On all other nights we eat many vegetables. Why tonight do we eat bitter herbs? (3) On all other nights we do not dip our food. Why tonight do we dip food twice? (4) On all other nights we can sit any way. Why tonight do we recline? Also called Mah Nishtanah,” which are the first two words in Hebrew of the Four Questions.

G

Gabbai - An honorary officer of the congregation who assists the elders by acting as treasurer.

Galui le ayin - Perceptible to the eye; visible; obvious; noticeable; detectable; evident

Galut – (gah-LOOT); Literally “exile”. The Hebrew equivalent to the English word “Diaspora.” It is used of any place outside of Eretz Yisrael where Jews live. Galut can also indicate the compulsory exile of the Jews from Israel after the destruction of the Second Temple by Titus in AD 70.

Gam zeh ya’avor – (gahm zay ya-ah-VOR); A Hebrew phrase meaning “this too shall pass.”

Gam zeh le tovah - This is for the good [best]

Gan Eden – The Garden of Eden; also used of Paradise.

Gaon, pl. Gaonim: Honorific title of address for any outstanding scriptural scholar.

Gavra rabbah - A great man

Gemach’ – (geh- MAUK) A Hebrew abbreviation composed of the three Hebrew letters gimmel, mem and ches, it stands for gemillas chasodim which literally translates as "acts of kindness". Thus a gemach’ is a “free loan society” which extends interest-free loans to the poor, and to those trying to avoid going on welfare. Sometimes a gemach’ has a store of something else than money which it lends out for free. For instance many gemachs offer free loan of tables, benches, wheelchairs, brides' dresses, etc.

Gemilut Haredim – (geh-mee-LOOT ha-RAY-deem); Acts of loving kindness directed toward fellow believers. The Ransomed are instructed to perform acts of ch’esed to all people, but particularly to those who are believers. “Therefore, as we have opportunity, we must work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith.” (Galatians 6:10) As 1 Peter 2:17 says, we honor everyone but we love the brotherhood. Thus “gemilut haredim” may be used to refer to this principle of priority.

Gemilut ch’asadim – (geh-mee-LOOT hah-sah-DEEM); The performance of ch’esed. Literally “acts of loving kindness.” These can include clothing the naked, providing for a bride, visiting the sick, comforting mourners, feeding the hungry or extending hospitality to strangers. Gemilut hasadim is considered greater than tzedakah (charity) for three reasons. First, while tzedakah is primarily extended to the poor, gemilut hasadim can be granted to all, regardless of socio-economic status. Second, tzedakah can only be extended to the living, but gemilut hasadim (in the form of kavod hamet) can be granted (by paying for a burial or attending a funeral) even to the dead. Finally, tzedakah usually takes the form of money, while gemilut hasadim can be a nearly infinite form of kindnesses. To truly qualify as gemilut hasadim these mitzvah should be done with no thought of motivation, reward or thanks. For this reason the Ransomed consider the highest form of gemilut hasadim to be kavod hamet (honoring the dead) because there is no way that the dead will ever be able to repay the kindness in this world.

Ger – (GAIR); Literally a “stranger.” This is the old-fashioned, historical word used by the Jews to refer to someone who has converted to Judaism.

Germanit - German

Gesundheit (Yiddish) - Literally - Health.  A response when someone sneezes

Gett – (GEHT); A decree granted by a beit din that a person was rightfully divorced and is now free to remarry. A gett can only be granted if a person’s previous spouse was sexually unfaithful, abandoned them or (in some cases) was abusive. The first two are devar mishnah. The last exception is shikul hadaat. It is customary to keep all Gett documents on file and to issue a certificate, called a "Ptur", to the parties who participated in the Gett process.

The Gett is usually written after the couple has been civilly divorced. This ensures that the Beth Din will do nothing that interferes with applicable state law governing dissolution of marriages.  However, if a divorce is pending, a Gett may be written earlier.

Experience has shown that civil judges will enforce agreements concerning the writing of a Gett. It is therefore desirable to include language about a Gett agreement in divorce settlement documents.

Geulah (sometimes spelled golah) - redemption

Gevurah – (guh-voo-RAH); Literally “strength” or “might”. Can also be interpreted as restraint. The self-discipline of Gevurah requires the use of restriction, control and focus of the passions. It is not the pursuit of apathy (the lack of passion) but like a laser focuses light and makes it more precise and thus more powerful, gevurah seeks to allow our passions to do the most good.

Goy – (GOY); (Strong’s #1471) The plural is goyim (GOY-eem); It is the biblical term meaning “nation” or “people” used to indicate Gentiles. Unlike the word “gentile”, goy is often used disparagingly by Jews.

Goyish (masc.); Goyisha (fem.) – “not Jewish”; used as an adjective as in “that’s goyish!”

Gut Shabbes! (Yiddish) - Good Sabbath!

Gut Yontev! (Yiddish) - Good Holiday! (yontev is also spelled yontiff)

H

Ha’Av - The Father

Hach’amenu zich’ronam liverach’a - Our sages, may their memory be a blessing

Hach’nasat kalla – (hakh-nah-SAHT ka-LAH); helping a couple marry. This may entail providing monetary support, decorating, or participating in the ceremony without renumeration.

Hach’nasat orch’im – (hakh-nah-SAHT or-KHEEM); Literally “welcoming guests.” The discipline and virtue of hospitality. The Ransomed should make people feel welcome. They should introduce themselves to visitors and invite them to dinner. They should welcome other visiting believers, particularly those in ministry and help them on their way. Taking in guests is not merely another version of charity in the sense that it is not intended simply as a means to provide food or lodging for someone who otherwise would be sleeping on a park bench. It is meant as an expression of sharing one’s self with another – a way to transform someone as (Martin Buber put it) from “it” to “thou”.

Hafoch’ ba, v’hafoch’ ba k’kula ba – A Hebrew phrase that could be translated “turn it, and turn it because everything is in it.” I apply it to the need to study the Holy Word deeply and to use Scripture to comment on Scripture.

Haggadah – (hah-GAH-dah); The plural is haggadot (hah-gah-DOTE); Literally “telling.” The haggadah is a small book of liturgy, prayers, songs and rituals used at a Pesach’ seder. The haggadah recounts the story of the Exodus from Egypt, explains the meaning of the seder plate, answers the Four Questions, and illustrates the other traditional rituals included in the seder. This fulfills the injunction to tell the Passover story from generation to generation.

Hainu hach’ - It is the same thing

Hakarat hatov - The Hebrew term for gratitude. It can be defined as “recognition of the good [another has done for you]. To paraphrase Moses, every one of life’s curses stems from ingratitude and everyone of life’s blessings comes from hakarat hatov – grateful joy. I have repeatedly taught that pride is the root of every sin and humility is the basis of every good. Let me formally make the connection here for you. Pride leads to ingratitude, and humility leads to its opposite. Consider Deuteronomy 28:45-47.

Hach’am – (huck-HUM); (Strong’s #2449); Literally “wise.” A title used for a biblical scholar who is not necessarily ordained. It can also be used as the title of the local assembly’s minister or a respectful title given to a wise person or sage. However, in Yiddish, if said in an ironic manner, it actually means “smart-aleck” or “wise-guy”.

HaIvri - The Hebrew

Ha kash she shavar et gav ha gamal - The straw that broke the camel’s back

Ha Kodesh baruch’ Hu - Holy One, blessed be He

Hakol - All

Hakol beseder? - Is everything O.K.?

Hakol beseder B’eli haseder - Everything is in order within the chaos

Halach’a (also spelled Halakha): Halach’a is the collective corpus of biblical law that governs the behavior of tzaddikim. It is sometimes referred to as Adonaic law and intends to mean all the scriptural tenets as to behavior and conduct whether directly and explicitly stated or implied by various combinations of biblical principles. Halach’a comes from the Hebrew word halach’ which means “to walk” or “to go”. It is therefore probably better understood as “the right way to go.” Criminal cases are referred to as issurim. Civil cases are referred to as mamonoth. Each impose different regulations, with criminal cases generally having much more stringent limitations. Halach’a is not considered a means to achieving redemption but is instead understood to be God’s teaching on responsible behavior. Because halach’a is regularly used by elders (zaquenim) and judges (dayanim) to render decisions on matters of interpersonal conflict, it is largely restricted to the devar mishnah (clear settled law) as opposed to shikul hadaat (matters not settled and left to the understanding of the individual elder) or minhag (useful customs or practices not directly commanded by God). Where Halach’a commands “behave justly toward your neighbor,” Mussar discusses what that entails and what personal traits are necessary to obey Yahweh’s command. Halach’a is also used in the sense of a discussion of legal matters. So a Believer may ask his or her rabbi “What is the halach’a in this case?”

Hallelu et Adonai - O Praise the Lord

Haluch’ah - Contributions raised from among believers in one country and distributed as charity to poor Believers of another country, particularly those in the Holy Land.

Halevei! (Halevai) - Would that it came true!

Ha ma’eiven yavin - Those who know understand

Hametz – (hah-MAYTS); (Strong’s #2557); Literally “leaven”. It implies not only the leaven that is used in baking, but also generally anything fermented including wine. Any leavened or fermented food.

Hanhagoth yesharoth: Rules of right conduct.

Hanukkah (also spelled Ch’anukkah) - The Feast of Lights. Hanukkah is an eight-day festival beginning 25 Kislev, which commemorates the victory of the Maccabees' and the rededication of the Beit ha Mikdash in the second century B.C.E. It is marked by the kindling of lights.

Ha’omnam? - Really?

Haphak – (hah-FAHK); (Strong’s #2015) To turn (Hosea 7:8), to overturn or overthrow (Genesis 19:21, 25; Deuteronomy 29:22), to convert or change (Psalm 66:6; 105:25, 29), to turn oneself about (Joshua 8:20), to be overthrown (Jonah 3:4), to turn oneself (Genesis 3:24)

Haredim – (ha-RAY-deem); Literally, “Those who tremble in fear of God.” The term is typically used by Jews to indicate an ultra-orthodox branch of Judaism like the Hasidim. In Adonaism however, it is used of believers who try hard to please God and humbly try to imitate His holiness.

Harosh mistovev - My head is spinning

Har’beh - A lot, many, much

Hashem - Literally "The Name". A Hebrew word used to refer to generally refer to God without using one of His specific names. Adonaists use around 104 names (and many more combinations) of God as revealed in the Scriptures. However, there is a Biblical injuction against using any of Hashem's names unecessarily and so the name Hashem is used by some Adonaists in general conversation instead.

Hashem ish milch’ama; Hashem shemo – (hah-SHEM [Strong’s #8034] eesh meel-kha-MAH hah-SHEM sheh-MO); A Hebrew phrase found in Exodus 15:3 that is translated as “God is a man of war; God is His name.”

Hashem yimloch’ le olam va’ed - the Lord will reign forever and ever

Hashem yirach’em – May God be merciful.

Hashem yitbarach’ - the Lord, may He be blessed

Hashem ya’azor - [I hope that] God shall help

Hatsoth - Midnight lamentation in memory of the destruction of the Temple.

Hatzlach’a rabbah! - Much success! (as a greeting - Good luck!)

Havarah Ashkenazit - Ashkenazi pronunciation of Hebrew - Current in some Diaspora circles

Havarah Sefaradit - Sephardi pronunciation of Hebrew - Current pronunciation in Yisrael

Haver – (hah-VAIR); The plural is haverim (hah-vay-REEM); Literally “member”. A friend or comrade. Someone who regularly worships with you or believes as you do.

Ha yakar (masc.); Ha y’karah (fem.) – Dear; Beloved

Hayalim kedoshim - Holy soldiers

Haya naim me’od - It’s been a pleasure [greeting at departing]

Ha yanayim me’od - Goodbye, I had a delightful time

Hazmanah: An invitation to participate in the proceedings of the Beit Din.

Hazon – (hah-ZONE); A prophetic vision, whether waking or dreaming.

Hech’al - Holy Place

Hem (masc.); Hen (fem.) - They

Heder – (Religious) school.

Herem - Religious excommunication; social boycott; shunning.

Heshevan - Month of Jewish year, corresponding to October-November.

Hillul Hashem – (hee-LOOL [Strong’s 32491] hah-SHEM); Literally “profaning of God’s name.” An action or statement that disgraces God’s name. This is not “using God’s name in vain” in the sense of cursing. This includes a believer who is caught in sin or a minister who teaches in such a manner that the people don’t live up to God’s standards of holiness. Any sinful act is automatically hillul Hashem whether the person was conscious of it or not.

Hindblindness – A term I invented to mean a mental and/or spiritual condition that renders a person incapable of learning from history.

Hishtadlut – making as much an effort as it humanly possible. See also “Lifnim meshurat hadin”

Hishtagata? (masc.); Hishtagat? (fem.) - Have you gone mad?; Are you nuts?; Have you lost it?; Are you crazy?

Histalek! - Go Away!

Hitbodedut – Reflective inner directed meditation and prayer; mindful meditation. This is different from the type of meditation suggested in Hindu and Buddhist practice during which an emptiness of mind is pursued. During hitbodedut the person is always fully aware of their environs and their state of mind.

Hod – (HOED); (Strong’s #1935); Literally “majesty.” In Adonaism it is often used as one of the virtues of a tzaddik. It implies stately dignity, seriousness or excellence of spirit balanced by humble empathy. The person who achieves hod has realized their status as an ambassador of the Messiah and acts accordingly. Hod is loyalty to one’s principles. It is marked by the ability to repudiate temptation, to empathize while maintaining self-restraint and self-control. It is a commitment to one’s values daily and in each moment. It is the motivation behind right personal, business and ethical decisions or behavior. In that sense, hod may be understood as similar to the medieval ideal of honor.

Hoch’mah – (HOOK-mah); (Strong’s 32451); Literally “wisdom.” It can also be used in the sense of necessary knowledge or understanding as in the catch, clue or trick needed to figure something out.

Hoshana Rabbah - The 7^th day of Sukkoth, on which the willow branches -- a part of the 'Four Kinds' -- are stripped of their leaves.

Hotza’at dibah – (Hoe-tza-AHT dee-BAH); derogatory, slanderous or defamatory speech. This is considered lashon hara and muktzeh.

HY’D - Acronym for the Hebrew phrase “Hashem yimkom domov” i.e. “Hashem should avenge their blood.”

I

Ihulim levaviim - Best wishes

Ilui neshamah – may the soul be elevated.

Ich’ulim - Greetings

Im yirtzeh Elokim - If it pleases God

Im (Ima) - Mother

Imi - My Mother

Imitatio dei – (ee-mee-TAH-sio day-EE); The imitation of God’s character or His actions. As Moses said, “You shall follow the Lord your God…” (Deuteronomy 13:4). Peter urged, “but, as the One who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct; for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:15-16 cp Leviticus 11:44-45; 19:2; 20:7)

Im shach’ar - At dawn

Ish - Man

Ishah - Woman

Ishti - My wife

Issurim: Criminal cases

Ikvesa di Meshich’a - (Hebrew) the age or generation that hears the approaching footsteps of the Mashiach’.

Ivkos Meshich’a – (Aramaic) the age which hears the approaching footsteps of the Mashiach’.

Ivrit – (ee-VREET); Literally “Hebrew.” The Hebrew word for the Hebrew language.

Iyyar - Month of the Jewish year, corresponding to April-May.

J

Jonah’s Box – A term I use to indicate a limiting self-perception based on pride and self-love rather than a balanced biblical view.

K

Kabalah – (kah-bah-LAH) A Hebrew word that means tradition as received from our teachers. This is not Kabbalah which is the Jewish mystical belief embraced by Madonna among others. See also “Masoret.”

Kabbalas ol – Lit. “acceptance of the yoke”; self-subordination to the will of God.

Kach’a kach’a - So so

Kach’a ha ch’ayim - That’s life; That’s the way it goes

Kaddish – a prayer of mourning.

Kadosh – holy

Kal vach’omer – drawing a a more general Scriptural interpretation from a mnor premise or going from a lenient premise to a more strict one. In other words inductive logic or reasoning.

Kamah zeh o’leh? - How much does this cost?

Kapparah – (kah-pah-RAH); (Strong’s #3722); Literally “atonement.” Any act that makes up for past transgressions and cleanses the soul. This can refer to the sacrifice the Messiah made on the cross on our behalf or it can refer to any individual’s attempt to offer restitution for a sin against another. To atone, to cover over, to pardon; as in Psalm 65:3.

Kar li - It is cold to me; I feel cold

Karov rach’ok - A distant relative

Kavanah – (Kah-vah-NAH); Intense mental concentration or emotional devotion in the utterance of a prayer or during the performance of a mitzvah. A state of mind requisite for prayer or meditation.

Kavod – (kah-VODE); (Strong’s #3519); Honor, dignity, respect for others. Showing respect for the dignity of another. The Ransomed are to kavod their parents. It can also be used in the sense of “paying respects” or honoring one’s leaders or elders.

Kavod ha-met – (kah-VODE hah-MET); Literally “honor for the dead.” The ransomed demonstrate their respect for the dead by gathering to honor their memory, burying them quickly; not desecrating their bodies or their graves; and by trying as much as possible to speak well of them.

Kazeh (masc.); Kazot (fem.) - Like This

Kedushah – (keh-doo-SHAH); (Strong’s #6918); Holiness or sanctity.

Ken - Yes

Ketivah ve Ch’atimah Tovah le shanah tovah tikateivu - May you be inscribed in the Book of Life for a good year

Ketores – incense.

Ketubah – a formal marriage contract developed before the wedding, guaranteeing (usually the bride) certain future rights. A “prenuptial agreement”.

Ketuvim – (kay-too-VEEM); The writings; the poetic, historic and wisdom literature of the Old Testament.

Ketz – Lit. “end”; a particularly auspicious time for Mashiach’ to come.

Ki – (KEY); A Hebrew word that can mean “in harmony with” but also “according to” or “as it deserves.” It was used in a play on words by Solomon in Proverbs 26:4-5.

Kibbud – refreshments provided for ritual occasions.

Kiddush – (KID-ish); (Strong’s #6942); Literally “sanctification.” A body of water may be made kiddush by praying over it before using it as a mikveh. A person may be made kiddush by being publicly recognized by the elders, who generally lay hands on and pray over the person to set them aside for special ministry. Also a benediction pronounced over wine on Sabbaths and Festivals.

Kiddush Hashem – (kee-DOOSH hah-SHEM); Literally “sanctifying the name“of the Lord. Making His name honored among the people. Identifying yourself with Him and then bringing approval to Him or His people through good works and a changed heart. Any prayer, conduct or martyrdom that brings honor to God’s name. The Ransomed are called upon to sanctify God’s name in everything we do. A generous, selfless mitzvah that is thought to bring honor on God or His children.

kiddoshim tihiyu – (kid-doo-SHEEM tee-hee-YOO); “You shall be holy”

Kislev - Month of Jewish year, corresponding to November-December.

Klal Yisrael - Hebrew for "the congregation of Israel", refers to the Jewish people as a whole.

K’lala – (kuh-LAH-lah); (Strong’s #7045) A Hebrew word that can be literally translated “curse” but that connotes lightness, emptiness or meaninglessness. It comes from the Hebrew root word “kal” which means “lightweight.” See also “b’rach’a.”

Koach’ – (KO-akh); Strength or fortitude. This Hebrew word can be literally translated as “strength” but the words “the strength you have” are all wrapped up in this one Hebrew word clearly implying potentiality.

Koheles – One of the books of the Tenach’ called in English Ecclesiastes.

Kohen – (KO-hen); (Strong’s #3547); Also spelled “cohen”. The plural would be “kohenim”. A priest. The original high priest (kohen gadol) was Aaron. The books of Exodus and Leviticus describe the responsibilities of the Kohanim, which include the Temple service, blessing of the people and spiritual healing. The New Testament tells us that being a genetic descendant of Aaron, or a member of the tribe of Levi is not presently necessary but that all tzaddikim form a nation of royal priests (1 Peter 2:9). When the Mashiach’ returns to rule from the throne in Jerusalem, the tribe of Levi will once again become an important part of our daily worship. However, we feel that Isaiah 66:19-21 indicates that Yahweh Shaphat will select some Believers who have demonstrated their faithfulness to fill the ranks of the Levites, making of them “priests and Levites.”

Kolboynik - Know it all

Kol ha-kavod – (coal hah-kah-VODE); Literally, “all the honor.” All right! Great! Good job! An expression of congratulations or acknowledgement. Like yasher koach’, it is generally said OF the person, rather directly TO the person as in “He did a really good job on that speech, kol havod to him.”

Kol tuv – (coal TOEV); Literally “everything good.” All the best! A blessing that is often extended either verbally or in writing. For instance, if I end a letter by saying “kol tuv et shalom” I am praying that the recipient will receive all of God’s goodness and peace.

Kol v'chomer: Inference from a thing that this lesser/lighter to a thing which is greater/more stringent. A hermeneutic principle in which one takes a specific application and from that infers a general principle.

Kol Yisrael arevim zeh lazeh - All Jews are responsible for each other

Kosher – Adonaists are not concerned with ritually prepared food but the term has its use to identify a practice or thought pattern as being right, valid or useful as in “the elders think her midrash on that passage is kosher.”

Kotel Ma’aravi - Western Wall

Ktzat – Little; a little

Kugel – a type of food usually eaten on Shabbat because it can be prepared the day before and kept in the fridge. It is made of either noodles or potatoes baked into the consistency of a thick pudding.

Kushia – A question posed while attempting to clarify a seeming inconsistency in either an idea or even the text of Scriptures. Used like “thinking out loud”. In other words you’re asking a question but not questioning the Scriptures.

Kvetch (Yiddish) - Complain

L

Lag ba-omer - 33^rd day of the counting of the omer (from the second day of Passover); a day of rejoicing.

Lahag – (lah-HAHG); An obsessive, greedy compulsion to study. Study that does not result in a changed heart. Study that precludes action.

Lailah tov - Goodnight

L’a met - To bring out the truth; to verify; to confirm

L'Shanah Tovah - L'Shanah Tovah is an abbreviation of L'shanah tovah tikatev v'taihatem (May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year). It is the customary greeting on Rosh Hashanah.

Lashon hara – (lah-SHONE hah-RAH); Literally “bad tongue.” Hurtful words like slander, gossip or even truth spoken maliciously. For example, one should generally not repeat negative comments or rumors about another person, even if they are true. Though usually associated with gossip, lashon hara deals with any true statements that relate negative information. Lies, whether blatantly false or exaggerations, fall into a worse category called hotzaat diba, which is derogatory, slanderous or defamatory speech. It is irrelevant whether the lashon hara is true, written or spoken. All lashone hara is prohibited, but untrue gossip is even more strictly prohibited. The claim “what I said was true” may be a valid defense against the accusation of slander or libel, but it is inadequate against the accusation of lashon hara. It is lashon hara even when you incriminate yourself in the telling. So lashon hara is hurtful speech, the making of damaging or derogatory remarks that might cause a person physical, psychological or financial harm.

Rules to remember:

1. It is lashon hara (evil speech) to convey a derogatory image of someone even if that image is true and deserved but unnecessary. (Proverbs 24:17-18)

2. It is motzi shem ra (slanderous) to do so when the image is false. (Exodus 23:1; Leviticus 19:16; Psalm 15:1-3; Proverbs 10:18; 25:18)

3. It is lashon hara to convey information about people that can cause them physical, psychological or financial harm. (Proverbs 30:10)

4. It is lashon hara to embarrass people, even in jest, or to tell embarrassing things
about them when they are not present. (Proverbs 26:18; Ephesians 5:4)

5. Lashon hara is not limited to verbal communication; the written word, body language, innuendo, and the like can also be hurtful. (Proverbs 6:12-15)

6. It is lashon hara to speak against a community, race, ethnic group, gender, or age group as a whole. (Exodus 12:48-49; 20:10; 23:9; Leviticus 19:33-34; Numbers 9:14; Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:11)

7. Do not relate lashon hara even to your spouse, close friends or relatives. (Numbers 12:1-2)

8. Do not repeat lashon hara even when it is common knowledge. (Exodus 23:2; Proverbs 11:13; 2 Thessalonians 3:11-12)

9. Avoid r'ch’ilut: Do not relate to people negative things others may say about them, for this may cause needless conflict. (Proverbs 16:27-28)

10. Do not listen to lashon hara or r'ch’ilut. Give everyone the benefit of the doubt. (Proverbs 1:10; 1 Corinthians 13:7)

The Exception to the Rules of Shmirat ha lashon - Pikuach’ nefesh

The Ransomed hold to a principle referred to as “pikuach’ nefesh). This literally means the “preservation of life.” This is the obligation of the Ransomed to protect and save life at all costs. This code demands, among other things, the suspension of all other laws to save a life, with the exception of murder, idolatry and incest. The exception to these rules of shmirat ha lashon or lashon hara is thus saving a life or warning someone of impending trouble. For instance, it is not lashon hara to warn a person about potential dangers resulting from not-as-yet finalized business or personal relationships. However, when you must share negative information heed the following principles:

a. Be careful to tell only what you know to be factually true.

b. Do not exaggerate.

c. Do not pass on hearsay.

d. Be clear that your intent is to help the other and not to further your own ends.

Le’an atah nose’a? - Where are you going?

Leharim et ha kol - To raise or lift one’s voice; to shout

Lehitra’ot - See you later; see you again; see you soon; so long

Lech’aim – (luh-KHYE-eem); An interjection that literally means “to life.” An ancient toast, greeting or blessing exchanged over strong drink.

Lech’u neranenah - Come. Let us sing

Lehitra’ot ba erev - I’ll see you in the evening (response upon departing)

Lelakek et ha etzba’ot! - Finger licking good!

Le shaim shamayim - For the sake of heaven

Le shalom ve de’ot - For peace and knowledge

Le shanah ha ba’ah be Yerushalem – (leh-shah-NAH hah-bah-AH beh-yeh-ROO-shah-LYE-eem); Literally “next year in Jerusalem.” The Ransomed believe that when the Messiah returns He will reign in Jerusalem. Thus this phrase expresses the hope that this will be the year of His return.

Le shanah tovah - For a good year

Le shanah tovah tikateivu - May you be written down for a good year

Le shanah tovah tikatev vetihatem (masc.) - May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year (response: Gam atah - Same to you)

Le shanah tovah tiktavi tetich’tami (fem.) - May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year

Le tov u le ch’ayim u le shalom - For good, and for life, and for peace

Lich’ora - As it appears; apparently; on the face of it

Lifnim meshurat hadin – going above and beyond what we are commanded to do. See also hishtadlut”.

Lo – No; not

Lo ba li - I don’t feel like it

Lo bediyuk - Not exactly

Lo b’shamayim hi - The Torah is not in heaven. This saying means The Torah (God’s commands and wishes) is close and accessible to every person. Our God did not give us some doctrine that is hidden away in the upper recesses of heaven, available only to prophets and scholars. On the contrary, our Torah is readily available and not hidden. We cannot hide behind our ignorance. We all have equal access to the texts of the Scriptures. (Deuteronomy 30:11-14)

Lo beshi mush - Not in use; Not working

Lo kol kach’ - Not so good; not so much

Lo yitach’en - It is not possible

Lulav – closed palm branch, used during the festival of Sukkoth for the mitzvah of the Four Species.

M

Ma’amar – (Strong’s #3982) From ‘amar; something (authoritatively) said, i.e. An edict – commandment or decree. Cf to sich’a.

Ma’ariv – (mah-ah-REEV); Literally “evening” but indicating evening prayers or an evening prayer service.

Ma’asim tovim – (mah-ah-SEEM toe-VEEM); Good deeds that should be driven by ch’esed. See gemilut hasadim.

Mach’er - A big shot; man with contacts

Maggid - Preacher, often itinerant; interim pastor or visiting speaker. In Europe this was a person who would give sermons on moral subjects. Rebbes are also Maggidim (pl. of Maggid).

Magiyah lo - To him it should be received; He deserves it

Mahashavah – A thought.

Maher’ - Quickly

Mah atah o’mer? - What are you saying?

Mah hainyanim? - What’s the news?

Mah hasha’ah? - What time is it?

Mah hashem shelch’a? - What’s your name?; The response would be: Hashem sheli - My name is ___

Mah lech’ah? - What’s it to you?

Mah nishmah? - What is heard?; What’s new?; The response could be: Lo kelum - Nothing

Mah she ba tuach’, ba tuach’ - What is certain is certain; what will be will be (cp Yehiyeh asher yehiyeh)

Mah shlomech’a? (masc.); Mah shlomech’? (fem.) - How are you?

Possible responses:

umah shlomech’a/shlomech’? or  v’atah? - and how are you?;
Tov.  Umah slomech’a/shlomech’? - Well. And how are you?;
Tov me’od, todah - Very well thanks;
Tov Todah - Fine/good, thanks;

Beseder, B’H - Fine, baruch’ Hashem (blessed be the Name).

Mah shlom’ch’em? (masc. plural) Mah shlom’ch’en? (fem. plural) - How are you?

Mah tovu ohalech’a - How goodly are your tents

Mah yesh? - What do you have?; What’s the matter?; What’s the problem?

Mah zeh? - What is this?

Makolet – a corner grocery store.

Malkut ha shamayim - The Kingdom of Heaven; The Kingdom of God

Mamonoth: Civil cases

Marat - Married woman; Mrs.

Mashiach’ – (mah-SHEE-akh); Literally “anointed one.” The Hebrew word for “Messiah.” Sometimes spelled Moshiach’. In Aramaic it is Meshich’a.

Masoret – (mah-sow-RET); Tradition as we pass it on to others and retains a little of our flavor. Each person who receives Kabalah, absorbs it, discovers how to apply it and then passes it on, hands off a slightly changed thing. Hopefully the change is an improvement. See also “Kabalah.”

Massa – (mah-SAH); A prophetic message that comes through verbal communication.

Matanot l’evyonim – the mitzvah of giving gifts to the poor on Purim.

Matzah (pl. Matzoth) – (MAH-tsah; mah-TSOTE); (Strong’s #4682); A type of bread that does not contain any yeast, and is thus not allowed to ferment or rise. It is usually eaten during the Passover. Many Christians eat it during the Christian version of the Passover called the Lord’s Supper or Communion.

Mazel u brach’a! (Yiddish: Mazel und Bruch’a) - Blessings and congratulations!

Mazel tov! - Congratulations!

Me’ah ach’uz - For sure; 100% certain

Me’at - A little

Mech’iah - A great feeling; relief

Mech’itzah – (meh-KHEE-tsah); A curtain or short wall used as a modesty screen.

Meforshim – (meh-fore-SHEEM); Meforshim are commentaries on the Scripture. The term is often used to describe answers to she’eilot regarding theological (as opposed to ethical) questions. For instance, the answer to “must I reveal all I know about a product in a sales transaction” would fall under Responsa. The answer to “can the devil read our thoughts” would fall under meforshim. The answer to “what did God mean when He said we are created in His image” would also fall under meforshim. The first meforshim would involve a topical study. The second would involve midrash or exegesis. Both would, however, be considered meforshim. Obviously, it is impossible to adequately answer the ethical issues raised in Responsa without addressing the Scriptures, and many meforshim contain ethical injunctions. Therefore, there will be some overlap.

Meh ch’adash? - What’s new?; The response could be: Ein ch’adash - Nothing’s new

Melammed (pl. Melammedim) - Teacher of young children. See also Rabbi, Tannaim

Menahel Beit Din: In the absence of the Segan Av Beit Din, the Menahel (Director) of the Beit Din shall function as the Av Beit Din.

Mench – (Yiddish) A nice gentleman; good person

Menorah – candelabrum, especially the one kindled during the festival of Hanukkah.

Meshuga - Crazy

Mesirus nefesh – (meh-SEE-roos neh-FESH); (sometimes pronounced mesirat nephesh) Lit. “giving over of life”. Self sacrifice. Mesirus nefesh can mean the willingness to follow the Master into martyrdom (as in yehareg v’al ya’avor). However, it can also imply a daily sacrifice or willingness to absorb great harship for Hashem’s sake. “Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship.” (Romans 12:1)

Mesorati - traditional

Metzuyan! - Perfect!

Meytav  haIch’ulim! - Best wishes!

Mezuzah (pl. Mezuzoth) – tiny parchment scroll affixed to the doorpost and containing the first two paragraphs of the Shema (Devarim 6:9 and 11:13-21). It is used to remind Believers as they leave their homes that the Scriptures must govern their activities and to remind them as they enter that their homes have been sanctified and set aside for the Lord’s use.

Mi dei pa’am - From time to time

Middah (pl. Middoth) – the emotive attributes of one’s soul. A character trait, either good or bad.

Middoth ha nefesh – (mee-DOTE hah-neh-FESH); The particularly distinctive traits of an individual’s soul.

Midrash (pl. Midrahim) – (MID-rahsh; MID-rah-SHEEM); When used as a verb “midrash” refers to a form of Biblical exegesis. Explaining a Scripture passage’s simple meaning (peshat), its application (derash) and possibly its deeper, symbolic or metaphorical meaning (sod). Also used in the sense of a healthy devotion to study. Written intermpretations or explanations of Scripture.

Midrash aggada - Deriving sermonic implications from a biblical text.

Midrash halach’a – Deriving laws, codes or conduct or rules of behavior from a biblical text.

Midrashim – biblical interpretations that go beyond the simple, literal meaning of the text.

Mikra - Bible

Mikveh – (MICK-veh); A body of water, whether natural or manufactured, designated for the use of baptism. The Ransomed consider being immersed in a mikveh the first step of obedience following conversion. This act is an outward sign of an inner faith.

Minch’a – (MIN-hah); An afternoon prayer time or service.

Minhag – (MIN-hag); Literally, “custom.” Customs or community practices that are not directly commanded by God but that have been found to be useful to the Ransomed. As long as minhag are useful and do not contradict Scriptures we are allowed to practice them. For instance, Sunday School is not directly taught in Scripture. It is a human tradition. As long as it is useful we may go to Sunday School. But if someone begins teaching that if you don’t attend Sunday School you are probably not a true believer (something found nowhere in Scripture) then it has become a sin and we can feel free to stop attending.

Misheberach – special prayers for special requests

Mishkan – the Tabernacle, i.e. the temporary Sanctuary in the wilderness.

Mishleh – one of the booksof the Tenach’ called in English “Proverbs”.

Mishloach’ manot – (mish-LOW-ahkh mah-NOTE); A plural Hebrew noun denoting goodie bags or baskets containing food or treats given to friends, family or to the needy, especially on Purim.

Mitzta’er - I’m sorry

Mitzvah – (MITZ-vah); (Strong’s #4687) A command/blessing of God. The plural is mitzvoth (mitz-VOTE). A good deed and/or its accompanying blessing. The blessing does not come as a result of performance. Obedience is its own reward. With every mitzvah obeyed we bless ourselves. We reap a reward merely in the act of helping others. We never know how, or if, that reward will come back to us. Helping is the reward; none other is needed nor better.

To be a true mitzvah, the action should be done with the proper attitude. A mitzvah should be done happily and not grudgingly, with true feeling (kavanah) and as beautifully or graciously as possible.

Mivta Ashkenazi - Ashkenazi accent

Mivta Sefardi - Sephardic accent

Mivta Yisraeli - Israeli accent

Mo’adim le simch’a! (Sefardic) - Happy holiday/festival; times for joy; seasons of joy

Moadim l’simch’a l’geula shleima - Happy holiday in the anticipation of a complete redemption

Moreh Tzedek - Rabbinical judge. See also Dayan, Zaquen

Mori – Hebrew for “my teacher”.

Moshiach’ olam - Savior of the world. Sometimes spelled “Mashiach’”.

Motza’ei Shabbat - Saturday evening; night after Shabbat

Motzi shem ra – (moe-tzee shem RAH); spouting lies and spreading disinformation. This is considered lashon hara and muktzeh.

Moyshin moyshi – (moi-SHIN moi-SHEE); A phrase I learned from my Japanese ju-jitsu instructor (sensei) translated as “born blind and died drunk” implying a person is a born victim who remains totally unaware of their environment.

Muktzeh – (MOOK-tseh); Forbidden. An object that is forbidden as in “Don’t touch Mommy’s plant. It’s muktzeh!”

Mussaf – a special, additional prayer service for a holiday.

Mussar – (moo-SAHR); Mussar is an ethical discipline; a system of moral principles or rules governing the conduct of the tzaddikim. It is also commonly used to indicate sound spiritual advice, particularly from a rabbi or other spiritual counselor. Mussar seeks to identify values relating to human conduct so that what is right or wrong in any given situation may be determined. Mussar is not limited to black and white moral definitions of behavior as found in the devar mishnah of Halach’a. Instead, it is a series of nested or heirarchial principles. For instance, it is understood by all moral people that lying is generally wrong. Rahab’s example, however, demonstrates that if another person’s life hangs in the balance, a tzaddik should feel no compunction about using deceit to save a life. Mussar can, therefore, be broken down to a three-pronged discussion of:

a. The values that should govern in any given situation,

b. The requisite character traits for the successful prosecution of God’s will and

c. The disciplines that inculcate such character.

N

Nach’as – (NAH-khis); Fulfillment, proud pleasure, or special joy in the accomplishments of one’s progeny. Shep nach’as means “get joy” as in “His piano recital was beautiful. His parents must shep nach’as from him.”

Naim me’od - It’s a pleasure; pleased to meet you [greeting at meeting]

Nasi – in Biblical times this was a tribal leader. In modern times it’s used of a civil or spiritual head of a large community.

Nasi Elohim – (nah-SEE eh-lo-HEEM); A “prince of God”. Used of Abraham (Genesis 23:6).

Nazir – someone who has set themselves apart for divine service by making some type of vow, usually associated with an outward ascetic practice to be performed until the vow has been accomplished.

Nefesh – (NEH-fesh); (Strong’s 35315); This word comes from the word meaning “breath.” It denotes the spirit, that part of us that is spiritual and immortal. It is used interchangeably with neshama.

Nehedar, yo’fi - Wonderful, great

Ner – lamp; candle

Neshama – (neh-shah-MAH); (Strong’s #5397); The core of the soul which is the spirit. It is the part of us that is spiritual and immortal. God breathed neshamah into the first man, Adam.

Neshama ch’ay – (neh-shah-MAH KHAY); Literally the breath, wind or spirit of life.

Neshomeleh - Sweet soul; sweetheart; darling

Nesia tovah - Have a good trip

Netzach’ – (Strong’s #5331) Literally victory or preeminence. (1 Chronicles 29:11; Isaiah 25:8). In one’s personal life it can be expressed by fully living in accordance to the Way, loving the Lord and serving our fellow man. A person who can do this has achieved “netzach’’” regardless of their social or monetary status. Acting according to de’ot and ch’esed.

Nevi’im – (neh-vee-EEM); The prophets

Nich’um aveilim – (nee-KHOOM ah-vay-LEEM); Literally “comforting mourners.” A mitzvah entailing offering sympathy, friendship fond memories of the departed and service to mourners. It can also include providing for the burial of the needy (which is seen as a ch’esed toward the deceased).

Niftar (masc.); Nifterah (fem.) – Died

Niggun (pl. Niggunim) - (pronounced "nih-GOON"); Melody; tune; usually wordless, or perhaps more accurately, a melody sung using "yai-dai-dai," "bim-bom," or some other equally universal sounds, rather than words. It especially figures in divine service as in “Ha-Niggun ha-Kadosh”, “The holy tune.” See also Zemiroth.

Nisan: Jewish month, corresponding to March-April

Nishtu gedach’t! - May we be saved from it [sad event]; It shouldn’t happen!; God forbid!

Noahide Laws – The ancient laws that are considered relevant to all people that were initially given to Noah. In Judaism these include a prohibition of idolatry, blasphemy, murder, adultery, robbery, the eating of flesh that was cut from a living animal, and the establishment of justice. While Jews are expected to keep all of God’s mitzvot, even Gentiles are supposed to obey at least these seven laws. It is interesting that when Paul went back to the church at Jerusalem with a question as to whether or not Gentile believers were to follow all the law, the church’s answering requirement was basically a restatement of the Noahide Laws.

Noch’am – (no-KHAHM); (Strong’s #5162) To lament, to grieve Exodus 13:17

Nod nafuach’ - A complete nothing; A bag of wind

Nohal takin - Correct procedure

Nolad (masc.); Noldah (fem.) - Born

Notionist – A term I borrow from Quakers and that means someone whose head is full of notions and ideas but that do not possess the reality. Used of someone who thinks religion is Christianity or vice versa.

Nu? - So?; Well?

Nu, tzadakti? - Well, was I right?

O

Ohel: Structure over a grave.

Omer: Sheaf taken from the first fruits and offered in the temple (Lev. 23:9-14). See Lag Ba-Omer.

Oi [Oy] - Denotes disgust, pain, astonishment or rapture

Oi  Va’avoi li! - Oh my God!

Oi Vai Iz Mir! - Woe is me!

Olam ha-ba – (oh-LAHM hah-BAH); Literally, the “world to come”. The afterlife. We need to seek God in olam ha-zeh (this world) because it will be too late in olam ha-ba.

Olam ha-zeh – (oh-LAHM hah-ZEH); Literally, “this world”. Life; the life we lead. The term is in contrast to olam ha-ba which is the world to come or the afterlife.

Onesh olam - Eternal punishment

Oseh shamayim ve Eretz - Maker of heaven and Earth

Oved – one deeply involved in avodah. Compare with davenen.

Ozer Yisrael bi gvurah - Who girds Yisrael with strength

Ozer Yisrael b’tif’arah - Who crowns Yisrael with splendor

P

P’shara: Compromise. The Hebrew word for compromise p’sharah comes from the same root as the Hebrew word pashor which means to melt. Thus when we accept p’sharah it’s as if we melded our wishes with another to form a new thing.

P'shora krova l'din: A decision based on a stricter interpretation of Adonaic law.

Paamayim ki tov – An interjective blessing that means “doubly blessed” but that is strongly associated with and generally only used in conjunction with (strangely enough) Tuesdays.

Panah – (pah-NAH); (Strong’s #6437) to turn the back, to turn oneself in order to go somewhere or to look at something. Joshua 22:4

PARDES - An ancient method of Scriptural interpretation. Pardes is an acronym that stands for Peshat, Remez, Derash and Sod. The word itself is Hebrew for “orchard” implying that this method of study will yield great fruit. See each individual step for further instruction.

Parnasah – livelihood.

Peckle - Yiddish for a small package or parcel. Often used to refer to a bag of sweets or other goodies given out at parties, thrown at the ch’osson at his wedding and so on.

Pesach’ - Passover, the spring Festival commemorating the Exodus from Egypt. Pesach’ always occurs in the springtime, a time which is associated with redemption. Observance of Pesach’ involves the Pesach’ Seder at which four cups of wine are drunk and matzo (unleavened bread) is eaten.

Peshat – (peh-SHAT); The simplest meaning of a passage of Scripture. It’s most literal, historical and grammatical meaning. For example, “An angel appeared to Zacharias” means simply that. The angel doesn’t represent a concept or force. Zacharias does not represent the nation of Israel. An angel appeared to a man named Zacharias. That is the “peshat” of that verse. See PARDES

Pikuach’ nefesh – (pee-COO-akh NEH-fesh); Literally, the “preservation of life.” This the obligation of the Ransomed to protect and save life at all costs. This code demands, among other things, the suspension of all other laws to save a life, with the exception of murder, idolatry and incest. Thus, though a believer would normally not lie, he or she may in order to save a life. Though a believer would not normally steal, he or she may in order to save someone’s life. Due to the increasing critical state of the environment and the threat the looming conditions pose to the ecosphere, in Adonaism Pikuach’ nefesh has also come to carry overtones of ecotheology, socio/political, economic and environmental justice.

Pillaging Egypt – Taking techniques, methods, ideas, approaches, technology, music or other cultural elements of the world and using them for God’s glory. While living IN the world and using elements OF the world however, we must be careful to not become tainted BY the world.

Pirkei Avos – Lit. “chapters of the fathers” and commonly known in English as “Ethics of the Fathers. A tractate of the Mishnah with some uncommonly good advice.

Ploni ben Ploni: Hebrew for 'So and so the son of so and so'

Po nikbar; Po nitman - Here lies (abbrev. at top of most Jewish tombstones)

Posek (pl. Posekim) – (poe-SEHK); An elder acting in the role of a decisor. An elder to whom shayla (religious questions) are posed. A Posek man also act as a “dayan” a judge in matters of interpersonal conflict or theological debate. Authors of halach’ic rulings.

Praying through Scripture – Using a particular Scriptural text as a model or a framework for prayer.

Proster oilem - Common people

Ptur – (Ptoor) A certificate given by a Beit Din declaring that a gett has been granted. A copy is usually kept on file by the Beit Din.

Purim - Festival commemorating the deliverance of the Jews recorded in Book of Esther.

Pushke – (PUSH-keh) an offering plate or box

Q

Quashab – (kah-SHAB); (Strong’s #7183); Attentiveness.

R

Rabbi (pl. Rabbanim) – Also sometimes addressed or referred to as “Rav”. Rabbi is a general term used for a scriptural scholar and/or teacher. A rabbi is a teacher of “hanhagoth yesharoth” (Rules of right conduct) and sometimes acts as a religious judge. A rabbi is usually (though not always) considered the spiritual head of the community. We say “not always” because we believe that the rabbi should be chosen from among the zaquenim of the congregation and that the rabbi is one of a plurality of zaquenim. The rabbi is thus answerable to both the zaquenim on a daily basis and to the congregation more generally. He is thus the servant of the congregation and not its king.

A rabbi is not a kohen (priest). Generally speaking a kohen is a person with special authority to perform certain sacred rituals. Biblically speaking a kohen is a descendent of Aaron with special authority to serve in the Beit ha Mikdash. Since the Temple has been destroyed, there is obviously no call for kohenim, at least until Mashiach’ returns and re-establishes the Temple in the New Jerusalem.

An Adonaic rabbi has no more authority to perform rituals than any of his brothers and sisters. Any authority he or she may possess stems first from his or her calling from God and secondarily from the authority granted or delegated from a local congregation.

A rabbi is simply a teacher, a person sufficiently educated in Halach’ah and apostolic traditions to instruct the community and to answer questions and resolve disputes regarding halach’a. When a person has completed the necessary course of study, he is given a written document known as a semich’a, which confirms his authority to make such decisions. So a rabbi is someone who has been vested with the appropriate degree of trust by his or her local congregation to minister to the community, lead community religious services and deal with many of the administrative matters related to the congregation.

Adonaists believe in the priesthood of all believers so it is important to note that the rabbi's status as rabbi does not give him any special authority to conduct religious services. Any Believer sufficiently educated to know what he is doing can lead a religious service, and a service led by such a Believer is every bit as valid as a service led by a rabbi. It is not unusual (though not considered healthy) for a community to be without a rabbi, or for Adonaic services to be conducted without a rabbi.

See also Dayan, Melammed, Tannaim, Zaquen. For further instruction see the meforshim answer the shayla “Can believers be called rabbis?”

Rach’amim – (rak-ah-MEEM); Literally, “compassion.” It can be used to describe a compassionate and merciful God. However, rach’amim, treating others with compassion, understanding and empathy, is an important value in Adonaism.

Rach’mana litzlon! - Heaven forbid!

Rach’mones – (rak-MUN-is); Sympathetic pity or empathy as in “Look at that poor woman. Have a little rach’mones and help her out.”

Rah me’od - Very bad

Rashah – A mean, evil person. The opposite of a Tzaddik. Rasha is he who sins against man or against God. He who deserts his community is a Rasha. He who harms his friends is a Rasha. To betray one's comrades, to flout one's people, those are acts of a Rasha. The plural would be rashaim.

Ratsah – (rah-TSAH); (Strong’s #7521); Acceptance.

Rav (pl. Rabbanim) – An official rabbi who renders legal decisions; a rabbi; a teacher of Scripture. See also Dayan.

Rav todot! - Many thanks!

R’ch’ilut – (er-KHeel-OOT); letting someone know negative things that other people are saying about them.

Reb – a title added to persons’ name as a sign of respect. The term "rebbe" should not be confused with the term "reb," which is simply a Yiddish title of respect more or less equivalent to "Mister" in English.

Rebbe or Rebiniu - Term of endearment for a rabbi. It is sometimes translated by prideful people as “Grand Rabbi” but it literally and simply means “my rabbi.” Thus the term "rebbe" is sometimes used simply to refer to ones own personal rabbi or any rabbi that a person has a close relationship with. A tzaddik is sometimes designated as 'Rebbe' as distinct from the rabbi proper or the Rav who discharges the rabbinical functions as spiritual leader of the whole community. Thus an elderly rabbi who has had to retire may be called “Rebbe” to distinguish him from the current, younger rabbi. It can also be used before he retires as a term of endearment or respect.

Refuah shlemah! - [May you have] a complete recovery!

Regah - One moment

Remez – (pronounced reh-MEZ) Remez means “hint”. A method of Biblical interpretation based on finding hints in the Torah for various concepts. We ask ourselves, “what principle does the peshat imply?” For instance, because Yahweh is the God of all nations, Moses’ instruction to the people of Israel to teach their children the ways of the Lord is not merely for Israelis but may be applied to all humans. Remez leads us to conclude that Biblical education is a universal duty. See PARDES.

Responsa – (reh-SPON-sah); “Responsa” is the plural form of the singular responsum, a Latin term meaning “answers”.

Responsa form the collection of written decisions and rulings given by the elders of a local church in response to questions addressed to them. They're a form of halach’ic literature written in answer to religious questions (called “she’eilot” in the plural or singularly as “shayla”) mailed the decisor (also called “posek”), although sometimes the question is self-posed.

One useful fact about shu’t is that the typical format is to provide the reasoning that led to the conclusion as opposed to codes, which simply state the conclusion.

They are not quickly decided upon. They are based upon prayer, meditation and a thorough research of the Scriptures. Because they have been thoughtfully formulated by mature Christians who have been determined by the church to have the necessary personal character to be considered elders, Responsa can play a particularly important role in Christian life.

They often deal with issues for which the church has not yet made a ruling and thus, before any Responsa is declared to be a part of the Body’s life, it is agreed upon by the congregation. Following the congregation’s agreement, the Responsa function almost as legal precedents upon which the elders can formulate future rulings in church affairs.

Responsa are to be distinguished from “meforshim”, commentaries which are devoted to the exegesis or topical study of the Bible. The questions (she’eilot) that drive responsa are usually practical, covering issues as varied as abortion, euthanasia, genetic engineering, reproductive technologies, sexual promiscuity, crime and punishment, capital punishment, drug abuse, breakdown of the family, divorce, pornography, gambling, homosexuality, technology, ecology and the environment, media, and government and civil disobedience as well as interpretations of the Bible and.

The following would be advantages for a local congregation:

1. Responsa allow for consistency in church conduct. The decision is written down and should not change depending whether friend or a foe asks the question.

2. Responsa encourage the people to turn to the church elders for moral, ethical and spiritual guidance.

3. Responsa help church newcomers quickly adapt to the church’s culture and expectations.

4. Responsa aid the congregation by teaching it HOW to think rather than merely WHAT to think.

5. Responsa serve as a collective memory of past lessons learned. They are a tremendous reference tool.

There are also advantages for the elders:

1. Responsa protect the elders from making decisions that are not biblically sound.

2. Responsa held educate new elders.

3. Responsa aid the elders in making future rulings by establishing precedent.

4. Responsa help new elders by saving them from having to “reinvent the wheel.”

Some advantages to the leading elder, usually known as the pastor, also exist:

1. Responsa protect the pastor from having to make what are sometimes incredibly difficult, emotionally laden decisions alone.

2. Responsa help a new pastor by presenting him with insights into the church’s past struggles which largely form its unique nature and character. It minimizes the “unwritten rules” that can so often form stumbling blocks in the development of a healthy relationship between the congregation and the new undershepherd.

Ribbono Shel Olam – God Almighty

Rofeh ha ch’olim - Healer of the sick

Rosh ch’odesh (pl. Rashei ch’adashim) – Lit. “head of the month”; first of the month; New Moon, i.e. one or two semi-festive days at the beginning of each month.

Rosh ha kahal (pl. Rashim) - Head of the community. See also Rozen.

Rosh Hashanah – Lit. “head of the year”; the solemn New Year Festival which falls on 1 and 2 Tishrei.

Rosh Hodesh - New Moon.

Rosh Yeshivah - Head of a beit midrash or a yeshivah.

Rozen (pl. rozenim) - Communal leader. See also Rosh ha kahal.

Ruach’ – (ROO-akh); (Strong’s #7307) Ruach’ is the spirit that God breathed into the first human. It is also used to convey spiritedness, morale or the joy of participation. For instance, at a dance, a concert or during a spirited worship service one could encourage “Have some ruach’!” to get people moving or clapping.

Ruach’ ha Kodesh – the Holy Spirit; the third member of the Trinity. See also Shech’inah.

S

Sa’arah b’kos mayim - Making a big deal out of nothing

Saba – (sah-BAH); Grandfather. This is the term used by Israeli children but in America the Yiddish word zayde is more common.

Safta – (sahf-TAH); Grandmother. This is the term used by Israeli children but in America the Yiddish word bubbe (or bobbeh) is more common.

Sarah emanu - Sarah Our Mother

Savlanut - Patience!

Schnor – (Yiddish) to beg

Seder – (SAY-der); (Strong’s #5468); The plural is sedarim (say-dah-REEM). Literally “order.” This is the traditional ceremonial dinner on Pesach’. The seder includes prayers, songs and the ancient retelling of the Exodus of the Israelite slaves from bondage in Egypt. The centerpiece of the seder table is a seder plate that displays special foods symbolic of the holiday. The liturgy of the seder is contained in a small book called a haggadah, which details the order of the prayers, stories and songs, and the specific components of the meal. Sedarim sometime last several hours. Some are traditional, with prayers and readings and age-old stories and meolodies that have remained the same for thousands of years. Other sedarim incorporate explanations, newer songs and modern touches such as puppets to act out the story. It is a mitzvah for the Ransomed to invite guests who have no seder of their own to join them. There is a sentence in the haggadah that reads, “Let all who are hungry come and eat.” The seder meal is open to congregants and their friends, whether they are believers or not.

Seder plate – A special plate, placed on the dinner table at the Pesach’ seder, that contains foods that are symbolic of the holiday. Maror, the bitter herb, usually horseradish, reminds us of the bitterness of slavery. Zeroa, a roasted shank bone, is symbolic of the offerings at the Temple in ancient times. Beitzah, a roasted egg, signifies rebirth, a new life in freedom for the Ransomed. Haroset, often a mixture of apples, nuts and wine, represents the mortar the Jewish slaves used to make bricks in Egypt. Karpas, celery or parsley, is a symbol of hope and the coming of spring. Most seder plates have a sixth place for an additional bitter vegetable (hazaret). In the course of the seder, each food is passed around the table and tasted as its meaning is explained.

Sefer – a book of religious instruction. For instance a sidur would be considered a sefer.

Segan Av Beit Din: Assistant to the Av Beit Din. In the absence of the Av Beit Din or at his direction, the Segan (Assistant) Av Beit Din shall function as the Av Beit Din.

Sech’el – (SAY-khel); Common sense; good judgment; using one’s noodle as in “Don’t run with scissors in your hand! Have a little sech’el!”

Selach’ li - Excuse me

Selich’a – Pardon!

Selich’ot – (suh-lee-KHOTE); Literally, “forgiveness.”

Seudat hevrah – (seh-oo-DAHT hev-RAH); A meal of condolence; the first meal mourners eat after the funeral. Usually the meal is prepared by neighbors and friends so that the mourners don’t have to deal with daily chores like cooking. Some will also take meals to the mourners at their home for a few days.

Seudat Mashiach’ – the festive meal held in honor of the Mashiach’ on the last day of Pesach’.

Seudat mitzvah – festive meal held in celebration of a religious obligation.

Sever panim yafot – greeting someone with a positive countenance.

Sfaradit – Spanish

Sich’a (pl. Sichoth) – an informal Torah talk delivered by a rebbe. Cf. ma’amar

Sich’at haverim – the conversation of friends. This usually is used to identify spiritually or morally uplifting conversation where as “iron sharpens iron” friends elevate and improve each other through spiritual conversation.

Siddur – A prayer-book that provides teaching or suggestions on prayer. A place where one keeps a record of one’s prayers and the answers from God.

Simch’a – (sim-KHAH); Joy, happiness or festivities. It can also be used of a joyous occasion or a party, as in “Mazel tov! Let’s have a simch’a!”

Simch’a shel mitzvah — (sim-KHAH shell MITZ-vah) the joy of performing one of God’s commandments.

Simch’at Torah – (sim-KHAHT toe-RAH); (Torah is Strong’s #8451); (lit., "the Rejoicing of the Torah"): A day when we celebrate the writing of the first five books of the Bible on the day following Sukkoth. In Eretz Yisrael it coincides with Shemini Atzeres, and in the Diaspora it falls on the following day.

Sinit – Chinese

Sitra ach’ra - (lit., "the other side"; Aram.): the forces of evil in the universe.

Sivan - Jewish month, corresponding to May-June.

Siyyum – a feast or party celebrating the end of a section of learning. Think graduation party. However, Adonaists hold education (particularly in the Scriptures) in such high esteem that they enjoy celebrating the end of a study of a book of the Bible or a study on the eldership. Basically we just look for excuses to party!

S'michah. Literally a "laying on of hands," s'michah is a way of conferring the authority of leadership from one person to another. First seen in Moses' transferring leadership of the Hebrews to Joshua just prior to entering the Holy Land, s'micha now refers to ordaining rabbis (where the laying on of hands is still performed).

Sod – (sode); The spiritual, symbolic or metaphorical meaning of a Scripture passage. For example the sod of the story of Isaac, Abraham’s beloved son of the promise, bearing the wood of his own sacrifice up Mount Moriah is a prophetic type of God’s only begotten, well-loved son bearing the wooden cross to his own sacrifice on Mount Calvary. See PARDES

Surrah - Booth, tabernacle.

Sukkoth - Festival of Tabernacles, commemorating the wandering in the desert and the fruit harvest.

Sh

Shabbath kodesh (also spelled Shabbot/Shabbos; pl. Shabbathoth) - Holy Sabbath.

Shach’arit – (SHAW-kha-reet); Literally “little morning” but used to identify morning prayers.

Sha’alu shalom Yerushalayim - Prayer for the peace of Jerusalem

Sha’arei Tziyon - Gates of Zion

Shabbat Goi [Shabbas Goy] - A non-Jew doing work for Jews on the Sabbath

Shabbaton. A program of education (and usually celebration, too) that is held on a Shabbat (usually during the day on Saturday).

Shabbat shalom u mevorach’ - A peaceful and blessed Sabbath

Shabbat shalom ve shavua tov! - A peaceful Shabbat and a good week!

Shaliach’ - emissary

Shaliach’ tsibbur – leader of a prayer group

Shalom – (shah-LOME); Literally “peace.” Shalom can be used as either “hello” or “good-bye” as well as its usual sense of peace. It is a complex word, coming from the Hebrew root word for “complete.” Thus it represents an ideal state of completeness with no further action necessary and therefore peace.

Shalom aleich’em – (shah-LOME ah-LAY-khem); Literally “peace unto you.”

Shalom bayit – (shah-LOME BYE-eet); Literally “peace in the home.” Contentment and harmony among the family members.

Shalom uv’rach’a - Peace and blessing

Shalom uv’rach’a le Yisrael - Peace and blessing to Israel

Shalosh - Three

Shamash – Caretaker, usher, general assistant to the Rebbe.

Shanah (Shanim) - Year; years

Shanah tovah! - Happy new year! Have a good year!

Shavua tov (Yiddish - Gut vach’) - Good week

Shavuoth - 'Festival of Weeks', commemorating the Giving of the Law and the ingathering of the first fruits.

Shayla – (SHAY-lah); A religious question. A question that deals with the practical application of the Word to our lives.

Shech’inah – (sheh-khee-NAH); Literally, “dwelling.” A manifestation of God’s presence which is often described as a light. In Adonaism the Shech’inah is generally associated with a particularly strong manifestation of the Ruach’ ha Kodesh.

She’eilot u Teshuvot – (Shay-ay-lote oo TEH-shoo-vote); Literally means “questions and answers”. “She'eilot" are questions, "teshuvot" are answers. The "u-" prefix means "and". The result of "She'eilot” (the singular being “shayla”) are “teshuvot" (answers). Teshuvot may take the form of either responsa (answers to ethical questions) or meforshim (answers to biblical questions, whether exegetical or topical in nature). In day to day conversation its pronunciation can be reduced to "shu’t" (pronounced like the word "shoot"), using only the acronym.

Shehecheyanu – Lit. “Who has given us life”; This is prayer of thanksgiving that Jews have recited at celebrations for some 2,000 years. It goes in Hebrew “Baruch’ atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech’ ha o’lam sheh’heh’cheh’ya’nu veh’ki’yeh’ma’nu veh’he’g’a’nu laz’man ha’zeh.” In English it means “Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the world, Who has kept us in life, sustained us, and brought us to this moment.”

Sheket! – (SHEH-ket); An interjection that literally means “be quiet”. Often used with the Hebrew word for “please” bevakashah as in “Sheket bevakashah!” “Quiet please!”

Sheliach’ tzibbur – Lit. “emissary of the congregation”; worshiper leading a prayer service.

Shema - 'Hear oh Israel', The first three words of the Adonaist’s most basic profession of faith.

Shemitah – (SHMEE-tah); Literally “release.” The seventh, or sabbatical year. According to Leviticus, all the land was to lie fallow every seventh year; plowing, planting, watering and harvesting were forbidden. In addition, all debts were forgiven. Every 50^th year was a Jubilee year; at this time all slaves were to be freed and all land was to be restored to its ancestral families.

Shemos – the second book of the Torah called in English “Exodus”.

Sheol – (sheh-OHL); A word describing the place of the dead in the olam haba. It was at one time divided into two compartments. The place of the unrighteous dead was called Geihinnom and the place of the righteous dead was called Gan Eden, Paradise or Abraham’s bosom. These two compartments were divided by a great and impassable gulf.

Shesh - Six

Shetar hithkashruth - a pledge of loyalty.

Shidduch’ - Negotiations preliminary to marriage; a marriage agreement; a match; an engagement. An arranged meeting between prospective marriage partners.

Shikul ha da’at – (shee-KOOL hah-dah-AHT); Matters not settled and left to the understanding of the individual. Compare to devar mishnah.

Shiur – a lecture.

Shiva - Hebrew word for "seven". Also used to refer to the seven day period of mourning which is observed after the death of a parent, sibling or child.

Shkoyach’ - Way to go!

Shlimazel - Luckless Person; Incompetent Person; One who has perpetual bad luck

Shlita – abbreviation placed after a person’s name, expressing the wish “that he be preserved in life for many good days”

Shlomi’ tov - I’m fine

Shloshim – a thirty day mourning period.

Shmi - My name is

Shmirat ha lashon – (shmee-raht hah la-SHONE); right speech. Good, healthy, gracious and beneficial speech. Its opposite is lashon hara (lit. “evil tongue”) which is generally translated as “evil speech”.

Shmoneh - Eight

Shoah – (SHOW-ah); Literally “destruction”. The Holocaust.

Shofar - Ram's horn, blown during celebratory festivals like Rosh-Hashanah.

Shtar seruv: a document noting that a person refuses to participate in the proceedings of the Beit Din, and permitting, according to Adonaic law, the claimant to seek relief in secular court.

Shta’yim – Two

Shul – synagogue; house of worship

Shulch’en - Small prayer-house.

Shuk - a market

Shul - synagogue

Shu’t – (shoot); It is the short version of she’eilot u teshuvot which means “questions and answers.”

Shuv – (shoov); (Strong’s #7725) To return, to turn back, Ezekiel 14:6. See also Tshuva.

T

Ta’am – (TAH-ahm); Cultural, emotional or spiritual flavor. A sense of the atmosphere or proclivities of a particular culture; as in “Each congregation has it’s own peculiar ta’am.”

Takanah (pl. Takanoth) – A measure taken, an enactment.

Talith (pl. Talithoth) – a prayer shawl. See Numbers 15:37-41. All talithoth have fringes called “tzit tzit” at the corners.

Talmid – followers or disciples of a particular rebbe.

Talmud – (TAHL-muhd); The collection of Judaic commentaries on the Torah.

Tammuz - Jewish month, corresponding to June-July.

Tanach’ – (tah-NAHKH); The Old Covenant. An acronym for the Torah (the five books of Moses), Nevi’im (the prophets), and Kethuvim (the writings).

Tannaim – (tah-nah-EEM); Teachers. See also Melammed, Rabbi

Ta’amin li! - Believe me; [Just] Believe me!

Ta’anith Esther – the fast on the day before Purim.

Tateleh - Little Darling

Tefach’ – (plural tefach’im) a unit of length corresponding to the width of a fist.

Tefilah – (teh-fee-LAH); Prayer. The plural is “tefilot” (teh-fee-LOTE).

Tehe nishmatah tzerurah bitzror ha ch’ayim - May her soul be bound in the bond of eternal Life.

Tehillim – Lit. “praises”: the book of Psalms.

Tei-yerinkeh - Sweetheart; Dearest

Tesha - Nine

Teshuvah – (teh-shoo-VAH); (Strong’s #8666) to return (1 Samuel 7:17; 2 Samuel 11:1; 1 Kings 20:22, 26); to answer or reply (Job 21:34; 34:36) A Hebrew word literally translated as “repentance” but that carries within it the connotation “return”. Teshuvah would best be understood as leaving sin and returning to the Source of Goodness.

Teveth - Jewish month, corresponding to December-January.

Tevilah – (teh-vee-LAH); Literally “immersion.” The ritual of submerging a person in water as a public symbol of their dedication to following Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. This can take place in any body of water or in a specially constructed ritual bath known as a mikveh.

Tevunah – (teh-voo-NAH); A Hebrew word that is often translated “discernment” but is more closely related to “understanding.” It is either inextricably linked to “binah” (discernment) or nearly interchangeable with it. Both binah and tevunah appear in Proverbs 2:3 demonstrating that there is a subtle difference that must be maintained. But understanding emphasizes the ability to see how things relate, to see the big picture and still keep in mind the individual parts. A person who possesses tevunah is able to see both the forest and the trees while further understanding the ecology that relates them. Being able to see the big picture while distinguishing the isolated facts is why tevunah is so closely linked to binah which is more commonly translated as “discernment.” Further, tevunah involves knowing how new information relates to old.

Tiferet – (Strong’s #8597) Literally “beauty” but indicating the balance between the natural inclinations of ch’esed and gevurah. Tiferet is found in the tension between kindness and strength, acceptance and confrontation, exuberance and self-restraint. It is the epitome of the Ecclesiastical Teacher’s admonition to do the right thing at the right time for the right reason always (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)

Tikkun ch’atzos – Lit. “midnight service”; an optional devotional exercise lamenting the destruction of the Beit ha Mikdash.

Tikkun ha nephesh – (tee-KOON hah-neh-FESH); A Hebrew phrase that means “a healing of the soul.”

Tikkun olam – (tee-KOON o-LAHM); A Hebrew phrase which can be translated "repairing or healing the world." It is an important term often used to explain the Jewish concept of social justice. I do not practice tikkun olam because I consider it religious law or because I feel that by this means I will attain salvation. No – I practice tikkun olam because it helps avoid negative social consequences. I do it because I believe that God’s family should take part in restoring and redeeming a broken and fallen world. I believe this is part of the restitution process in my reconciliation with God after repenting of my sin and accepting His sovereignty in my life.

Timsor lo dash - Transfer regards to him

Tinokos shenishbu – “an infant taken into captivity among the heathen”; someone (particularly children) who are victims of something (war, famine, poverty, lack of education, physical abuse etc).

Tishlach’ lo dash mimeni - Send him my regards

Tishri - Seventh month of the Jewish calendar, corresponding to September-October. Sometimes also spelled “Tishrei”.

Tismoch’ alai - You can rely on me

Tissa – (Tee-SAH); The first word in the third of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:7) which means “to carry”. We are thus commanded to not “carry” God’s name uselessly. We are not to identify ourselves as His people and then live in a licentious, self-gratifying manner. To do so would make us guilty of Ch’illul Hashem.

Titkasher’ elai! - Call me!

Toch’nit Av - Plan of the Father; master plan

Todah – (toe-DAH); Appreciation; thankfulness (Strong’s #3034); thanks; thank you

Todah la E-l! - Thank God!

Todah lailah tov - Thanks, goodnight

Todah rabbah - Thank you very much

Todah ve shalom - Thank you and goodbye

To’elet – (toe-eh-LEHT); a positive, constructive and beneficial purpose.

Torah – (toe-RAH); (Strong’s #8451); The books of Law, the first five books of the Old Testament. The Pentateuch.

Tov me’od, todah - Very well, thanks

Tov todah - Ok, thank you

Tropaik – (troe-PIKE); A very small, bordering on insignificant, sum of money involving a few pennies. A tropaik could be compared to “the widow’s mite.” It is also sometimes spelled “tropika.” It was found in the Middle East from the 1^st century BC to the 8^th century AD.

Tsava’ah - A person’s will or testament.

Tshuva – the Hebrew word for repentence. See also shuv.

Tuch’al la’azor li? - Can you help me?

Tut mir hano’eh - It gives me pleasure (can also be meant sarcastically)

Tzaddik – (tsah-DEEK); (Strong’s #6662); A Hebrew word that occurs hundreds of times in the Old Testament and can be literally translated “righteous person.” A Tzaddik is a holy person; someone who dedicates themselves to serve God and to reconcile others to Him. The opposite of a Tzaddik is a Rasha. The feminine version is “tzedekas”. It is generally considered to be a step up from a rabbi or a zaquen because one can hold either one of those offices and not be particularly holy or have a strong d’vekut. A Tzaddik is generally considered to be not only wise and learned but also holier or more God-centered than his fellows. Tzaddik is also one of God’s names, as in “the Righteous One.” Becoming a tzaddik, being holy as God is holy, is my goal in life.

References to Tzaddik: Genesis 6:9; 7:1; 18:23-26, 28; 20:4; Exodus 9:27; 23:7-8; Deuteronomy 4:8; 16:19; 25:1; 32:4; 1 Samuel 24:17; 2 Samuel 4:11; 23:3; 1 Kings 2:32; 8:32; 2 Kings 10:9; 2 Chronicles 6:23; 12:6; Ezra 9:15; Nehemiah 9:8, 33; Job 12:4; 17:9; 22:19; 27:17; 32:1; 34:17; 36:7; Psalm 1:5-6; 5:12; 7:9, 11; 11:3, 5, 7; 14:5; 31:18; 32:11; 33:1; 34:15, 19, 21; 37:12, 16-17, 21, 25, 29-30, 32, 39; 52:6; 55:22; 58:10-11; 64:10; 68:3; 69:28; 72:7; 75:10; 92:12; 94:21; 97:11-12; 112:4, 6; 116:5; 118:15, 20; 119:137; 125:3; 129:4; 140:13; 141:5; 142:7; 145:17; 146:8; Proverbs 2:20; 3:33; 4:18; 9:9; 10:3, 6-7, 11, 16, 20-21, 24-25, 28, 30-32; 11:8-10, 21, 23, 28, 30-31; 12:3, 5, 7, 10, 12-13, 21, 26; 13:5, 9, 21-22, 25; 14:19, 32; 15:6, 28-29; 17:15, 26; 18:5, 10, 17; 20:7; 21:12, 15, 18, 26; 23:24; 24:15-16; 24:24; 25:26; 28:1, 12, 28; 29:2, 6-7, 16, 27; Ecclesiastes 3:17; 7:15-16, 20; 8:14; 9:1-2; Isaiah 3:10; 5:23; 24:16; 26:2, 7; 29:21; 41:26; 45:21; 49:24; 53:11; 57:1; 60:21; Jeremiah 12:1; 20:12; 23:5; Lamentations 1:18; 4:13; Ezekiel 3:20-21; 13:22; 18:5, 9, 20, 24, 26; 21:3-4; 23:45; 33:12-13, 18; Daniel 9:14; Hosea 14:9; Amos 2:6; 5:12; Habakkuk 1:4, 13; 2:4; Zephaniah 3:5; Zechariah 9:9; Malachi 3:18

Tzaharaim tovim - Good afternoon (response upon departing)

Tzarfatit - French

Tzar Li - I’m Sorry

Tzedakah – (tseh-DOCK-ah); (Strong’s #6666) Straight paths; straight living; rectitude; doing what is right. In practice this term is usually used to refer to acts of charity or kindness (whether physical, emotional, political or monetary) to the needy. However, if we stopped there, we would have the wrong idea of what tzedakah entails because “charity” suggests the magnanimous acts of the wealthy and powerful for the benefit of the poor and lowly. But that is not the proper understanding of tzedakah, because it derives from the Hebrew root tzade-dalet-qof meaning righteousness, justice or fairness. Generally people confuse the two terms, using tzedakah and tzedekah synonymously. However, Gesenius clearly saw a difference between the two and I have tried to reflect his and Strong’s view in my application.

Tzedekah – (tseh-DEHK-ah); (Strong’s #6664) Right thought and action at the right time and place for the right reason. It is concerned with living righteously and implies that in each moment and in each choice, right living and choosing are taking place. There are two kinds of righteousness: imputed righteousness (when another’s righteousness is applied to one’s account or credit) and practical righteousness (when one tries to reflect one’s imputed righteousness in one’s day to day life). Generally people confuse the two terms, using tzedakah and tzedekah synonymously. However, Gesenius clearly saw a difference between the two and I have tried to reflect his and Strong’s view in my application.

Tzeniut – (tseh-nee-YOOT); Modesty or decorum.

Tzetech’ le shalom ve shuvech’ le shalom (masc.) - Go in peace and return in peace

Tzetch’a le shalom ve shuvch’a le shalom (fem.) - Go in peace and return in peace

Tzimch’oni – Vegetarian

Tzit tzit – fringes on the corners of the tallith.

Tzom kal - May you have an easy fast

U

Ulai’ – Perhaps

Ulpan – a course of study designed to teach Ivrit (Hebrew)

V

Vadai, be vadai! - Of course!

Varmkeit – (Yiddish) a kind of acceptance that enables people to feel that they are of value. The capacity to lift the spirits of another person through a simple word, gesture or small joke. The ability to make a person feel better about themselves, to make him or her feel that they are living in a meaningful world and are themselves having an impact.

Ve yitten lech’a - [May God] grant you

V'yikra - Hebrew for the book of Leviticus

Vidui – (vee-DOO-ee); Confession of sins.

Y

Ya’aleh ve yavo - May it ascend and arrive

Yach’as enoshi - Benevolence; thoughtfulness

Yamim noraim - Penitential Days; Days of Awe.

Yare – (YAH-reh); (Strong’s #3372, 3373) To fear, dread, or be terrified within the context of worship. To revere. To hold in holy awe.

Yahrtzeit – (Yiddish) a yearly memorial.

Yasher koach’! - May your strength be firm; May you have strength! An expression of commendation made by one congregant to another after performance of a part in the worship service.

Yatziv patgam - True is the Word

Yech’idus – a private interview at which a Believer seeks guidance and enlightenment from his or her rebbe.

Yehareg v’al ya’avor – (yeh-hah-REG v-al yah-ah-vore); Lit. “one should be killed and not transgress.” The Ransomed are, like their Lord and the many wonderful examples of the saints before us, will to give up their life rather than transgress the Lord’s commands. (Esther 4:16; Matthew 10:39; 16:25; Mark 8:35-36; Luke 9:24; 17:23; John 12:25)

Yehi ratzon - May it be your will

Yehiyeh asher yehiyeh - What will be will be; Come what may (cp Mah she ba tuach’, ba tuach’)

Yeled (masc.); Yaldah (fem.) - Child

Yerushalayim shelanu - Our Jerusalem

Yesh – an entity which enjoys seemingly self-sufficient existence, as if independent of its Creator; an egocentric, narcissistic person. The state or condition of being a yesh is called “yeshus”.

YESHA (acronym) –

Yehudah (territories of Judea)
Shomrom (territories of Samaria)
Azza (territories of Gaza)

Yeshivah (pl. Yeshivoth) – Seminary. A higher school dedicated to the study of Scripture and designed for advanced students. See also Beit midrash, Beit sefer.

Yesh me’ayin – Lit. “something from nothing”; creation ex nihilo.

Yetzer: lit. Inclination. Adonaic theology holds that every person has both an evil and good inclination within him, that are at 'war' to see which of them the person will follow. The evil inclination (called by many the “sin nature”) is the yetzer hara. The good inclination, which Adonaists believe to be the conscience stimulated by the Ruach’ ha Kodesh, is referred to as the yetzer hatov.

Yetzer hara – (YET-zehr hah-RAH); (Strong’s #3336 +#7451) The yetzer hara is the human heart’s inner impulse or tendency to sin. We find the first occurrence of the word yetzer in Genesis 6:5, where humanity is described as having every imagination of their thoughts being only evil. The opposite of yetzer hara is yetzer hatov or the “good inclination.” Yetzer hara is not necessarily demonically inspired. Our own sensuality and pride is more than enough to take down the strongest among us. And Yetzer hara is not necessarily based on an evil thing. If taken too far or emphasized too much, even a good thing can become evil and transform into yetzer hara.

Yetzer hara war – The war against our negative impulses. The struggle with our sin nature. The attempt to make our practical holiness match our imputed holiness. The goal of this war is to obey God’s command “be holy as I am holy.” The method is conformity to the Master’s way of thinking and behaving.

Yetzer hatov – (YET-sehr hah-TOV); (Strong’s #3336 +#2896) One’s inclination toward good; a natural affection or kindness, any leaning toward positive behavior we may possess. The yetzer hatov is not something that we come by on our own. It is a grace of God.

Yich’us – a distinguished lineage

Yiddish - A composite language that developed in Eastern Europe as a result of Jews being moved around by unfriendly governments. It is mainly composed of German, but many dialects contain large amounts of Hungarian, Russian, Polish and other Eastern European languages. It is commonly used today amongst Orthodox Jews whose origins lie within the old Eastern European communities. It has had such an impact on the Jewish culture that many of the words are carried over into our daily lives. And frankly – a lot of Yiddish is just plain cool!

Yiddishkeit – (Yiddish) Lit. “Jewishness”; living the Torah way.

Yihyeh beseder - It will be in order; Everything will be ok; It will all work out

Yirah - Religious awe.

Yishtabach’ – a prayer of praise uttered during morning prayers.

Yitach’en - It is possible

Yizkor – a special prayer said for loved ones who have passed away.

Yom; yamim - Day; days

Yom ha Shabbat - The day of Shabbat

Yom huledet - Birthday

Yom huledet same’ach’! - Happy Birthday!

Yom iyyun – a designated day of learning.

Yom Kippur - Day of Atonement, a day of fasting and repentance.

Yom tov - A good day; a festival – usually applied to the Festivals or holy days.

Yoshev al hagader - Straddling the fence

Yoshev al sir ha basar - [He is] living the good life

Yoter - More

Z

Zaide – Grandfather

Zakain (masc.); Zekainah (fem.) - Old

Zaquen (pl. Zaquenim): Elders. See also Dayan, Moreh Tzedek

Zebla: Sometimes two parties may choose to resolve their dispute through the procedure by which each side chooses an arbitrator, and the two chosen arbitrators agree on a third party to round out the Beit Din. This third person is referred to as the zebla.

Zech’ut – honor, merit

Zech’ut Avot - Merit of the Fathers

Zeh ch’ashuv - It’s important

Zeh hakol - That’s it

Zeh klum! - It’s nothing!

Zeh lo meshane - It doesn’t matter

Zeh mah sheyesh - This is what there is; There is no more. A line stated at the end of an extensive quote. Or a statement that the previous sentences summarize a teacher’s words or instructions on a matter.

Zeh mean’yen - It’s interesting

Zeh mesukan - It’s dangerous

Zei mir gezunt! - Be well!

Zemiroth - Liturgical songs. Also songs sung during the Sabbath meal. See also Niggun.

Ziknei ha am - Elders of the people

Zot omeret - In other words

ZT'L - Hebrew initials of the words “Zechor Tzaddik LeVaracha” which means “The memory of a Tzaddik - Righteous person is a blessing.” Cp. Hebrews 13:7 HCSB Remember your leaders who have spoken God's word to you. As you carefully observe the outcome of their lives, imitate their faith.