Adon Olam
(Lord of the Universe). A medieval poem recited daily but always sung at the conclusion of Shabbat services and having hundreds, if not thousands, of melodies. (H)
Aliyah
(Going up). Being called up to say a blessing over the Torah. (H)
B’chol dor vador
(In every generation). An important teaching from the Haggadah (see song notes). (H)
Bar Mitzvah
A Jewish boy’s coming of age at 13. (Bat Mitzvah for girls.) (H)
Barechu
(Blessed). First word of the ‘aliyah’ blessing. (H)
Ben Bag-Bag
Lessor known rabbi of the Talmud. (Hillel had a better press agent.) (H)
Beta Yisraeil
(House of Israel). The Ethiopian Jewish community. (H)
B’racha
(A blessing). (H)
Bubbies
Grandmothers (Y)
Cantillation
Strict system of melodies used to chant the sacred scriptures. (E)
Chad Gadya
(An only kid). Children’s song from the Haggadah. (Aramaic)
Chazzn
Cantor (Y)
Chazzones
Cantorial chant (Y)
Daven
To pray from the prayerbook in a soft but audible undertone, or, to lead a service in such a manner. (Y)
Eliahu Hanavi
Elijah the Prophet (H)
Empty Chair
Chair left empty for Elijah at the Seder and at a circumcision ceremony. Also refers to Rebbe Nachman’s throne.
Foomf
see ‘pfumpf’
Geshrai
Shout (Y)
Haggadah
(The telling). The book used at the Pesach Seder. (H)
Hakadosh Baruch Hu
(The Holy One praised be He).
Hava Nagila
(Come, let’s be happy). Sung at Jewish simchas. (H)
High Holy Days
Rosh Hashannah (New Year) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement)
Honi
(Pronounced ‘Choni’). ‘Honi the Circle Maker’, a rabbi and magician from Talmudic times who was able to bring rain.
Kiddush
(Sanctification). Refers to the blessing said over wine, or the light meal (Have Jews ever eaten a light meal?) for the congregation after a Saturday morning Shabbat service. (H)
Kol Nidrei
(All vows). Solemn and dramatic cantorial rendition of an important Yom Kippur prayer. (H)
Koussavitzky, Moshe
Famous cantor of the mid-20th century.
Koved
(Honor). (H/Y)
L’shalom
(For peace; To peace). (H)
Leyn
To chant verses of Torah. (Y)
Macher
A very important person. (Y)
Maimonides
Rabbi Moshe Ben Maimon. Revered 12th century scholar and over-achiever, usually referred to as ‘Rambam’.
Mashgi’ach
Person in charge of making sure the kosher laws are strictly followed in a restaurant. (H)
Megilla
(Scroll). Refers to the Scroll of Esther, read on Purim. (H)
Mincha
The afternoon prayer service. (H)
Minyan
The minimum of ten adults needed before a service can begin, but can refer to any small group of worshippers. (H)
Mohel
The (one always hopes) well trained and experienced officiant at a ‘bris’, or circumcision ceremony. (H)
Nachman (Rebbe Nachman of Bratzlav)
Renowned 18th century Chassidic leader and mystical teacher.
Oif der gantze velt
All over the world. (Y)
Oy vey iz mir
Oh, woe is me. Sounds better in Yiddish, doesn’t it? (Y)
Pfumpfing
Making mistakes (Y)
Pirkei Avot
(Chapters of the Fathers). Section of the Mishna (part of the Talmud) consisting of short bits of Rabbinic sayings. (H)
Purim
Over-the-top joyous holiday in the Spring celebrating the Jews’ victory (thanks to Esther and Mordechai) over the evil Haman in ancient Persia.
Pushke
Charity box. (Y)
Refusenik
Russian Jews who were denied (refused) permission to emigrate to Israel in the 1960s
1980s.
Rosh Hashanah
(Head of the year) New Year’s Holiday (H)
Ru’ach
Spirit (H)
Ruth (Book of)
One of the Biblical Five Scrolls, but not the one read on Purim.
Seder
(Order). The Passover meal at which the Haggadah is read and special foods are eaten. (H)
Sedra
A portion of the Torah designated for public reading each week. (H)
Shabbat
Sabbath (H)
Shabbes
Shabbat (Y)
Shepping Nachas
Pride in the accomplishments of one’s children. (Y)
Shochet
Kosher butcher (H)
Shofar
Ram’s horn blown prior to and during the High Holy Days. (H)
Sholem
Peace. (Yiddish pronunciation of shalom.) (H/Y)
Shtieble
A small synagogue or room used for prayer services. (Y)
Shuckling
Swaying back and forth during davening. (Y)
Shul
Synagogue (Y)
Simchas
Celebrations (H/Y)
Tallis
Prayer-shawl worn by Jewish adults during morning prayers. (H)
Talmud
Multi-volume compendium of law and lore, passed down orally until it was compiled beginning in the 3rd century. (H)
Tefillin
Leather straps with boxes containing handwritten verses of Torah, worn on arm and head by observant Jews during morning prayers. (H)
Temple
Synagogue
Torah
Large and heavy scroll of parchment containing the Five Books of Moses in Hebrew. (It is an honor to be called to lift and roll up the scroll after the Torah is publicly read.) (H)
Trope
The funny looking symbols and melodic intervals making up the system of cantillation.
Tzitzit
Fringes of string which hang from the four corners of the tallis, tied a special way according to Jewish law.
Yiden
Jewish people (Y)
Yontiff
Holiday (Y)
Zol zyne
Let there be (Y)
Zuzim
Babylonian coins (Aramaic)
