Agadah
Telling. Rabbinical teachings on moral values.
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Hanukah
Dedication. An eight day festival of lights to celebrate the re-dedication
of the temple following the Maccabean victory over the Greeks.
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Mezuzah
A scroll placed on door posts of Jewish homes containing a section from
the Torah and often enclosed in a decorative case.
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Aron
Hakodesh
Holy Ark. The focal point of the synagogue, containing Torah scrolls.
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Havdalah
Distinction. Ceremony marking the conclusion of Shabbat.
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Mezuzot
Plural of mezuzah.
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Bar
Mitzvah
Son of Commandment. A boy’s coming of age at 13 years old, usually marked
by a synagogue ceremony and family celebration.
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Hebrew
Ancient Semitic language; language of the Tenakh (Hebrew Scriptures) and
used by Jews for prayer and study. Also, everyday language in Israel.
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Mishnah
First writing down of the oral tradition. An authoritative document forming
part of the Talmud, codified about 200 CE.
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Bat
Mitzvah
Daughter of Commandment. As above, but for girls from 12 years old. May
be marked differently between communities.
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Huppah
Canopy used for a wedding ceremony, under which the bridge and groom stand.
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Mitzvah
Commandment. The Torah contains 613 Mitzvot. Commonly used to describe good
deeds.
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Bimah
Dais. Raised platform primarily for reading the Torah in the synagogue.
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Kashrut
Laws relating to keeping a kosher home and lifestyle.
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Mitzvot
Plural of Mitzvah.
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Brit
Milah
Circumcision.
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Ketubah
Document that defines rights and obligations within Jewish marriage.
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Noachide
Laws
Seven laws given to Noah after the flood, which are incumbent on all humankind.
These laws form the foundation for a just society.
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Challah
Enriched bread used particularly on Shabbat and during festivals.
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Ketuvim
Writings. Third section of the Tenakh.
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Pesach
Festival commemorating the Exodus from Egypt. One of the three biblical
pilgrim festivals. Pesach is celebrated in the spring.
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Circumcision
Religious rite of Brit Milah, performed by a qualified mohel on all Jewish
boys, usually on the eighth day after birth.
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Kiddush
Holy. A prayer sanctifying Shabbat and festival days, usually recited over
wine.
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Purim
Festival commemorating the rescue of Persian Jewry as told in the book of
Esther.
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Covenant
Compact (between God and the Israelites).
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Kippah
Skull cap.
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Rabbi
My teacher. An ordained Jewish teacher. Often the religious leader of a
Jewish community.
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Gregger
Rattle sounded at the mention of Hannah’s during Purim services.
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Kosher
Fit; proper. Foods permitted by Jewish dietary laws.
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Rosh
Hashanah
Head of the Year. Jewish New Year.
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Hagadah
Telling. A book used at Seder.
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Magen
David
Shield of David, popularly called Star of David.
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Seder
Order. A home-based ceremonial meal during Pesach, at which the Exodus from
Egypt is recounted using the Hagadah.
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Halakhah
The Way. The code of conduct encompassing all aspects of Jewish life.
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Matzah
A flat cracker-like bread which has been baked before it rises; used at
Pesach.
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Sefer
Torah
Torah scroll. The five books of Moses hand written on parchment and rolled
to form a scroll. |
Hanukiah
Nine-branched Hanukkah lamp used at the festival of Hanukkah.
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Menorah
Seven-branched candelabrum that was lit daily in the Temple. |
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