Glossary
26 core terms — prayer, halacha, Shabbat, Torah, calendar, ethics. Each term links to source texts on Sefaria and Wikipedia.
- Aliyahעלייה
Being called up to recite the blessings over the public Torah reading. Also refers to immigrating to the Land of Israel …
- Berakhaברכה
A blessing recited before benefiting from food, performing a mitzvah, or witnessing certain phenomena. The standard form…
- Chametzחמץ
Leavened food made from one of the five grains (wheat, barley, oats, rye, spelt). Forbidden to own or eat during Pesach.…
- Davenלהתפלל
To pray, especially the daily prayers (Shacharit, Mincha, Maariv). Yiddish-origin term used widely in Ashkenazi communit…
- Etrogאתרוג
A citron fruit, one of the four species (arba minim) waved on Sukkot. Must be unblemished, with intact pitom, to be kosh…
- Halachaהלכה
Jewish law. The corpus of binding rulings derived from Tanakh, Talmud, and the codes (Mishneh Torah, Shulchan Aruch). 'H…
- Hizukחיזוק
Strengthening or encouragement, especially in faith and spiritual practice. A short Torah quote or thought intended to i…
- Kavanahכוונה
Inner intention or concentration, especially during prayer or mitzvah performance. Without kavanah, even technically cor…
- Kosherכשר
Fit for use according to halacha. Most commonly applied to food (kashrut), but also to ritual objects: tefillin, mezuzah…
- Mikvehמקווה
A pool of natural water used for ritual immersion (tevila). Required after niddah, before conversion, and as a custom fo…
- Mitzvahמצווה
A commandment from G-d. Tradition counts 613 mitzvot in the Torah (taryag mitzvot): 248 positive, 365 prohibitive.…
- Mussarמוסר
Jewish ethical literature and the 19th-century movement (founded by R. Yisrael Salanter) focused on character refinement…
- Nusachנוסח
Liturgical rite/version of prayer. Main nuschaot: Ashkenaz, Sephard (Chassidic), Edot Hamizrach (Sephardi), Yemenite (Ba…
- Parshaפרשה
The weekly Torah portion. The Five Books are divided into 54 parshiyot read in synagogue across the year, finishing on S…
- Pasukפסוק
A verse of Tanakh. The minimum unit of biblical text, demarcated by the cantillation marks sof pasuk.…
- Shabbatשבת
The seventh day, from sunset Friday to nightfall Saturday. 39 categories of melacha (creative labor) are forbidden; meal…
- Shemaשמע
The central declaration of Jewish faith: 'Hear O Israel, Hashem is our G-d, Hashem is One' (Devarim 6:4). Recited mornin…
- Sukkahסוכה
A temporary hut roofed with schach (cut vegetation), in which Jews dwell during the seven days of Sukkot. Recalls the Cl…
- Talmudתלמוד
The corpus of rabbinic discussion of the Mishna. Two recensions: Talmud Bavli (Babylonian, c. 500 CE) and Yerushalmi (La…
- Tefillinתפילין
Two leather boxes containing four Torah passages, worn on the arm and head during weekday morning prayer by men aged 13+…
- Tehilimתהילים
The Book of Psalms — 150 chapters traditionally attributed to King David. Recited daily by many, and especially in times…
- Torahתורה
Narrowly, the Five Books of Moses (Chumash). Broadly, the entire body of Jewish teaching — Written Torah (Tanakh) and Or…
- Tzedakahצדקה
Charitable giving — literally 'righteousness'. Halacha requires 10% of net income (ma'aser kesafim); 20% is generous, mo…
- Tzitzitציצית
Knotted ritual fringes attached to the four corners of a four-cornered garment (tallit, tallit katan). Mitzvah of Bamidb…
- Yetzer Haraיצר הרע
The 'evil inclination' — the inner drive toward selfishness, transgression, and physical excess. Counter-balanced by the…
- Zmanimזמנים
Halachic times throughout the day: alot hashachar, sunrise, sof zman shma, chatzot, mincha gedola, sunset, tzeit hakocha…