Since I use a number of Hebrew or Yiddish terms, and many of you are non-Hebrew speakers, I have decided that a glossary page may be of use to you. I try as much as possible to write the meaning of any Hebrew words in brackets or with a balloon tool-tip* so that you can see the English translation, but this glossary may be just as easy.
*When you see a word with slight shading and a dotted underline, hover your mouse over it and a pop-up balloon will appear with an explanation of the word. Just like this. Hover your mouse over these words and watch the magic. 🙂
This is not going to be in any order for the moment. I’ll try and order it in alphabetical order one of these days… I will also update it as necessary.
Update: The list is now alphabetized and has been updated. I’m sure there will be more updates in future. If there’s a word missing that you’d like to know its meaning, let me know in the comments or email me.
| Azkara | Memorial service |
| Baruch Dayan Emet | “Blessed is the true Judge”, said when receiving news of a person’s death |
| Bracha | Blessing |
| Brit or Bris | Circumcision |
| Chag | Jewish Festival (pronounced with a guttural (German) “ch”) |
| Chag Sameach | Happy Holiday |
| Chag Kasher Ve’sameach | Happy and kosher Holiday, used when wishing Happy Passover |
| Challah (pl. Challot) | Braided or plaited bread for Shabbat and festivals |
| Chatan | bridegroom |
| Daven | to pray |
| Davka | contrarily (sometimes it means “precisely”, depending on context) |
| Erev | the eve of (a festival or Shabbat) |
| Hashem | G-d |
| Kallah | bride |
| Kever | grave or tomb |
| Kipa (pl. Kippot) | skullcap(s), yarmulka(s) |
| Kol Hakavod | Kudos, all honour or credit to |
| Masechet or Masechta | Talmudic tractate |
| Megillah | Lit: Book of Esther. Coll: a long yarn or story |
| Minyan | quorum of 10 men in order to pray |
| Mishloach Manot | Purim gift baskets of food |
| Mitzva (pl. Mitzvot) | commandment, precept of Judaism, good deed |
| Motzei Shabbat (abbrev:Motzash) | End of Shabbat |
| Musag | concept, idea |
| Pesach | Passover |
| Ra’ashan | Rattle, Purim noisemaker, Gregger/grogger |
| Sameach | Happy |
| Seudah | Festive meal |
| Shabbat | the Jewish Sabbath |
| Shavuot | Feast of Weeks; Pentecost |
| Shechem | Nablus |
| Shomron | Samaria |
| Shtachim | Lit.: “territories”, i.e. Judea & Samaria or West Bank |
| Shul | synagogue |
| Simchat Torah | Festival of Rejoicing of the Torah |
| Siyum | Ceremony marking finishing the study of a Talmudic tractate |
| Sukkot | Feast of Tabernacles |
| Yahrzeit | Anniversary of the date of death |
| Yehuda | Judea (or boy’s name Judah) |
| Yehuda veShomron | Judea & Samaria (West Bank) |
| Yerushalayim | Jerusalem |
| Yesha | abbreviation for Judea, Samaria & Gaza (even though Gaza has been evacuated) |
| Yomtov | Festival, synonymous with Chag |
| Yosef | Joseph |
| Yosh | abbreviation for Judea & Samaria |
| Zeh ma yesh | That’s how it is (slang) |
Anne's Opinions 
I’m writing this comment so that readers will see this new page in the sidebar. Please read my new glossary page here and leave any suggestions in the comments below.
addendum yesh”a
Good catch Meir, although I do have Yehuda VeShomron. I’ll update the list.
thx
Addendum:
Meorav Yerushalmi Cardiac in a pita
Sh’nayeem Jehu’dim Three opinions voiced simultaneously
Earl, LOL! Good ones. Almost – but not quite – precise enough for my glossary. I’ll leave your definitions here for the edification of other readers. 😀
shul = temple of prayer
quorum- 10 men needed for men to pray
shtachim/yosh – Judea & Shomron
acharei hachagim motek- after the festivals (september usually) sweetie
tembel-idiot/moron
LOL! Thanks. Those are excellent too. I’m going to add a few to my glossary.
Thank you for the glossary. Certainly helps this Christian!
Bereshith–“beginnings” or “in the beginning”
Yood of Elohim–“hand of God”
“Man plans and God laughs”
–Yiddish proverb