Glossary

General Vocabulary

Al Chet – Series of confessions, alphabetically arranged, said on Yom Kippur.

Avinu Malkeinu – is a list of brief supplications that all begin with the phrase "Our Father, our King” – “Avinu Malkeinu.”

B'rit Chadashah - New Testament or Covenant (Matthew - Revelation)

HaShem – G-d (literally – The Name)

Moadim – High Holy Days (“Mo-ad” singular)

Selichot – Prayers asking for Divine forgiveness.

Shabbat – 7th day of the week – the day that G-d rested from His creative work.

Shofar – Ram’s horn

Shevarim – Shofar sound: Three notes
Tekiah – Shofar sound: One blast
Teruah – Shofar sound: Wavering sound of nine staccato notes
Tekiah Hagadulah – The final long blast from the shofar

Simchat Torah – Rejoicing in/with/over the Torah

Yeshua – Jesus (Greek expression for the Name of Yeshua)

High Holy Days

Rosh HaShanah: Head of the Jewish Civil New Year – also known as:

Yom Teruah – Day of Trumpets
Yom HaZikaron – Day of Remembrance
Yom HaDin – Day of Judgment

Rosh HaShanah commemorates the themes of creation, recognizing God as our King, and the need for redemption.

Yamim Nora-im: Days of Awe (10 days between Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur)*

Shabbat Shuvah: The Sabbath between Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur

Tashlich – Symbolic repentance from sins by casting bread crumbs/rocks into water.*

Kol Nidre: Prayers for absolution of vows (to G-d) recited immediately before Yom Kippur begins.

Yom Kippur: Day of Atonement (Includes Yizkor service & study in the book of Jonah)

Yizkor Service – Memorial/remembrance for loved ones
Neilah – Final service on Yom Kippur.

Yom Kippur is the most holy day on the Jewish calendar. It is a day set apart for reflection and repentance.

Sukkot: Festival of Booths/Tabernacles Sukkah – Booth erected for Sukkot.

Arbah minim – Four plant species used during Sukkot services.
Arava – Willow; twigs - two used in "lulav."
Etrog – Citron
Hadas – Myrtle; twigs - three used in "lulav."
Hoshanah – "Save, I pray," prayer added each morning during Sukkot. Extra verses are added on the last day of Sukkot, Hoshanah Rabbah.
Hoshanah Rabbah – Last day of hol hamo-ed Sukkot; last chance for repentance.
Kohelet – Ecclesiastes; Megillah (book of Esther) read on Sukkot
Lulav – Palm; also name given for arbah minim.
Sekhakh – Roofing material for sukkah.

Shmini Atzeret: involves a water-pouring ceremony on the eighth day of assembly. This is the last day of Sukkot but liturgically,
it is considered a separate holiday.*

Sukkot involves an eight-day period commemorating 40 years in the desert wilderness. Permanent dwellings (houses) were not available during this time so the people resided in sukkah booths – temporary shelters called sukkot. Acknowledging the temporal nature of all life, during Sukkot we also dwell in similar temporary shelters. Truly, at any time we could lose all our possessions and have to live as the children of Israel, in "temporary shelters." Sukkot reminds us that everything we have in life is from HaShem. We are especially thankful for everything G-d provides.

Simchat Torah: Rejoicing in the Torah; holiday marking completion and beginning of Torah reading cycle.*

Hakkafot – Circuits around sanctuary with Torah Scrolls.

Simchat Torah is a festive celebration that occurs at the end of Sukkot. The final reading in Deuteronomy transitions back to the beginning – to Genesis and the Torah cycle begins anew.

* Connected, although not considered High Holy Days

Chanukah Vocabulary

Antiochus Epiphanies – Syrian/Greek king during the 2nd Century BCE.

Chanukah – Dedication.

Chanukah Menorah – Nine branched candelabra also known as a Chanukiah.

Dreidel – A children's game played with a small four-sided top with Hebrew letters marked on the sides, and used at Chanukah.

• Gimel – Take all
• Shin – Spinner matches the pot
• Nun – Nothing happens; the next player spins the Dreidel
• Hay – Take half

The letters on the Dreidel are Nun, Gimmel, Hey, and Shin – the first letters of Nes Gadol Haya Sham – A Great Miracle Happened There
(as from the Diaspora). In the Land of Israel, the last letter is a Pey – “Here.”

Hellenist – Derived from the name “Hellen” and is typically the way Greeks would identify themselves.

Potato Latkes – A potato pancake.

Maccabees – Judah Maccabee, his four brothers, and a small band of G-d fearing rebels led guerrilla warfare against the Syrian/Greek army.

Miracle – an event that cannot be explained by the known laws of nature and is therefore attributed to G-d.

Oil – Consecrated olive oil with the seal of the High Priest for use in the Temple Menorah.

Sufganiyot – Deep fried jelly donuts. Traditional Chanukah Songs:

• Maoz Tzur – Rock of Ages
• Oh Chanukah, Oh Chanukah!
• Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel