|
The Center for Messianic Learning Unashamedly Pro-Israel Irrevocably Zionist |
ב״ה |
|
“… out of Tziyon will go forth Torah,
the word of ADONAI from Yerushalayim.” (Isaiah 2:3) |
If your life is not in jeopardy for what you believe, you’re probably on the wrong side!
Subscribe to The Center for Messianic Learning
Like this page? Share it.
Others:
Mobile Users:
The page will display properly if you hold your device in “landscape”
position
and use your touch gesture to resize the page to fit your screen.
|
A Glossary of
|
|
 Adobe PDF |
See also Words to be Added |
 MSWord |
Abbreviations Used In This Glossary |
||||
|
abbr. = abbreviated alt. = alternate Ar. = Aramaic esp. = especially |
Gr. = Greek Heb. = Hebrew lit. = literally n. = noun |
pl. = plural pron. = pronounced prop. = properly sg. = singular |
usu. = usually v. = verb Yid. = Yiddish |
|
|
Transliteration/Pronunciation Guide •
Books of the Bible Proper Names • Tribes of Israel • The Mishnah |
||||
|
For more
Hebrew words and phrases, you might |
||||
|
Use this “Jump Bar” to directly to any letter of the AlephBet |
||||
A a
- A.D.
- abbreviation for Latin Ano Dominae, Year of the LORD; see
C.E.
Common Era
- Abaddon !wddba
- Destruction
- ab ba
- (Ar.) father
- abba aba
- (Ar.) An affectionate way to say father, dear father, or daddy
- Abib byba
- (Alt. Aviv) the first month of the Jewish calendar, also called
Nisan, during which
Pesach falls
- ach xa (pl. achim)
- brother
- acharit tyrxa (alt. achariyth)
- end, final end, last, descendants
- Acharit HaYamim
- The end of the days. The end times when the
Olam Hazeh comes to
a close and the Olam Haba is about to begin.
- Acharon !wrxa (pl. Acharonim)
- lit.=last one: post-Rishonim commentator (pl. acharonim)
- Achashverosh
- Persian king in Book of Esther
- achavah hwxa
- brotherhood
- Achavah B’Mashiach
- Brotherhood in Mashiach
- achayot twxa (sg. achot)
- sisters
- achdus
- unity
- achei sheker
- false brothers
- acheinu
- our brother
- achim ~yxa (sg. ach)
- brothers
- achot (pl. achayot)
- sister
- achoteinu
- our sister
- achraius
- accountability
- achyon
- nephew
- ad kahn
- sufficient for the purpose; enough
- ad kdeikach
- so much
- ad mosai
- how much longer
- adam
- man; humanity; human; mankind; humankind
- Adam
- the first man; Adam
- Adam Chadash Echad
- One New Humanity
- Adam HeChadash
- The New Humanity
- adamah
- ground or mud
- adamah tova
- good ground; good earth
- Adar
- Sixth month of Hebrew civil calendar: February-March; 14th is Purim
- adat
- congregation; community
- HaEl Chai
- the Community of the Living God
- Hashem
- Congregation of God
- aderaba
- to the contrary
- admat kodesh
- holy ground
- Admor (pl. admorim)
- Acronym for “adoneinu, moreinu, verabbeinu” —“our master, teacher, and rabbi.”
A term often applied to Chasidic spiritual leaders
- adon (pl. adonim)
- lord; master
- Adon HaKatzir
- the Lord of the Harvest
- Adon Olam
- "Master of the World," a concluding hymn
- Adonai (alt. Adonoi)
- My Lord, Lord of all. Spoken by Jewish people instead of using
God’s personal name YHWH (Yahweh) or YHVH (Yahveh)
- Adonai echad
- “GOD is one" [Devarim (Deuteronomy) 6:4]
- Adonai Eloheinu
- LORD our God
- Adonai Elohei Tzva'ot (alt. Adonai Tzivos)
- LORD God of Hosts
- Adonai Elohim
- The LORD God
- Adonai Tzivos (alt. Adonai Elohei Tzva'ot)
- LORD of Armies
- Adoneynu
- our Lord; Lord
- adonim (sg. adon)
- masters
- Adonoi (alt. Adonai)
- Lord
- afikoman (alt. afikomen, aphikomen)
- Gr. for that which comes after, or “dessert.” The half-piece of the central matzah eaten at the end of the Pesach Seder. Traditionally, the children “steal” it at the beginning of the seder and “ransom” it back to the leader of the seder at the end of the meal. In some places, the leader of the seder hides it, and the children have to find it. It is represented in a broken piece of matzah wrapped in linen and buried (hidden).
- Agadah
- non-legal rabbinic writings
- agalim
- bulls
- Agam HaEish
- Lake of Fire
- agape
- (Gk.) divine love
- aggadah (alt. agada, agadah)
- stories, parables, philosophical material (pl. agadot, aggadot)
- agmat nefesh
- grief
- agudah
- bound together; union
- Agudas Yisroel-Agudath
- Israel of America, the foremost organization of orthodox Jewry in the
United States. A major aspect of its activity is the representation of orthodox Jewish interests before the
government.
- agunah
- a woman whose husband had disappeared, and who could not remarry without witnesses to
his death, hence a “bound” woman
- agunah
- lit. = chained one: wife of an M.I.A.; woman whose husband refuses to grant a divorce
- ahava (alt. ahavah)
- (Heb.) love [n]; agape
- ahavah shel achvah
- brotherly love
- Ahavas HaEmes
- Love of the Truth
- ahavas hakesef
- love of money
- ahavas Hashem
- God’s love
- ahavat ta’anugot
- hedonism
- ainikle
- (Yid.) grandchild
- airusin
- betrothal; engagement
- aizen
- well-founded; incontrovertible
- akama
- quite a number
- akedah
- binding
- Akedah (alt. Akeida)
- Binding an animal for sacrifice; specifically, Avraham’s binding of
Yitzhak for sacrifice to God — not consummated. The binding of the sacrifice
- Akiba
- A rabbi who lived at the time of the second Temple (died c.
C.E. 133). He thought
Bar Kochba was the Messiah.
- akrab (alt. akrav)
- scorpion (pl. akrabim, akrabim)
- Al Chet
- Literally: for the sin; an important
Yom Kippur prayer
listing sins for which we beg forgiveness
- Al Hanisim (alt. Ha-nissim)
- thanksgiving for the miracles added to prayer and grace after the
meal on the festivals of
Chanukkah and
Purim
- al kiddush HaShem
- for the sanctification of God
- al kol panim
- nevertheless
- al menat
- in order that
- Al Mikrah Megillah
- the blessing before the reading of the
Megillah
- Al Netilat Yadayim
- the blessing over the washing of hands before the meal
- al pnei hamayim
- on the surface of the waters
- al taarotz
- do not be afraid
- Alef (aleph)
- the first letter of the Hebrew Alef-Beyt (alphabet)
- Alenu Leshabe’ach
- a prayer of thanksgiving for being separated from the heathens
- Aleinu
- “It is Upon Us,” a concluding hymn
- alav hashalom
- “(May he/she) rest in peace.”
- aliyah
- (Hebrew: עֲלִיָּה aliyah, “ascent”, pl. aliyot) Literally: going up.
To “have an aliyah” refers to the honor of being called up to the bema to
recite or chant the blessings over the Torah. Figuratively speaking, the “home going,” when Jews make a return to the homeland
(Israel). To “make aliyah” or “go on aliyah” means to immigrate to
Israel. It is also used of a pilgrimage from the Diaspora to Israel.
- aliyah leregel
- pilgrimage
- al-killayon
- incorruptibility
- alma
- virgin
- almanah
- widow
- almanot
- widows
- almot
- virgins
- als
- since
- alter
- old
- am
- people
- Am haAretz
- peasantry. Used by the Talmud and thereafter to mean ignorant … people of the land
- Am Yisra'el Chai
- The People of Israel Live!
- amal
- toil
- Amein
- It is true, so be it, may it become true. (also amen, oimen, omen)
(see note)
- Amidah
- Standing prayer, quietly murmured, that is
part of each daily service in the synagogue, alternatively called the Tefillah or the Shemoneh Esre. A prayer,
recited silently, thrice daily, while standing up, the prayer of the eighteen benedictions.
- Amora'im
- lit.=explainers: Gemarah-era commentators (200-500 CE)
- ammud
- pillar
- Ammudei HaKehillah
- Pillars of the
Kehillah
- amol
- formerly
- amolike times
- olden times
- Amora
- Speaker, interpreter; expounder of Talmudic (Mishnaic) law from compilation of Mishnah
to redaction of entire Talmud, in Babylon (where the amoraim were known as Mar or Rav) and in Palestine (where
they were designated Rabbi). Their discussions and teachings, 220-550, form the Gemara, lengthier sections of the
Talmud that follow each Mishnah (pl. Amoraim)
- anafah
- heron
- ana'fim
- the branches
- anan
- cloud
- Anan Edim
- Cloud of Witnesses
- ananim
- clouds
- anashim
- men
- anashim ne’emanim
- faithful men
- anav
- humble
- anavah
- meekness; humility
- anavat ruach
- a spirit of meekness
- Anenu
- a passage added to prayer on public fast days
- Ani Ma’amin
- Lit.: I believe; often sung at the seder and at Yom Hashoah observances in
memory of Holocaust victims who sang this song of faith on their way to their deaths — phrase that begins each of
Maimonides’ Thirteen Principles of Faith
- Ani Ma’amin hoda’ah
- confession
- aniyim
- poor
- anochiyut
- selfishness
- Anshei K’neset Hagdolah
- Sages of the Great Synod during the first part of the Second Sanctuary
Period
- anshuldiks
- pardon
- aphikomen
- (alt. afikoman, afikomen ) Hebrew transliteration
of Greek derivative, epikomios. That which comes last, the hidden
Passover bread eaten at the
seder.
- apikoros
- skeptic; unbeliever
- apikorosim
- unbelievers
- apocalyptic
- ideas and teachings pertaining to the revelation (apocalypse) of the last days and
the end of the world
- Apocrypha
- A Greek adjective in the neuter plural (from apokruphos, “hidden, concealed”)
denotes strictly “things concealed.” Old Testament Apocrypha, specifically the fourteen books written after the
Old Testament canon was closed and which, being the least remote from the canonical books, laid strongest claim to
canonicity … The body of Jewish literature written between the second century B.C. and the second century A.D.,
not included in the canon of the Bible
- apostate one whose actions are not consistent with the standards of behavior set by his religious community; compare heretic
- Apostolic Writings
- The collected inspired writings of Yeshua’s Shliachim (Apostles);
also know as the B’rit Hadashah (“Renewed Covenant,” or so-called “New
Testament”
- arain getun
- engrossed
- Aravah (pl. Aravot)
- willow branch taken as one of the four species on Succot (the Feast of
Tabernacles).
- arayot
- lions
- arba’ah
- four
- arba kanfos
- lit.=four corners: tzitzit
Arba Kanfos- The Four Corners of the Earth
- Arba’ah Minim (the Four Species)
- Palm, myrtle, willow, and citron;
another name for the lulav and
etrog together, used on
Sukkot
- arba’im
- forty
- arbaa asar
- fourteen
- arbaat elafim
- four thousand
- Arbah Chayyot
- Four living beings
- arbah pinot ha’aretz
- the four corners of the earth
- arbaim yom varbaim lailah
- forty days and forty nights
- arbe; arbeh
- locusts
- arelim
- uncircumcised ones
- Aretz
- lit.=land: Israel
- ari
- (alt. arye) lion
- Ariel
- Lion of God; Fireplace on God’s altar
- Aron haKodesh
- Literally: the Holy Ark. The special cabinet in which the Torah scrolls are kept
in the synagogue The Holy Ark is called Heichal in Sephardic synagogues.
- aron met
- coffin
- aron otzaram
- chest of treasury
- arye
- (alt. ari) lion
- asach
- a lot of
- asam
- barn
- asarah
- ten
- Aseret HaDibrot
- The Ten Commandments
Aseret Yimei Teshuva- The Ten Days of Repentance between Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur, a time of introspection and semi-mourning
- Asham
- A guilt offering made by one who has sinned against his fellow man
- ashem
- guilty
- ashir
- oisher; rich man
- ashirim
- rich ones
- ashirut
- riches
- Ashkenazi
- (alt. Ashicenazi) Referring to a
cultural branch of Judaism that developed in northern and eastern Europe and from which most American Jews are
descended. (pl. Ashkenazim, Ashicenazim)
- ashma; ashmah
- guilt; a thing of guilt; condemnation
- Ashrei, Ashrey
- “Fortunate Are,” a popular
alphabetic prayer (Psalm 145), recited thrice daily
- ashrey; ashrei
- happy; blessed
- asim
- barns; granaries
- asir
- prisoner
- Asoroh B'Tevet
- winter fast for Babylonian siege of Jerusalem
- asur
- prohibited; impermissible
- Atah Chonantanu
- a passage added to the evening prayer after the Sabbath to note the difference
between the Sacred and the non-Sacred
- atalef
- bat
- atarah atarot
- crown[s]
- Ateret HaChayyim
- Crown of Life
- Ateret HaKavod
- Crown of Glory
- Athid Lavo
- The coming age.
- atzamot
- bones
- atzav
- idol; image
- Atzeret
- Conclusion; used for concluding observance of festival; word derived from “gathering”
or “detention,” original meanings. Shemini Atzeret is concluding day of Sukkoth; Atzeret is Talmudic term for
Shavuot, conclusion of Omer count. A festive gathering for the conclusion of a festive season, a concluding feast
- atzilah
- noble birth
- atzlanit
- sluggards
- atzlut
- lazy idleness
- Aufruf
- Calling up of the bridegroom or bridal couple for the Torah blessings on the Shabbat
preceding their wedding; the throwing of candy, etc. at a groom after he reads the Haftorah
- Av
- Eleventh month of Jewish year (Jul-Aug); 9th is Tisha B'Av
av- father (father of…)
- Av Beit Din
- (alt. Bayt, Bet) — Father of the court—judicial president in Talmudic era, and later
- Av Harachamim
- a prayer for the persecuted communities
- Av HaRoeh b’seter
- Father Who Sees in secret
- av sela
- bed rock
- Avaddon
- destruction; hell; Abbadon
- avadim
- servants; slaves
- avanim
- stones
- avdut
- slavery; bondage
- avel
- iniquity; gross injustice
- avelim
- mourners
- avelut
- mourning
- Avelut
- third period of mourning; the first year after death
- averah
- transgression
- averos
- sins
- aveyra
- sin; transgression of a "shalt not"
- Avi-khol
- Father of all
- Avinu
- our Father
- Avinu Malkenu
- Literally: our Father, our King. A prayer of supplication recited on Yom Kippur.
A prayer said on the Days of Penitence and fast days.
- Aviv
- (alt. Abib)
Nisan was known as Aviv/Abib prior to Babylonian captivity
- avla; avlah
- injustice
- Avodah
- (alt. Abodah) — Service; specifically, the sacrificial Temple service as performed by
high priest; today, referring to Yom Kippur observance and other synagogue rituals. Chasidic concept of life
dedicated to God
- avodah zarah
- lit.=strange work: idolatry, idol worship
- avodas
- work
- avodas hakodesh
- work of holiness
- avodas kodesh
- worship; service
- avodot hakodesh
- ministries
- avon
- sin offense
- Avot
- the Patriarchs; Fathers
- Avoteinu
- our Fathers
- ayah
- falcon
- Ayin
- 16th letter of the Hebrew alef-beit (alphabet)
- ayin
- eye
- ayin horo
- evil eye
- ayir
- young donkey
- ayrusin
- marital engagement
- ayshet chayil
- a woman of valor
- Ayshet Chayil
- the entire last chapter of
Proverbs, sung on Erev Shabbat and at weddings, describing a "woman
of valor"
- aza
- certain
- Azarah
- (pl. Azarot) — the Temple Courtyard. Ezrat Nashim — the outer Courtyard in the Sanctuary
- Azazel
- Meaning unknown; used in reference to the
“scapegoat,” the goat sent into the wilderness signifying removal of the nation’s sins. The Talmud thus denotes
the mountain on which scapegoat is sent, to carry people’s sins into the wilderness, on Yom Kippur
- azarah
- (pl. azarot) — the Temple courtyard
- Azharot
- a passage on the commandments in the Torah read on Shavuot
- azivah
- abandonment
Use this “Jump Bar” to directly to any letter of the AlephBet
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
Appendix
Liturgy & Worship
Pronunciation
[More]
Copyright © 2022 The Center for Messianic Learning. All Rights Reserved.