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A Glossary of
Unfamiliar Terms
Compiled from numerous source documents
|
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S ש
ס
s’lihot
liturgical prayers of teshuvah (repentance)
s’michah
ordination
s’phirah
(pl. s’phirot)
emanation(s)
from the ultimate, infinite, indefinable Godhead toward the
palpable world; aspects of God
sachar
reward
Sadducees
see
Tzedokim
sadeh
field
Sages
Chazal or Ḥazal (Hebrew:
חז״ל), an acronym for the Hebrew “Ḥakhameinu
Zikhronam Liv'rakha”
(חכמינו זכרונם לברכה, “Our Sages, may their memory be blessed”), refers to all Jewish sages of
the Mishna, Tosefta, and Talmud eras, spanning from the times of the final 300 years of the
Second Temple of Jerusalem until the 7th century CE, or c. 250 BCE – c. 625 CE. Chazal are
generally divided according to their era and the main writing done in that era:
-
Soferim (“scribes”): Sages from before the era of
Ezra the scribe until the
Zugot era, including the men of the
Great Assembly. This era stretches from the
Matan Torah
(“giving of the Law”;
Moses receiving the Torah on Biblical Mount Sinai), to the
Halakha (“traditions”) era, including the times of
Simeon the Just.
-
Zugot (“pairs”): Five pairs (zugot) of sages from consecutive generations, who lived during a period of around 100 years towards the end of the Second Temple era. (142 BCE – ca. 40 BCE)
-
Tannaim (“teachers”): Refers to the sages of the
Mishnah, who lived in the Land of Israel until 220 CE. In addition to the Mishnah, their writings were preserved in the
Midrash. Key figures among the Tannaim include
Hillel the Elder,
Rabbi Akiva, and
Judah haNasi.
-
Amoraim (“expounders”): Refers to the sages of the
Talmud who were active during the end of the era of the sealing of the Mishnah, and until the times of the sealing of the Talmud (220 CE – 500 CE). The Amoraim sages were active in two areas, the Land of Israel, and Babylon. In addition to the
Babylonian Talmud and the
Jerusalem Talmud, their writings were preserved in midrashs such as
Midrash Rabba.
-
Savoraim (“reasoners”): Refers to the sages of
Beth midrash (Torah study places) in Babylon from the end of the era of the Amoraim (5th century) and until the beginning of the era of the
Geonim (from the end of the 6th century or the midst of the 7th century).
[Source: “Chazal,”
Wikipedia, accessed 26 October 2022]
The Tannaim and Amoraim. The Tannaim were the early
teachers of the Oral Law. After the age of the Tannaim ended, the Amoraim
explained the rulings of the Tannaim, applying them to new situations, but
never disagreeing with their teachers. Read the article at
Chabad.org.
sakanot mavet
mortal
danger
sakkim
sackcloth
Samael
the devil
samchut
authority
sandak
person who
holds the baby during the Berit Milah ceremony
Sanhedrin
the High
Court in Jerusalem; the Israel Supreme Court during the Second
Temple period; the legislative and judicial parliament supposedly
descendant from the seventy elders appointed by Moshe
sanhedriyot
local
councils/bet din courts
sar
a head person (of
any rank or class)
captain (that had rule), chief (captain),
general, governor, keeper, L‑rd, taskmaster, prince, ruler, steward
Sar Shalom
Prince of
Peace, Mashiach
sarig
shoot; branch
sarisim
eunuchs
sasson
joy
savlanut
patient endurance
savta
grandmother
scapegoat
see
Azazel
schnorrer’s
beggar’s
Scribes
the Sages who
transcribed and interpreted the Torah and its Laws
sdeh krav
battlefield
se’irim
goats
sebomai
(Gk.) to
revere, i.e. adore; devout, religious, worship
Second Temple
the
house of worship built at Jerusalem after the return of Israel from
the Babylonian Captivity
seder
lit. order; ritual for the home celebration of the first (and
second) evening(s) of Pesach … the ceremony to commemorate the
Exodus from Egypt on Passover Eve; the ritual Passover meal which is
observed in a specific order
Seder Avodah (alt.
Abodah)
the “order of Service” that the Kohen Gadol performs in
the Sanctuary on the day of Atonement
seder plate
a
shallow, usually compartmentalized dish that holds the symbolic
foods of the Passover seder
sefer סֵ֧פֶר
book
sefer katan
small book
sefer keritut
bill of divorcement
Sefer Torah (alt. Sifrei)
Torah scroll (pl. Sefarim)
sefirah
counting
S’firat HaOmer
(Counting the Omer) is the period of 50 days from Yom HaBikkurim
until Shavuot
Sefirah
the “days of
counting” between the Passover and Pentecost
seichel
good sense;
understanding
selah סֶלָה
to lift up, exalt; a technical musical term probably showing accentuation,
pause, interruption; many scholars believe it was used to provide a momentary
pause in the singing to meditate and reflect upon the message of the words
selicha
forgiveness
selichot
penitential
prayers
Selichot Service
a
service of preparation for the High Holy Days, usually held at
midnight on the Saturday preceding
Rosh haShanah
semichah
ordination, ordained rabbis (pl. semuchim)
Sephardi
of Oriental
Jewish communities (pl. Sephardim)
Sephardim
(adj. Sephardic) a cultural branch of Judaism; descendants of the Jews
who fled Spain and Portugal after the Edict of Expulsion in 1492.
They share a common language known as
Ladino (a variant of Spanish), as opposed to northern European
Jews (Ashkenazi),
who speak
Yiddish (a Germanic dialect).
seqilah
stoning
seraphim
fiery angels
sereifah
death by
burning
seudah
banquet
seudah
feast
Seudah Mafseket
(alt.
Hemafseket) the “meal of cessation” before a fast
Seudah shel Mitzvah
a
festive meal that honors the observance of a
mitzvah; a meal prescribed by the
Torah or the Sages, same as Seudat Mitzvah
Seudah Shelishit
(alt.
Shlishit) lit. third meal; a light meal eaten late on Shabbat
afternoon … the third meal eaten on the Sabbath
Seudat Chavurah
(alt.
Havra’ah, Chaburah) lit. meal of condolence; prepared by friends of
the mourners and eaten in the house of mourning immediately
following a funeral
seudot
banquet
dinners
sevivon
dreidel
(four-sided top used in a Chanukkah game)
sfeka deyoma
doubt as
to the exact date of the day
sh’lamim
peace
offerings
sha’ah; shaah
hour;
time
sha’atnez
a cloth
combining wool and linen
sha’ot
hours
shaar hatzarut
gate
of narrowness
Shabbat
(alt. Shabbos) Sabbath. The seventh day of the week.
God’s appointed day of rest, a holy convocation. Rest, cease.
(Sephardic pronunciation)
Shabbat Bereshit
(alt. Bereishit) the first Sabbath after Simchat Torah on which the
portion of Bereishit (Genesis) is read
Shabbat Chazon
the
Sabbath before the Ninth of Av
Shabbat HaGadol
The
Great Shabbat that precedes
Pesach. It is the day the lambs are selected and brought into
the home for a week of close observation to determine their
suitability as the Pesach sacrifice. It was on this day that Yeshua
entered Jerusalem (the “house” of Israel) for one week’s close
observation by Israel of His suitability to be their Paschal Lamb,
marked by his “triumphant entry” into Jerusalem.
Shabbat HaHodesh
the
fourth Shabbat of the Purim sequence; precedes the new year
Shabbat Mevarchim
the
Sabbath on which the forthcoming month is blessed
Shabbat Nachamu
the
Sabbath after the Ninth of Av
Shabbat Parah
the third Shabbat of the Purim sequence. Refer
to the ordinance of the Parah Adumah (Red Heifer) in B’Midbar
(Numbers 19:1-22 )Purification before the feasts of Pesach/Hag
HaMatzot.
Shabbat Shirah
“the
Sabbath of Song”, the Sabbath on which “the song of the sea” is read
in the portion of Beshalach
Shabbat Shuvah
lit.
Sabbath of Return; the Sabbath between
Rosh haShanah and
Yom Kippur
Shabbat Zachor
The
first Shabbat of the Purim sequence; the Sabbath immediately
preceding Purim
Shabbaton
Seven High
Sabbaths … sabbath program of study and celebration (pl.
Shabbatonim)
Shabbos
(alt.
Shabbat) The Sabbath (Ashkenazic
pronunciation)
shachah
to depress,
i.e. prostrate (specifically reflexive in homage to royalty or God);
bow (self) down, crouch, fall down (flat), humbly beseech, do
(make) obeisance, do reverence, make to stoop, worship
Shacharit
(alt.
Shararit) Morning Prayer. From Hebrew for “dawn” … Morning prayer
service
shachat
corruption
Shaddai
the Almighty
shadkhan
marriage-broker
shaichus
closeness;
friendship; intimacy
shakan (שָׁכַן)
to reside or permanently stay (lit. or figuratively); abide,
continue, (cause to, make to) dwell (-er), have habitation, inhabit,
lay, place, (cause to) remain, rest, set (up); see
Shekhinah
shakhor
black
shakran
liar (pl.
shakranim)
shalakh
cormorant
shalem b’guf
healthy
shaliach
(pl. shliachim) an agent sent with the full authority
of the person doing the sending; Apostle, abassador
Shaliach Tzibur
the
presenter of the prayers in the Synagogue, the Cantor
shalitim
rulers
shalom
~wlX
lit. peace … denotes all the fullness of harmony, well-being, and
comfort needed for one to be at complete peace: Definition:
- completeness,
soundness, welfare, peace
- completeness
(in number)
- safety,
soundness (in body)
- welfare,
health, prosperity
- peace,
quiet, tranquillity, contentment
- peace,
friendship
- of human
relationships
- with God
especially in covenant relationship
- peace (from
war)
- peace (as
adjective)
Shalom Zachor
first
Friday following birth
shalosh
three
shalosh paamim
three
times
Shalosh Regalim
see
Pilgrim Festival
Shalosh Seudot
the
three festive meals prescribed for the Sabbath
shamash
(alt.
shammash)
lit. servant; term for the ninth candle used to light
the other candles in the Chanukiah … the beadle in the Synagogue;
equivalent to Gk. deaconos (translated "deacon" in the B'rit
Hadasha)
shammai
(alt.
shammai) school of …
shanah; shanim
year;
years
sharsherot
chains /
fetters
shatnez
mixture of wool and linen material which we are
proscribed from wearing (Deut
22:5-12
Sha'ul
(1) the first king of Israel.
(2) Most famous of all Messianic Rabbis, Yeshua’s
Shliach sent primarily to the
Goyim and scribe of approximately
half of the
Apostolic Writings.
Shavuot
(alt. Shavuoth; sg. Shavuah) lit. “weeks” — The feast of Weeks or
Pentecost (50 days); one of the three
Pilgrim Feasts. The 50th day from
Yom Habikkurim
memorializes the receiving of the Torah, and the beginning of the
wheat harvest. Also, it represents the betrothal between Israel and
ADONAI. It was on this day that
Ruach HaKodesh came to permanently indwell the
Miqra (Acts 2) as the “down-payment” or “bride price.” (also
Hag Hakatzir)
shawkling
ritual swaying while davening; believed by many to be reminiscent
of swaying in the saddle of a camel while traveling
(more
information here)
shayach
conceivable
shchenim
neighbors
she’arim
gates
she’elah
question
She’elat Geshamim
the
petition for rain
She’elot u-Teshuvot
questions and responses to queries on matters of Jewish law by
rabbis and sages
she’erit
remnant;
remainder
shebalev
inwardly
shebet
a stick (for
punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or
(figuratively) a clan
correction, dart, rod, scepter, staff, tribe
shebuah
(alt.
shabuwa) lit. sevened, i.e. a week (specifically of years)
seven,
week
Shechinah
(alt.
Shekhinah) glorious presence of God
shechita
the
slaughtering of animals for meat as prescribed by the Torah
shed
demon / evil
spirit
shedim
demons
sheelah
question
sheelot
kashes;
questions
sheerit
remnant
shefach dahm
the
shedding of blood
Shehecheyanu
(lit. [God] who has kept us alive) this is the blessing for beginnings
and other happy occasions in people’s lives, such as birth and
marriage. It is also said at candlelighting, Kiddush and certain
other specific times during festival observances … a blessing over
mitzvot which are performed once a year or over new fruit in its
season
shein
beautiful
sheker
falsehood;
lies
sheketz
abomination
sheketz tameh
unclean
creature
Shekhinah (שכינה)
(shek•in•ah); (alt. Shechinah) God’s Presence in the world.
Aram. and late Heb., a word not in Scripture, but used by later Jews
and by Christians to express the visible divine Presence, especially
when resting between the cherubim over the mercy seat (from
shakan)
sheleimah
complete
shelemut
perfection;
completeness
Sheloshim
the second
period of mourning; thirty-day mourning period
shem
name (pl.
shemot)
shem kodesh or shem hakodesh
religious name; most Jewish males
have two names — a religious name, called the shem kodesh (or
shem hakodesh), and a secular name, called the kinnui in Hebrew.
The religious name is a Hebrew name, and the secular name is in
whatever vernacular language is in use. Observant American Jews
today (for example) have a religious Hebrew name, and a secular
English name. Among the Jews of Eastern Europe, Yiddish was the
everyday or secular language, so they had a religious Hebrew name
and a secular Yiddish name, the kinnui. In France, the
secular name is in French; in ancient Babylonia, the kinnui
was in Babylonian; etc.
Shem Hameforash
the
Ineffable Divine Name
shem tov
good name
Shema
(alt. Shemab; Sh’ma) lit. hear … The most widely known Jewish
confession of faith in one God: “Shema Yisrael Adonai Elohenu Adonai
Echad” (Hear, O Israel: the Lord is our God, the Lord is One). (see
Deut.
6:4-9)
shemen
oil
shemen mishchah
anointing oil
shemesh
sun
Shemini Atzeret
Literally: the eighth
day of assembly; conclusion of
Sukkot … The day following Sukkot and the end of that festival
shemitah
fallow
Shemoneh Esre
(alt.
Esray, Shmoneh Esreh) Eighteen … the number of blessings originally
in the important part of the daily prayers recited in silence while
worshipers stand
— hence this name is applied to all such standing
prayers, although the daily service now has nineteen and other
services seven blessings. Combines adoration with entreaty. Also
called
Amidah (standing) or simply
Tefillah (prayer).
shemot
(sg. shem) names;
the name of the second book of the
Torah, and the
name of the first
parashah
(weekly portion) in that book
shenayim
two
Sheol
lwaX
(alt Sh'ol) the abode of the
dead; afterlife; the netherworld; metaphorically refers to the grave.
Often incorrectly interpreted as Hell, the place of eternal
torment.
sherut
service in the
Beis HaMikdash
sheva
seven
Sheva Berachot
(alt.
Birchot) lit. seven blessings; these are recited or chanted at a
wedding ceremony prior to the sharing of a cup of wine by the bride
and groom
shevach; shevakh
praise; commendation
shevarim
a shofar
sound
shevarim
oxen
Shevat
Fifth month of
Jewish year
shevet
tribe
shevu’ah
oath
shevuot
oaths
sheynah
sleep
sheynit
a second time
shfakhot
maid
servants
shichrut
drunkenness
shiebud
obligation
shifcha
(alt.
shifchah) bond maid
shiflut
lowliness
shiggot haAm
unintentional sins of the people
shikkor
drunkard
shikkorim
drunkards
shilton
rule
shin
next-to-last
letter of the Hebrew alef-beit (first letter of Shaddai)
Shir Chadash
New Song
shirayim
Rebbe’s
remainders
shiryon kaskasim
coat
of scale armor
Shitre Erusin
A
betrothal contract
shiur
lesson; Torah
talk (pl. shiurim)
shiva
seven; the
first period of mourning; seven-day mourning period, the first day
of which is the day of burial
shivah haben
child of
the week
shivim
seventy
shkoyach
well done
shleimut
perfection;
completion
shliach
שליח
(pl. shliachim/shluchim שליחים/שלוחים) emissary, one sent forth with the full power and authority of the
sender; Apostle; today’s ambassadors from Israel to other countries or to the United Nations
are sometimes referred to as Shliachim in Hebrew.
Shlichus
(alt. Schlicot) Divine Mission
shlishit
third
shlita
control
shlitah atzmi
self-control
shloshah
three
shluchim
emissaries
of the Rebbe; Melech HaMashiach (sg. shliach)
Shmad
Anti-Mashiach
apostasy; apostate; destructive departure
shmattes
tatters;
rags
Shmitah
Release
the
seventh year in which the land lies fallow and debts are released or
annulled … the Sabbatical year at the end of each seven year cycle
Shmo
His Name
shmonah asar
eighteen
Shmuel
a Sage of the
Talmud
shnayim
two
Shneym Asar
Twelve
shochet
ritual
slaughterer, required by Jewish dietary laws for the preparation of
kosher meat
shochvim es zachar
homosexuals
shoded
robber (pl.
shodedim)
shofar
trumpet made
from a ram’s horn used as warning, call to arms, and in celebration.
Blown on
Rosh haShanah and during the month of Elul. When Yeshua returns
it will be with the “sound of the Shofar.”
Shofar Hagadol
The
Great Trumpet
shofetim
judges
Shofetim
(alt.
Shofitim) Judges; Book of the Bible … a portion in the Book of
Deuteronomy
soin
already
shomayim
heaven
Shome’a Tefillah
(alt. Tefilah) “The One Who hears prayer …” one of the eighteen
benedictions of the
Amidah
shomer
lit. guardian;
on guard … person who remains with the deceased so that the body is
never left alone prior to burial
shomer masoret
religious devotion
shomrim
guards
shoresh
root
shoshvin
the
chosson’s
(bridegroom’s) best man
shot
whip
shoteh
fool
shoter
law official
Shovavim Tat
a series
of winter weeks whose Mondays and Thursdays are observed as fast
days
shprach
diction
shrekliche
terrible
shtaig
working my way
up; advancing; progressing
shtark
steadfastly
shtats
imposing;
impressive
shtein
stop
shter
bother
shtetl
Jewish village
shtetlach
towns
shtey karnayim
two
horns
shtiklech
misconduct
;
shtreimel
expensive
hat
shuckle
to sway
during prayer
shud
misfortune
shul
synagogue
shulchan
table
Shulchan Aruch
code
of law applicable to today … the Book of codified Jewish Law, by
Rabbi Yosef Karo
Shulchan Orech
table
set for meal … one of the fifteen phases of the Seder ceremony
shulchanot
tables
Shushan Purim
Purim celebration on Adar 15 by cities walled at the time of
Joshua
shuttafim
partners
shuttafut
partnership
shvakh
commendation
shvateem; shvatim
tribes
shver
complex
Sicarius
(pl. sicarii) Greek sikarioß.
Assassins; literally meaning “cut throats.” A fanatic group
of Zealots, as they were involved in political assassination of
both Jews and Romans.
The Zealots were the religious/political activists similar to the modern
religious ultra-right, except they advocated and actively promoted the violent overthrow of their
political oppressors, like the “Branch Davidians” and those other self-called “Christian activists”
who bomb abortion clinics. One of the Master’s Emissaries (Apostles) was Simeon Zelotes (Simon the Zealot).
Among the Zealots was a group of political assassins whose occupation it was
to execute those whom they considered political oppressors or trators to Israel. These were dispatched
with a quick plunge of an ice-pick-like dagger called a sicae into the base of the brain.
These assassins were known as Sicarii (singular sicarius) from the name of their weapon.
The disciple who betrayed the Master was was Y'hudah the Sicarius (Judas Iscariot).
sichlut
foolishness
Siddur
(alt. Sidur; pl. Siddurim) prayer book; the set order of prayers …
daily and Sabbath prayer book
Sidra
Bible portion
of the week, read on Sabbath (pl. Sedarim, alt. Sidrot)
Sifra (alt. Sifre)
Halakhic
midrashim to Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy
sikhliyut
rationality
Siloam
a pool of
water in Jerusalem
siman
sign;
indication
simcha
joy
simchah
lit. joy; a
happy event
Simchat Torah
Literally: joy of the Torah; holiday marking the
conclusion of the yearly cycle of Torah readings and the beginning
of the new cycle; the final fall holiday
sin’ah
hatred
sinas chinom
baseless
hatred
sirah
boat
sitnah
accusation
Sivan
Ninth month of
the Jewish year
sivlot
sufferings of;
sevalot pl.
Siyum
the completion
of the study of a Talmudic tractate. Sod
mystery
skikuy
drink
smolit
left
sochen
steward/estate
manager
sodot
mysteries
sofer
a specially
trained scribe; Torah-teacher; rabbi (pl. soferim, sofrim)
soimech
confident;
putting their trust and being dependent
soivel
bearing with
soneh
hater
soreg
barrier of the
holy precinct
sorrut
rebelliousness
/ insubordination
sotah
a woman
suspected of adultery
soterim
policemen
stam
elementary
stater
coin
sterntichel
kerchief
sukkah hkko (pl. sukkot)
a booth or temporary shelter or dwelling
Sukkot
(alt. Sukot) booths, temporary dwellings; name of the festival
that commemorates the Israelites’ wanderings in the desert after
leaving Egypt … the Feast of Tabernacles (Booths) … One of three
Pilgrim Feasts (sg. Sukkah, Sukah)
sunagoge
(Gk.) an
assemblage of persons; specifically a Jewish “synagogue” (either the
place or the meeting); by analogy a Christian “church” meeting;
assembly, congregation, synagogue
sus
horse (pl. susim)
synagogue
a place
constructed and fully dedicated for gathering and studying. After
the destruction of the Temple, synagogues became a place of
corporate worship
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Appendix
Liturgy & Worship
Pronunciation
[More]
Page last updated on
Tuesday, 11 July 2023 11:27 AM
(Updates are generally minor formatting or editorial changes.
Major content changes are identified as "Revisions”)
