Glossary

Literally, “Blessed is the Judge of Truth;” Customary words one recites upon hearing of a person’s death. 

Literally, “Let us bless.” This prayer marks the beginning of Jewish communal worship in a service, It uses a call and response format through which the leader invites the congregation to bless God.

adjective meaning “meaty;” refers to any food products that contain meat.

Daughter.

Ceremony marking a girl's reaching the age of religious maturity; plural: b'nei mitzvah.

Mournful crying, wailing.

Lit. "covering." Refers to the ceremony when a bride is veiled prior to the wedding ceremony.

Literally, “between a person and their fellow.” Refers to ethical, moral, or social mitzvot that govern relationships between and among people. The Mishnah teaches that the day of Yom Kippur does not atone for sins between a person and another, until one has asked for forgiveness from that person. 

Literally, “between a person and God.” Refers to the religious or ritual mitzvot, or sacred obligations. The Mishnah teaches that the day of Yom Kippur atones for sins between a person and God. 

Hebrew for "house of judgment", a beit din is a rabbinical court that has jurisdiction in matters of Jewish law.

 

“House of assembly.” A synagogue or gathering place for prayer, study, and other communal activities. It is the most common Hebrew term for synagogue, which also may be called a beit midrash (a house of study) or a beit t’filah (a house of prayer).