Jewish Words and Phrases
I am asked about words and phrases we say many times by our Christian and other non-Jewish or non-Noahide friends. And I got to thinking about how my grandchildren use these same words and phrases in their conversations at school and when they are with their friends. So I thought I would put together a simple glossary for their teachers. Since it is the beginning of a new school year I think it is a good time to introduce these words that they will most likely hear my grandchildren using at some time during the year.
Many people will not ask about something they know nothing about, and I think it is a great opportunity to share with others (in a non-threatening way) a little about our family's holidays and traditions.
Feel free to copy the glossary and share it with your own kid's teachers or your family and friends who don't know what these words are. You can adapt as necessary if your own list is different from mine.
Until next time...
Devora Chana
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Jewish Words and Phrases
Bubbie (rhymes with cubbie, or tele tubbie) - It means Grandma in yiddish.
Shalom - Is the traditional salutation used by Jews and Noahides at meeting or parting, meaning “peace to you”.
Jew - Is any person whose mother was a Jew or any person who has gone through the formal process of conversion to Judaism. Jews by birth can trace their origins through the ancient Hebrew people of Israel to Abraham. (Genesis 13:14)
Noahide - Is a non-Jew who follows the Noahide Code of 7 Divine Commandments that were given to Noah and his children after the flood. These commandments are learned from the Jewish rabbis.
Shabbat - Is the weekly Sabbath, which begins on Friday night at sundown and ends on Saturday night every week.
Rosh Hashanah - Is the Jewish new year. It is not celebrated as the American traditional new year with parties, etc. but is a time of spiritual renewal. It is a day of repentance and deep inner thought about what a person has done during the past year.
Yom Kippur - Is a day of repentance. It is spent fasting and praying.
Sukkot (pronounced Sue coat) - Is a seven day holiday. This year it begins on October 12 (but changes from year to year). We spend the entire week studying Torah (the Bible), spending time outside in nature, visiting with family and friends, praying, and finding ways to bring world peace and improve the welfare of all nations. We especially pray during this week for the Messiah to come and amend the ways of the world.
Hanukkah - Is an eight day holiday. This year it begins on December 20 (but changes from year to year). It is the celebration of the victory of Judaism over Hellenism. It is a time of rededication to our true devotion and dedication to the one true G-d, His Torah and its commandments. It is also a special time of prayer for the rebuilding of the holy Temple in Jerusalem. It is not Jewish Christmas (as many people mistakenly believe) and has nothing to do with Christimas, Christianity, or Jesus.
Purim - The next time we celebrate Purim will be March 7, 2012, and as with other holidays, it changes from year to year. It is one of the most joyous and fun holidays on the Jewish calendar. It commemorates a time when the Jewish people living in Persia were saved from extermination. We read about it in the Book of Esther in the Bible. Everyone dresses in costumes, gives charity to the poor, and takes gifts of foods, special cookies and candies to friends.
Passover - Is another seven day holiday and will begin on April 6, 2012 next. It is the first emancipation proclamation. It is the time we put a special stress on freedom for all humans. We completely clean the house before the holiday begins to remind us to also clean our lives of bad habits. We eat no yeast or wheat products for the entire week. On the first night of the holiday we celebrate with family and friends with a special meal.
Shavuot (May 26, 2012) - Is the holiday commemorating the giving of the Torah. On this day there was a divine revelation and the human race acquired the Torah through it. It is a day we spend studying Torah and praying.
Torah - Is the term that refers to the Five Books of Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.
Beit Midrash - This is "the house of learning" where we go to study Torah and fellowship with other Jewish and Noahide families.
Tzedakah - This is the charitable contributions we give to others.
Mitzvah - Is a good deed done from religious duty.
Kiddush - Is a prayer of "sanctification," recited over a goblet of wine or grape juice on Shabbat and all Jewish holidays.
Shofar - Is a ram's-horn trumpet used in religious ceremonies .
Sukkah (pronounced sook awe) - Is a temporary hut constructed for use during the week-long festival of Sukkot.
Hanukiyah (pronounced hawn a key a) - Is a candelabrum with nine candleholders that is lit each night during the holiday of Hanukkah.
Menorah - Is a candelabrum with seven branches and is a replica of the one that was used in the Temple before it was destroyed in 70 CE. It is displayed in the home throughout the year, but is never lit.
Dreidel (rhymes with cradle) - It is a spinning top that children play with during Hanukkah.
Latkes - These are a traditional food eaten during Hanukkah. They are potato pancakes.
Matzah - Is unleavened bread that is eaten during the week of Passover.
Bentch (sounds like bench) - Is the prayer said after eating meals to thank G-d for our food.
Kosher - Is the term used for food that acceptable according to Torah for us to eat.
Treif (rhymes with safe) - Is the word used to describe food forbidden to Jews - such as pork, pork products, etc.
Bracha - Is the Hebrew word for Blessing.
Naches - Is the yiddish word for joy. (Example: My grandchildren give me such naches.)
