Glossary

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Glossary

A

Adàr

February-March.

Alià Salita

Call to the synagogal reading.
The term also indicates the return of the Jews to Israel.

Aròn, aròn ha-kodesh

Holy Ark placed on the east wall of the synagogue. In it are kept the scrolls of the Torah, covered with their ornaments.

Ashkenaziti

Jews from central Europe.

Atarà (plural ataròt)

Crown for the Sèfer Torah.

Av

July-August

 

B

Bar-mitzwà

Ceremony that marks the coming of age of a boy.
The female equivalent ceremony is batmitzwà.

Bet-ha-Kenèset

Synagogue. Place of meeting, study and prayer.

Bimà

Podium or tribune for the reading of the Sefèr Torah.

 

C

Challà

Saturday bread.

Channukkà

Festival of Lights.

Cheshvàn

October-November.

 

E

Elùl

August-September.

 

H  

Haggadà

Storytelling. It is read during the Easter sèder.

 

I

Iyàr

April-May.

 

J

Jad

Hand. It serves for reading the Sèfer Torah without touching it.

 

K

Kashèr

Word indicating the permitted foods and their preparation according to the ritual norms.

Keter

Crown for the Sèfer Torah. Synonym of atarà.

Ketubbà (plural Ketubbòt)

Marriage contract.

Kiddush

Blessing over the wine.

Kippà

Headdress for male Jews.

Kippùr

Day of Atonement and fasting.

Kislèv

November-December.

Kletzmer

Typical music of the Jews of central Europe.

Kuppà

Wedding canopy.

 

M

Maghèn Davìd

Six-pointed star.

Matzà (plural Matzòt)

Unleavened bread without salt.

Meghillà Scroll

Meghillàt Estèr: scroll containing the biblical book of Esther.

Meìl (plural Meilìm)

Mantle with which theTorah is wrapped.

Menorah

Lamp with seven branches.

Mezuzà (plural Mezuzòth)

Box containing some biblical texts. It is applied to the right door jamb.

Mikwé

Ritual bath.

Milà

Circumcision.

Minyan

Group of ten adult males needed for public prayers.

Mitzwà

These are the 613 precepts that Jews are required to observe.

 

N

Nissàn

March-April.

 

P

Parashà

A weekly reading of the Torah.

Paròkhet

Ornamental tent placed in front of the aròn.

Pesach

Easter.

Purim

Feast in memory of the salvation of the Jews of Persia by Queen Esther.

 

R

Rimmonìm

Pomegranates.

Rosh ha-shanà

New Year's Day.

Rosh ha-shanà la-ilanoth

New Year of the Trees.

 

S

Sèder

Ritual of Easter dinner.

Sephardim

Jews from the Iberian Peninsula.

Sèfer (plural Sèfarim)

Book. Sèfer Torah (plural Sifré Torah ): Scroll of the Law.

Shabbat

Sabbath.

Shavuòt

Pentecost.

Shemà

Jewish prayer.

Shevàth

January-February.

Shofàr

Mutton horn.

Simchàt Torà

Feast that concludes Sukkòt.

Sivàn

May-June.

Sukkòt

Feast of Tabernacles.

 

T

Tallìt (or tallèd)

Prayer mantle.

Talmùd

Collection of rabbinical discussions and interpretations including the Mishnà and Gemarà.

Tamùz

June-July.

Tas (plural tassìm)

Ornamental plate for the Sèfer Torah.

Tefillà (plural Tefillòt)

Prayer.

Tefillìn

Phylacteries.

Tevà (or bimàt)

Pulpit.

Tevèth

December-January.

Tishrì

September-October.

Torah

Pentateuch or five books of Moses, the first five books of the Bible.

 

Y

Yiddish

Popular language spoken by Ashkenazi Jews.