Glossary Of Jewish Terms
- ALYAH: a Torah honor, literally, “going up” (to the reader’s desk) to read a portion of the Torah text
- ASKENAZIC: those Jews whose traditions and customs original from Central and Eastern Europe.
- B’DEKEN: the veiling of the bride by the groom before the wedding ceremony
- BENTSH: Yiddish for to say Grace, to say blessings
- BENTSHER: the booklet containing the text of the Grace after Meals
- BIMAH: the platform on which the reader’s desk is located. Usually in front of the Ark, but in Sephardic synagogues it may be in the center of the room.
- BIRKAT HAMAZON: Grace after Meals
- BRIT: circumcision, also the party given on the occasion
- CHALLAH:a braided white bread made for the Sabbath and holidays
- CHATAN: the groom
- CHUPPAH: The wedding canopy.
- ERUSIN: the betrothal ceremony-first part of the Wedding Service
- FREYLAKH: a lively dance tune
- GET: a religious decree of divorce according to Jewish law
- GROOM’S TISH: the groom’s table. This is where the groom, groomsmen and male family members gather for song and dance before the ceremony.
- HA-MOTZI: colloquial expression for the blessing said over bread
- HAKHNASSAT KALLAH: increasing the rejoicing of the bride. Any act of charity to help poor brides.
- HAKHNASSAT ORKHIM: hospitality, especially on Sabbath and holidays
- HATAN: Hebrew for bridegroom
- HAVDALAH: concluding service at the close of the Sabbath, using a special braided candle
- KALLAH: the bride
- KETUBAH: the marriage contract
- KADOSH: to be holy
- KASHRUT: Jewish dietary laws
- KIDDUSH: the blessing said over wine; also the reception that follows at any celebration
- KIDDUSHIN: the word for marriage; it literally means “holiness”
- KINYAN: refers to the gift of a ring at the ceremony or a material object at the contract signing
- KIPPA: skullcap
- KITTEL: white ceremonial robe sometimes worn by the groom during the wedding ceremony.
- KOSHER: food and drink that meets the requirements of the dietary laws
- LECHAYYIM: “to life”-the traditional toast before drinking liquor or wine
- MACHTENISTE: mother-in-law
- MAZEL TOV: literally, “good luck”- congratulatory wish
- MAZINKEH TANTS: a joyous dance towards the end of the reception which honors parents who brought their last son or daughter to the huppah.
- MEHUTON: father-in-law; also a new relationship to the other parents
- MEHTONIM: relatives by marriage-in-laws MIDRASH: rabbinic tales and explanations of the Torah
- MITZVAH: divine commandment
- MIZINKE: a joyous dance towards the end of the simcha (reception), which honors parents who have brought their last daughter or son to the wedding canopy.
- NAKHES: pleasure and pride in the accomplishment and virtues of one’s children
- NUISIN: the nuptial portion of the wedding service
- OYFRUF: Torah honor to the groom (and bride sometimes) on the Sabbath before the wedding
- PARASHAH: the weekly portion of the Torah
- SEFIRAH: the period between Passover and Shavuot when weddings may not be held
- SEPHARDIM: Jews from Mediteranean countries, Spain or Portugal
- SHABBAT: hebrew word for Sabbath
- SHAMMASH: person in charge of the synagogue, the sexton
- SHEKHINAH: the holy spirit, specifically, the feminine attributes of the Divine
- SHEVA BERAKHOT: the seven marriage blessings, first recited under the huppah
- SIMAN TOV: a good omen, congratulations or good wishes
- SIMCHA: a celebration and the joy of a celebration
- TALLIS: prayer shawl worn by married Jewish men in Orthodox synagogues and all adult men in conservative, reform and reconstructionist synagogues.
- TENAIM: the engagement contract; also the celebration held when the contract is signed
- TISCH: the festive table spread for the bride’s or the groom’s reception
- TORAH: the first five books of the Hebrew Bible
- TZEDAKAH: obligatory jewish requirement of righteous giving and just behavior that ensures the basic well-being of fellow human beings.
- UNTERFIRER: couples escorting the bride and groom
- YARMULKE: skullcap
- YICHUD: “union”-the brief seclusion of the bride and groom immediately after the wedding ceremony
- YOM KIPPUR: the Day of Atonement-holiest day in the Jewish year, when all sins are forgiven
- ZIVUK: one’s preordained mate, the perfect match
