GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Bar Mitzvah: literally "son of the law", a boy becomes a bar mizvah when he is thirteen years old, and assumes from that point on the rights and repsonsibilities of an adult under Jewish law Baruk: "Blessed"; the first word of every berakhah Bat Mitzvah: literally "daughter of the law"; a girl becomes a bat mitzvah when she is twelve years old and assumes, from that point on, the rights and responsibilities of an adult under Jewish law Berakhah (pl. berakhot): Blessing; a form of prayer which expresses gratitude and acknowledges the power and providence of G-d; said before certain occassions, events and experiences Brit Milah: "Covenant of circumcision" Channukah: Festival of Lights; eight day holiday which commemorates G-d miraculously keeping the menorah lit for eight days at the rededication of the Temple Gemara: Commentaries explaining the nature and implications of Scripture and Jewish law; compiled between 100 and 500 AD Halakhah: "The way one walks"; refers to the entire body of Jewish law Kabbalah: Jewish mustical tradition Kashrut: The portion of halakhah which deals with dietary laws Kiddushin: "Engagement"; the first stage of marriage in which a man and woman are legally considered married but do not yet live together Kohein: Priest descendant from Aaron Menorah: Candelabra lit during eight days of Channukah Midrash (pl. midrashim): story explaining an incident in the Bible Mishnah: Commentaries on Scripture and Jewish law; compiled around 100 AD Mitzvah (pl. mitzvot): "Command"; there are 613 mitzvot in Jewish law Nisuin: "Elevation"; the second stage of marriage which involves a wedding ceremony, after which point the couple live together Pesach: Passover; seven day holiday which commemorates G-d's leading the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt Pidyon-ha-ben: "Redemption of the son"; ritual in which the first born son is "bought back" from G-d, to whom the first and best of everything belongs Purim: Joyous holiday which commemorates the Jewish peole being saved by Esther Rabbi: "Teacher" Rebbi: "Grand rabbi"; another term for tzaddik Rosh Hashanah: "First of the year"; the Jewish new year is a time for reflection and resolution Seder: Special meal eaten on the first night of Passover Shabbat: "Sabbath"; most important of all observances, the Sabbath commemorates G-d resting after six days of creation, as well as G-d saving the Israelites from slavery in Egypt; a time of rest and spiritual renewal when all work is prohibited Shamor:"Observe'; one of the two commands associated with Shabbat Talmud: Combined body of commentary on Scripture and Jewish law; the mishnah and the gemara together Teffilin: Little boxes containing verses of Scripture worn by orthodox men on the wrist and forehead Torah: In the strictest sense of the word, the first five books of the Bible; sometimes refers to the whole of the Hebrew Scriptures; inthe broadest sense of the term, it refers to the whole of Jewish law, both oral and written Tzaddik: "Righteous one"; spiritual leader for Chasidic Jews; his word is final on all matters Yom Kippur: "Day of Atonement"; solemn holiday for repentance Zachor: "Remember"; one of the two commands associated with Shabbat; Jews are commanded to remember that G-d rested after six days of creation, and that He led them out of slavery in Egypt Zohar: Primary text of the Kabbalistic tradition