Glossary of Terms

Afikoman

Dessert, the name given to the broken off peice of Matza during the seder.

Aravot

Willow branches attached to the lulav used in Sukkot.

Arba Kosot

The four cups of wine used during the seder.

Bedikat Chametz

Searching for leaven on the eve of 14th of Nisan

Bi'ur Chametz

Burning of the Chametz

Bimah

The platform in a synagogue from which the law (Torah)is read and from whic the reader leads the congregation in prayer.

Challa

The special loaf of bread used on Shabbat and festivals.

Chanukiah

A Special ninepbranched candlestick (8 candles and a carrier candle lit during Chanukah)

Charoset

Mixture of nuts, fruit, wine and other ingredients for the passover ritual. Represents the mortar used while in slavery in Egypt.

Chatan Bereshit

Bridegroom of the first portion of the Torah. Reads the first chapter of Genesis on Simchat Torah.

Chatan Torah

Bridegroom of the Law. Honour bestowed on a member of the congregation on Simchat Torah who is called to the reading of the last portion of the Law.

Etrog

Citron, One of the four species used in services at Sukkot

Gemara

Completion. The discussion on the Mishnah

Haggadah

The name given to the book which contains the order of service for the two seder nights. The word means 'Telling'. It is the book which is read and discussed during the Seder. It recounts the Exodus story and contains the psalms and songs which are recited and sung in celebration of the events.

Hadassim

Myrtle branches used during the festival and attached to the Lulav

Havdalah

Seperation. The ceremony with wine, or other liquids except water, spices and a light which bids farewell to the sabbath. A shortened form is used at the termination of festivals.

Hoshanah Rabba

The great Hoshana, the name given to the seventh day of the festival of Sukkot

Kiddush

Sanctification. Prayer over the wine recited on Sabbaths and holydays. In the absense of wine it may be said over bread.

Kippah

The skullcap worn bu males, also called a Kupple or yarmulka.

Kos Shel Eliyahu

Elijah's Cup

Kosher

This means fit to be eaten by Jews. There are rules covering the preparation and consuption of food, all animals must have cloven hooves and chew the cud. All birds are permitted except birds of prey. Sea creatures must have fins and scales.
In addition it is not permitted that to mix meat and milk in one meal. Animals must be killed in a certain way with a single stroke to cut the throat. As much blood as possible should be drained from the meat. If something is not permitted it is called trefa.

Lulav

Palm, branch of palm tree used during the festival of Suykkot

Magen David

The star of David. This ancient symbol associated Judaism and is the central feature of the flag of the state of Israel.

Menorah

The seven branched candlestick which originally stood in the temple

Messianic age

The age of peace and freedom to be ushered in with the coming of the Messiah or "anointed one".

Mishnah

Learning. The oral law was written down around 200CE and put into its present order by the Rabbi Judah Hanasi.
The Mishnah represents a the written codification of rabbinic collections up to the end of the 2cnd Century
When the Mishnah was completed, later scholars subjected each paragraph to detailed discussions and examinations. These discussions are called the Gemara. The discussions ranged over aspects such as history, legends, ethics, science and many other different themes.
The Mishnah and the Gemara together are known as the Talmud.

Matza Shemurah

Matzot which are specially prepared for Passover made from the earliest stage of the wheat grinding

Maror

Bitter herbs used on the Seder plate at Passover

Seder

Order. The service for the first two nights of passover.

Sefer Torah

The book of the law, A handwritten scroll of the Torah from which the readings are made. The scroll containing the five books of Moses

Shemini Atzeret

Eight day of solomn assembly, eighth day of Tabernacles (Sukkot).

Simchat Torah

Rejoicing in the Law. The ninth day of tabernacles. The last day of the festival when the reading of the Pentateuch is completed and recommenced.

Sukkah

Booth used for eating meals during the festival of Sukkot, also known as a tabarnacle.

Tal

Dew, prayer for dew recited on the first day of Passover during the additional service.

Tallit or Tallith

Prayer shawl used by males during prayers.
The blue and white striped prayer shawl worn by Jewish Males during morning prayers. It has tassles on it in accordance with the rules given in the Torah.

The Talmud

The Jews posses two laws, the oral law and the written law
The written law being the bible.
The oral law has played an important part in Jewish Life throughout the ages. It was a great body of teaching, tradition and biblical interpretation passed down through generations orally. This tradition was written down and is called the Talmud.