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Glossary

880 Hebrew terms from Peninei Halakha, briefly explained. In the reader, tap any underlined word to see its meaning. To see these pop-ups while reading, turn on Glossary popups under Menu → Settings.

Ha-adamaהאדמה
The blessing "borei pri ha-adama," said over produce that grows from the ground, such as vegetables.
Ha-etzהעץ
The blessing "borei pri ha-etz," said over fruit that grows on trees.
Ha-gafenהגפן
The blessing "borei pri ha-gafen," said over wine and grape juice.
Ha-gomelהגומל
The blessing of thanks after surviving danger, such as illness or travel.
Ha-Ma'orהמאור
A commentary on the Rif by Rabbi Zeraḥya Ha-Levi (12th c.).
Ha-motziהמוציא
The blessing over bread.
Ha-Raḥamanהרחמן
The supplications added at the end of Grace after Meals.
Ha-tov ve-ha-metivהטוב והמטיב
"Who is good and does good": a blessing for good news shared with others, and for a second, better wine.
Ha-tzava Ke-halakhaהצבא כהלכה
A work on halakha in the army.
afikomanאפיקומן
The piece of matza eaten at the end of the Pesach Seder meal.
Agudaאגודה
Sefer Ha-Aguda, a halakhic work by Rabbi Alexander Zuslin Ha-Kohen (14th c.).
Agurאגור
A medieval halakhic work by Rabbi Yaakov Landau (15th c.).
Aḥaronimאחרונים
The "later" rabbinic authorities, from about the 16th century on, after the Shulḥan Arukh.
Ahavat Ḥesedאהבת חסד
The Ḥafetz Ḥayim's work on kindness, loans and charity.
Aḥiezerאחיעזר
Responsa of Rabbi Ḥayim Ozer Grodzinski (20th c., Vilna).
akhilat araiאכילת עראי
A snack or casual eating, which may be eaten outside a sukka.
akhilat prasאכילת פרס
The time to eat about half a loaf (several minutes), within which a kezayit must be eaten.
Al Akhilat Matzaעל אכילת מצה
The blessing over eating matza at the Seder.
Al Ha-miḥyaעל המחיה
The after-blessing said over grain foods such as cake.
Al Ha-nisimעל הניסים
The thanksgiving prayer added on Ḥanuka and Purim.
Al Netilat Yadayimעל נטילת ידיים
The blessing over ritual hand-washing.
aliyaעליה
Being called up to the Torah reading; also immigration to Israel.
aliyotעליות
Being called up to the Torah (plural of aliya).
alot ha-shaḥarעלות השחר
Dawn.
am ha-aretzעם הארץ
An unlearned person; in the Mishna, one not careful about tithes and purity.
amaאמה
A cubit, about 48–58 cm.
amei ha-aretzעמי הארץ
Unlearned people (plural of am ha-aretz).
amenאמן
The response affirming a blessing or prayer.
Amidaעמידה
The central prayer of every service, said standing; also called Shemoneh Esreh.
Amoraאמורא
A sage of the Talmud period.
Amora'imאמוראים
The sages of the Talmud (about 200–500 CE), after the Mishna.
amotאמות
Cubits (plural of ama), about 48–58 cm each.
amud ha-shaḥarעמוד השחר
Dawn, when light first appears.
Amud Ha-yeminiעמוד הימיני
A work by Rabbi Shaul Yisraeli on halakha and the state.
Aneinuעננו
A prayer added on fast days.
anusimאנוסים
Those forced, such as Jews forced to convert.
Arakhinערכין
The Talmud tractate on vowed valuations to the Temple.
aravaערבה
A willow branch, one of the four species; also the willow beaten on Hoshana Rabba.
aravotערבות
Willow branches, one of the four species on Sukkot.
arayotעריות
Forbidden relations.
Arizalהאר"י
Rabbi Yitzḥak Luria (16th c., Safed), the great kabbalist.
Arukh Ha-Shulḥanערוך השולחן
A comprehensive restatement of halakha by Rabbi Yeḥiel Mikhel Epstein (19th c., Lithuania).
Arukh La-nerערוך לנר
A commentary on the Talmud by Rabbi Yaakov Ettlinger.
Aseh Lekha Ravעשה לך רב
Responsa of Rabbi Ḥayim David Halevi (20th c., Tel Aviv).
Ashamnuאשמנו
The short confession said on Yom Kippur and in Seliḥot.
Asher Yatzarאשר יצר
The blessing said after using the bathroom.
asheraאשרה
A tree worshipped as an idol.
Ashkenazimאשכנזים
Jews of Central and Eastern European descent, who follow the Rema's rulings.
Ashreiאשרי
Psalm 145, said three times daily.
Ashuritאשורית
The square Hebrew script used for Torah scrolls, tefillin and mezuzot.
asiyaעשיה
"Making" an object; in mitzvot like sukka and tzitzit, how it must be made.
asmakhtaאסמכתא
A verse cited as support for a rabbinic law rather than its source.
Avinu Malkeinuאבינו מלכנו
A prayer said during the Ten Days of Repentance and fast days.
Avkat Rokhelאבקת רוכל
Responsa of Rabbi Yosef Karo.
Avnei Nezerאבני נזר
Responsa of Rabbi Avraham Bornstein of Sochatchov (19th c.).
Avnei Yashfehאבני ישפה
Responsa of Rabbi Yitzḥak Yaakov Fuchs (21st c.).
avodaעבודה
Service: the Temple service, prayer, or work.
avoda zaraעבודה זרה
Idolatry; also the Talmud tractate on laws relating to idol worship.
Avotאבות
"Fathers": the Patriarchs; also the main categories of forbidden Shabbat work; also Pirkei Avot, Ethics of the Fathers.
Avot De-Rabbi Natanאבות דרבי נתן
An early work expanding on Pirkei Avot.
Az Nidberuאז נדברו
Responsa of Rabbi Binyamin Yehoshua Zilber (20th c.).
Baḥב"ח
Bayit Ḥadash, a commentary on the Tur by Rabbi Yoel Sirkis (17th c., Poland).
Badei Ha-Shulḥanבדי השולחן
A modern commentary on the laws of niddah and kashrut by Rabbi Feivel Cohen.
ba'al ovבעל אוב
A necromancer, forbidden by the Torah.
bal tashḥitבל תשחית
The prohibition against wasteful destruction.
bal teshaktzuבל תשקצו
The prohibition against eating or doing disgusting things.
balanitבלנית
The mikveh attendant who checks immersion.
Bamidbarבמדבר
The book of Numbers.
Bamidbar Rabbaבמדבר רבה
The classical midrash on Numbers.
baraitaברייתא
A teaching of the Tanna'im not included in the Mishna.
Barkhuברכו
The call to prayer before the Shema blessings.
barukhברוך
"Blessed": the opening word of a blessing.
bat kolבת קול
A heavenly voice.
batei dinבתי דין
Rabbinical courts (plural of beit din).
batel be-shishimבטל בשישים
Nullified in sixty: a forbidden food mixed into sixty times its volume is nullified.
Bava Batraבבא בתרא
A Talmud tractate on property, partnerships and inheritance.
Bava Kammaבבא קמא
A Talmud tractate on damages.
Bava Metziaבבא מציעא
A Talmud tractate on lost objects, loans and business dealings.
Bavelבבל
Babylonia; the Babylonian Talmud.
Bavliבבלי
The Babylonian Talmud.
bedikaבדיקה
An examination or check, such as checking for ḥametz or a woman's internal check.
bedikat ḥametzבדיקת חמץ
The search for ḥametz on the night before Pesach.
Behagבה"ג
Halakhot Gedolot, an early code from the Geonic period.
Beharבהר
The Torah portion on the Sabbatical and Jubilee years.
behemaבהמה
A domestic animal such as cattle, sheep or goats.
Bekhor Shorבכור שור
A commentary on the Talmud by Rabbi Alexander Sender Schor (18th c.).
Bekhorotבכורות
Firstborn animals; also the Talmud tractate on them.
be'ilat mitzvaבעילת מצוה
The first marital relations of a married couple.
bein ha-shmashotבין השמשות
Twilight, between sunset and nightfall, of doubtful status.
Beit Barukhבית ברוך
A commentary on the Ḥayei Adam by Rabbi Barukh Hirsch Kalmanovitz.
beit dinבית דין
A rabbinical court.
Beit Leḥem Yehudaבית לחם יהודה
A commentary on Yoreh De'ah by Rabbi Tzvi Hirsh of Zolkiew (18th c.).
Beit Me'irבית מאיר
Glosses on the Shulḥan Arukh by Rabbi Meir Posner (18th c.).
beit midrashבית מדרש
A study hall for Torah learning.
Beit She'arimבית שערים
Responsa of Rabbi Amram Blum (20th c.).
Beit Shlomoבית שלמה
Responsa of Rabbi Shlomo Drimer (19th c.).
Beit Shmuelבית שמואל
A commentary on Even Ha-Ezer by Rabbi Shmuel Phoebus (17th c.).
Beit Yehudaבית יהודה
Responsa of Rabbi Yehuda Ayash (18th c., Algiers).
Beit Yitzḥakבית יצחק
Responsa of Rabbi Yitzḥak Shmelkes (19th c., Lvov).
Beit Yosefבית יוסף
Rabbi Yosef Karo's commentary on the Tur, the basis of his Shulḥan Arukh; also a name for Rabbi Karo himself.
Beitzaביצה
"Egg"; also the Talmud tractate on Yom Tov laws.
Ben Ish Ḥaiבן איש חי
A popular halakhic work by Rabbi Yosef Ḥayim of Baghdad (19th c.), widely followed by Sephardic communities.
ben Noaḥבן נח
A non-Jew, bound by the seven Noahide laws.
ben yomoבן יומו
A pot used for hot food within the past 24 hours.
benei yomanבני יומן
Utensils used with hot food within the past 24 hours.
Be'er Shevaבאר שבע
Responsa of Rabbi Yissakhar Ber Eilenburg (17th c.).
berakhaברכה
A blessing: a set formula of praise or thanks to God, said for example before eating or before doing a mitzva.
berakha aḥaronaברכה אחרונה
The blessing said after eating or drinking.
berakha le-vatalaברכה לבטלה
A blessing said in vain, which is forbidden.
berakha rishonaברכה ראשונה
The blessing said before eating or drinking.
Berakhotברכות
Blessings (plural of berakha). Also the name of the Talmud tractate on blessings and prayer.
Bereishitבראשית
The book of Genesis.
Bereishit Rabbaבראשית רבה
The classical midrash on Genesis.
beriyaבריה
A complete creature, such as a whole insect, which is forbidden even if tiny.
Bikkurei Yaakovביכורי יעקב
A work on the laws of Sukkot by Rabbi Yaakov Ettlinger.
bikkurimביכורים
First fruits, brought to the Temple; also the Mishna tractate on them.
bimaבימה
The raised platform in a synagogue where the Torah is read.
Binat Adamבינת אדם
Responsa of Rabbi Avraham Danzig, printed with Ḥokhmat Adam.
Binyan Tziyonבנין ציון
Responsa of Rabbi Yaakov Ettlinger (19th c., Altona).
Birkat Ha-levanaברכת הלבנה
The monthly blessing over the new moon.
Birkat Ha-Mazonברכת המזון
Grace after Meals, said after eating bread.
Birkat Hashemברכת ה'
A multi-volume halakhic work by Rabbi Moshe Ḥalfon Ha-Kohen of Djerba (20th c.).
Birkat Kohanimברכת כהנים
The Priestly Blessing given by the kohanim to the congregation.
Birkei Yosefברכי יוסף
A work by the Ḥida, Rabbi Ḥayim Yosef David Azulai (18th c.).
Birkot Ha-shaḥarברכות השחר
The morning blessings.
Birkot Ha-Torahברכות התורה
The blessings over Torah study said each morning.
Birkot Keriat Shemaברכות קריאת שמע
The blessings said before and after the Shema.
Birur Halakhaבירור הלכה
A modern work tracing halakhic sources.
bishulבישול
Cooking, one of the forbidden kinds of work on Shabbat.
bishulei akumבישולי עכו"ם
Food cooked by a non-Jew, forbidden by the Sages in certain cases.
bittul Torahביטול תורה
Neglecting Torah study.
bi'urביעור
Removal or destruction, for example of ḥametz before Pesach or of Sabbatical produce.
Bi'ur Ha-Graביאור הגר"א
The Vilna Gaon's commentary on the Shulḥan Arukh.
Bi'ur Halakhaביאור הלכה
The in-depth notes printed with the Mishnah Berurah.
bonehבונה
Building, one of the forbidden kinds of work on Shabbat.
Borei Nefashotבורא נפשות
The short after-blessing said over most foods and drinks.
borerבורר
Sorting or separating, one of the forbidden kinds of work on Shabbat.
britברית
Covenant; commonly, circumcision (brit mila).
brit milaברית מילה
Circumcision, the covenant of Abraham.
Dagul Me-revavaדגול מרבבה
Glosses on the Shulḥan Arukh by Rabbi Yeḥezkel Landau, the Noda Bi-Yehuda.
hadaḥaהדחה
Rinsing, as in kashering meat or washing produce.
dam ḥimudדם חימוד
Bleeding caused by strong desire, as a bride before the wedding, which halakha treats as niddah.
dam toharדם טוהר
"Pure blood": bleeding after childbirth during the days that Torah law treats as pure.
hadarהדר
"Beautiful": the requirement that the four species be fine and unblemished.
Darkhei Mosheדרכי משה
The Rema's commentary on the Tur.
Darkhei Taharaדרכי טהרה
Rabbi Mordekhai Eliyahu's work on the laws of family purity.
Darkhei Teshuvaדרכי תשובה
A digest of responsa on Yoreh De'ah by Rabbi Tzvi Hirsh Shapira (19th–20th c.).
hadasהדס
A myrtle branch, one of the four species.
ḥadashחדש
New grain, forbidden until the omer is offered on the 16th of Nisan.
hadasimהדסים
Myrtle branches, one of the four species on Sukkot.
Da'at Kohenדעת כהן
Responsa of Rabbi Avraham Yitzḥak Ha-Kohen Kook (20th c.), first Chief Rabbi of the Land of Israel.
Da'at Torahדעת תורה
A commentary on Yoreh De'ah by the Maharsham, Rabbi Shalom Mordekhai Schwadron.
davar she-eino mitkavenדבר שאינו מתכוון
An unintended result of a permitted act, permitted on Shabbat when not inevitable.
davar she-yesh lo matirinדבר שיש לו מתירין
Something that will become permitted later, which is not nullified in a mixture.
Dayan Ha-emetדיין האמת
The blessing said upon hearing of a death.
demaiדמאי
Produce bought from someone who may not have tithed it.
derashotדרשות
Sermons or homiletic interpretations.
derekh eretzדרך ארץ
Good manners and proper conduct; also earning a living.
Derekh Ha-Ḥayimדרך החיים
A concise halakhic guide by Rabbi Yaakov of Lissa.
Derekh Hashemדרך השם
Rabbi Moshe Ḥayim Luzzatto's (Ramḥal) work on Jewish belief.
Derishaדרישה
A commentary on the Tur by Rabbi Yehoshua Falk.
derushדרוש
Homiletic interpretation.
Devar Yehoshuaדבר יהושע
Responsa of Rabbi Yehoshua Menaḥem Ehrenberg (20th c.).
Devarimדברים
The book of Deuteronomy.
be-di'avadבדיעבד
"After the fact": what is acceptable once something was already done, even if it was not the preferred way.
dina de-malkhuta dinaדינא דמלכותא דינא
"The law of the land is the law": civil law of the state is binding in money matters.
Divrei Ḥayimדברי חיים
Responsa of Rabbi Ḥayim Halberstam of Sanz (19th c.).
Divrei Malkielדברי מלכיאל
Responsa of Rabbi Malkiel Tzvi Tenenbaum (19th c.).
Divrei Yatzivדברי יציב
Responsa of the Klausenburger Rebbe, Rabbi Yekutiel Yehuda Halberstam (20th c.).
Eglei Talאגלי טל
A work on the kinds of forbidden Shabbat work by the Sochatchover Rebbe (19th c.).
Eikha Rabbaאיכה רבה
The classical midrash on Lamentations.
Ein Ayaעין איה
Rabbi Kook's commentary on the Aggada of the Talmud.
Eliya Rabbaאליה רבה
A commentary on Oraḥ Ḥayim by Rabbi Eliyahu Shapira (17th c., Prague).
Elokai Neshamaאלוקי נשמה
The morning blessing thanking God for the soul.
Erekh Ha-Shulḥanערך השולחן
A commentary on the Shulḥan Arukh by Rabbi Yitzḥak Taieb (19th c., Tunis).
erev ravערב רב
"The mixed multitude" who left Egypt with Israel; by extension, a corrupting element.
erusinאירוסין
Betrothal (kiddushin).
eruvעירוב
A symbolic enclosure or arrangement that permits carrying on Shabbat.
Eruvinעירובין
The Talmud tractate on eruv laws for carrying and walking on Shabbat.
ervaערוה
Nakedness; forbidden relations; what may not be seen while praying.
Eshel Avrahamאשל אברהם
A commentary on Oraḥ Ḥayim (two works by this name exist, by Rabbi Avraham Te'omim and Rabbi Avraham of Buczacz).
eshet yefat to'arאשת יפת תואר
The captive woman of the Torah's laws of war.
Eshkolאשכול
A halakhic work by Rabbi Avraham ben Yitzḥak of Narbonne (12th c.).
etrogאתרוג
A citron, one of the four species taken on Sukkot.
etrogimאתרוגים
Citrons (plural of etrog).
Ḥafetz Ḥayimחפץ חיים
Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan (20th c.), author of the Mishnah Berurah, and his book on proper speech.
haftaraהפטרה
The reading from the Prophets after the Torah reading.
gabbaiגבאי
A synagogue officer, or a charity collector.
gabba'imגבאים
Synagogue officers.
Hagahot Asheriהגהות אשר"י
Glosses on the Rosh by Rabbi Yisrael of Krems (14th c.).
Hagahot Beit Yosefהגהות בית יוסף
Notes on the Beit Yosef.
Hagahot Maimoniyotהגהות מיימוניות
Glosses on the Rambam's code by a student of the Maharam of Rothenburg (13th c.).
hag'alaהגעלה
Kashering a utensil by immersing it in boiling water.
Gaonגאון
A head of a Babylonian academy in the Geonic period; later, a title for a great scholar.
gedilגדיל
The twisted part of the tzitzit strings.
Gemaraגמרא
The Talmud's discussion of the Mishna.
gemilut ḥasadimגמילות חסדים
Acts of kindness.
geneivat da'atגניבת דעת
"Stealing the mind": deceiving someone, even without causing money loss.
genizaגניזה
Respectful burial or storage of worn-out holy texts.
Ge'onimגאונים
The heads of the Babylonian academies (about 600–1040 CE), between the Talmud and the Rishonim.
ger toshavגר תושב
A non-Jew who accepts the seven Noahide laws and lives in the Land of Israel.
gerim toshavimגרים תושבים
Plural of ger toshav.
Gesher Ha-Ḥayimגשר החיים
A work on the laws of mourning by Rabbi Yeḥiel Mikhel Tukachinsky.
getגט
A Jewish bill of divorce.
gevulגבול
A border, such as the halakhic borders of the Land of Israel.
Gevurot Hashemגבורות השם
The Maharal of Prague's work on the Exodus and Pesach.
gid ha-nashehגיד הנשה
The sciatic nerve, forbidden to eat, removed from the hindquarters.
Ḥagigaחגיגה
The festival offering; also the Talmud tractate on it.
gilui arayotגילוי עריות
Forbidden sexual relations, among the gravest sins.
Ginat Veradimגינת ורדים
Responsa of Rabbi Avraham Ha-Levi (17th c., Egypt).
Gittinגיטין
Bills of divorce; also the Talmud tractate on divorce.
gmarגמר
Completion: the finishing step that is the essential act, as with a sukka or kashering.
gosesגוסס
A person in the final stages of dying.
Graגר"א
The Vilna Gaon, Rabbi Eliyahu of Vilna (18th c.).
gramaגרמא
Causing something indirectly, which in some cases is permitted on Shabbat.
grisגריס
A small stain size (a bean's breadth) relevant to the laws of stains in niddah.
Ḥakham Tzviחכם צבי
Responsa of Rabbi Tzvi Ashkenazi (17th–18th c.).
ḥakhamimחכמים
The Sages.
le-khatḥilaלכתחילה
"From the outset": the preferred way to act before the fact, as opposed to what is acceptable after the fact (be-di'avad).
hefkerהפקר
Ownerless property, which anyone may take.
hefsek taharaהפסק טהרה
The internal examination showing menstrual bleeding has stopped, which begins the seven clean days.
Heikhal Yitzḥakהיכל יצחק
Responsa of Rabbi Yitzḥak Ha-Levi Herzog (20th c.), Chief Rabbi of Israel.
Hak'helהקהל
The gathering of all Israel to hear the Torah read by the king, after the Sabbatical year.
ḥelevחלב
Certain fats of cattle, sheep and goats that the Torah forbids eating.
Ḥelkat Yaakovחלקת יעקב
Responsa of Rabbi Mordekhai Yaakov Breisch (20th c.).
ḥesedחסד
Kindness.
Ḥesed La-alafimחסד לאלפים
A work on Oraḥ Ḥayim by Rabbi Eliezer Papo (19th c.).
Ḥesed Le-Avrahamחסד לאברהם
A kabbalistic work by Rabbi Avraham Azulai (17th c.).
heterהיתר
A permission or a lenient ruling.
heter iskaהיתר עסקא
A business partnership agreement that permits investment without violating the ban on interest.
heter mekhiraהיתר מכירה
The temporary sale of land in Israel to a non-Jew so it can be worked during the Sabbatical year.
Ḥidaחיד"א
Rabbi Ḥayim Yosef David Azulai (18th c.), a prolific Sephardic authority.
hiddurהידור
Beautifying or enhancing a mitzva.
Ḥikrei Levחקרי לב
Responsa of Rabbi Raphael Yosef Ḥazan (18th c., Izmir).
Hilkhot Avoda Zaraהלכות עבודה זרה
The laws of idolatry, especially the section of the Rambam's code by that name.
Hilkhot Berakhotהלכות ברכות
The laws of blessings.
Hilkhot De'otהלכות דעות
The Rambam's laws of character traits and conduct.
Hilkhot Ḥag Be-ḥagהלכות חג בחג
A modern series on festival laws by Rabbi Moshe Mordekhai Karp.
Hilkhot Ḥagimהלכות חגים
The laws of the festivals.
Hilkhot Ma'akhalot Assurotהלכות מאכלות אסורות
The laws of forbidden foods, especially the Rambam's section by that name.
Hilkhot Melakhimהלכות מלכים
The Rambam's laws of kings and wars, including the Noahide laws.
Hilkhot Rotze'aḥהלכות רוצח
The Rambam's laws of murder and safeguarding life.
Hilkhot Talmud Torahהלכות תלמוד תורה
The laws of Torah study, as in the Rambam's code.
Hilkhot Tefillaהלכות תפילה
The laws of prayer.
Hilkhot Teshuvaהלכות תשובה
The Rambam's laws of repentance.
Hilkhot Yesodei Ha-Torahהלכות יסודי התורה
The Rambam's laws of the foundations of the Torah, on belief in God.
ḥillul Hashemחילול השם
Desecrating God's name by conduct that reflects badly on Torah.
hilulaהילולא
A celebration on a tzaddik's yahrzeit.
ḥinukhחינוך
Education, especially training children in mitzvot.
ḤMחו"מ
Ḥoshen Mishpat, the section of the Shulḥan Arukh on civil and monetary law.
Hoduהודו
"Give thanks": the opening of a passage in the morning prayers.
Ḥokhmat Adamחכמת אדם
A halakhic code by Rabbi Avraham Danzig on Yoreh De'ah topics.
Ḥok Yaakovחק יעקב
A commentary on the laws of Pesach by Rabbi Yaakov Reischer.
Ḥol Ha-mo'edחול המועד
The intermediate days of Pesach and Sukkot.
Horayotהוריות
The Talmud tractate on erroneous rulings of the court.
Ḥoshen Mishpatחושן משפט
The section of the Shulḥan Arukh on civil and monetary law; also the high priest's breastplate.
ḥozer ve-ne'orחוזר וניעור
Reawakening: a nullified forbidden food becoming forbidden again.
ḥukimחוקים
Commandments whose reason is not given in the Torah.
Ḥullinחולין
Ordinary, non-sacred food or things; also the Talmud tractate on slaughter and kosher meat.
Ḥumashחומש
The Five Books of Moses.
ḥuppaחופה
The wedding canopy; also the completion of the marriage ceremony.
Ḥut Shaniחוט שני
Rulings of Rabbi Nissim Karelitz on Shabbat and other topics.
Igrot Ha-Re'iyaאגרות הראיה
The letters of Rabbi Kook.
Igrot Mosheאגרות משה
The responsa of Rabbi Moshe Feinstein (20th c., USA), a leading authority of the modern era.
Imrei Yosherאמרי יושר
Responsa of Rabbi Meir Arik (20th c.).
inuiעינוי
Affliction: the five restrictions of Yom Kippur, such as fasting.
iruiעירוי
Pouring from a hot vessel, which can cook or kasher a thin layer.
Ishei Yisraelאשי ישראל
A modern work on the laws of prayer by Rabbi Avraham Yeshaya Pfoifer.
Ishutאישות
Marriage; the Rambam's laws of marriage.
Issur Ve-heter He-arokhאיסור והיתר הארוך
A medieval work on the laws of forbidden foods.
Issurei Bi'ahאיסורי ביאה
Forbidden relations; also the section of the Rambam's code by that name.
Itturעיטור
A halakhic code by Rabbi Yitzḥak ben Abba Mari (12th c.).
Kaddishקדיש
A prayer praising God's name, said by the prayer leader and by mourners.
Kaf Ha-Ḥayimכף החיים
A comprehensive halakhic work on the Shulḥan Arukh by Rabbi Yaakov Ḥayim Sofer (early 20th c.), often following Sephardic and kabbalistic custom.
Kaf Ha-Ḥayimכף החיים
See Kaf Ha-Ḥayim: a comprehensive halakhic work by Rabbi Yaakov Ḥayim Sofer.
hakafotהקפות
Processions around the bima, as on Sukkot and Simḥat Torah.
Kaftor Va-feraḥכפתור ופרח
A work on the laws of the Land of Israel by Rabbi Ishtori Ha-Parḥi (14th c.).
kal va-ḥomerקל וחומר
An argument from a minor to a major case (a fortiori).
kaporetכפורת
The cover of the Ark in the Holy of Holies; also a decorative valance on a synagogue ark.
karetכרת
"Cutting off": a severe heavenly punishment for certain grave sins.
karmelitכרמלית
An area that is neither fully public nor private, where carrying on Shabbat is forbidden by the Sages.
karpasכרפס
The vegetable dipped in salt water at the start of the Pesach Seder.
kasherכשר
Kosher; fit or valid.
kasheringהכשרה
Making a utensil kosher, by boiling water, fire or other methods.
kashrutכשרות
The laws of kosher food.
Katif Shevi'itקטיף שביעית
A modern work on the laws of the Sabbatical year.
kavקב
An ancient volume measure (four log).
kavanaכוונה
Intention or concentration, especially in prayer and mitzvot.
ke-ein penimכעין פנים
"Like inside": a rabbinic law modeled on the Temple practice.
kebeitzaכביצה
An egg's volume, a halakhic measure (about 50–100 ml by different views).
kedei kelipaכדי קליפה
"A peel's thickness": a thin outer layer of food that may need removal.
kedei netilaכדי נטילה
Enough to remove: a layer of food that must be cut away.
kedushaקדושה
Holiness; also the responsive prayer in the repetition of the Amida.
kedushat shevi'itקדושת שביעית
The sanctity of produce of the Sabbatical year.
kelalכלל
A rule or principle.
kelimכלים
Utensils or vessels.
Keriat Shemaקריאת שמע
Reciting the Shema morning and evening.
Keritotכריתות
The Talmud tractate on sins punished by karet.
keruvimכרובים
The golden cherubs on the Ark.
Kesef Mishnehכסף משנה
Rabbi Yosef Karo's commentary on the Rambam's code.
ketubaכתובה
The marriage contract, listing the husband's obligations to his wife.
Ketubotכתובות
Marriage contracts; also the Talmud tractate on marital obligations.
Ketzot Ha-Shulḥanקצות השולחן
A work on the laws of Shabbat by Rabbi Avraham Ḥayim Naeh (20th c.).
kezayitכזית
"An olive's bulk": the minimum amount of food for many mitzvot and blessings, about 27–30 grams by common estimates.
kezeitimכזיתים
Olive-sized amounts (plural of kezayit).
kiddushקידוש
The blessing over wine sanctifying Shabbat or a festival.
kiddush Hashemקידוש השם
Sanctifying God's name by one's conduct, or by martyrdom.
kiddushinקידושין
Betrothal, the first stage of Jewish marriage; also the Talmud tractate on it.
kilayimכלאים
Forbidden mixtures: certain plants sown together, crossbreeding animals, and wool with linen.
kippaכיפה
A skullcap worn as a sign of reverence.
kiraכירה
A stovetop, in the laws of Shabbat.
kitniyotקטניות
Legumes, rice and similar foods, which Ashkenazim do not eat on Pesach.
Kitzurקיצור
Short for Kitzur Shulḥan Arukh.
Kitzur Shulḥan Arukhקיצור שולחן ערוך
A concise code of daily halakha by Rabbi Shlomo Ganzfried (19th c.).
kli rishonכלי ראשון
"First vessel": the pot that was on the fire, whose heat can cook.
kli shelishiכלי שלישי
"Third vessel": a container at two removes from the fire, which does not cook.
kli sheniכלי שני
"Second vessel": a container something hot was poured into, which generally does not cook.
Knesset Ha-Gedolaכנסת הגדולה
A work on the Tur and Shulḥan Arukh by Rabbi Ḥayim Benveniste (17th c.).
Knesset Yisraelכנסת ישראל
The Jewish people as a whole, the Congregation of Israel.
Kodesh Ha-kodashimקודש הקודשים
The Holy of Holies, the innermost chamber of the Temple.
kohanimכהנים
Priests (plural of kohen).
Koheletקהלת
The book of Ecclesiastes.
kohenכהן
A priest: a male descendant of Aaron, with special duties and laws.
kohen gadolכהן גדול
The High Priest.
Kol Boכל בו
An anonymous medieval halakhic compendium.
Kol Nidreiכל נדרי
The annulment of vows said at the start of Yom Kippur.
korban Pesaḥקרבן פסח
The Pesach offering.
korbanotקרבנות
Offerings; the passages about offerings said in morning prayer.
korehקורא
The one who reads aloud, as the Torah reader or Megilla reader.
koreiקורא
The reader, as of the Torah or the Megilla.
Ktav Soferכתב סופר
Rabbi Avraham Shmuel Binyamin Sofer (19th c.), son of the Ḥatam Sofer, and his responsa.
Kuntres Aḥaronקונטרס אחרון
Additional notes at the end of a work, such as those in the Shulḥan Arukh Ha-Rav.
Kuzariכוזרי
Rabbi Yehuda Halevi's philosophical dialogue on Jewish belief (12th c.).
ḥallaחלה
The portion of dough given to a kohen (today separated and burned); also the braided Shabbat bread.
halakhaהלכה
Jewish law; also a single law or ruling.
halakha le-Moshe mi-Sinaiהלכה למשה מסיני
A law given orally to Moses at Sinai, not written in the Torah.
halakhotהלכות
Laws (plural of halakha).
Halakhot Gedolotהלכות גדולות
An early halakhic code from the Geonic period.
Halakhot Ketanotהלכות קטנות
Responsa of Rabbi Yaakov Ḥagiz (17th c.).
ḥalakחלק
"Smooth": meat from an animal whose lungs had no adhesions; also simply "part" or "smooth".
lashon ha-raלשון הרע
Speaking negatively about others, even if true.
ḥalav nokhrimחלב נכרים
Milk from a non-Jew's animal not supervised by a Jew.
ḥalavimחלבים
Forbidden fats (plural of ḥelev).
lavudלבוד
A gap of under three handbreadths, considered closed.
leḥem mishnehלחם משנה
The two whole loaves for the Shabbat meals; also a commentary on the Rambam.
Leḥem Ve-simlaלחם ושמלה
A commentary on the laws of niddah by Rabbi Shlomo Ganzfried.
Leishev ba-sukkaלישב בסוכה
The blessing "to dwell in the sukka."
leketלקט
Gleanings: stalks dropped at harvest, left for the poor.
Hallelהלל
Psalms of praise (113–118) said on festivals and Rosh Ḥodesh.
Levi'imלויים
Levites, members of the tribe of Levi.
Levushלבוש
A halakhic code by Rabbi Mordekhai Yaffe (16th c.).
Levushei Mordekhaiלבושי מרדכי
Responsa of Rabbi Mordekhai Leib Winkler (20th c.).
libunליבון
Kashering by heating a utensil in fire until it glows.
libun kalליבון קל
Light kashering by heat, enough that paper would burn on the other side.
lifnei de-lifneiלפני דלפני
Indirectly enabling a sin (a step removed from lifnei iver).
lifnei iverלפני עיור
"Before the blind": causing or helping another person to sin.
Halikhot Olamהליכות עולם
Rabbi Ovadia Yosef's notes on the Ben Ish Ḥai.
Halikhot Shlomoהליכות שלמה
Rulings of Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach.
Likkutimליקוטים
"Collections": the Peninei Halakha volumes on Torah study, the synagogue and various mitzvot.
lishmaלשמה
"For its own sake": doing a mitzva or making an object specifically for the mitzva.
lo teḥanemלא תחנם
The prohibition against giving gifts to idolaters or selling them land in Israel.
logלוג
A liquid measure, about six egg-volumes.
lulavלולב
A palm branch, one of the four species taken on Sukkot.
lulavimלולבים
Palm branches (plural of lulav).
maftirמפטיר
The last aliya of the Torah reading, followed by the haftara.
Magen Avrahamמגן אברהם
A major commentary on Oraḥ Ḥayim by Rabbi Avraham Gombiner (17th c.).
Maggidמגיד
A preacher; also the storytelling part of the Pesach Haggada.
Maggid Mishnehמגיד משנה
A commentary on the Rambam's code by Rabbi Vidal of Tolosa (14th c.).
maggidimמגידים
Preachers.
mahadura kammaמהדורא קמא
"First edition": the first volume of a responsa series.
maḥatzit ha-shekelמחצית השקל
The half-shekel given in Adar; also a commentary on the Magen Avraham.
Maḥazik Berakhaמחזיק ברכה
A work by the Ḥida on the Shulḥan Arukh.
Makkotמכות
Lashes; also the Talmud tractate on punishments.
Malkhuyotמלכויות
The section of the Rosh Hashana Musaf prayer on God's kingship.
Ma'amar Mordekhaiמאמר מרדכי
A commentary on the Shulḥan Arukh by Rabbi Mordekhai Karmi (18th c.).
ma'amidמעמיד
A curdling or binding agent, which isn't nullified in a mixture.
mamzerממזר
A child born of a relationship forbidden by the Torah as incest or adultery, with restrictions on marriage.
ḥamar medinaחמר מדינה
"The drink of the land": a national beverage that may be used for Havdala in place of wine.
Mareh Ha-Bazakמראה הבזק
A modern series of responsa from Eretz Ḥemdah institute.
mar'it ayinמראית עין
An act that is permitted but may look forbidden to onlookers.
Ma'arivמעריב
The evening prayer (also called Arvit).
marorמרור
The bitter herbs eaten at the Pesach Seder.
ma'aserמעשר
A tithe: a tenth of produce (or income) set aside as the Torah requires.
ma'aser aniמעשר עני
The tithe for the poor, given in the third and sixth years of the cycle.
ma'aser kesafimמעשר כספים
Giving a tenth of one's income to charity.
ma'aser sheniמעשר שני
The second tithe, eaten in Jerusalem or redeemed for money.
Masoret Ha-giyurמסורת הגיור
A work on the laws and tradition of conversion.
ma'asrotמעשרות
Tithes (plural of ma'aser); also the Mishna tractate on tithing produce.
matanot la-evyonimמתנות לאביונים
Gifts to the poor given on Purim.
Mateh Efrayimמטה אפרים
A work on the laws of Elul and the Days of Awe by Rabbi Efrayim Zalman Margolies (19th c.).
matzevaמצבה
A standing stone; a monument used for idol worship; today, a gravestone.
matzotמצות
Unleavened breads (plural of matza).
mayim aḥaronimמים אחרונים
Washing the fingertips at the end of a meal, before Grace.
mayim ḥayimמים חיים
Living (flowing) water, required for some purifications.
mazalמזל
Fortune or destiny; in the Talmud, astrological influence.
megillaמגילה
A scroll, especially the Scroll of Esther read on Purim; also the Talmud tractate on Purim.
Megillat Estherמגילת אסתר
The Scroll of Esther.
Megillat Ta'anitמגילת תענית
An ancient list of days on which fasting was forbidden.
mehaderמהדר
One who performs a mitzva in an enhanced way.
mehadrinמהדרין
Those who do a mitzva in an enhanced way; the higher standard of a mitzva.
mehadrin min ha-mehadrinמהדרין מן המהדרין
The most enhanced way to do a mitzva, as in lighting more Ḥanuka candles each night.
Mekhiltaמכילתא
Early halakhic midrash on Exodus.
mehudarמהודר
Choice, of the finest quality, as an etrog.
Me'il Tzedakaמעיל צדקה
Responsa of Rabbi Eliyahu ben Avraham Shlomo Ha-Kohen (18th c., Izmir).
me'ilaמעילה
Misusing Temple property; also the Talmud tractate.
me'ein shaloshמעין שלוש
The single after-blessing for grain foods, wine and the special fruits of Israel.
Ha'amek Davarהעמק דבר
The Netziv's commentary on the Torah.
mekom peturמקום פטור
An exempt area for carrying on Shabbat, such as a very small space.
mekom shevitaמקום שביתה
The place where one is at the start of Shabbat, from which the teḥum is measured.
Mekor Ḥayimמקור חיים
A work on Oraḥ Ḥayim by Rabbi Ḥayim David Halevi.
melakhaמלאכה
Creative work of the kinds forbidden on Shabbat and Yom Tov.
melakha she-einah tzerikha le-gufahמלאכה שאינה צריכה לגופה
Forbidden Shabbat work done for a purpose other than its usual one, which many hold is forbidden only by the Sages.
Melakhimמלכים
The book of Kings; also the Rambam's Laws of Kings.
melakhotמלאכות
The categories of creative work forbidden on Shabbat (plural of melakha).
Melamed Le-hoilמלמד להועיל
Responsa of Rabbi David Tzvi Hoffmann (19th–20th c., Berlin).
melo lugmavמלא לוגמיו
A cheekful, the minimum amount of wine to drink for kiddush.
Melumdei Milḥamaמלומדי מלחמה
A modern work on halakha in the army.
menaḥeshמנחש
One who acts on omens, forbidden by the Torah.
Menaḥotמנחות
Grain offerings; also the Talmud tractate on them (which also discusses tefillin and tzitzit).
menoraמנורה
The Temple candelabrum; also the Ḥanuka lamp.
me'onenמעונן
A soothsayer who predicts by times or signs, forbidden by the Torah.
Meshekh Ḥokhmaמשך חכמה
Rabbi Meir Simḥa of Dvinsk's commentary on the Torah.
Meshiv Davarמשיב דבר
Responsa of the Netziv, Rabbi Naftali Tzvi Yehuda Berlin.
meshumadמשומד
An apostate.
ḥametzחמץ
Leavened grain products, forbidden to eat or own on Pesach.
mezonotמזונות
The blessing "borei minei mezonot," said over grain foods other than bread, such as cake and pasta.
mezuzaמזוזה
A parchment with Torah passages affixed to the doorpost.
mezuzotמזוזות
Plural of mezuza.
mi-she-yakirמשיכיר
The earliest time for tallit and tefillin, when one can recognize an acquaintance at a short distance.
midat ḥasidutמדת חסידות
Going beyond the letter of the law out of piety.
Middot Ve-shi'urei Torahמדות ושיעורי תורה
A modern work on halakhic measures by Rabbi Ḥayim Pinḥas Benish.
midrashמדרש
Rabbinic interpretation of the Torah, legal or narrative.
Mikraמקרא
Scripture.
mikra'ei kodeshמקראי קודש
"Holy convocations": the festival days; also a work on the festivals by Rabbi Tzvi Pesaḥ Frank.
mikva'otמקואות
Ritual baths (plural of mikveh); also the Mishna tractate on them.
mikvehמקוה
A ritual bath of natural water used for immersion to become ritually pure.
milמיל
A measure of distance (2,000 cubits) and of time (the time to walk it, 18–24 minutes).
milḥemet mitzvaמלחמת מצוה
An obligatory war, such as defending Israel.
min be-minoמין במינו
A mixture of the same kind of substance, which has special rules for nullification.
min be-she-eino minoמין בשאינו מינו
A mixture of different kinds of substance, nullified by taste.
minei besamimמיני בשמים
Fragrant spices, as for Havdala.
minḥaמנחה
The afternoon prayer; in the Temple, a grain offering.
minḥa ketanaמנחה קטנה
Two and a half seasonal hours before sunset.
minhagמנהג
A custom.
minhagimמנהגים
Customs (plural of minhag).
Minḥat Ḥinukhמנחת חינוך
A commentary on the Sefer Ha-Ḥinukh by Rabbi Yosef Babad (19th c.).
Minḥat Shlomoמנחת שלמה
Responsa of Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (20th c., Jerusalem).
Minḥat Yitzḥakמנחת יצחק
Responsa of Rabbi Yitzḥak Yaakov Weiss (20th c.).
minimמינים
Species, as in the four species of Sukkot; also heretics.
minyanמנין
A quorum of ten adult men needed for public prayer.
Mishbetzot Zahavמשבצות זהב
The Pri Megadim's notes on the Taz.
Mishkanמשכן
The Tabernacle in the desert.
Mishkenot Yaakovמשכנות יעקב
Responsa of Rabbi Yaakov of Karlin (19th c.).
Mishleiמשלי
The book of Proverbs.
mishlo'aḥ manotמשלוח מנות
Gifts of food sent to friends on Purim.
Mishnaמשנה
The first written collection of the Oral Law, edited by Rabbi Yehuda Ha-Nasi around 200 CE.
Mishnah Berurahמשנה ברורה
A commentary on Oraḥ Ḥayim by the Ḥafetz Ḥayim (20th c.), a main authority for Ashkenazim.
Mishneh Halakhotמשנה הלכות
Responsa of Rabbi Menashe Klein (20th c.).
Mishpat Kohenמשפט כהן
Responsa of Rabbi Kook on the Land of Israel and its laws.
Mishpatimמשפטים
Laws whose reason is understood; also the Torah portion of civil laws.
Mishpetei Eretzמשפטי ארץ
A modern work on the mitzvot of the Land of Israel.
Mishpetei Uzielמשפטי עוזיאל
Responsa of Rabbi Ben-Tzion Meir Ḥai Uziel (20th c.), Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel.
Mitzrayimמצרים
Egypt.
mitzta'erמצטער
One who is distressed or uncomfortable, and so exempt from sitting in the sukka.
mitzvaמצוה
A commandment of the Torah or of the Sages; also used for a good deed.
mitzvotמצוות
Commandments (plural of mitzva).
mi'ut ha-matzuiמיעוט המצוי
A "common minority": something that happens often enough that one must take it into account.
mo'adimמועדים
The festivals.
Modimמודים
The thanksgiving blessing of the Amida.
Mo'ed Katanמועד קטן
The Talmud tractate on Ḥol Ha-mo'ed and on mourning.
mokh daḥukמוך דחוק
An absorbent placed internally, discussed regarding contraception.
mohelמוהל
The person who performs a circumcision.
Mor U-Ketzi'aמור וקציעה
A work on Oraḥ Ḥayim by Rabbi Yaakov Emden (18th c.).
Mordekhaiמרדכי
A halakhic commentary on the Talmud by Rabbi Mordekhai ben Hillel (13th c.); also Mordecai of the Purim story.
Moreh Nevukhimמורה נבוכים
The Rambam's philosophical work, The Guide for the Perplexed.
motza'ei Shabbatמוצאי שבת
Saturday night, after Shabbat ends.
hamshakhaהמשכה
Pulling an object to acquire it; also extending something.
mukafמוקף
A walled city (from Joshua's time), where Purim is on the 15th of Adar.
muktzehמוקצה
Things set aside from use on Shabbat and Yom Tov, which may not be moved.
Musafמוסף
The additional prayer on Shabbat, festivals and Rosh Ḥodesh.
musarמוסר
Ethical teachings; the study of character improvement.
hana'aהנאה
Benefit or pleasure.
Naḥemנחם
The prayer added on Tish'a Be-Av for the comforting of Jerusalem.
nasiנשיא
The head of the Sanhedrin; a prince or leader.
nat bar natנ"ט בר נ"ט
"A taste from a taste": a second-hand taste, as when a pareve food is cooked in a meat pot.
nazirנזיר
A nazirite, who vows to avoid wine, haircuts and impurity; also the Talmud tractate.
Nedarimנדרים
Vows; also the Talmud tractate on vows.
Nefesh Ha-Ḥayimנפש החיים
Rabbi Ḥayim of Volozhin's work on Torah, prayer and service of God.
Nehar Mitzrayimנהר מצרים
The "River of Egypt," a southern border of the Land of Israel.
Ne'ilaנעילה
The closing prayer of Yom Kippur.
Nekudot Ha-Kesefנקודות הכסף
The Shakh's notes on the Taz on Yoreh De'ah.
ner mitzvaנר מצוה
A candle lit for a mitzva.
neshamaנשמה
The soul.
netaנטע
Planting; also short for neta reva'i, fourth-year fruit.
netilat yadayimנטילת ידיים
Ritual washing of the hands, as before eating bread.
netzנץ
Sunrise.
neveilaנבילה
An animal that died without kosher slaughter, forbidden to eat.
Le-nevukhei Ha-dorלנבוכי הדור
Rabbi Kook's essay "For the Perplexed of the Generation" on faith and modern thought.
niddaנדה
A woman from the onset of menstruation until she immerses in a mikveh; also the Talmud tractate on these laws.
nikurניקור
Removing forbidden fats and veins from meat.
Nimukei Yosefנמוקי יוסף
A commentary on the Rif by Rabbi Yosef Ḥaviva (15th c., Spain).
Nishmat Adamנשמת אדם
The in-depth notes printed with the Ḥayei Adam.
Nishmat Avrahamנשמת אברהם
A work on medical halakha by Prof. Avraham Sofer Abraham.
nisu'inנישואין
Marriage, the second stage of the wedding after betrothal.
nitzokניצוק
A stream of poured liquid, which may connect the vessels it joins.
Noda Bi-Yehudaנודע ביהודה
Responsa of Rabbi Yeḥezkel Landau (18th c., Prague).
noten ta'am li-fgamנותן טעם לפגם
A taste that spoils the food, which does not make a mixture forbidden.
nusaḥנוסח
The wording or rite of the prayers, such as Ashkenaz or Sephard.
OḤאו"ח
Oraḥ Ḥayim, the section of the Shulḥan Arukh on daily life, prayer, Shabbat and festivals.
Be-ohala Shel Torahבאהלה של תורה
Responsa of Rabbi Yitzḥak Zilberstein, a modern posek.
ohelאהל
A tent or roof; making one is forbidden on Shabbat. Also a tent that conveys corpse impurity.
Ohel Mo'edאהל מועד
The Tent of Meeting, the Tabernacle in the desert.
Olat Re'iyaעולת ראיה
Rabbi Kook's commentary on the prayer book.
olehעולה
One called up to the Torah; an immigrant to Israel; also a burnt offering (ola).
olei Bavelעולי בבל
Those who returned from Babylonia with Ezra; their borders define where some Land of Israel mitzvot apply by Torah law.
olei Mitzrayimעולי מצרים
Those who came up from Egypt with Joshua; their borders define parts of the Land.
olelotעוללות
Small, unformed grape clusters left for the poor.
olimעולים
Immigrants to Israel; those called up to the Torah.
omerעומר
The barley offering brought on the second day of Pesach; the 49 days counted from it until Shavuot.
ona / ona'ahעונה / אונאה
Ona (onah): a husband's marital obligation, or the time a period is expected. Ona'ah: wronging someone, by overcharging or by hurtful words.
ona beinonitעונה בינונית
The "average interval": the 30th day after a woman's last period, when she observes a separation.
onat ha-ḥodeshעונת החודש
The same date in the next month as a woman's last period, when she observes a separation.
onegעונג
Delight, as in oneg Shabbat, enjoying Shabbat.
onesאונס
Circumstances beyond one's control; also coercion.
onotעונות
Times (plural of ona): a husband's marital obligations, or a woman's expected periods.
Or Ha-Ḥayimאור החיים
Rabbi Ḥayim ben Attar (18th c.) and his Torah commentary.
Or Le-Tziyonאור לציון
Responsa and rulings of Rabbi Ben-Tzion Abba Shaul (20th c., Jerusalem).
Or Same'aḥאור שמח
A commentary on the Rambam's code by Rabbi Meir Simḥa of Dvinsk (20th c.).
Or Zaru'aאור זרוע
A halakhic work by Rabbi Yitzḥak of Vienna (13th c.).
Oraḥ Ḥayimאורח חיים
The section of the Shulḥan Arukh on daily life, prayer, Shabbat and festivals.
Oraḥ Mishpatאורח משפט
Responsa of Rabbi Kook on Oraḥ Ḥayim and Ḥoshen Mishpat.
Orḥot Ḥayimאורחות חיים
A medieval halakhic code by Rabbi Aharon of Lunel; also the name of other works.
Orḥot Shabbatאורחות שבת
A modern comprehensive work on the laws of Shabbat.
orlaערלה
Fruit of a tree in its first three years, forbidden to eat; also the Mishna tractate on it.
Orotאורות
Rabbi Kook's book of essays on Israel, its land and its renewal.
Orot Ha-kodeshאורות הקודש
Rabbi Kook's collected writings on holiness and faith.
otzar beit dinאוצר בית דין
A Sabbatical-year arrangement in which a rabbinical court harvests and distributes produce on behalf of the public.
Otzar Ha-Poskimאוצר הפוסקים
An encyclopedic digest of responsa on Even Ha-Ezer.
otzar hashakaאוצר השקה
A mikveh design with a separate pit of rainwater connected to the immersion pool.
ovאוב
Necromancy, forbidden by the Torah.
pagumפגום
Flawed: food or wine already touched or tasted, which shouldn't be used for kiddush.
palterפלטר
A commercial baker.
Panim Me'irotפנים מאירות
Responsa of Rabbi Meir Eisenstadt (18th c.).
Panim Yafotפנים יפות
A commentary on the Torah by Rabbi Pinḥas Horowitz (18th c.).
parashaפרשה
A Torah portion or passage.
Parashat Maseiפרשת מסעי
The Torah portion describing Israel's journeys and the borders of the Land.
Parashat Zakhorפרשת זכור
The Torah passage about Amalek read on the Shabbat before Purim.
Pardes Rimonimפרדס רימונים
Rabbi Moshe Cordovero's work of Kabbala (16th c.); also a work on the laws of niddah.
parokhetפרוכת
The curtain over the synagogue ark; in the Tabernacle, the curtain before the Holy of Holies.
parsaפרסה
A measure of distance, four mil (about 3.8–4.6 km).
parshiyotפרשיות
Torah passages, as in tefillin and mezuza.
parveפרווה
Neither meat nor dairy.
pat ha-ba'ah be-kisninפת הבאה בכיסנין
Bread-like baked goods such as cake and crackers, over which mezonot is said unless eaten as a meal.
pat palterפת פלטר
Bread baked commercially by a non-Jewish baker, permitted by many authorities.
pe'aפאה
The corner of a field left for the poor; also sidelocks.
Pe'at Ha-Shulḥanפאת השולחן
A work on the mitzvot dependent on the Land of Israel by Rabbi Yisrael of Shklov (19th c.).
peretפרט
Single grapes dropped during harvest, left for the poor.
Perishaפרישה
A commentary on the Tur by Rabbi Yehoshua Falk (16th–17th c.).
peru u-revuפרו ורבו
"Be fruitful and multiply": the mitzva to have children.
perutaפרוטה
The smallest coin; a minimal monetary value in halakha.
Pesaḥimפסחים
The Talmud tractate on Pesach.
pesik reishaפסיק רישא
An act whose forbidden result is inevitable, which is forbidden on Shabbat even if unintended.
pesik reisha de-lo niḥa leiפסיק רישא דלא ניחא ליה
An act whose forbidden result is inevitable but unwanted, debated on Shabbat.
Pesukei De-zimraפסוקי דזמרה
The psalms and praises said before the main morning prayer.
petitimפתיתים
Small toasted pasta (Israeli couscous), relevant to blessings.
pidyon bekhorotפדיון בכורות
Redemption of firstborns.
pidyon ha-benפדיון הבן
The redemption of a firstborn son from a kohen.
pikuaḥ nefeshפיקוח נפש
Saving a life, which overrides almost all other commandments.
Pinḥasפינחס
The Torah portion Pinḥas, which lists the festival offerings.
Pirkei De-Rabbi Eliezerפרקי דרבי אליעזר
A classical midrash.
Piskei Teshuvotפסקי תשובות
A modern digest of rulings on Oraḥ Ḥayim.
pitamפיטם
The tip of the etrog.
Pitḥei Teshuvaפתחי תשובה
A digest of responsa on the Shulḥan Arukh by Rabbi Avraham Tzvi Eisenstadt (19th c.).
piyutimפיוטים
Liturgical poems.
plag ha-minḥaפלג המנחה
About an hour and a quarter (in seasonal hours) before sunset.
plataפלטה
A Shabbat hot plate.
Pletiפלתי
A commentary on Yoreh De'ah by Rabbi Yonatan Eybeschutz.
posekפוסק
A halakhic decisor.
poskimפוסקים
Halakhic decisors: the rabbis whose rulings determine practical Jewish law (singular: posek).
Pri Ḥadashפרי חדש
A commentary on the Shulḥan Arukh by Rabbi Ḥizkiya da Silva (17th c., Jerusalem).
Pri Megadimפרי מגדים
A supercommentary on the Shulḥan Arukh's commentaries by Rabbi Yosef Te'omim (18th c.).
Pri To'arפרי תואר
A commentary on Yoreh De'ah by Rabbi Ḥayim ben Attar, the Or Ha-Ḥayim (18th c.).
prozbulפרוזבול
A legal document that keeps loans from being cancelled by the Sabbatical year.
psoletפסולת
Waste or the unwanted part; separating it from food can be forbidden on Shabbat (borer).
Har Tzviהר צבי
Responsa of Rabbi Tzvi Pesaḥ Frank (20th c., Jerusalem).
Rabbaרבה
A Talmudic sage; also part of midrash names, like Bereishit Rabba.
Rabbeinu Tamרבנו תם
Rabbi Yaakov ben Meir (12th c., France), grandson of Rashi; also the order of tefillin passages named for him.
Rambamרמב"ם
Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon, Maimonides (12th c.), author of the code Mishneh Torah.
Rashbaרשב"א
Rabbi Shlomo ben Aderet (13th c., Barcelona), a leading Rishon, and his responsa.
Rashiרש"י
Rabbi Shlomo Yitzḥaki (11th c., France), the classic commentator on the Torah and Talmud.
Rav Pe'alimרב פעלים
Responsa of the Ben Ish Ḥai, Rabbi Yosef Ḥayim of Baghdad.
Remaרמ"א
Rabbi Moshe Isserles (16th c., Krakow), whose glosses on the Shulḥan Arukh record Ashkenazi practice.
reshut ha-rabimרשות הרבים
A public domain, in which carrying on Shabbat is forbidden.
reshut ha-yaḥidרשות היחיד
A private domain, in which carrying on Shabbat is permitted.
Retzeiרצה
A blessing of the Amida; also the Shabbat addition to Grace after Meals.
reva'iרבעי
Fruit of a tree's fourth year, eaten in Jerusalem or redeemed.
revi'itרביעית
A liquid measure of about 86–150 ml, the minimum for kiddush and some blessings.
harḥavotהרחבות
"Expansions": the companion volumes of Peninei Halakha with longer sources and discussion.
Rifרי"ף
Rabbi Yitzḥak Alfasi (11th c.), whose halakhic digest of the Talmud is a foundation of later codes.
Rishonimראשונים
The "early" rabbinic authorities, roughly 11th–15th centuries (e.g., Rashi, Rambam, Ramban), before the Shulḥan Arukh.
Roke'aḥרוקח
A halakhic work by Rabbi Elazar of Worms (12th–13th c.).
ḥarosetחרוסת
The sweet paste of fruit and nuts at the Pesach Seder.
Roshרא"ש
Rabbeinu Asher ben Yeḥiel (13th–14th c.), a major Rishon, and his commentary on the Talmud.
Rosh Ha-shanaראש השנה
The Jewish New Year; also the Talmud tractate on it.
ru'aḥ ha-kodeshרוח הקודש
Divine inspiration.
ru'aḥ ra'aרוח רעה
An "evil spirit," a harmful spiritual impurity mentioned regarding washing hands in the morning.
sandakסנדק
The person who holds the baby during a brit mila.
Sanhedrinסנהדרין
The supreme rabbinic court of 71 judges in Temple times; also the Talmud tractate on courts and punishments.
Sdei Ḥemedשדי חמד
A halakhic encyclopedia by Rabbi Ḥayim Ḥizkiyahu Medini (19th c.).
se'ahסאה
An ancient volume measure; 40 se'ah of water is the minimum for a mikveh.
Seder Birkot Ha-neheninסדר ברכות הנהנין
The order of blessings over food and enjoyments, by Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi.
Sefat Emetשפת אמת
The Gerrer Rebbe, Rabbi Yehuda Aryeh Leib Alter (19th c.), and his works.
Sefer Ha-Ḥinukhספר החינוך
A medieval work listing the 613 commandments with their reasons and laws.
Sefer Ha-ikarimספר העיקרים
Rabbi Yosef Albo's work on the principles of faith (15th c.).
Sefer Ha-Mitzvotספר המצוות
The Rambam's list of the 613 commandments.
Sefer Ha-shemitaספר השמיטה
A work on the laws of the Sabbatical year by Rabbi Yeḥiel Mikhel Tukachinsky.
Sefer Ha-Terumaספר התרומה
A halakhic work by Rabbi Barukh of Worms (13th c.).
Sefer Ḥaredimספר חרדים
A work on the commandments by Rabbi Elazar Azikri (16th c., Safed).
Sefer Ḥasidimספר חסידים
A work of ethics and customs by Rabbi Yehuda He-Ḥasid (12th–13th c., Germany).
Sefer Yetziraספר יצירה
An early mystical work.
sefiḥimספיחים
Crops that grew on their own in the Sabbatical year, forbidden by the Sages.
sefiraספירה
The counting of the omer; also the period between Pesach and Shavuot.
Sefirat Ha-omerספירת העומר
Counting the 49 days from Pesach to Shavuot.
segulaסגולה
A practice believed to bring a spiritual benefit or protection.
segulotסגולות
Practices believed to bring spiritual benefit (plural of segula).
sekhakhסכך
The roof covering of a sukka, made of plant material.
haseibaהסיבה
Reclining while eating at the Pesach Seder, as free people do.
selaסלע
An ancient silver coin.
sela'imסלעים
Ancient coins (plural of sela).
Seliḥotסליחות
Penitential prayers said before and during the Days of Awe and on fast days.
Semagסמ"ג
Sefer Mitzvot Gadol, a work on the commandments by Rabbi Moshe of Coucy (13th c.).
Semakסמ"ק
Sefer Mitzvot Katan, by Rabbi Yitzḥak of Corbeil (13th c.).
semikhaסמיכה
Rabbinic ordination.
Sephardimספרדים
Jews of Spanish, North African and Middle Eastern descent, who generally follow the Shulḥan Arukh.
Seridei Eshשרידי אש
Responsa of Rabbi Yeḥiel Yaakov Weinberg (20th c.).
se'uda ha-mafseketסעודה המפסקת
The final meal before Yom Kippur or Tish'a Be-Av.
se'uda shlishitסעודה שלישית
The third Shabbat meal, eaten Saturday afternoon.
se'udat kevaסעודת קבע
A regular, set meal (as opposed to a snack).
se'udat mitzvaסעודת מצוה
A meal celebrating a mitzva, such as a wedding, brit mila or siyum.
se'udot mitzvaסעודות מצוה
Meals celebrating a mitzva.
sfek sfeikaספק ספיקא
A double doubt, which in many cases allows leniency.
Shakhש"ך
Siftei Kohen, a major commentary on Yoreh De'ah by Rabbi Shabbetai Ha-Kohen (17th c.).
Shabbatשבת
The Sabbath, from Friday sunset to Saturday night; also the Talmud tractate on its laws.
Shabbat Ha-aretzשבת הארץ
Rabbi Kook's work on the laws of the Sabbatical year; also "the land's Sabbath."
Shabbatotשבתות
Sabbaths (plural of Shabbat).
Sha'agat Aryehשאגת אריה
Responsa of Rabbi Aryeh Leib Ginsburg (18th c.).
Shaḥaritשחרית
The morning prayer.
hashakaהשקה
Connecting water to a mikveh by contact with natural water.
shali'aḥשליח
An agent or emissary.
shamashשמש
The helper candle on the Ḥanuka menora; also a synagogue caretaker.
Sha'ar Ha-kavanotשער הכוונות
The Arizal's teachings on intentions in prayer.
Sha'ar Ha-tziyunשער הציון
The source notes printed with the Mishnah Berurah.
Sha'arei Duraשערי דורא
A medieval work on the laws of forbidden foods by Rabbi Yitzḥak of Dueren.
Sha'arei Ha-berakhaשערי הברכה
A modern work on the laws of blessings.
Sha'arei Teshuvaשערי תשובה
A commentary on Oraḥ Ḥayim citing later responsa; also Rabbeinu Yona's work on repentance.
sha'atnezשעטנז
A forbidden mixture of wool and linen in clothing.
Shavu'ot / Shevu'otשבועות
The festival of Shavuot; also oaths, and the Talmud tractate on oaths.
She-asa Nisimשעשה נסים
The blessing "who performed miracles," said on Ḥanuka and Purim.
She-hakolשהכל
The general blessing "she-hakol nihyeh bi-dvaro," said over drinks, meat, eggs and more.
She-heḥeyanuשהחיינו
The blessing of thanks for reaching a new season or occasion, said on festivals, new fruits and new clothes.
she-lo ke-sidranשלא כסדרן
Out of order, as when blessings or mitzvot are done in the wrong sequence.
Shekhinaשכינה
The Divine Presence.
sheḥitaשחיטה
Kosher slaughter of an animal or bird.
sheḥiyaשהייה
Leaving food on a heat source from before Shabbat.
She'ilat Yavetzשאילת יעב"ץ
Responsa of Rabbi Yaakov Emden (18th c.).
She'iltotשאילתות
An early halakhic work by Rav Aḥai Gaon (8th c.).
Shelahשל"ה
Shnei Luḥot Ha-brit, a work of halakha and ethics by Rabbi Yeshaya Horowitz (17th c.).
shelamimשלמים
Peace offerings.
Hashemהשם
"The Name": a reverent way of referring to God.
Shemaשמע
"Hear, O Israel": the declaration of faith said morning and evening.
Shemesh U-magenשמש ומגן
Responsa of Rabbi Shalom Messas (20th c.), Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem.
Shemirat Shabbat Ke-hilkhataשמירת שבת כהלכתה
A widely used guide to the laws of Shabbat by Rabbi Yehoshua Neuwirth.
shemitaשמיטה
The Sabbatical year, when the land rests and debts are released.
shemitat kesafimשמיטת כספים
Cancellation of debts at the end of the Sabbatical year.
shemona kevatzimשמונה כביצים
Eight egg-volumes, an amount mentioned regarding satiety in Grace after Meals.
Shemoneh Esreiשמונה עשרה
The Amida prayer.
Shemotשמות
The book of Exodus.
Shemot Rabbaשמות רבה
The classical midrash on Exodus.
sheratzimשרצים
Creeping or swarming creatures, such as insects and rodents, forbidden to eat.
sheretzשרץ
A creeping creature; some of these impart ritual impurity.
sheva berakhotשבע ברכות
The seven wedding blessings, and the festive meals of the week after a wedding.
shevarimשברים
Three medium shofar blasts.
sheverשבר
One of the three medium shofar blasts of shevarim.
Shevet Ha-Leviשבט הלוי
Responsa of Rabbi Shmuel Wosner (20th c., Bnei Brak).
shevi'itשביעית
The Sabbatical (seventh) year, when the Land of Israel is left to rest; also the Mishna tractate on its laws.
shevitat ha-sadehשביתת השדה
Letting the field rest in the Sabbatical year.
shevutשבות
An activity forbidden on Shabbat by the Sages rather than the Torah.
shevut de-shevutשבות דשבות
A double rabbinic prohibition, sometimes permitted for a mitzva or great need.
Shevut Yaakovשבות יעקב
Responsa of Rabbi Yaakov Reischer.
Shibbolei Ha-Leketשבלי הלקט
A halakhic work by Rabbi Tzidkiyahu Ha-Rofeh (13th c., Rome).
shinuiשינוי
Doing a forbidden act in an unusual way, which can lessen the prohibition.
shitufשיתוף
"Partnership": associating other beings with God in worship, a question discussed regarding non-Jews.
shi'urשיעור
A required measure or amount; also a Torah lesson.
shivaשבעה
The seven days of mourning after the burial of a close relative.
Shiyarei Knesset Ha-Gedolaשיירי כנסת הגדולה
Additional notes of the Knesset Ha-Gedola.
Shiyurei Berakhaשיורי ברכה
A work by the Ḥida, Rabbi Ḥayim Yosef David Azulai.
shki'aשקיעה
Sunset.
shlit"aשליט"א
"May he live long, amen": said after a living rabbi's name.
Shmuelשמואל
The book of Samuel; also the Talmudic sage Shmuel.
Sho'el U-meshivשואל ומשיב
Responsa of Rabbi Yosef Shaul Nathanson (19th c., Lvov).
shofarשופר
A ram's horn blown on Rosh Hashana.
Shofarotשופרות
The section of the Rosh Hashana Musaf prayer on the shofar.
Shoftimשופטים
The book of Judges; also the Torah portion on judges and kings.
shoḥetשוחט
A ritual slaughterer.
Shome'a Tefilaשומע תפלה
The blessing of the Amida asking God to hear our prayers.
shoshvininשושבינין
The wedding attendants who escort the couple.
Shulḥan Arukhשולחן ערוך
The authoritative code of Jewish law by Rabbi Yosef Karo (16th c.), with the Rema's glosses for Ashkenazi practice.
Shulḥan Arukh Ha-Ravשולחן ערוך הרב
A code of Jewish law by Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, founder of Chabad (18th c.).
Shulḥan Gavohaשולחן גבוה
A commentary on the Shulḥan Arukh by Rabbi Yosef Molkho (18th c., Salonika).
Shulḥan Shlomoשולחן שלמה
Rulings of Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach on Oraḥ Ḥayim.
Si'aḥ Naḥumשיח נחום
Responsa of Rabbi Naḥum Rabinovitch (21st c.).
Ḥasidimחסידים
Pious people; followers of Ḥasidism.
Sidrei Taharaסדרי טהרה
A commentary on the laws of niddah in Yoreh De'ah.
siddurסידור
The prayer book.
Siddur Pesaḥ Ke-hilkhatoסידור פסח כהלכתו
A modern work on the laws of Pesach.
siddurimסידורים
Prayer books.
Sifraספרא
Early halakhic midrash on Leviticus.
Sifreiספרי
Early halakhic midrash on Numbers and Deuteronomy.
simḥaשמחה
Joy; a celebration.
Simḥat Beit Ha-sho'evaשמחת בית השואבה
The joyous water-drawing celebration of Sukkot.
Simḥat Ha-bayit U-virkhatoשמחת הבית וברכתו
The Peninei Halakha volume on marital intimacy and joy in the home.
sitra aḥraסטרא אחרא
"The other side": in Kabbala, the forces of evil.
siyumסיום
The celebration on completing a tractate of Talmud.
Smaסמ"ע
Sefer Me'irat Einayim, a commentary on Ḥoshen Mishpat by Rabbi Yehoshua Falk.
soferסופר
A scribe who writes Torah scrolls, tefillin and mezuzot.
Sotaסוטה
A woman suspected of adultery; also the Talmud tractate on that law.
soterסותר
Demolishing, a forbidden kind of work on Shabbat.
stam yeinamסתם יינם
Ordinary wine of non-Jews, forbidden by the Sages.
sukkaסוכה
The temporary booth Jews dwell in during the festival of Sukkot; also the Talmud tractate on that festival.
Sukkotסוכות
The festival of Tabernacles; also plural of sukka.
Taḥanunתחנון
Supplication prayers said after the Amida on most weekdays.
taharaטהרה
Ritual purity.
Taharat Ha-bayitטהרת הבית
Rabbi Ovadia Yosef's work on the laws of family purity.
tallitטלית
A prayer shawl with tzitzit.
talmid ḥakhamתלמיד חכם
A Torah scholar.
Talmidei Rabbeinu Yonaתלמידי רבינו יונה
Commentary on the Rif's Berakhot written by Rabbeinu Yona's students.
ta'am ke-ikarטעם כעיקר
"Taste is like the substance": forbidden food's taste in a mixture makes it forbidden.
Ḥatam Soferחתם סופר
Rabbi Moshe Sofer (19th c., Pressburg), and his responsa.
tameiטמא
Ritually impure.
tamidתמיד
The daily offering in the Temple; also the Talmud tractate on it.
Tannaתנא
A sage of the Mishna period.
tanna kammaתנא קמא
The first, anonymous opinion in a Mishna.
Tanna'imתנאים
The sages of the Mishna period (until about 200 CE).
Tanḥumaתנחומא
A classical midrash on the Torah.
ta'anitתענית
A fast day; also the Talmud tractate on fasts.
hatarat nedarimהתרת נדרים
Annulment of vows, as before Rosh Hashana.
Tashbetzתשב"ץ
Responsa of Rabbi Shimon ben Tzemaḥ Duran (14th–15th c., Algiers).
tashḥitתשחית
Wasteful destruction (see bal tashḥit).
Tashlikhתשליך
The Rosh Hashana prayer said by water, symbolically casting away sins.
Tashratתשר"ת
Laws relating to the time of a woman's expected period, from early sources.
Tazט"ז
Turei Zahav, a major commentary on the Shulḥan Arukh by Rabbi David Segal (17th c.).
tefaḥטפח
A handbreadth, about 8–10 cm.
tefaḥimטפחים
Handbreadths (plural of tefaḥ), a halakhic measure of about 8–10 cm each.
tefillaתפילה
Prayer; often the Amida.
Tefilat Ha-derekhתפילת הדרך
The traveler's prayer for a safe journey.
tefillinתפילין
Leather boxes containing Torah passages, bound on the arm and head during weekday morning prayer.
Teharotטהרות
The order of the Mishna on purity; ritually pure items.
Tehillimתהלים
The book of Psalms.
teḥumתחום
The Shabbat boundary: about 2,000 cubits beyond a town.
teḥuminתחומין
Shabbat boundaries: the distance one may walk outside a town on Shabbat (about 2,000 cubits).
teki'aתקיעה
A long, straight shofar blast.
teki'otתקיעות
Shofar blasts.
Temuraתמורה
Substituting one animal offering for another; also the Talmud tractate.
tereifaטריפה
An animal with a fatal defect, forbidden to eat even if slaughtered properly; loosely, any non-kosher food.
tereifotטריפות
Fatal defects that make an animal forbidden (plural of tereifa).
teru'aתרועה
A broken, staccato shofar blast.
terumaתרומה
A portion of produce given to a kohen.
Terumat Ha-Deshenתרומת הדשן
Responsa of Rabbi Yisrael Isserlein (15th c., Austria).
terumotתרומות
Portions of produce given to the kohanim (plural of teruma); also the Mishna tractate on them.
teru'otתרועות
Shofar blasts of teru'a.
teshuvaתשובה
Repentance; also a written responsum.
Teshuva Me-ahavaתשובה מאהבה
Responsa of Rabbi Elazar Fleckeles (18th–19th c., Prague).
tevelטבל
Produce from which tithes and teruma have not yet been separated, forbidden to eat.
Tiferet Yisraelתפארת ישראל
A commentary on the Mishna by Rabbi Yisrael Lipschitz (19th c.).
ḥatikha ha-re'uyaחתיכה הראויה
A piece fit to be served to guests, which is not nullified in a mixture.
tiyometתיומת
The central leaf of the lulav.
toladotתולדות
Derivative kinds of work that are forbidden on Shabbat like their main categories.
Torah Orתורה אור
A Ḥasidic work by Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi.
Torat Ha-bayitתורת הבית
The Rashba's work on the laws of kashrut and other household matters.
Torat Ha-mo'adimתורת המועדים
A modern work on festival laws by Rabbi David Yosef.
Torat Ha-shelamimתורת השלמים
A commentary on Yoreh De'ah by Rabbi Yaakov Reischer (18th c.).
Torat Kohanimתורת כהנים
The halakhic midrash on Leviticus (also called Sifra).
Tosafotתוספות
Medieval commentaries on the Talmud by French and German scholars (12th–14th c.), printed alongside the Talmud text.
Tosafot Ha-Roshתוספות הרא"ש
The Rosh's version of Tosafot on the Talmud.
Tosafot Yom Tovתוספות יום טוב
A commentary on the Mishna by Rabbi Yom Tov Lipmann Heller (17th c.).
tosefet shevi'itתוספת שביעית
Extra time before the Sabbatical year when certain farm work is restricted.
Toseftaתוספתא
A collection of teachings parallel to the Mishna.
treifטריף
Non-kosher.
tum'aטומאה
Ritual impurity.
Turטור
The Arba'a Turim, a code of Jewish law by Rabbi Yaakov ben Asher (14th c.), on which the Shulḥan Arukh is built.
Turei Evenטורי אבן
A commentary on the Talmud by the Sha'agat Aryeh.
Tuv Ta'am Va-da'atטוב טעם ודעת
Responsa of Rabbi Shlomo Kluger (19th c.).
tzaddikצדיק
A righteous person.
tzaddikimצדיקים
Righteous people (plural of tzaddik).
tza'arצער
Distress or pain.
Tzavצו
The Torah portion on the offerings.
tzedakaצדקה
Charity.
tzeitצאת
Short for tzeit ha-kokhavim: nightfall, when stars come out.
tzeit ha-kokhavimצאת הכוכבים
Nightfall, when three medium stars appear.
Be-tzel Ha-ḥokhmaבצל החכמה
Responsa of Rabbi Betzalel Stern (20th c.).
Tzemaḥ Tzedekצמח צדק
Responsa of the third Lubavitcher Rebbe (19th c.); also an earlier responsa work by that name.
Tzidkat Ha-tzaddikצדקת הצדיק
A Ḥasidic work by Rabbi Tzadok Ha-Kohen of Lublin.
Tzitz Eliezerציץ אליעזר
The responsa of Rabbi Eliezer Waldenberg (20th c., Jerusalem), known for medical halakha.
ḥatzitzaחציצה
A barrier on the body that invalidates immersion in a mikveh.
tzitzitציצית
Fringes on the corners of a four-cornered garment.
tzomet ha-gidinצומת הגידין
The junction of tendons in an animal's leg, relevant to whether it is tereifa.
ḥatzotחצות
Midday or midnight.
tzurat ha-petaḥצורת הפתח
"Form of a doorway": two posts and a crossbar, used in an eruv and in sukka walls.
Urim Ve-Tumimאורים ותומים
A commentary on Ḥoshen Mishpat by Rabbi Yonatan Eybeschutz (18th c.); also the high priest's oracle.
Ḥavalim Ba-ne'imimחבלים בנעימים
Responsa of Rabbi Yehuda Leib Graubart (20th c.).
le-vatalaלבטלה
In vain, as a blessing said for nothing.
vatikinותיקין
Praying at sunrise, the ideal time for the morning Amida.
Vayikraויקרא
The book of Leviticus.
Vayikra Rabbaויקרא רבה
The classical midrash on Leviticus.
Havdalaהבדלה
The ceremony ending Shabbat or a festival, over wine, spices and a flame.
Ve-haya Im Shamo'aוהיה אם שמוע
The second paragraph of the Shema.
Ve-zot Ha-berakhaוזאת הברכה
A modern work on the laws of blessings by Rabbi Alexander Mandelbaum; also the last Torah portion.
vesetוסת
A woman's expected time of menstruation.
veset ha-gufוסת הגוף
Physical symptoms that come before a woman's period.
vestotוסתות
Expected times of menstruation (plural of veset).
viduiוידוי
Confession of sins, especially on Yom Kippur.
Ḥavot Binyaminחוות בנימין
Responsa of Rabbi Binyamin Yehoshua Zilber.
Ḥavot Da'atחוות דעת
A commentary on Yoreh De'ah by Rabbi Yaakov of Lissa (18th–19th c.).
Ḥavot Ya'irחוות יאיר
Responsa of Rabbi Yair Ḥayim Bacharach (17th c.).
Yabi'a Omerיביע אומר
The responsa of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef (20th c.), former Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel.
Yad Peshutaיד פשוטה
A modern commentary on the Rambam's code by Rabbi Naḥum Rabinovitch.
Yad Ramaיד רמה
A commentary on the Talmud by the Ramah, Rabbi Meir Abulafia (13th c.).
yad soledet boיד סולדת בו
Heat at which the hand recoils, the threshold for cooking in halakha (about 40–45 °C).
Yad Yehudaיד יהודה
A commentary on Yoreh De'ah by Rabbi Yehuda Ha-Levi Assad (19th c.).
yahrzeitיארצייט
The anniversary of a death.
Ya'aleh Ve-yavoיעלה ויבוא
A prayer added on Rosh Ḥodesh and festivals.
Yalkut Shimoniילקוט שמעוני
A medieval anthology of midrash on the whole Bible.
Yalkut Yosefילקוט יוסף
A halakhic code by Rabbi Yitzḥak Yosef, based on the rulings of his father, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef.
Yam Shel Shlomoים של שלמה
A halakhic commentary on the Talmud by the Maharshal, Rabbi Shlomo Luria (16th c.).
Yaskil Avdiישכיל עבדי
Responsa of Rabbi Ovadia Hadaya (20th c., Jerusalem).
yavesh be-yaveshיבש ביבש
A mixture of dry items (pieces, not liquids), with special rules of nullification.
yayin nesekhיין נסך
Wine used for idol worship, forbidden for any benefit.
YDיו"ד
Yoreh De'ah, the section of the Shulḥan Arukh on kashrut, purity and other laws.
Yeḥaveh Da'atיחוה דעת
Responsa by Rabbi Ovadia Yosef on practical questions.
Yeḥezkelיחזקאל
The book of Ezekiel.
Yehoshuaיהושע
The book of Joshua.
Yehuda Ya'alehיהודה יעלה
Responsa of Rabbi Yehuda Assad (19th c.).
Ḥayei Adamחיי אדם
A popular halakhic code by Rabbi Avraham Danzig (19th c.).
Yere'imיראים
A work on the commandments by Rabbi Eliezer of Metz (12th c.).
Yerushalmiירושלמי
The Jerusalem Talmud, compiled in the Land of Israel.
Yeshayahuישעיהו
The book of Isaiah.
yeshivaישיבה
A Torah academy.
yeshivotישיבות
Torah academies.
Yeshu'ot Malkoישועות מלכו
A commentary on the Rambam by Rabbi Yisrael Yehoshua Trunk of Kutno (19th c.).
Yevamotיבמות
The Talmud tractate on levirate marriage and related family law.
yibumייבום
Levirate marriage.
yid'oniידעוני
A form of sorcery forbidden by the Torah.
yiḥudייחוד
Seclusion of a man and woman who are not married to each other, which halakha forbids.
Yirmiyahuירמיהו
The book of Jeremiah.
Yitroיתרו
The Torah portion containing the Ten Commandments.
yoledetיולדת
A woman who has given birth.
Yom Teru'aיום תרועה
"Day of the blast": the Torah's name for Rosh Hashana.
Yomaיומא
The Talmud tractate on Yom Kippur.
Yoreh De'ahיורה דעה
The section of the Shulḥan Arukh on kashrut, purity, mourning and more.
Yovelיובל
The Jubilee year, every 50th year.
ḥazakaחזקה
A legal presumption; also a claim of ownership by possession.
ḥazanחזן
The cantor who leads the congregation in prayer.
ḥazarat ha-shatzחזרת הש"ץ
The prayer leader's repetition of the Amida.
zatza"lזצ"ל
"May the memory of the righteous be a blessing," said after a great rabbi's name.
zavזב
A man with a certain discharge, with special purity laws.
zavaזבה
A woman who has non-menstrual bleeding on three consecutive days, with special purity laws.
ḥazazitחזזית
A blemish (spots or scabs) on an etrog.
ze'iaזיעה
Sweat or moisture (as of a pot's steam).
Zera Emetזרע אמת
Responsa of Rabbi Yishmael Ha-Kohen (18th c., Modena).
zeri'aזריעה
Sowing, a forbidden kind of work on Shabbat and in the Sabbatical year.
Zikhronotזכרונות
The section of the Rosh Hashana Musaf prayer on remembrance.
zimunזימון
The invitation to say Grace after Meals together, said when three or more men (or women) ate together.
zivaזיבה
The discharge that makes one a zav or zava.
Zivḥei Tzedekזבחי צדק
A work on the laws of slaughter and kashrut by Rabbi Abdallah Somekh (19th c., Baghdad).
Zoharזוהר
The central work of Kabbala, Jewish mysticism.
Ḥazon Ishחזון איש
Rabbi Avraham Yeshaya Karelitz (20th c., Bnei Brak), and his work by that name.
Ḥazon Ovadiaחזון עובדיה
Rabbi Ovadia Yosef's books on the laws of Shabbat, festivals and blessings.
zonaזונה
A woman forbidden to marry a kohen because of a forbidden relationship.
zt"lזצ"ל
"May the memory of the righteous be a blessing," said after a great rabbi's name.

Short explanations to help you read. They are a study aid, not rulings.