Glossary of Jewish and Rabbinic Terms

Sacred Texts & Literature

Torah — In its narrowest sense, the Five Books of Moses (Genesis through Deuteronomy). More broadly, it can refer to the entire body of Jewish teaching and law.

Tanakh — The complete Hebrew Bible, comprising three sections: Torah (the Five Books of Moses), Nevi'im (the Prophets), and Ketuvim (the Writings). The acronym T-N-K gives the word its name.

Talmud — A compilation of rabbinic discussion, debate, and legal reasoning, compiled between roughly 200–500 CE. It consists of two layers: the Mishnah (earlier oral laws) and the Gemara (later rabbinic commentary on the Mishnah). There are two versions: the Babylonian Talmud (more authoritative) and the Jerusalem Talmud.

Mishnah — The first major written redaction of Jewish oral law, compiled around 200 CE by Rabbi Judah HaNasi. It forms the foundation of the Talmud and is organized into six "orders" (sedarim) covering topics from agriculture to family law to festivals.

Midrash — Rabbinic literature that interprets and expounds on biblical texts, often through story, parable, and allegory. Midrash fills in narrative gaps, draws out moral lessons, and explores the deeper meanings of Scripture. Think of it as a rich tradition of biblical imagination and commentary.

Gemara — The rabbinic analysis and commentary on the Mishnah, composed by scholars (Amoraim) in the centuries following the Mishnah.

Halacha — Jewish law and legal practice, the rules governing how one should live. The word comes from a root meaning "to walk." It covers everything from dietary laws to Sabbath observance to ethics in business.

Aggadah — The non-legal portions of Talmudic and Midrashic literature: stories, legends, parables, theology, and ethical teachings. Alongside Halacha (law), Aggadah forms the two great streams of Jewish literary tradition.

Responsa (Teshuvot) — Written rulings by rabbinic authorities on questions of Jewish law, spanning over a thousand years. Similar in function to case law, responsa show how Halacha is applied to real-life situations across history.

Siddur — The Jewish prayer book, containing the standard daily, Sabbath, and holiday prayers. The word means "order," reflecting the structured sequence of liturgy.

Haggadah — The text read at the Passover Seder that recounts the Exodus from Egypt and provides the order of the ritual meal. Not to be confused with the broader term "Aggadah."

Names & Language

Hashem — Literally "The Name" in Hebrew. Used by observant Jews as a substitute for pronouncing G_D's name (particularly the Tetragrammaton, YHWH) in everyday speech, out of reverence.

Tetragrammaton (Y-H-V-H) — The four-letter Hebrew name of G_D (Yod-Heh-Vav-Heh), considered the most sacred Name, and is not spoken by observant Jews.

Lashon HaKodesh — "The Holy Tongue" — a term for the Hebrew language, which is considered sacred in Jewish tradition.

People & Roles

Rabbi — Literally "my teacher" or "my master." A rabbi is an ordained Jewish scholar and teacher, qualified to rule on questions of Jewish law and to lead a community.

Kohen (plural, Kohanim) — A priest, a descendant of Aaron, the brother of Moses. Kohanim held special roles in Temple worship and retain certain distinctions in Jewish law today (e.g., they are called first to read the Torah).

Levi (plural, Levi'im)— A descendant of the tribe of Levi who assisted the Kohanim in Temple service.

Sanhedrin — The supreme rabbinic court of ancient Israel, composed of 71 scholars. A smaller court of 23 judges handled capital cases.

Pharisees — A major Jewish sect of the Second Temple period, known for their emphasis on oral law and its application to everyday life. The rabbinic Judaism that developed after 70 CE is largely descended from Pharisaic tradition.

Sadducees — Another major Second Temple sect, associated with the Temple priesthood and aristocracy. They rejected the oral law and focused on the written Torah. They largely disappeared after the Temple's destruction in 70 CE.

Tzaddik (plural Tzaddikim) — A righteous or saintly person. In Hasidic Judaism, the Tzaddik (also called Rebbe) is a spiritual leader believed to have a special connection to G_D and the ability to uplift his community.

Practices & Concepts

Shabbat — The Jewish Sabbath, observed from Friday sundown to Saturday nightfall. It is a day of rest, prayer, family, and study — a central pillar of Jewish life, rooted in the creation narrative of Genesis.

Kashrut — The system of Jewish dietary laws. Food that conforms to these laws is called kosher. Key rules include the separation of meat and dairy, prohibitions on pork and shellfish, and specific methods of animal slaughter.

Mitzvah (plural Mitzvot) — Literally "commandment." Jewish tradition counts 613 commandments in the Torah. In common usage, mitzvah also carries the sense of a good deed. The concept is central to understanding Jewish ethics and practice.

Teshuvah — Repentance or "return." The process of recognizing sin, feeling remorse, making amends, and turning back to G_D. It is a cornerstone of Jewish theology, especially prominent during the High Holy Days.

Tzedakah — Often translated as "charity," but more precisely meaning "justice" or "righteousness." In Judaism, giving to those in need is not merely a virtue but an obligation rooted in justice.

Tikkun Olam — Literally "repairing the world." A concept expressing the Jewish responsibility to work toward justice, compassion, and the betterment of society. It has become especially prominent in modern Jewish thought.

Covenant (Brit) — The binding agreements between G_D and Israel (with Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David) are central to Jewish identity. The Hebrew brit means covenant or agreement.

Yom Kippur — The Day of Atonement, the holiest day of the Jewish year. A day of fasting, prayer, and repentance, focused on seeking forgiveness from G_D and from fellow human beings.

Kabbalah — The tradition of Jewish mysticism, concerned with the inner dimensions of Torah, the nature of G_D, and the soul. The Zohar is its central text. It should not be confused with the popularized, commercialized "Kabbalah" of recent decades.

The Temple & Worship

Beit HaMikdash — "The Holy House" — the Temple in Jerusalem. The First Temple was built by Solomon and destroyed by Babylon in 586 BCE; the Second Temple was rebuilt and later destroyed by Rome in 70 CE. Its loss remains a defining event in Jewish history and theology.

Synagogue — The Jewish house of assembly, prayer, and study. It replaced the Temple as the center of Jewish worship after 70 CE. The Greek word synagogue means "assembly," and Christian "churches" are heavily influenced by the synagogue institution.

Menorah — A seven-branched candelabrum, one of the most ancient Jewish symbols and a central feature of the Temple. Distinct from the Hanukkiah, the nine-branched candelabrum used on Hanukkah.

Mezuzah — A small scroll containing verses from the Torah, ie: the Shema, placed in a decorative case and affixed to doorposts of Jewish homes, fulfilling the biblical commandment to write G_D's words "on the doorposts of your house."

Key Prayers & Concepts

Shema — The central declaration of Jewish faith: "Hear, O Israel, the LORD is our G_D, the LORD is One" (Deuteronomy 6:4). Recited morning and evening, it is the foundational statement of Jewish monotheism. Jesus quoted it when asked about the greatest commandment.

Amidah — The central prayer of Jewish liturgy, recited silently while standing. It consists of 19 blessings and is prayed three times daily. Also known as the Shemonah Esre (18 Benedictions).

Kaddish — An Aramaic prayer of praise to G_D, most widely known as a prayer recited by mourners. It contains no mention of death — it is entirely a glorification of G_D's name.

Shalom — The Hebrew word for peace, wholeness, and well-being. Used as both a greeting and farewell, and deeply embedded in Jewish theology as a divine ideal.