Vocabulary

Sefirat Ha-Omer

Counting the Omer (barley). Shavuout

Tikkun Leil Shavuout

Special service for the evening of Shavuout, involving the study of Jewish sources, particularly the Jewish bible and postbiblical law materials all night on Shavuout

Chag Ha-Katizir

Harvest Festival

Chag Ha-Bikkurim

Festival of first fruits

Zeman Matan Torateinu

The time of the giving of our Torah; recited during Yom Tov in the Kiddush and Amidah

Shloshet Yemay Hagbalah

The three days of separation - when Moses set a boundary for the people around the mountain in preparation for the coming revelation.

Akdamut

In introduction to the worlds" prominent poem recited annually on the Jewish holiday of Shavuout

Na'aseh VeNishmah

We will do and we will hear/understand" The Jewish people promise first to observe the laws of the Torah

Sukkot

Holiday of being faithful

Sukkah

Temporary structure built for sukkot; eat all of your meals and sleep under it for one week. Recognize the reliance on God's protection after leaving Egypt.

Sechach

Branches used to cover sukkah; placed loosely enough for sunlight to come through and able to see stars.

Hag-Ha'asif

Gathering of the crop;s connected to Fall festival, 4 days after Yom Kippur. Pilgrims used Sukkot as a model for first Thanksgiving (was 8 day celebration)

Arba Minim

4 Species of Plants Sukkot from different parts fo Israel.

Lulav

Palm Branch used in Sukkot; part of arba minim

Hadas

Myrtle for Sukkot; part of arba minim

Aravah

Willow for Sukkot; part of arba minim

Etrog

Like a lemon; part of arba minim for Sukkot

Ushpizin

Every night eating in Sukkah, invite person from Jewish history to eat with you

Pitom

Tip of etrog where it attaches to plan, must be intact to be used. If not, need another.

Hachag

Sukkot is greatest holiday in terms of people coming to Jerusalem; pilgrimage holiday.

Zeman Simchataynu

Time of our rejoicing.

Hoshana Rabbath

The great Hoshana; 7th day; Beat willows til all of the leaves fall off. We want a good harvest (mimics Mesopotamian fertility ritual)

Shemini Atzeret

8th day of gathering; spend one more day with God after Sukkot ends. 6 months til Passover.

Simchat Torah

The joy of the Torah; take out all the Torahs and march them around 7x, each time singing and dancing. Take Torah scroll and read last works of the books of Moses, then take the different Torah and read first words of five books of Moses. Happens on 8th d

Hakafot

The circling 7x with four plants during Sukkot

Kol-Hen'Arim

all of the children" when reading last words, children given the honor.

Hatan Torah

The groom of the Torah - man honored to read first word of Genesis on Simchat Torah.

Kallah Beraysheet

The bride of Genesis - woman honored to read first word of Genesis on Simchat Torah

Tzelem Eloheem

being created in the image of God; every human has a spark of divinity so we have infinite value and worth.

Imitatio Dei

Imitating God as he rested on the 7th day

The 39 categories of work = melacha

The work you don't do on Shabbat (what was done to create the tabernacle)

Muktzeh

Something I'm not allowed to use or touch on Shabbat (ex: money)

Uvdin Dechol

Anything associated with the workday that's not physical (not supposed to talk about business on Shabbat)

Oneg

a delight; atmosphere of relaxation on Shabbat; "cake" set aside things you eat that are special

Eruv

Ritually defined area in which Jews can move freely while observing Shabbat.

Zachor Veshamor

Remember and observe the Sabbath; 2 candles lit

Se'ag LaTorah

18 minute window before the time of sunset to begin shabbat

Kabbalat Shabbat

Accepting/welcoming Shabbat

Shalom Aleichem

Welcome to the Shabbat Angels; spend shabbat with us and bless us. We say goodbye when Shabbat ends.

Nefesh Yetairah

Extra soul during Shabbat inside of us

Lecha Dodee

Poem to welcome Shabbat bride/queen

Kallah

Bride

Malkah

Queen

Eishet Chayil

A woman of valor (Proverbs 31) - Shabbat blessing for wife

Birkat Yeladim

Blessing of children

Hafrashat Challah

The taking of challah; burn a piece of dough like they burned the sacrifices

Havdalah

Ending of Shabbat; to separate, make distinct. Special candle with 3 wicks minimum braided. Fire merges.

Shavua Tov

Have a good week

Melaveh Malkah

Delaying the queen; not ready for Shabbat to end, community party.

Tzedekah

Putting money in a box for charity before Shabbat

Shechinah

feminine personification of God's presence