Glossary of Jewish Terms Flashcards
Phrase used after the name of a departed male meaning “Peace be upon him”
Alar Hashalom
Phase used after the name of a departed female meaning, “Peace be upon her”
Alehaw Hasalom
Focal point of service in a synagogue or temple, the receptacle of the Torah (written law). It may be portable or an opening in the wlal
Ark
Hebrew meaning “container”. A coffin or casket made entirely of wood and containing no metal parts
Aron
A mourner. the nearest of seven blood relatives; father, mother, husband, wife, son or daughter, brother and sister
Avelium
Burial Grounds
Bais Hakevorous
A deceased male
Bar Minen
A deceased female
Bat Minen
To bury; everlasting home, graveyard, or burial grounds
Bet Olan
The portion of the synagogue or temple raised above the congregation seating
Bimah
A religious singer who assists the rabbi
Cantor
Hebrew meaning “Burial Society” Holy Bortherhood of men and women from a synagogue who care for the dead
Chevrah Kadisha
To pray
Daven
Sometimes referred to as the Molei; In the Jewish faith, a memorial service; literally meaning, “God full of compassion,” usually the last prayer of the funeral service
El Molei Rachamin
Traditionally an oil lamp
Eternal Light
Transmigration of the soul
Gilgul Hanefesh
A eulogy. A true evaluation of an individuals life sanctioned by Jewish tradition, as a part of the funeral service
Hesped
The monotheistic religion of the Jewish people
Judaism
Tradition
Kabbala
A prayer recited for the deceased by the direct mourners for the first time at the conclusion of the interment service. It is required by children for their parents at every service for eleven months
Kaddish
The grave
Kever
Burial
Kevurah
Hebrew meaning rending or tearing; a symbol of grief, a tear in the upper corner of the garment or on a symbolic ribbon
Kriah
A funeral cortege
Levaya
The place of burial
Makom
A candelabrum with a central stem bearing seven candles. The oldest symbol in Judaism
Menorah
A quorum of ten men over the age of thirteen
Minyan
Prayers
Musof
A hexagram formed by the combination of two triangles, symbolizing a new hope for the Jewish people
Mogen David (Star of David)
A traditional Oil lamp
Ner Tamid
Deceased
Niftar
World to Come
Olam Haba
A monument inscription
Poh Nikbar
A teacher or ordained leader in the Jewish faith
Rabbi
The Jewish Sabbath which begins at sundown Friday and ends at sundown Saturday
Shabbat
A meal of consolation
Seudat
Seven days of mourning following burial
Shivah
A special candle which is burned during the seven days of mourning
Shivah Candle
A word of many meaning: Good morning, peace, hello, goodbye, love, until tomorrow, farewell
Shalom
The thirty day mourning period in the Jewish faith
Sholoshim
The watcher (sitter) who remains with the body until burial
Shomer
Source of life
Soul
Orthodox Jewish religious building
Synagogue
a hand-sewn white linen shroud in which the deceased members of the Jewish faith are dressed
Tachrichim
The ceremony performed by the Chevra Kaddisha of washing the deceased before the burial; serves as a ritual purification or cleansing of the body
Taharah
A prayer shawl worn by Orthodox Jewish men during the morning prayer service
Tallith
Prayers from the Book of Psalms said before the funeral by a group of friends and the shomwer
Tehilim
Resurrection of the deaad
Tehiyyath Hamathem
A religious building of the Reform and Conservative Jewish faith
Temple
A general term designating those places sitable for the reception of a dead human body
Tomb
The book of Law, instruction and learning
Torah
Tombstone consecration usually done a year and one day following death
Unveiling
the anniversary of a death
Yarhzeit (Mahzeit)
A candle burned for twenty-four hours on the anniversary of a death
Yarhzeit Candle
The skull cap worn by men at temple services and funeral services
Yamaka
Yarmulke
Kippah
A memorial service recited four times a year
Yizkor
