Jewish Terms Flashcards
Phrase used after the name of the departed male meaning, “Peace be upon him”.
Alar Hashalom
Phrase used after the name of a departed female meaning, “Peace be upon her”.
Alehaw Hashalom
Focal point of service in a synagogue or temple, the receptacle of the Torah (written law). It may be portable or an opening in a wall.
Ark
Hebrew meaning “container”. A coffin or casket made entirely of wood and containing no metal parts.
Aron
A mourner; (abel, avel, ovel) The nearest of seven blood relatives; father, mother, husband, wife, son or daughter, brother or sister.
Avelim
Burial grounds
Bais Hakevorous
Deceased male
Bar Minen
Deceased female
Bat Minen
To bury: (Bais Olam, Bet Almin) 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 brother of men or women from a synagogue who care for the dead. (Often referred to as “washers” by laymen.)
Chevra Kadisha
To pray
Daven
Sometimes referred to as 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 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 (parents, siblings, spouse, children) for the first time at the conclusion of the interment service. It is recited 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 ear in the upper corner if the garment or on a symbolic ribbon.
Kriah
A funeral cortege.
Leyava
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 on Friday and ends at sundown on 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 meanings: Good morning, peace, hello, good bye, love, until tomorrow and farewell.
Shalom
The 30 day mourning period in the Jewish faith.
Sholoshism
The watcher (sitter) who remains with the body until burial.
Shomer
Source of life (Nefesh, Meshamah, Rucah)
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 Kadisha of washing the deceased before the burial; serves as 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 shomer.
Tehilim
Resurrection of the dead.
Tehiyyath Hamathem
A religious building of the Reform and the Conservative Jewish faith.
Temple
A general term designating those places suitable 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 Hebrew calender) following death.
Unveiling
Anniversary of a death.
Yarhzeit (Mahzeit)
A candle burning for 24 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
