Jewish Terms Flashcards
Phrase used after the name of a 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 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; The nearest of seven blood relatives; father, mother, husband, wife, son or daughter, brother and sister.
Avelim (Abel, Avel, Ovel)
Burial grounds.
Bais Hakevorous
A deceased male.
Bar Minen
A deceased female.
Bat Minen
To bury; everlasting home, graveyard or burial grounds.
Bet Olan (Bais Olam, Bet Almin)
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 Brotherhood of men or women from a synagogue who care for the dead. (Often referred to as “washers” by laymen).
Chevrah Kadisha
To pray.
Daven
In the Jewish faith, a memorial service; literally meaning “God full of compassion”, usually the last prayer of the funeral service.
El Molei Rachamin (The Molei)
Traditionally an oil lamp.
Eternal Light
Transmigration of the soul.
Gilgul Hanefesh
A eulogy. A true evaluation of an individual’s 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 (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 tear in the upper corner of 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 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 thirty day mourning period in the Jewish faith.
Sholoshim
The watcher (sitter) who remains with the body until burial.
Shomer
Source of life.
Soul (Nefesh, Neshmah, Rucah)
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 Chevrah 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 mourning 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 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 the Hebrew calendar) 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
