Prayer Terms

Question 1

Haftarah

Answer 1

Reading from one of the prophets, read after the Torah is read on Shabbat and holiday mornings. Haftarah comes from the Hebrew root meaning “to conclude.”

Question 2

Siddur

Answer 2

The Prayer book

Question 3

Hatikvah

Answer 3

National anthem of Israel

Question 4

Vidui

Answer 4

A confession of sin alphabetically arranged and recited as part of the Yom Kippur liturgy in the synagogue
Also : a confession of sin recited privately by a person approaching death.

Question 5

B’racha

Answer 5

Blessing

Question 6

Mitzvah

Answer 6

Commandment

Question 7

Amida

Answer 7

The Amidah is the central prayer used in worship services. It is recited while standing and facing Jerusalem.

Question 8

Kipah

Answer 8

a Kipah (skullcap or yarmulke) is a small hat or headcovering. Worn as a sign of devoutness when praying or attending the Synagogue

Question 9

Tzitzit

Answer 9

Fringes, attached to the four corners of the tallit

Question 10

Machzor

Answer 10

Prayer book for the High Holy Days

Question 11

Kiddush

Answer 11

Kiddush, which means holiness, is the prayer over wine (or grape juice) that sanctifies Shabbat and holidays.

Question 12

Kaddish

Answer 12

Kaddish (means sanctification in Aramaic) a hymn praising God that recited during prayer services. Kaddish most commonly means, Mourner’s Kaddish, a prayer recited after someone has died. It is not a prayer for our about the dead but a praise of God.

Question 13

Minyan

Answer 13

The quorum required for communal worship. A minyan comprises ten male adults in Orthodox Judaism and usually ten adults of either sex in Conservative and Reform Judaism.

Question 14

Lecha Dodi

Answer 14

Liturgical song recited Friday to welcome Shabbat prior to the evening services. It is part of the Kabbalat Shabbat (“welcoming of Sabbath”).

Question 15

Keriyat Torah

Answer 15

Reading of the Torah

Question 16

Hallel

Answer 16

Hallel (Hebrew: הַלֵּל‎, “Praise”) is a prayer, a verbatim recitation from Psalms 113–118 which is recited by observant Jews on Jewish holidays as an act of praise and thanksgiving.

Question 17

Adon olam

Answer 17

Adon Olam (Hebrew: אֲדוֹן עוֹלָם‎; “Eternal Lord” or “Sovereign of the Universe”) is a hymn in the daily and Shabbat liturgy.

Question 18

Hagadah

Answer 18

which means “telling” in Hebrew, is a written guide to the Passover seder. The Haggadah includes various prayers, blessings, rituals, fables, songs and information for how the seder should be performed.

Question 19

Shema

Answer 19

The Shema is the quintessential Jewish declaration of faith. (According to Rafi, it is not a prayer)

Question 20

Tefillah

Answer 20

Tefillah is also one of many terms (but the most common in the Bible) for prayer in general.

Question 21

Tallit

Answer 21

Prayer shawl

Question 22

Tefillin

Answer 22

Phylacteries. Tefillin or phylacteries, is a set of small black leather boxes containing scrolls of parchment inscribed with verses from the Torah. Tefillin are worn by observant adult Jews during weekday morning prayers.

Question 23

Yahrzeit

Answer 23

The anniversary of a person’s death

Question 24

Current Jewish Year

Answer 24

5782