Glossary of Theological and Biblical Terms

Here is a brief discussion of terms that the student of theology is likely to encounter in the course of study. This list is not completed as of yet, it is an on going work and more will be added.

Abaddon (Hebrew) - Apollyon (Greek)
Destruction, abyss. In Job 26:6, the place of the dead. In Revelation 9:11 the angel of the bottomless pit, perhaps the chief of Satan's angels.

Absolute Authority-

The highest authority in one's life; an authority that cannot be disproved by appeal to any higher authority.


Active Obedience-
Christ's perfect obedience to God during His entire earthly life, which earned the righteousness that God credits to those who place their faith in Christ.

Ad-Hominen

An argumentative tactic where a person fails to engage the substance of an argument, choosing instead to opt for a personal attack on the character of the one making the argument. A popular and humorous extreme of this would be to respond to someone by saying “You’re a monkey’s uncle.” Another example might be saying “You’re just a right-winged fundamentalist. How could you know what you are talking about?”

• adiaphora
  Literally, "matters of indifference." Beliefs or practices which the sixteenth-century Reformers regarded as being tolerable, in that they were neither explicitly rejected nor stipulated by Scripture. For example, what ministers wore at church services was often regarded as a "matter of indifference." The concept is of importance in that it allowed the sixteenth-century reformers to adopt a pragmatic approach to many beliefs and practices, thus avoiding unnecessary confrontation.

        Adoption-

        An act of God whereby He makes us members of His family.

• Alexandrian school
  A patristic school of thought, especially associated with the city of Alexandria in Egypt, noted for its Christology (which placed emphasis upon the divinity of Christ) and its method of biblical interpretation (which employed allegorical methods of exegesis). A rival approach in both areas was associated with Antioch. 
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• Anabaptism
  A term derived from the Greek word for "re-baptizer," and used to refer to the radical wing of the sixteenth-century Reformation, based on thinkers such as Menno Simons or Balthasar Hubmaier. 

        Anachronism

         The fallacy when one misplaces a contemporary usage of something (words, events, customs, etc.) and      enforces it upon the past. In theology, this is often done with word usage and can cause great misunderstanding. For example, the word “catholic” today carries a connotation associating it the current Roman Catholic Church. Often when one reads early church documents they will see the word “catholic” and enforce their current understanding of what it means to be catholic into their understanding when, in truth, the word meant something much different.

       Angel-
 A created spiritual being with moral judgment and high intelligence but without a physical body.

       Amillennialism

 A particular view of Christian eschatology that teaches the Kingdom of God was inaugurated at Pentecost and will conclude at Christ”s Second Coming. Unlike premillennialism, the amillennial view asserts there will not be an established period in which Christ “physically” reigns upon the Earth. Rather, He reigns as King in Heaven at the right hand of the Father through his established church. The most notable early church father to accept [and systematize] this position was St. Augustine.

• analogy of being (analogia entis)
  The theory, especially associated with Thomas Aquinas, that there exists a correspondence or analogy between the created order and God, as a result of the divine creatorship. The idea gives theoretical justification to the practice of drawing conclusions concerning God from the known objects and relationships of the natural order. 
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• analogy of faith (analogia fidei)
  The theory, especially associated with Karl Barth, which holds that any correspondence between the created order and God is only established on the basis of the self-revelation of God. 
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• Anglicanism
  A branch of theology especially associated with the churches historically derived from the Church of England. In the past, characteristic emphases have included the recognition of the relation between liturgy and theology, and an emphasis upon the importance of the doctrine of the incarnation.
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• anthropomorphism
  The tendency to ascribe human features (such as hands or arms) or other human characteristics to God. 
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• Antiochene school
  A patristic school of thought, especially associated with the city of Antioch in modern-day Turkey, noted for its Christology (which placed emphasis upon the humanity of Christ) and its method of biblical interpretation (which employed literal methods of exegesis). A rival approach in both areas was associated with Alexandria. 
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• anti-Pelagian writings
  The writings of Augustine relating to the Pelagian controversy, in which he defended his views on grace and justification. See "Pelagianism."
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• Anselm of Canterbury
• He was a Roman Catholic philosopher and clergyman best known for his work Cur Deus Homo[Why the God-man?], 1098. Called the founder of scholasticism, he is considered the father of the ontological argument for the existence of God. He also openly opposed the Crusades.
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• apophatic
  A term used to refer to a particular style of theology, which stressed that God cannot be known in terms of human categories. Apophatic (which derives from the Greek apophasis, "negation" or "denial") approaches to theology are especially associated with the monastic tradition of the Eastern Orthodox church.
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• apostolic era
  The period of the Christian church, regarded as definitive by many, bounded by the resurrection of Jesus Christ (c.AD 35) and the death of the last Apostle (c.AD 90?). The ideas and practices of this period were widely regarded as normative, at least in some sense or to some degree, in many church circles.
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• appropriation
  A term relating to the doctrine of the Trinity, which affirms that while all three persons of the Trinity are active in all the outward actions of the Trinity, it is appropriate to think of each of those actions as being the particular work of one of the persons. Thus it is appropriate to think of creation as the work of the Father, or redemption as the work of the Son, despite the fact that all three persons are present and active in both these works. 
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• Arianism
  A major early Christological heresy, which treated Jesus Christ as the supreme of God's creatures, and denied his divine status. The Arian controversy was of major importance in the development of Christology during the fourth century. 
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• atonement
  A term originally coined by William Tyndale to translate the Latin term reconciliatio, which has since come to have the developed meaning of "the work of Christ" or "the benefits of Christ gained for believers by his death and resurrection." 
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• Augustinianism
  A term used in two major senses. First, it refers to the views of Augustine of Hippo concerning the doctrine of salvation, in which the need for divine grace is stressed. In this sense, the term is the antithesis of Pelagianism. Second, it is used to refer to the body of opinion within the Augustinian order during the Middle Ages, irrespective of whether these views derive from Augustine or not.
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• Aseity
• Attribute or property of God describing his self-existence and non-contingency. In other words, God is the only absolutely independent being. His existence and well-being are not dependent upon any being or circumstance. He is the final and primary cause of all things, therefore, there is no cause that precedes him. He is in need of nothing.
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• Barthian
  An adjective used to describe the theological outlook of the Swiss theologian Karl Barth (1886-1968), noted chiefly for its emphasis upon the priority of revelation and its focus upon Jesus Christ. The terms "neo-orthodoxy" and "dialectical theology" are also used in this connection. 
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• Black theology
  A movement in North American theology which became especially significant in the late 1960s, which emphasized the importance and distinctiveness of the religious experience of black people. 
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• Calvinism
  An ambiguous term, used with two quite distinct meanings. First, it refers to the religious ideas of religious bodies (such as the Reformed church) and individuals (such as Theodore Beza) who were profoundly influenced by John Calvin, or by documents written by him. Second, it refers to the religious ideas of John Calvin himself. Although the first sense is by far the more common, there is a growing recognition that the term is misleading. 
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• Cappadocian fathers
  A term used to refer collectively to three major Greek-speaking writers of the patristic period: Basil of Caesarea, Gregory of Nazianzen, and Gregory of Nyssa, all of whom date from the late fourth century. "Cappadocia" designates an area in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), in which these writers were based.
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• Cataphatic Theology
• Often called “positive theology,” cataphatic theology describes the theological methodology of those who focus on God’s self-revelation as a coherent avenue of God’s communication. While finite men cannot understand an infinite God completely, they can understand him truly.
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• catechism
  A popular manual of Christian doctrine, usually in the form of question and answer, intended for religious instruction.

• Cessationism

  The theological position which asserts the gifts of the Spirit have ceased after the apostolic era; gifts such as miraculous healings, tongues, and prophetic revelations. It is to be contrasted with continuationism (i.e., the gifts are operative after the apostolic age). Though there are some variations in modern views,  the consensus agrees that the supernatural elements described above have been done away with in the life of the church.
  
  
• Chalcedonian definition
  The formal declaration at the Council of Chalcedon that Jesus Christ was to be regarded as both human and divine.
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• charisma, charismatic
  A set of terms especially associated with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. In medieval theology, the term "charisma" is used to designate a spiritual gift, conferred upon individuals by the grace of God. Since the early twentieth century, the term "charismatic" has come to refer to styles of theology and worship which place particular emphasis upon the immediate presence and experience of the Holy Spirit.
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• Christology
  The section of Christian theology dealing with the identity of Jesus Christ, particularly the question of the relation of his human and divine natures.
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• circumincession
  See perichoresis.
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• Complemntarianism
• Theological position held by many Christians (contra egalitarianism) believing the Bible teaches that men and women are of equal worth, dignity, and responsibility before God (ontological equality), but that men and women have different roles to play in society, the family, and the church (relational distinct roles). For the complementarian, these roles do not compete but complement each other. Prominent modern complementarians are Tomas Schreiner, Wayne Grudem, and John Piper

• confession
  Although the term refers primarily to the admission of sin, it acquired a rather different technical sense in the sixteenth century - that of a document which embodies the principles of faith of a Protestant church. Thus the Augsburg Confession (1530) embodies the ideas of early Lutheranism, and the First Helvetic Confession (1536) those of the early Reformed church. The term "Confessionalism" is often used to refer to the hardening of religious attitudes in the later sixteenth century, as the Lutheran and Reformed churches became involved in a struggle for power, especially in Germany. The term "Confessional" is often used to refer to a church which defines itself with reference to such a document. Confessions (which define denominations) should be distinguished from creeds (which transcend denominational boundaries).
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• consubstantiation
  A term used to refer to the theory of the real presence, especially associated with Martin Luther, which holds that the substance of the eucharistic bread and wine are given together with the substance of the body and blood of Christ. 
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• creed
  A formal definition or summary of the Christian faith, held in common by all Christians. The most important are those generally known as the "Apostles' creed" and the "Nicene creed."
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• Christian Fundamentalism
• Originally fundamentalism referred to the early 20th century movement that opposed liberalism and took a decisive stand for the essentials or “fundamentals” of the Christian faith (e.g. virgin birth, miracles, deity of Christ, etc.). Later the term “fundamentalism” became associated with Christian legalism and radical conservatism. In this sense, it has become a derogatory term with implications of anti-intellectualism. Also, in this later sense, it is to be distinguished from Evangelicalism.
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• Deism
  A term used to refer to the views of a group of English writers, especially during the seventeenth century, the rationalism of which anticipated many of the ideas of the Enlightenment. The term is often used to refer to a view of God which recognizes the divine creatorship, yet which rejects the notion of a continuing divine involvement with the world. 
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• demythologization
  An approach to theology especially associated with the German theologian Ruldolf Bultmann (1884-1976) and his followers, which rests upon the belief that the New Testament worldview is "mythological." In order for it to be understood within, or applied to, the modern situation, it is necessary that the mythological elements should be eliminated. 
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• dialectical theology
  A term used to refer to the early views of the Swiss theologian Karl Barth (1886-1968), which emphasized the "dialectic" between God and humanity. 
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• dispensationalism
  A Protestant movement, especially associated with North America, placing emphasis upon the various divine "dispensations" with humanity, and stressing the importance of eschatology. 
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• Docetism
  An early Christological heresy, which treated Jesus Christ as a purely divine being who only had the "appearance" of being human. 
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• Donatism
  A movement, centering upon Roman North Africa in the fourth century, which developed a rigorist view of the church and sacraments. 

         Dualism

         Early philosophical system which sees the universe in terms of two antithetical forces which are continually at odds. These two forces are responsible for the origin of the world. Often the dualist worldview produced a metaphysical separation between the spiritual and physical, with the spiritual being good and physical being evil. Christianity has rejected all forms of a dualism yet its assumptions often find their way into the church

• Ebionitism
  An early Christological heresy, which treated Jesus Christ as a purely human figure, although recognizing that he was endowed with particular charismatic gifts which distinguished him from other humans. 
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• ecclesiology
  The section of Christian theology dealing with the theory of the church. 
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• Enlightenment, The
  A term used since the nineteenth century to refer to the emphasis upon human reason and autonomy characteristic of much of western European and North American thought during the eighteenth century. 
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• eschatology
  The section of Christian theology dealing with the "last things," especially the ideas of resurrection, hell, and eternal life.
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• eucharist
  The term used in the present volume to refer to the sacrament variously known as "the mass," "the Lord's supper," and "holy communion."
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• evangelical
  A term initially used to refer to the nascent reforming movements, especially in Germany and Switzerland, in the 1510s and 1520s. The term was later replaced by "Protestant" in the aftermath of the Diet of Speyer. In modern times, the term has come to be used of a major movement, especially in English-language theology, which places especial emphasis upon the supreme authority of Scripture and the atoning death of Christ.
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• Evidentalism
• The form of Christian apologetics that believes that the Holy Spirit often uses evidences to help people overcome obstacles to Christianity so that true faith can be exercised on the basis of epistemic justification. Evidentialists are opposed to fideists who believe that evidence is contrary to faith. Important evidentialists include J.P. Moreland, William Lane Craig, Robert Bowman, and John Warwick Montgomery.
  exegesis
• The science of textual interpretation, usually referring specifically to the Bible. The term "biblical exegesis" basically means "the process of interpreting the Bible." The specific techniques employed in the exegesis of Scripture are usually referred to as "hermeneutics."
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• exemplarism
  A particular approach to the atonement, which stresses the moral or religious example set to believers by Jesus Christ. 

        extra calvinisticum

        The belief among Calvinists that Christ’s humanity is not infinite or omnipresent and therefore can only be at one place at one time, even after the ascension. This, according to adherents, is the historic view as espoused by the Chalcedonian definition since, according to the definition, Christ’s human nature cannot share attributes with the divine nature. The implications would be at odds with the Roman Catholic view of Transubstantiation as well as the Lutheran view of Consubstantiation, both of which believe that Christ’s human nature can be at more than one place at one time during the sacrament of mass or the Lord’s Supper. The “extra” has to do with the belief among Calvinists that while Christ’s humanity was finite, there was a sense in which Christ was still infinite, holding the world together. In other words, finite could not contain the infinite (finitum non capax infiniti).

• fathers
  An alternative term for "patristic writers."

         Federal Vision

         (also called Auburn Avenue Theology)

It is the controversial position within Reformed theology that seeks a redefinition of items such as covenant theology, trinitarian thinking, the sacraments of Baptism and Communion, biblical theology, typology, justification, and postmillennial eschatology.  While the proponents of this position maintain covenant theology, it differs in its view of the nature of the covenant. Specifically that the covenant is actually “objective” and that all covenant members are part of God’s family, whether or not they are elect of God. They also promote paedo-baptism, though advocates affirm what can be considered a form of baptismal regeneration. Proponents of this view are Steve Wilkins, John Barach, Peter Leithart, and Douglas Wilson.

• feminism
  A major movement in western theology since the 1960s, which lays particular emphasis upon the importance of women's experience, and has directed criticism against the patriarchalism of Christianity. 
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• Five Ways, the
  A standard term for the five "arguments for the existence of God" especially associated with Thomas Aquinas. 
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• Foundationalism
• The epistemological position believing that many beliefs are properly basic or foundational to humanity without the need of an outside source of information. An example of a properly basic belief would be the law of non-contradiction (i.e., a belief cannot be true and false at the same time and in the same relationship)
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• Fourth Gospel
  A term used to refer to the Gospel according to John. The term highlights the distinctive literary and theological character of this gospel, which sets it apart from the common structures of the first three gospels, usually known as the synoptic gospels.
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• fundamentalism
  A form of American Protestant Christianity which lays especial emphasis upon the authority of an inerrant Bible. 
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• Gnosticism
  A movement placing especial emphasis upon a contrast between the material and spiritual realms, which became of major importance during the second century. Its most characteristic doctrines include redemption apart from the material world, a dualist worldview which held that different gods were responsible for creation and redemption, and an emphasis upon the importance of "knowledge" (gnosis) in salvation. 
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• hermeneutics
  The principles underlying the interpretation, or exegesis, of a text, particularly of Scripture.
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• historical Jesus
  A term used, especially during the nineteenth century, to refer to the real historical person of Jesus of Nazareth, as opposed to the Christian interpretation of that person, especially as presented in the New Testament and the creeds. 
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• homoousion
  A Greek term, literally meaning "of the same substance," which came to be used extensively during the fourth century to designate the mainstream Christological belief that Jesus Christ was "of the same substance as God." The term was polemical, being directed against the Arian view that Christ was "of similar substance" (homoiousion) to God. 
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• humanism
  A complex movement, linked with the European Renaissance. At the heart of the movement lay not (as the modern sense of the word might suggest) a set of secular or secularizing ideas but a new interest in the cultural achievements of antiquity. These were seen as a major resource for the renewal of European culture and Christianity during the period of the Renaissance. 
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• hypostatic union
  The doctrine of the union of divine and human natures in Jesus Christ, without confusion of their respective substances. incarnation A term used to refer to the assumption of human nature by God, in the person of Jesus Christ.  The term "incarnationalism" is often used to refer to theological approaches (such as those of late nineteenth-century Anglicanism) which lay especial emphasis upon God's becoming human.
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• Jonathan Edwards
• (1703-1758) Often called the greatest theologian that America has ever produced, Jonathan Edwards was a Calvinistic theologian and philosopher who is best known for his treatise on religious affections. During his years as a Congregational minister Edwards managed to produce an impressive and comprehensive body of theological writing as well as lead America through the revival known as the First Great Awakening.
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• Justification 
• The act by which God declares a sinner to be just on the basis of the righteousness of Christ alone. According to Romans 1:18-3:28, justification is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ apart from works or merit
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• justification by faith, doctrine of
  The section of Christian theology dealing with how the individual sinner is able to enter into fellowship with God. The doctrine was to prove to be of major significance at the time of the Reformation.
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• kenoticism
  A form of Christology which lays emphasis upon Christ's "laying aside" of certain divine attributes in the incarnation, or his "emptying himself" of at least some divine attributes, especially omniscience or omnipotence.
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• kerygma
  A term used, especially by Rudolf Bultmann (1884-1976) and his followers, to refer to the essential message or proclamation of the New Testament concerning the significance of Jesus Christ. 
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• liberal Protestantism
  A movement, especially associated with nineteenth-century Germany, which stressed the continuity between religion and culture. 
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• liberation theology
  Although the term could designate any theological movement laying emphasis upon the liberating impact of the gospel, it has come to refer to a movement which developed in Latin America in the late 1960s, which stressed the role of political action and oriented itself toward the goal of political liberation from poverty and oppression.
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• Libertarian Free Will
• The belief that the human will is free from any necessitating constraint (necessitas coactio). This is often referred to as “the power of contrary choice.” In this, whatever decisions are made, its alternative decisions are viable options. The alternative to libertarianism is fatalism, divine determinism, or self-determinism. The reformers believed that the faculty of the will is free (vonutas), but this will is in bondage to its nature, as all wills are. The reformers rejected both libertarianism and fatalism, seeking a mediating position that allows the will to be free, but does not allow its liberty to act out of concert with its nature.
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• limited atonement
  An approach to the doctrine of the atonement, especially associated with Calvinist writers, which holds that Christ's death is only effective for those who have been elected to salvation.
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• liturgy
  The written text of public services, especially of the eucharist.
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• Lutheranism
  The religious ideas associated with Martin Luther, particularly as expressed in the Lesser Catechism (1529) and the Augsburg Confession (1530). A series of internal disagreements within Lutheranism after Luther's death (1546) between hardliners (the so-called "Gnesio-Lutherans" or "Flacianists") and moderates ("Philippists"), led to their resolution by the Formula of Concord (1577), which is usually regarded as the authoritative statement of Lutheran theology.
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• magisterial Reformation
  A term used to refer to the Lutheran and Reformed wings of the Reformation, as opposed to the radical wing (Anabaptism).
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• modalism
  A Trinitarian heresy, which treats the three persons of the Trinity as different "modes" of the Godhead. A typical modalist approach is to regard God as active as Father in creation, as Son in redemption, and as Spirit in sanctification.
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• Monergism
• The doctrine that God the Holy Spirit solely and independently acts to regenerate the heart of man so as to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. In other words, God performs a unilateral inward action upon man’s heart to respond to the call of salvation.
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• Monophysitism
• The belief that the two natures of Christ, human and divine, came together in the incarnation to make one new nature. It was condemned as heretical in 451 at the Council of Chalcedon. Chalcedon held that the two natures of Christ remain completely intact in one person. 
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• Nag Hammadi
• Name given to the library of 52 ancient books found in 1945 just outside of Nag Hammadi, Egypt. These books date from the mid-fourth century and contain primarily gnostic “Christian” teachings including the Gospel of Thomas. While studies of this library are still considered to be in the infant stages by most scholars, it remains the most important source we have for early gnosticism. 
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• Natural Revelation 
• Also, “general revelation.” Revelation of God that is natural and evidenced by all creation (in contrast to special revelation). Because of this general medium of revelation, natural revelation is available to all people of all times in all places. Examples of natural revelation are the human cell (evidencing God’s complexity), the sunset on the beach (evidencing God’s aesthetic attention), and the cosmos (evidencing God’s power). Romans 1 and Psalm 19 speak explicitly about natural revelation and its ability to evidence the nature and attributes of God, holding all accountable to acknowledge him as creator.
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• neo-orthodoxy
  A term used to designate the general position of Karl Barth (1886-1968), especially the manner in which he drew upon the theological concerns of the period of Reformed orthodoxy. 
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• nominalism
  Strictly speaking, the theory of knowledge opposed to realism. The term is, however, still used occasionally to refer to the via moderna. 
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• ontological argument
  A form of argument for the existence of God especially associated with the scholastic theologian Anselm of Canterbury. 
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• Open Theism
• Also referred to as “free will theism” and “openness theology,” It is the belief that God does not exercise meticulous control of the universe but leaves it “open” for humans to make significant free will choices that impact their relationships with God and others. A corollary of this is that God has not predetermined the future. Open Theists further believe that this would imply that God does not know the future exhaustively.
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• orthodoxy
  A term used in a number of senses, of which the following are the most important: Orthodoxy in the sense of "right belief," as opposed to heresy orthodoxy in the sense of a movement within Protestantism, especially in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries, which laid emphasis upon need for doctrinal definition.
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• Orthopraxy
• The corollary of orthodoxy, its emphasis is on the performance of correct doctrine as it pertains to the Bible. That is, it corresponds to the action or response to right thinking or teaching. Much is considered with respect to what actions are considered the correct ones. Historical definitions on Christian orthopraxy maintain church attendance, sacraments such as prayer and the Lord’s supper, even fasting. In the end, the fundamental explanation of orthopraxy is acting in a manner worthy of the call of God as it pertains to being conformed to the image of Christ.
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• Panentheism
•  A view of God which combines pantheism with theism. The panentheist believes that all of creation is in God, but does not make up the sum total of what God is. Like cells in a body, the universe is part of God. Important panentheists include Charles Hartshorne and Alfred North Whitehead.
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• parousia
  A Greek term, which literally means "coming" or "arrival," used to refer to the second coming of Christ. The notion of the parousia is an important aspect of Christian understandings of the "last things." 
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• patristic
  An adjective used to refer to the first centuries in the history of the church, following the writing of the New Testament (the "patristic period"), or scholars writing during this period (the "patristic writers"). For many writers, the period thus designated seems to be c.100-451 (in other words, the period between the completion of the last of the New Testament writings and the Council of Chalcedon).
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• Pelagianism
  An understanding of how humans are able to merit their salvation which is diametrically opposed to that of Augustine of Hippo, placing considerable emphasis upon the role of human works and playing down the idea of divine grace.
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• perichoresis
  A term relating to the doctrine of the Trinity, often also referred to by the Latin term circumincession. The basic notion is that all three persons of the Trinity mutually share in the life of the others, so that none is isolated or detached from the actions of the others.

• Perseverance of the saints-The doctrine, often associated with Calvinism and first articulated by Saint Augustine, which holds that those who are truly elect of God will persevere in belief until final redemption. This doctrine is sometimes used synonymously with “Eternal Security” and “Once-saved-always-saved,” but advocates would prefer a certain nuance, believing that the emphasis is upon the perseverance of the believer”s faith as a means or evidence of their security which is ultimately brought about by God”s grace.

  
  
• Pietism
  An approach to Christianity, especially associated with German writers in the seventeenth century, which places an emphasis upon the personal appropriation of faith, and the need for holiness in Christian living. The movement is perhaps best known within the English-language world in the form of Methodism. 
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• postliberalism
  A theological movement, especially associated with Duke University and Yale Divinity School in the 1980s, which criticized the liberal reliance upon human experience, and reclaimed the notion of community tradition as a controlling influence in theology. 
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• postmodernism
  A general cultural development, especially in North America, which resulted from the general collapse in confidence of the universal rational principles of the Enlightenment.
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• Propitiation
• Translated from the Greek word hilasterion, meaning “that which expiates or propitiates” or “the gift which procures propitiation”. It means “satisfaction” or “appeasement,” specifically towards God. In the New Testament, propitiation is the work of Jesus Christ on the cross by which He appeases the wrath of God who would otherwise be offended by our sin and demand that we pay the penalty for it. The concept of propitiation is often associated with the idea of a substitutionary atonement.
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• Protestantism
  A term used in the aftermath of the Diet of Speyer (1529) to designate those who "protested" against the practices and beliefs of the Roman Catholic church. Prior to 1529, such individuals and groups had referred to themselves as "evangelicals."
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• radical Reformation
  A term used with increasing frequency to refer to the Anabaptist movement - in other words, the wing of the Reformation which went beyond what Luther and Zwingli envisaged.

• Reductio-Ad-Absurdum

  The “reductio” describes an argumentative tactic where the benefit of the doubt is given to the argument. From there it is demonstrated that it leads to an absurd conclusion. This type of argument can be used both constructively and fallaciously. The fallacious side of it assumes that the absurd conclusion is truly absurd in that it must be wrong. 
  
  
  Regula Fidei
  This is a phrase used often in the early Church to refer to the summation of the Christian faith. The regula fidei was seen as the faith which was held “always, everywhere, and by all.” It was seen as being inherited and passed on, not through an avenue of inspired or infallible information distinct from that of Scripture, but as representative of the essential doctrinal and moral elements of the faith contained in Scripture. This concept served as a theological barrier to gauge and protect orthodoxy. Also known as the “analogy of faith,” from Latin analogia fidei.
  
  
• Reformed
  A term used to refer to a tradition of theology which draws inspiration from the writings of John Calvin (1510-64) and his successors. The term is generally used in preference to "Calvinist."
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• Sabellianism
  An early trinitarian heresy, which treated the three persons of the Trinity as different historical manifestations of the one God. 
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• sacrament
  In purely historical terms, a church service or rite which was held to have been instituted by Jesus Christ himself. Although Roman Catholic theology and church practice recognize seven such sacraments (baptism, confirmation, eucharist, marriage, ordination, penance, and unction), Protestant theologians generally argue that only two (baptism and eucharist) were to be found in the New Testament itself. 

        Sanctification

        Sanctification is that continuous operation of the Holy Spirit, by which the holy disposition        imparted in regeneration is maintained and strengthened.   

• schism
  A deliberate break with the unity of the church, condemned vigorously by influential writers of the early church, such as Cyprian and Augustine. 
• 
  
• scholasticism
  A particular approach to Christian theology, associated especially with the Middle Ages, which lays emphasis upon the rational justification and systematic presentation of Christian theology. 
• 
  
• Scotism
  The scholastic philosophy associated with Duns Scotus.
• 
  
• Scripture principle
  The theory, especially associated with Reformed theologians, that the practices and beliefs of the church should be grounded in Scripture. Nothing that could not be demonstrated to be grounded in Scripture could be regarded as binding upon the believer. The phrase sola scriptura, "by Scripture alone," summarizes this principle.
• 
  
• Sensus Plenior
• The principle of interpretation which seeks the fuller meaning of the text that was not necessarily understood by the biblical author. There is much debate among exegetes as to whether a text can have a fuller meaning and if this fuller meaning can be distinct in nature from the meaning of the human author. This concept is especially applied with reference to when a New Testament author quotes from the Old Testament.
• 
  
• Septuagint
  The Greek translation of the Old Testament, dating from the third century BC. The abbreviation LXX is generally used to refer to this text.
• 
  
• Sermon on the Mount
  The standard way of referring to Christ's moral and pastoral teaching in the specific form which it takes in chapters 5-7 of Matthew's gospel.
• 
  
• soteriology
  The section of Christian theology dealing with the doctrine of salvation (Greek: soteria).
• 
  
• Special Revelation
• Revelation given by God’s supernatural intervention in history through (1) miraculous events, (2) divine speech, and (3) visible manifestations. This is to be contrasted with “general” or “natural” revelation which refers to God’s revelation generally given to all people through a naturalistic medium.
• 
  
• synoptic gospels
  A term used to refer to the first three gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke). The term (derived from the Greek word synopsis, "summary") refers to the way in which the three gospels can be seen as providing similar "summaries" of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
• 
  
• synoptic problem
  The scholarly question of how the three synoptic gospels relate to each other. Perhaps the most common approach to the issue is the "two source" theory, which claims that Matthew and Luke used Mark as a source, while also drawing upon a second source (usually known as "Q"). Other possibilities exist: For example, the Grisebach hypothesis treats Matthew as having been written first, followed by Luke and then Mark.
• 
  
• Systematic Theology
• A system of studying theology which draws from all sources of revelation in order to come to systematic conclusions about what has been revealed about the various theological disciplines.

• Theism
• World view that believes that an eternal God freely created all of existence (time, space, matter, celestial realms and bodies) out of nothing (ex nihilo) and that he continues to act within the creation in varying degrees. This is to be contrasted with atheism (the belief that there is no God), pantheism (the belief that all is God), polytheism (the belief in many gods), and deism (the belief that God does not interact with creation).
• 
  
• theodicy
  A term coined by Leibnitz to refer to a theoretical justification of the goodness of God in the face of the presence of evil in the world.
• 
  
• Theology
• The study of the evidences of design or purpose in nature. It is the school of thought that holds all things to be designed for or directed toward a final result, that there is an intrinsic purpose for everything that exists. In Christian apologetics, it represents the argument for the existence of God, in that the order of the natural world is not an accident. That is, since the world clearly has a design, it must have a designer and could not be accidental.
• 
  
• Thomism, via Thomae
  The scholastic philosophy associated with Thomas Aquinas.
• 
  
• transubstantiation
  The medieval doctrine according to which the bread and the wine are transformed into the body and blood of Christ in the eucharist, while retaining their outward appearance.
• 
  
• Trinity
  The distinctively Christian doctrine of God, which reflects the complexity of the Christian experience of God. The doctrine is usually summarized in maxims such as "three persons, one God." 
• 
  
• two natures, doctrine of
  A term generally used to refer to the doctrine of the two natures, human and divine, of Jesus Christ. Related terms include "Chalcedonian definition" and "hypostatic union."
• 
  
• Universalism 
• This is the doctrine that states all people of all time will be saved by being reconciled to God and go to heaven, whether or not faith is professed in Jesus Christ in this life. There are a few variations of this teaching that accept “hell” as a real place, but all Universalists unequivocally agree that no person will ever go there.
• 
  
• Vulgate
  The Latin translation of the Bible, largely deriving from Jerome, upon which medieval theology was largely based. Strictly speaking, "Vulgate" designates Jerome's translation of the Old Testament (except the Psalms, which was taken from the Gallican Psalter); the apocryphal works (except Wisdom, Ecclesiastes, I and II Maccabees, and Baruch, which were taken from the Old Latin Version); and all the New Testament. The recognition of its many inaccuracies was of fundamental importance to the Reformation.
• 
  
• Zwinglianism
  The term is used generally to refer to the thought of Huldrych Zwingli, but is often used to refer specifically to his views on the sacraments, especially on the "real presence" (which for Zwingli was more of a "real absence").
  

---

Hebraic Biblical Terms

Numbers correspond to the Strong's Concordance from which the definitions come. At the end of this work you will also find the correct spelling for some Hebrew names, the Hebrew spelling for the Tanach, and the Tractates of the Mishnah.

• Adar
  Sixth month of Hebrew civil calendar: February-March.
• Afikoman (al. Afikomen) 
  This word, from the Greek meaning "after-dish," refers to the last morsel eaten at the seder--half of the central matzah broken off and put away at the beginning of the meal...Greek word meaning that which comes after. It is represented in a broken piece of matzah wrapped in linen and buried (hidden)...A Greek word meaning "dessert." This piece of the ceremonial matzah is the final thing eaten at the Passover seder meal.
• Aggadah (al. Agada, Agadah) pl. Agadot
  stories, parables.
• Agunah
  A woman whose husband had disappeared, and who could not remarry without witnesses to his death....bound woman.
• Akedah (al. Akeida)
  Binding an animal for sacrifice; specifically, Abraham's binding of Isaac for sacrifice to G-d--not consummated...The binding of the sacrifice.
• Al Chet
  Literally: for the sin; an important Yom Kippur prayer listing sins for which we beg forgiveness.
• Al Hanisim (al. Ha-nissim)
  thanksgiving for the miracles added to prayer and grace after the meal on the festivals of Hanukah and Purim.
• Al Mikrah Megillah
  the blessing before the reading of the Megillah.
• Al Netilat Yadayim
  the blessing over the washing of hands before the meal.
• Alenu Leshabe'ach
  a prayer of thanksgiving for being separated from the heathens.
• Aliyah pl. Aliyot
  Literally: going up. To "have an aliyah" refers to the honor of being called up to the bimah to recite or chant the blessings over the Torah. To "make aliyah" or "go on aliyah" means to immigrate to Israel.
• Am haaretz
  peasantry. Used by the Talmud and thereafter to mean ignorant....people of the land.
• Amidah
  standing prayer, quietly murmured, that is part of each daily service, alternatively called the Tefillah or the Shemoneh Esre ...a prayer, recited silently, thrice daily, while standing up, the prayer of the eighteen benedictions. Amora pl. Amoraim - Speaker, interpreter; expounder of Talmudic (Mishnaic) law from compilation of Mishnah to redaction of entire Talmud, in Babylon (where the amoraim were known as Mar or Rav) and in Israel (where they were designated Rabbi). Their discussions and teachings, 220-550, form the Gemara, lengthier sections of the Talmud that follow each Mishnah.
• Anenu
  a passage added to prayer on public fast days.
• Ani Ma'amin
  Literally: I believe; often sung at the seder and at Yom Hashoah observances in memory of Holocaust victims who sang this song of faith on their way to their deaths.
• Anshei K'neset Hagdolah
  Sages of the Great Synod during the first part of the Second Sanctuary Period.
• Apocalyptic
  Ideas and teachings pertaining to the revelation (apocalypse) of the last days and the end of the world.
• Apocrypha
  A Greek adjective in the neuter plural (from apokruphos, “hidden, concealed”) denotes strictly “things concealed.” Old Testament Apocrypha, specifically the fourteen books written after the Old Testament canon was closed and which, being the least remote from the canonical books, laid strongest claim to canonicity...The body of Jewish literature written between the second century B.C. and the second century A.D., not included in the canon of the Hebrew Bible.
• Apostate
  One whose actions are not consistent with the standards of behavior set by his religious community.
• Aravah pl. Aravot
  willow branch taken as one of the four species on the Feast of Tabernacles.
• Arba'ah Minim (al. the Four Species)
  Palm, myrtle, willow and citron; another name for the lulav and etrog together, used on Sukkot.
• Aron Hakodesh
  Literally: the Holy Ark; the special cabinet in which the Torah scrolls are kept in the synagogue; the Holy Ark is called Heichal in Sephardic synagogues.
• Aseret Yemei Teshuvah
  the ten days of penitence.
• Asham
  A guilt offering made by one who has sinned against his fellow man.
• Ashkenazi pl. Ashkenazim
  Referring to Jews of Central and Eastern European origin.
• Ashrey
  Psalm 145 recited thrice daily.
• Atah Chonantanu
  a passage added to the evening prayer after the Sabbath to note the difference between the Sacred and the non-Sacred.
• Athid Lavo
  The coming age.
• Atzeret
  Conclusion; used for concluding observance of festival; word derived from "gathering" or "detention," original meanings. Shemini Atzeret is concluding day of Sukkoth; Atzeret is Talmudic term for Shavuot, conclusion of Omer count...A festive gathering for the conclusion of a festive season, a concluding feast.
• Aufruf
  Calling up of the bridegroom or bridal couple for the Torah blessings on the Shabbat preceding their wedding.
• Av
  Eleventh month of Jewish year.
• Av Beit Din (al. Bayt, Bet)
  Father of the court--judicial president in Talmudic era, and later.
• Av Harachamim
  a prayer for the persecuted communities.
• Avelut
  third period of mourning; the first year after death.
• Avinu Malkenu
  Literally: our Father, our King; a prayer of supplication recited on Yom Kippur...a prayer said on the Days of Penitence and fast days.
• Avodah (al. Abodah)
  Service--specifically, the sacrificial Temple service as performed by high priest; today, referring to Yom Kippur observance and other synagogue rituals. Chasidic concept of life dedicated to G-d.
• Azarah pl. Azarot
  the Temple Courtyard. Ezrat Nashim
  the outer Courtyard in the Sanctuary.
• Azaze
  Meaning unknown; Talmud thus denotes the mountain on which scapegoat is sent, to carry people's sins into the wilderness, on Yom Kippur.
• Azharot
  a passage on the commandments in the Torah read on Shavuot.
• Badeken
  Traditional formal veiling of the bride by the groom before the wedding ceremony.
• Bamah pl. Bamot
  an improvised altar, outside the Sanctuary.
• Bar Kokhba (al. Kochba)
  Leader of a Jewish revolt (132-135) against Hadrian.
• Bar / Bat (al. Bas) Mitzvah
  Literally: son / daughter of the commandment; ceremony marking a youngster's reaching the age of religious majority, traditionally thirteen for boys and twelve for girls; in many congregations, thirteen for girls as well.
• Baraita
  An Aramaic term for a statement of law, historical or aggadic tradition which is attributed to the tannaitic period but which is not contained in the Mishnah.
• Barchu
  call upon the congregation to bless G-d.
• Barech
  grace...the part of the Seder when the grace after the meal is recited.
• Baruch Dayan Ha'emet
  a blessing of acceptance of G-d's judgments.
• Baruch Hu Uvaruch Shemo
  a phrase of blessing of G-d's Name upon hearing it uttered.
• Basar
  #1319. basar, baw-sar'; a prim. root; prop. to be fresh, i.e. full (rosy, fig. cheerful); to announce (glad news):--messenger, preach, publish, shew forth, (bear, bring, carry, preach, good, tell good) tidings....Good news (same as gospel).
• Bat Kol
  an "echo" of a Divine Voice.
• Batlanim
  male householders who had leisure to give themselves to regular attendance.
• Bedikat Chametz
  Search for leaven before Passover...casting out the leaven.
• Beha'alotcha
  a portion in the Book of Numbers.
• Bein Hametzarim
  the period between the Seventeenth of Tammuz and the Ninth of Av, "Between the Fences".
• Beinoni pl. Beinonim
  of median piety.
• Beit Din (al. Bayt, Bet)
  "House of Judgment [Law]" Jewish court employing religious and Talmudic law...Rabbinical court.
• Beit haMikdash (al. Bayt, Bet)
  House of Sanctity; synagogue...The sanctuary or Temple in Jerusalem.
• Beit haShoevah (al. Bayt, Bet)
  The House of the Waterpouring.
• Beit Midrash (al. Bayt, Bet) pl. Batey Midrashot
  Houses of Study.
• Berachah (al. Brachah) pl. Berachot (al. pl. Brachot, Birchot)
  a blessing, benediction.
• Berachot Hashachar (al. Birchot, Brachot)
  the blessings of awakening recited each morning.
• Berit, B'ris
  Literally: covenant; refers to the covenant between G-d and Abraham and his descendants.
• Berit Milah
  often referred to simply as b'ris.
• Beshalach
  a portion in the Book of Exodus.
• Betzah
  roasted egg, a symbol for the second sacrifice of Passover.
• Beyn
  #996. beyn, bane (sometimes in the plur. masc. or fem.); prop. the constr. contr. form of an otherwise unused noun from H995; a distinction; but used only as a prep., between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conj., either . . . or:--among, asunder, at, between (-twixt . . . and), + from (the widest), X in, out of, whether (it be . . . or), within.
• Bikkur
  examining or investigating.
• Bikkur Cholim (al. Holim)
  Visiting the sick--a pious duty, carried out in the past by Chevra Kadisha.
• Bikkurim (al. Bikurim)
  the Offering of the First Fruit.
• Bimah
  The raised platform in the synagogue from which the Torah is read and from which worship services are usually conducted; the platform is called tevah in Sephardic synagogues...Reader's stand in synagogue.
• Birkat Hachodesh
  the blessing of the New Moon.
• Birkat haMazon
  Benediction over food; grace after meals.
• Birkat HaMinim
  90 CE decree.
• Bitul Torah
  the neglect of the study of the Torah.
• Bi'ur Ma'asro
  the disposal of tithes.
• Bo
  a portion in the Book of Exodus.
• Boethuseans
  A religious party of the first century composed of wealthy and influential members of the priesthood, similar in doctrine with the Sadducees.
• Boneh Yerushalayim
  the blessing over the rebuilding of Jerusalem.
• Bore Nefashot
  a short blessing after the eating of food that does not require Birkat Hamazon.
• Bore Peri Ha'etz
  the blessing over fruit of the tree.
• C.E.
  Common Era (same as A.D.).
• Ceruvim
  the Cherubim in the Sanctuary.
• Chag Habikkurim (al. Habikurim)
  Literally: Festival of the First Fruits; another name for Shavuot.
• Chag Haggeulah
  festival of redemption.
• Chag Sameach
  Literally: a joyous holiday; greeting used on the festivals.
• Chai
  Literally: life. When Jews drink, they wish each other Lechayim
  (to life).
• Chalitzah
  This Biblical ceremony, to absolve a man of marrying his childless brother's widow, means "removal." The widow removes his shoe and publicly spits upon the recalcitrant.
• Challah (al. Chalah) pl. chalot
  Egg bread eaten on Shabbat and festivals; the challah used on Rosh haShanah is round, often containing raisins, symbolizing a sweet year, distinguishing it from the Shabbat challah that is braided...the kohen's share in the dough...White braided Sabbath bread; name of the dough tithed from bread baking.
• Chametz (al. Chamets)
  Food prepared with leaven, by extension referring to all foods and utensils forbidden on Passover...Leavened bread and anything made with wheat, rye, barley, oats, or spelt, which has not been supervised to ensure that it has not leavened; refers to prohibited foods during Pesach.
• Chanukat Habayit
  Literally: dedication of the home; the ceremony affixing the mezuzah.
• Chanukiah
  Eight-branched candelabrum, with a place for a ninth candle (shamash) that light the others, especially designed for Hanukah.
• Charose
  A mixture of fruits, nuts, and wine; one of the symbolic Passover foods. Its color and consistency are reminders of the bricks and mortar used by the Israelite slaves.
• Chasidim
  Ultra-Orthodox followers of the eighteenth-century leader, Rabbi Israel, the Ba'al Shem Tov.
• Chatan
  Bridegroom.
• Chatan Bereshit
  Literally: bridegroom of Genesis; the man called to recite or chant the blessings over the first section of the Torah on Simchat Torah.
• Chatan Torah
  Literally: bridegroom of the torah; the man called to recite or chant the blessings over the final section of the Torah on Simchat Torah.
• Chatat (al. Hataat)
  Sin offering in Temple...A sin offering made by one who has sinned against G-d.
• Chavurah (al. Chaburah, Havra'ah)
  pl. Chavurot - a group of "subscribers" convened for the purpose of offering the Pesach Sacrifice and eating of its meat...Informal group, which meets together for Jewish study and celebration.
• Chazan (al. Hazzan)
  the cantor, the leader in prayer.
• Chazan Hakkeneset (al. Hazzan)
  synagogue employee.
• Chazarat Hashatz
  repetition of the amidah prayer by the cantor aloud after it was recited by the congregants.
• Cheder
  Old-fashioned term for Hebrew school....Chamber.
• Cheshvan (Bul)
  Second month of Jewish year.
• Chet
  Literally: missing the mark; one of the Hebrew terms translated as sin. Chevrah Kadisha - Group of people entrusted with the mitzvah of preparing a body for burial.
• Chokmah
  #2451. chokmah, khok-maw'; from H2449; wisdom (in a good sense):--skillful, wisdom, wisely, wit.
• Cho
  non-sacred.
• Chol Hamoed
  Ordinary part of the festival--days in the middle of Pesach or Sukkot when work is allowed...weekdays of the Festival.
• Chukat
  a portion in the Book of Numbers.
• Chumash pl. Chumashim
  one of the Five Books of the Torah.
• Chuppah (al. Chupah, Huppah)
  Canopy under which pair stand at wedding ceremony, symbol of home to be established...Canopy which represents the honeymoon chamber.
• Confirmation
  Ceremony marking the completion of the religious school course of study, often held on Shavuot.
• Consecration
  Ceremony marking the beginning of a child's formal Jewish education, often held on Simchat Torah.
• Da'ath
  #1847. da'ath, dah'-ath; from H3045; knowledge:--cunning, [ig-] norantly, know(-ledge), [un-] awares (wittingly).
• Darash
  #1875. darash, daw-rash'; a prim. root; prop. to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by impl. to seek or ask; spec. to worship:--ask, X at all, care for, X diligently, inquire, make inquisition, [necro-] mancer, question, require, search, seek [for, out], X surely.
• Daven
  The Yiddish word meaning "pray."
• Dayenu
  Literally: It would have been enough for us; name of a popular seder song.
• Defilement
  ritual impurity.
• Devar Torah
  Literally: a word of Torah; follows the Torah reading in a worship service, taking the form of a sermon, talk, explication, story, discussion, or program.
• Diaspora
  Jewish communities outside of Israel.
• Dibre HaYamin
  the events of the days.
• Din pl. Dinim
  Halachah law.
• Duchan
  the stand in front of the ark in the synagogue from which the kohanim bless the congregation.
• Eglah Arufah
  "the heifer-of-the-broken-neck" prescribed in case of an unsolved murder.
• Ein Kelohenu
  "There is no simile of our L-rd..." a passage recited after the morning prayer.
• El Erech Apaim
  a prayer mentioning the thirteen Divine Attributes.
• El Malei Rachamim
  Literally: G-d, full of compassion; memorial prayer.
• Elohim
  G-d.
• Elokai Netzor
  a passage of personal requests recited upon the conclusions of the silent prayer.
• Elul
  Twelfth month of Jewish year....prior to R-H.
• Emor
  a portion in the Book of Leviticus.
• Emunah
  faith.
• Episkopos
  #1985. episkopos, ep-is'-kop-os; from G1909 and G4649 (in the sense of G1983); a superintendent, i.e. Chr. officer in gen. charge of a (or the) church (lit. or fig.):--bishop, overseer.
• Episunagoge
  #1997. episunagoge, ep-ee-soon-ag-o-gay'; from G1996; a complete collection; spec. a Chr. meeting (for worship):--assembling (gathering) together.
• Ereb 
  #6153. 'ereb, eh'-reb; from H6150; dusk:-- + day, even (-ing, tide), night. (al. Erev)
  the day before, the eve of.
• Erusin
  In ancient times, the formal engagement ceremony before marriage.
• Eruv
  an act of legal "mixing", the means of "mixing".
• Eruv Chatzero
  an act of legal "mixing" to enable transferring from one "private domain" to another on Sabbath.
• Eruv Tavshilin
  an act of "mixing" the cooked food prepared for a festival and the Sabbath next to it in order to enable cooking and baking on the festival for the Sabbath.
• Etrog
  Citron fruit; with the lulav, it is the symbol of Sukkot...citron fruit taken as one of the four species on the Feast of Tabernacles.
• Eusebes
  #2152. eusebes, yoo-seb-ace'; from G2095 and G4576; well-reverent, i.e. pious:--devout, godly.
• Even Shetiyah
  the Foundation Stone in the Sanctuary.
• Ezrat Nashim
  the outer Courtyard in the Sanctuary. Azarah pl. Azarot
  the Temple Courtyard.
• Fleishig
  Foods derived from meat or meat products.
• Gabai pl. Gaba'im
  the leader of the Synagogue.
• Gan Eden
  The Garden of Eden...paradise.
• Gaon pl. Ge'onim
  (Excellency) Reverential title of heads of Talmudic academies of Sura and Pumbedita, Babylonia. Rabbi Elijah of Wilna was accorded that title in the eighteenth century...the head of a Torah Center in Babylonia in the post-Talmudic era.
• Gehinnom (al. Gehinom)
  Literally: Valley of Hinnom; a temporary place of punishment in the afterlife...Hell.
• Gelt
  Yiddish term for money; traditionally given as a Hanukah gift and used for the dreidel game.
• Gemar Chatimah Tovah
  Literally: May the final sealing be good; traditional greeting from the end of Rosh haShanah through Yom Kippur.
• Gemara
  Collection of legal and ethical discussions of the rabbis of the third through the fifth centuries, edited about 500 CE; together with the Mishnah forms the Talmud.
• Gematria
  Finding meanings in the numerical value of Hebrew letters and words.
• Ger
  #1616. ger, gare; from H1481; prop. a guest; by impl. a foreigner:--alien, sojourner, stranger...Gioret pl. gerim
  The masculine and feminine forms of the Hebrew term for convert.
• Ger Sheker
  Proselyte who declares full conversion for ulterior motives.
• Ger Toshav
  Proselyte who accepts monotheism and the Noahide laws, and who receives courtesies and privileges.
• Ger Tzedek
  Full convert of true conviction, in all respects to be considered a Jew.
• Gerut
  The process of conversion.
• Get
  Religious divorce; the word is used to refer to a Jewish bill of divorcement.
• Gevurot Geshamim
  "the Power of Rain", a Praise to G-d for the revelation of His powers in Nature, added to the silent prayer.
• Gezerah
  Laws or traditions added by the Pharisees as fences around the existing Law in an attempt to prevent it from being broken.
• God (names)
  Adonai, Elohim, El Shaddai, YHVH, Hakadosh Baruch Hu, Ribono shel Olam, Harachaman, Avinu Shebashamayim.
• Go'el
  Redeemer.
• Go'el Israe
  "The Redeemer of Israel", one of the eighteen benedictions of the Amidah prayer.
• Goyim
  foreigner.
• Grogger (al. Greegers, Graggers)
  Noisemaker used to drown out Haman's name during the reading of the Megillah on Purim.
• Ha Melech
  The king.
• Ha'azinu
  the song of. A portion of Deuteronomy.
• Haben
  The son.
• Hadas
  a myrtle branch taken as one of the four species on the Feast of Tabernacles.
• Haftorah (al. Haftarah) pl. Haftarot
  Selection from the Prophets read or chanted after the weekly Torah portion during the synagogue service on Sabbath and holidays.
• Hag haMatzah
  The Festival of Unleavened Bread.
• Hagadol
  The great.
• Hagah
  #1897. hagah, haw-gaw'; a prim. root [comp. H1901]; to murmur (in pleasure or anger); by impl. to ponder:--imagine, meditate, mourn, mutter, roar, X sore, speak, study, talk, utter.
• Hagbalah
  Days of Abstinence.
• Haggadah (al. Hagadah, Agada, Agadah, Aggadah) pl. Haggadot
  A general Hebrew term for utterance, applied specifically to the nonlegal portion of rabbinic literature. It is also the title of the text recited at the festive meal (seder) on the first two nights of Passover...Literally: telling; book in which the Passover story is retold and the seder ritual is outlined...the tale of the Exodus from Egypt as read at the Seder Night.
• Hagigah (al. Chagigah)
  a sacrifice offered on the eve of Pilgrim Festivals.
• Hagomel
  A blessing of thanksgiving for deliverance from perils.
• Hakafah pl. Hakafot
  The carrying of the Torah scrolls in a procession around the sanctuary...the circling of the Altar in the Sanctuary or the Bimah in the Synagogue.
• Hak-heyl
  assemble-ceremony of reading parts of Torah every seventh Sukkot.
• Halakhah (al. Halachah, Chalakah)
  The way one goes; the word for law, or for the purely legal and regulatory portions of the Talmud, and of all Jewish lore...Jewish law.
• Halakhah Lemoshe Misinai (al. Halachah, Chalakah)
  a Law given to Moses on Sinai and not written explicitly in the Torah.
• Halakhic
• Hallel (al. Halel)
  Special psalms of praise, recited or sung on the festivals....Psalms 113 - 118.
• Hamantashen
  Filled three-cornered pastries supposed to represent Haman's hat, traditionally eaten on Purim.
• Hamavdil
  the blessing of Havdalah.
• Hanukah (al. Chanukah)
  Literally: dedication; name of the winter holiday commemorating the Maccabean victory over the Syrians in 165 BCE.
• Haptomai
  #680. haptomai, hap'-tom-ahee; reflex. of G681; prop. to attach oneself to, i.e. to touch (in many implied relations):--touch.
• Harpazo
  #726. harpazo, har-pad'-zo; from a der. of G138; to seize (in arious applications):--catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force).
• HaSatan
  The Adversary (same as Satan).
• Hatafat Dam Berit
  Taking a single drop of blood from the penis as a sign f the covenant, necessary in the conversion of an adult male already circumcised.
• Hatarat Nedarim
  the repeal of vows.
• Hatikva
  The hope.
• Hatov Vehametive
  the fourth blessing of Birkat haMazon -- "He Who is ood and bestows goodness..".
• Havdalah
  Literally: separation; ceremony that marks the end of the Sabbath and the beginning of the week...the blessing over wine to mark the difference between the Sabbath and the weekdays.
• Hayom Harat Olam
  verses recited during the Rosh haShanah mussaf prayer.
• Hechag
  Literally: the holiday; one of the names for Sukkot.
• Hechal
  Hall of the Sanctuary.
• Heretic
  One whose beliefs do not accord with those of the established religion to which he claims adherence.
• Hester Panim
  the withdrawal of Divine Favor.
• Heter
  permission, permit.
• Heter Iska
  "transaction permit" allowing a money lender to take interest by making him a partner of the borrower sharing his profits.
• High Holy Days
  A ten day period from Rosh haShanah to Yom Kippur.
• Hillel
  The most prominent Jewish teacher of the first century (30 BCE - 10 CE).
• Hilula
  a celebration of memorial.
• Holy of Holies
  most Holy inner part of the Sanctuary.
• Homiletic
  The art of preaching or public persuasion.
• Hoshanah
  Chant of "Save us, L-rd." said while carrying Torah in procession.
• Hoshana Rabbah (al. Hoshanah Raba)
  the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles.
• Ishtar
  Fertility Goddess.
• Isru Chag
  the day following a festival.
• Itro
  a portion in the Book of Exodus.
• Iyar (Zif]
  Eighth month of Jewish year.
• Jubilee
  Every fiftieth year, land lies fallow and land ownership is totally redistributed into equal family shares.
• Kabbalat Ol Mitzvot
  Literally: the acceptance of the yoke of the commandments; a convert's agreement to lead a Jewish life.
• Kabbalat Shabbat
  Psalms, readings and songs welcoming the Sabbath; the introductory portion of the Sabbath eve service.
• Kabod (al. kabowd)
  #3519. kabowd, kaw-bode'; rarely kabod, kaw-bode'; from H3513; prop. weight; but only fig. in a good sense, splendor or copiousness:--glorious (-ly), glory, honour (-able). (al. Kavod)
• Kaddish (al. Kadish)
  Prayer praising G-d. This prayer is chanted at several points in a service. In addition, it is recited at least once at each service in memory of those who have died...Prayer of sanctification of G-d's name.
• Kalat Bereshit
  Literally: bride of Genesis; the woman called to recite or chant the blessings over the first section of the Torah on Simchat Torah.
• Kallah (al. Kalah) pl. Kallot
  Bride...Conclave or retreat.
• Kaparah pl. Kaparot (al. pl. Kapparot)
  expiation...Ceremony of transferring sinfulness to a scapegoat just before Yom Kippur.
• Kapore
  the covering over the Holy Ark in the Sanctuary.
• K'arah
  Passover dish.
• Karath
  #3772. karath, kaw-rath'; a prim. root; to cut (off, down or asunder); by impl. to destroy or consume; spec. to covenant (i.e. make an alliance or bargain, orig. by cutting flesh and passing between the pieces):--be chewed, be con- [feder-] ate, covenant, cut (down, off), destroy, fail, feller, be freed, hew (down), make a league ([covenant]), X lose, perish, X utterly, X want ... (al. Karet) - "Being cut off" from the people; Biblical punishment which might become capital or consist of early natural death.
• Karpas
  A green herb like parsley or a green vegetable such as celery or watercress, symbolizing spring; one of the symbolic foods used on the seder plate.
• Kashru
  Jewish dietary laws.
• Katatome
  #2699. katatome, kat-at-om-ay'; from a comp. of G2596 and temno (to cut); a cutting down (off), i.e. mutilation (ironically):--concision. Comp. G609.
• Kavanah
  Literally: intentionality; referring to the spiritual attitude with which we approach worship.
• Kedushah
  (Holiness) When the reader or cantor repeats the Amidah (standing prayer), the congregation rises for this antiphonal chant of a doxology from Bible verses proclaiming oneness and sanctity of the L-rd...prayer of sanctification of G-d's Name added to the third benediction of the amidah prayer.
• Kedushat Hayom
  the benediction concerning the "sanctity of the day" included in the amidah prayers on Sabbaths and Festivals.
• Kehunah, Kehunah Gedolah
  Priesthood in the Sanctuary, High Priesthood.
• Ken Ayin Hara (Yiddish, Kinna Hurra)
  Literally: May there be no evil eye. Keriah - Tearing of a garment or a symbolic black ribbon as an expression of grief in conjunction with a death.
• Ketiva Vachatima Tovah
  wishes of "good inscription" on Rosh haShanah.
• Ketoret
  incense offered in the Sanctuary.
• Ketubah (al. Kethubhoth) pl. Ketubot
  (Writing) Traditional marriage contract, detailing duties of wife and husband, and providing money penalties for divorcement of wife...A second marriage contract.
• Ketuvim
  Literally: the Writings; third section of the Bible.
• Ketz
  End of Days.
• Kevah
  Literally: fixed; referring to the fixed order of Jewish liturgy.
• Kevod Hamet (al. Kebod)
  Honor due to the dead.
• Ki Tetze
  a portion in the Book of Deuteronomy.
• Ki Tisa
  a portion in the Book of Exodus.
• Kiddush (al. Kidush)
  Blessing recited or chanted over wine on Shabbat or festivals emphasizing their holiness....pour out first cup of wine / blessing of sanctification...by extension, a light meal after the wine.
• Kiddush Hachodesh (al. Kidush)
  the sanctification of the New Moon.
• Kiddush Levanah (al. Kidush)
  the blessing of sanctification over the monthly renewal of the moon.
• Kiddushin (al. Qiddushin, Kedushin)
  Literally: holiness; refers both to the wedding ceremony and to the state of matrimony.
• Kinah pl. Kinot
  (Lamentation) Elegy in poetic (piyyut) structure recited on Jewish days of mourning.
• Kipah
  The Hebrew term for skullcap; the Yiddish term is yarmulke.
• Kislev
  Third month of Jewish year.
• Kittel (al. Kitel)
  White garment that is part of traditional Jewish burial clothes; worn by some worshipers on Yom Kippur as a reminder of mortality and a symbol of purity, and by some officiants at Rosh haShanah services and at the Passover Seder. Also worn by some grooms at their wedding.
• Klaf
  Hand-written scroll placed in a mezuzah, containing Deuteronomy 6:4-9; ll:13-21.
• Kodashim Kalim
  sacrifices of minor sanctity.
• Kodesh
  Literally: holy.
• Kodesh hakodhashim
  room behind Holy Place. also hakodesh - the Holy Place.
• Kohelet
  the Scroll of Ecclesiastes.
• Kohen (al. Cohen) pl. Kohanim (al. pl. Cohanim) 
  Descendant of the ancient priestly class, the progeny of Aaron...a priest.
• Kohen haGadol (al. Cohen haGadol, Cohen Gadol]
  The High Priest.
• Kol Nidrei (al. Nidrey)
  Literally: al vows; prayer that begins the Yom Kippur eve service; the entire service is often called the Kol Nidrei service
  ...a prayer and announcement of repeal of vows recited upon the advent of the Day of Atonement.
• Korech
  matzah and bitter herb sandwich.
• Kosher
  Ritually fit for use...permitted.
• Kri
  the traditional pronunciation of words in the Torah.
• K'tiv
  the traditional spelling of words in the Torah.
• Kvatter / Kvatterin
  Godfather / Godmother; those who carry the baby into the Berit ceremony.
• Ladino
  Judeo-Spanish; the everyday language of Sephardic Jews.
• Lag baOmer
  33rd day of 50 days of Omer.
• Lamnatze'ach Ya'ancha Hashem
  Psalm 20, recited on weekdays to mark sorrow and supplication.
• Latreia
  #2999. latreia, lat-ri'-ah; from G3000; ministration of God, i.e. worship:--(divine) service.
• Lech Lecha
  the third portion in the Book of Genesis.
• Lechem Mishneh
  two loaves required for the blessing on Sabbath and Festival meals.
• Lehitpalel
  Literally: to judge oneself; the Hebrew word meaning "to pray."
• Leshanah Tovah Tikatevu
  Literally: May you be inscribed [in the Book of Life] for a good year; Rosh haShanah greeting, sometimes shortened to Shanah Tovah.
• Levi
  a Servant in the Sanctuary, a Sage of the Talmud.
• Leviathan
  Sea monster mentioned in Job, of which the pious will eat at the resurrection.
• Levirate
  the institution of the brother-in-law (marrying his brothers widow).
• Lulav pl. Lulavim
  Palm branch, with myrtle and willow sprigs attached; with the etrog, it is the symbol of Sukkot...a palm branch taken as one of the four species on the Feast of Tabernacles.
• Maamad
  "Station"--groups of lay people who assisted the Levites at the daily sacrifices one week a year.
• Ma'aminim
  the Believers.
• Maariv
  Evening prayer service....evening prayers after sunset.
• Ma'aser pl. Ma'asrot
  tithes given to the Kohen, the Levite or the poor.
• Machah
  #4229. machah, maw-khaw'; a prim. root; prop. to stroke or rub; by impl. to erase; also to smooth (as if with oil), i.e. grease or make fat; also to touch, i.e. reach to:--abolish, blot out, destroy, full of marrow, put out, reach unto, X utterly, wipe (away, out).
• Machzor
  (Repetition) High Holy Day prayer book, In some Orthodox synagogues, a special prayer book- -also known as a machzor--is used on the Pilgrimage Festivals.
• Maftir
  Last part of Torah reading on a given Shabbos or festival...the man who is "called up" to the reading of the concluding passage.
• Magen Avot 
  a short summary of the Sabbath amidah prayer recited on Sabbath Eve after the silent prayer.
• Maggid
  Preacher; generally itinerant, and popular because of his clever parables....narration.
• Mah Nishtanah
  four questions.
• Malkot
  the penalty of lashing.
• Malkut Shamayim
  The Kingdom of Heaven.
• Maot Chitim (al. maoz chittin)
  Literally: wheat money; money collected prior to Passover to assist the needy to celebrate the holiday and to buy special Passover foods.
• Maoz Tsur
  Best-known Hanukah song. An English version of the song is entitled "Rock of Ages."
• Maror
  A bitter herb such as horseradish, symbolizing the bitter plight of the enslaved Israelites; one of the symbolic foods used on the seder plate.
• Marranoes
  forcibly converted Jews in Spain.
• Mashiach 
  Anointed one (same as Messiah or Christ).
• Masoretic Text 
  The accepted Hebrew text of scriptures.
• Mattan Torah (al. Matan)
  The giving of the law or instruction.
• Mattanot Le-Evyonim 
  Giving to the poor.
• Matzah pl. Matzot 
  Unleavened bread...The unleavened bread eaten in recollection of the hurried departure from Egypt; the eating of matzah is obligatory only at the seder.
• Mayim Hayim
  Living water.
• Mazal Tov
  Literally: good luck; congratulations.
• Mechilta
  Halakhic midrash to Exodus.
• Medieval 
  Relating to or characteristic of the Middle Ages.
• Megillah (al. Megilah) pl. Megillot
  Literally: scroll; there are five megillot in the Bible. The one we read on Sukkot is Ecclesiastes, on Purim is Esther, on Pesach is Song of Songs, on Shavuot is Ruth and on Tishah Be'av is Lamentations.
• Melech
  king.
• Meni
  Moon Goddess.
• Menorah pl. Menorot 
  Seven- or eight-branched candelabrum; people commonly refer to an eight- branched Chanukiah as a menorah...the Lamp of the Sanctuary.
• Menuhan 
  place of rest.
• Mesorah
  the traditional essential requirements in the writing of a Torah Scroll.
• Mezuzah pl. Mezuzot 
  (Doorpost) Ritual object consisting of a casing and a klaf that is put on the doorpost(s) of the house.
• Midat Hadin
  the Divine Attribute of Justice.
• Midrash pl. Midrashim
  A collection of works compiled between the third and twelfth centuries that seeks out underlying truths and meanings of the Bible; the result of the process of delving into the ramifications of a biblical verse and of the ancient rabbis' reading between the lines of Scripture.
• Mikdash Me'at
  Literally: a small sanctuary; refers to the home.
• Mikrah (al. Miqra) 
  #4744. miqra', mik-raw'; from H7121; something called out, i.e. a public meeting (the act, the persons, or the place); also a rehearsal:--assembly, calling, convocation, reading.
• Minchah pl. Menachot
  from an unused root mean. to apportion, i.e. bestow; a donation; euphem. tribute; spec. a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary):--gift, oblation, (meat) offering, present, sacrifice...afternoon prayer; name of Temple sacrifice...evening prayers during the day...a gift offering in the Sanctuary...an offering made of flour and oil.
• Minim 
  Sectaries; early Judeo-Christians.
• Minyan
  Quorum of ten adult Jews necessary for public prayer. Miqvah - #4724. miqvah, mik-vaw'; fem. of H4723; a collection, i.e. (of water) a reservoir:--ditch. (al. Mikvah)
  Ritual bath.
• Miqveh
  #4723. miqveh, mik-veh'; or miqveh (H1 Kings 10 : 28), mik-vay'; or ` miqve' (H2 Chron. 1 : 16), mik-vay'; from H6960; something waited for, i.e. confidence (obj. or subj.); also a collection, i.e. (of water) a pond, or (of men and horses) a caravan or drove:--abiding, gathering together, hope, linen yarn, plenty [of water], pool.
• Mishkan
  #4908. mishkan, mish-kawn'; from H7931; a residence (includ. a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, fig. the grave; also the Temple); spec. the Tabernacle (prop. its wooden walls):--dwelleth, dwelling (place), habitation, tabernacle, tent....the Sanctuary Tent.
• Mishlo'ach Manot
  the sending of "portions" to friends on Purim.
• Mishnah
  Code of Jewish law edited by Rabbi Judah HaNasi about 200 CE; together with the Gemara forms the Talmud.
• Mishpachah 
  #4940. mishpachah, mish-paw-khaw'; from H8192 [comp. H8198]; a family, i.e. circle of relatives; fig. a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extens. a tribe or people:--family, kind (-red).
• Mishpatim 
  a portion in the Book of Exodus.
• Mitzvah pl. Mitzvot
  Literally: Commandment; a religious precept or obligation; mitzvah refers to one of the 613 commandments in the Torah....a good deed.
• Mitzvat Aseh 
  a commandment-to-do, a positive command.
• Mitzvat Lo Ta'aseh
  a commandment-not-to-do, a prohibition.
• Mizmor Letodah 
  Psalm 101 recited daily to commemorate the Thanksgiving Offering in the Sanctuary.
• "Mo'ed (al. mow’ed) 
  #4150. mow'ed, mo-ade'; or mo'ed mo-ade'; or (fem.) mow'adah (H2 Chron. 8 : 13), mo-aw-daw'; from H3259; prop. an appointment, i.e. a fixed time or season; spec. a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for a definite purpose); technically the congregation; by extension, the place of meeting; also a signal (as appointed beforehand):--appointed (sign, time), (place of, solemn) assembly, congregation, (set, solemn) feast, (appointed, due) season, solemn (-ity), synagogue, (set) time (appointed).
• Mohel pl. Mohalim 
  Authorized functionary performing ritual circumcision.
• Molad, Molad Halevanah pl. Moladot 
  the appearance of the new Moon.
• Moreh Tzaddikim
  teacher of righteousness.
• Motza'ei Shabbat (al. Shabat)
  the night following the Sabbath.
• Motzi (al. Hammotzee, Hamotzi)
  Literally: [G-d] who brings forth [bread]; blessing over bread; standard blessing before meals at which bread is served...one of the fifteen phases of the Seder ceremony.
• Muktzeh 
  an object forbidden to carry on the Sabbath and Festival because of its not being fit or meant for use on that day.
• Mussaf - (al. Musaf)
  "Added" prayer service for Sabbaths and festivals, immediately following morning prayer...the additional whole offering in the Sanctuary prescribed by the Torah for Sabbaths, Festivals and New Moons; Today: an additional Amidah prayer on said days as against the additional sacrifices.
• Na'anu'im
  the wavings of the four species on the Feast of Tabernacles.
• Nacham
  #5162. nacham, naw-kham'; a prim. root; prop. to sigh, i.e. breathe strongly; by impl. to be sorry, i.e. (in a favorable sense) to pity, console, or (reflex.) rue; or (unfavorably) to avenge (oneself):--comfort (self), ease [one's self], repent (-er, -ing, self).
• Nachash Hakadomony
  the Predatory Snake.
• Nachem 
  a prayer for consolation.
• Naga 
  #5060. naga', naw-gah'; a prim. root; prop. to touch, i.e. lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphem., to lie with a woman); by impl. to reach (fig. to arrive, acquire); violently, to strike (punish, defeat, destroy, etc.):--beat, (X be able to) bring (down), cast, come (nigh), draw near (nigh), get up, happen, join, near, plague, reach (up), smite, strike, touch.
• Nasi (al. nasiy)
  #5387. nasiy', naw-see'; or nasi', naw-see'; from H5375; prop. an exalted one, i.e. a king or sheik; also a rising mist:--captain, chief, cloud, governor, prince, ruler, vapour...pl. Nesi'im
  head of the people, a head of a Tribe, a Prince.
• Naso 
  a portion in the Book of Numbers.
• Natsal
  #5337. natsal, naw-tsal'; a prim. root; to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense:-- X at all, defend, deliver (self), escape, X without fail, part, pluck, preserve, recover, rescue, rid, save, spoil, strip, X surely, take (out).
• Nazah
  #5137. nazah, naw-zaw'; a prim. root; to spirt, i.e. besprinkle (espec. in expiation):--sprinkle.
• Nazoraeans
  Judaizing Christian sect (not to be confused with Nazarenes, a general term for Christians).
• Neertzah (al. Nirtzah) 
  acceptance, closing prayer...the last phase of the Seder ceremony.
• Neilah
  Literally: closing; concluding service of Yom Kippur...closing of the gate.
• Nesech
  the libation of wine over the altar in the Sanctuary accompanying the sacrifices.
• Neta Revai
  the fruit of the fourth year after planting.
• Netilat Lulav
  the commandment of the four species in the Feast of Tabernacles.
• Nevi'im
  Literally: the Prophets; second section of the Bible...the latter prophets.
• Niddah
  Ritually unclean woman.
• Nisan (Aviv)
  First (springtime) month of year, during which Passover falls.
• Nissuin (al. Nisuin)
  In ancient times, the formal wedding ceremony.
• Nisuch Hamayim 
  the libation of water in the Sanctuary during the Feast of Tabernacles.
• Noahide
  One who follows the covenant made with Noah.
• Nusach
  liturgical melodies at services.
• Ohel Mo'ed
  the "Tent of Meeting"
• Oketz 
  the stalk of the etrog.
• Olah
  Burnt offering in Temple.
• Olam Haba 
  (al. Habba) Literally: the world to Come; refers to the life of the soul after death.
• Olam Hazeh
  the present world of toil.
• Omer
  Sheaf or bushel of grain.
• Onan (al. Onen)
  Mourner (between death and burial)....a mourning relative.
• Oneg Shabbat
  Literally: joy of the Sabbath; reception after Friday night services, which includes refreshments, socializing, and, sometimes, Israeli dancing or a discussion.
• Onkelos 
  A targum on the Pentateuch.
• Orlah
  fruit picked during the first three years after planting which is forbidden by the torah.
• Oseif 
  Gathering of the Nobles.
• Parah Adumah
  Red heifer--special sacrificial animal.
• Parashah pl. Parashot 
  The weekly Torah portion; also called Sidrah or Sedrah or Sidra.
• Pareve
  Foods containing neither meat nor milk.
• Parochet
  the curtain over the Ark in the Synagogue; the curtain separating the Holy of Holies from the Hechal.
• Payes
  Sidecurls worn by Ultra-Orthodox men and boys.
• Payot 
  corners; therefore, earlocks of hair.
• Pentateuch
  the first five Books of the Bible, the Five Books of Moses.
• Perushim
  the upholders of the Oral Torah at the time of the Second Sanctuary.
• Pesach pl. Pesachim
  Passover.
• Pesach Katan
  the second offering of the Paschal Lamb on the 14th of Iyar.
• Pesach Sheni 
  the 14th of Iyar, the offering of the Pesach Sacrifice by those who were not able to do so on the 14th of Nisan. Peshat - little meaning, literal.
• Pesikta
  Book of Haggadic discourses for festivals and special Sabbaths.
• Pharisees
  Religio-political faction in late Second Temple days that wanted to develop Judaism through prayer, study of Torah, and midrashic interpretations of Torah; forerunners of the rabbis.
• Phobeo
  #5399. phobeo, fob-eh'-o; from G5401; to frighten, i.e. (pass.) to be alarmed; by anal. to be in awe of, i.e. revere:--be (+ sore) afraid, fear (exceedingly), reverence.
• Pidyon haben / habat 
  Literally: redemption of the (firstborn) son / daughter; home ceremony that takes place on the thirty-first day of a child's life.
• Piku'ach Nefesh
  the care for human life.
• Pikudey 
  a portion in the Book of Exodus.
• Pinchas
  a portion in the Book of Numbers.
• Pirkey Avot 
  "the Ethics of the Fathers", a tractate in the Mishnah.
• Pitma
  the wart of the etrog.
• Piyyut (al. piyut) pl. piyyutim (al. pl. piyutim)
  Poetic prayer...liturgical poem.
• Pneuma 
  #4151. pneuma, pnyoo'-mah; from G4154; a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by anal. or fig. a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by impl.) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, daemon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit:--ghost, life, spirit (-ual, -ually), mind. Comp. G5590.
• Proselyte
  Convert to Judaism.
• Pseudepigraphic 
  written under another name.
• Purim 
  Literally: lots; festival that celebrates the survival of the Jewish people.
• Qahal
  #6951. qahal, kaw-hawl'; from H6950; assemblage (usually concr.):--assembly, company, congregation, multitude.
• Qehelathah
  #6954. Qehelathah, keh-hay-law'-thaw, from H6950; convocation; Kehelathah, a place in the Desert:--Kehelathah.
• Qoheleth 
  #6953. qoheleth, ko-heh'-leth; fem. of act. part. from H6950; a (female) assembler (i.e. lecturer); abstr. preaching (used as a "nom de plume", Koheleth):--preacher.
• Rabbi pl. Rabanim 
  religious authority.
• Rachatzah 
  washing Ur'chatz - celebrant washes, one of the fifteen phases of the Seder ceremony Rochtzah - the phase of the Seder ceremony in which hands are washed for the meal.
• Rahab (al. Rachav)
  Proud, harlot, broad. The word "Rahab" means a wall or broad place. Theis is where we get the term "broad" for a woman...False messianic kingdom.
• Ramah
  Seat of Idolatry.
• Rasha pl. Rashim
  The wholly wicked...iniquitous.
• Rav
  a Sage of the Talmud.
• Re'eh 
  a portion in the Book of Deuteronomy.
• Refa'enu
  "Heal us..", one of the eighteen benedictions of the Amidah prayer.
• Remez 
  alluding to.
• Rochtzah
  the phase of the Seder ceremony in which hands are washed for the meal Rachatzah
  washing Ur'chatz
  celebrant washes, one of the fifteen phases of the Seder ceremony.
• Rosh haShanah
  Literally: head of the year; Jewish New Year.
• Rosh Hodesh (al. Chodesh)
  festival of the new moon.
• Ruach HaKodes
  The Holy Spirit.
• Sadducees 
  Religio-political faction in late Second Temple days that focused on priestly functions and the sacrificial system.
• Sandak
  Person who holds the baby during the Berit Milah ceremony.
• Sanhedrin
  the High Court in Jerusalem.
• Sar 
  #8269. sar, sar; from H8323; a head person (of any rank or class):--captain (that had rule), chief (captain), general, governor, keeper, lord, ([-task-]) master, prince (-ipal), ruler, steward.
• Scribes
  the Sages who interpreted the Torah and its Laws.
• Sebomai 
  #4576. sebomai, seb'-om-ahee; mid. of an appar. prim. verb; to revere, i.e. adore:--devout, religious, worship.
• Seder 
  Literally: order; ritual for the home celebration of the first (and second) evening(s) of Pesach...the ceremony to commemorate the Exodus from Egypt on Passover Eve.
• Seder Avodah (al. Abodah)
  the "order of Service" that the Kohen Gadol performs in the Sanctuary on the day of Atonement.
• Sefer Torah (al. Sifrei) pl. Sefarim
  Torah scroll.
• Sefirah
  the "days of counting" between the Passover and Pentecost.
• Selichot
  Penitential prayers.
• Selichot Service
  A service of preparation for the High Holy Days, usually held at midnight on the Saturday preceding Rosh haShanah.
• Semichah pl. Semuchim
  ordination, Ordained Rabbis.
• Sephardi pl. Sephardim
  of Oriental Jewish communities.
• Seraphim
  fiery angels.
• Seudah
  Feast.
• Seudah Mafseket (al. Hemafseket)
  the "meal of cessation" before a fast.
• Seudah shel Mitzvah 
  A festive meal that honors the observance of a mitzvah; a meal prescribed by the Torah or the Sages, same as Seudat Mitzvah.
• Seudah Shelishit (al. Shlishit)
  Literally: third meal; a light meal eaten late on Shabbat afternoon...the third meal eaten on the Sabbath.
• Seudat Chavurah (al. Havra'ah, Chaburah)
  Literally: meal of condolence; prepared by friends of the mourners and eaten in the house of mourning immediately following a funeral.
• Sevivon 
  Hebrew word for a dreidel (four-sided top used in a Hanukah game).
• Sfeka Deyoma
  doubt as to the exact date of the day.
• Sha'atnez
  a cloth combining wool and linen.
• Shabbat
  The Sabbath (Sephardic pronunciation).
• Shabbat Bereshit (al. Bereishit)
  the first Sabbath after Simchat Torah on which the portion of Bereishit is read.
• Shabbat Chazon
  the Sabbath before the Ninth of Av.
• Shabbat haGadol 
  Literally: the Great Sabbath; the Sabbath preceding Passover.
• Shabbat Mevarchim 
  the Sabbath on which the forthcoming month is blessed.
• Shabbat Nachamu
  the Sabbath after the Ninth of Av.
• Shabbat Shirah 
  "the Sabbath of Song", the Sabbath on which "the song of the sea" is read in the portion of Beshalach.
• Shabbat Shuvah 
  Literally: Sabbath of Return; the Sabbath between Rosh haShanah and Yom Kippur.
• Shabbat Zachor 
  The Sabbath immediately preceding Purim.
• Shabbaton pl. Shabbatonim 
  Seven High Sabbaths....sabbath program of study and celebration.
• Shabbos
  The Sabbath (Ashkenazic pronunciation).
• Shachah
  #7812. shachah, shaw-khaw'; a prim. root; to depress, i.e. prostrate (espec. reflex. in homage to royalty or God):--bow (self) down, crouch, fall down (flat), humbly beseech, do (make) obeisance, do reverence, make to stoop, worship.
• Shacharit (al. Shararit)
  Morning Prayer. From Hebrew for "dawn"...Morning prayer service.
• Shaddai
  G-d Almighty.
• Shakan
  #7931. shakan, shaw-kan'; a prim. root [appar. akin (by transm.) to H7901 through the idea of lodging; comp. H5531, H7925]; to reside or permanently stay (lit. or fig.):--abide, continue, (cause to, make to) dwell (-er), have habitation, inhabit, lay, place, (cause to) remain, rest, set (up).
• Shaliach
  agent sent as the one who sent the agent.
• Shaliach Tzibur
  the precentor of the prayers in the Synagogue, the Cantor.
• Shalom
  The fullness of peace and harmony.
• Shalom Zachor
  first Friday following birth.
• Shalosh Seudot
  The three festive meals prescribed for the Sabbath.
• Shammai (al. Schammai)
  School of.
• Shammash (al. Shamash)
  Literally: servant; term for the ninth candle used to light the other candles in the Chanukiah ... the beadle in the Synagogue.
• Shavuot
  Literally: weeks...The Day of Pentecost, receiving of the Torah, and the beginning of the wheat harvest. Also, it represents the betrothal between Israel and the L-rd.
• Shebet
  #7626. shebet, shay'-bet; from an unused root prob. mean. to branch off, a scion, i.e. (lit.) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (fig.) a clan:-- X correction, dart, rod, sceptre, staff, tribe.
• Shebuah (al. shabuwa) 
  #7620. shabuwa', shaw-boo'-ah; or shabua', shaw-boo'-ah; also (fem.) shebu'ah, sheb-oo-aw'; prop. pass. part. of H7650 as a denom. of H7651; lit. sevened, i.e. a week (spec. of years):--seven, week.
• Shechita
  the slaughtering of animals for meat as prescribed by the Torah.
• She'elat Geshamim 
  the petition for rain.
• She'elot u-Teshuvot
  questions and responses to queries on matters of Jewish law by rabbis and sages.
• Shehecheyanu 
  Literally: [G-d] who has kept us alive; this is the blessing for beginnings and other happy occasions in people's lives, such as birth and marriage. It is also said at candlelighting, Kiddush and certain other specific times during festival observances...a blessing over mitzvot which are performed once a year or over new fruit in its season.
• Shekhinah (al. Shechinah)
  G-d's Presence in the world. - Aram. and late Heb., a word not in Scripture, but used by later Jews and by Christians to express the visible divine Presence, especially when resting between the cherubim over the mercy seat.
• Sheloshim 
  the second period of mourning; thirty-day mourning period.
• Shem Hameforash
  the Ineffable Divine Name.
• Shema 
  The main statement of Jewish belief: "Shema Yisrael Adonai Elohenu Adonai Echad" (Hear, O Israel: the L-rd is our G-d, the L-rd is One). Deut. 6:4-9.
• Shemini Atzeret
  Literally: the eighth day of assembly; conclusion of Sukkot...The day following Sukkot and the end of that festival.
• Shemoneh Esre (al. Esray, Shmoneh Esreh)
  Eighteen" - the number of blessings originally in the important part of the daily prayers recited in silence while worshipers stand--hence this name is applied to all such standing prayers, although the daily service now has nineteen and other services seven blessings. Combines adoration with entreaty. Also called Amidah (standing) or simply Tefillah (prayer).
• Sheol
  Afterlife; the netherworld.
• Sheva Berachot (al. Birchot)
  Literally: seven blessings; these are recited or chanted at a wedding ceremony prior to the sharing of a cup of wine by the bride and groom.
• Shevarim
  a shofar sound.
• Shevat
  Fifth month of Jewish year.
• Shin
  Hebrew letter (first letter of Shaddai).
• Shitre Erusin
  A betrothal contract.
• Shivah
  the first period of mourning; seven-day mourning period, the first day of which is the day of burial.
• Shivah haben
  child of the week.
• Sh'lamim 
  peace offerings.
• Shmitah
  Release--the seventh year in which the land lies fallow and debts are released or annulled...the Sabbatical year at the end of each seven year cycle.
• Shmuel
  a Sage of the Talmud.
• Shochet 
  Ritual slaughterer, required by Jewish dietary laws for the preparation of kosher meat.
• Shofar 
  Trumpet made from a ram's horn...a ram's horn blown on Rosh haShanah and during the month of Elul.
• Shofar Hagadol 
  The Great Trumpet.
• Shofetim (al. Shofitim)
  Judges; Book of the Bible...a portion in the Book of Deuteronomy.
• Shome'a Tefillah (al. Tefilah) 
  "The One Who hears prayer.." one of the eighteen benedictions of the Amidah.
• Shomer
  Literally: guardian; person who remains with the deceased so that the body is never left alone prior to burial.
• Shovavim Tat
  a series of winter weeks whose Mondays and Thursdays are observed as fast days.
• Shuckle 
  To sway during prayer.
• Shulchan Aruch
  code of law applicable to today...the Book of codified Jewish Law, by Rabbi Yosef Karo.
• Shulchan Orech
  table set for meal...one of the fifteen phases of the Seder ceremony.
• Shushan Purim 
  Purim celebration on Adar 15 by cities walled at the time of Joshua.
• Sicarii 
  A fanatic group of Zealots literally meaning cut throats as they were involved in political assassination of both Jews and Romans.
• Siddur (al. Sidur) pl. Siddurim 
  Prayer book....daily and sabbath prayer book.
• Sidra pl. Sedarim (al. pl. Sidrot)
  Bible portion of the week, read on Sabbath.
• Sifra (al. Sifre)
  Halakhic midrashim to Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy.
• Siloam 
  A pool of water in Jerusalem.
• Simchah
  Literally: joy; a happy event.
• Simchat Torah
  Literally: joy of the Torah; holiday marking the conclusion of the yearly cycle of Torah readings and the beginning of the new cycle; the final fall holiday.
• Sivan
  Ninth month of the Jewish year.
• Siyum
  the completion of the study of a Talmudic tractate. Sod - mystery.
• Sofer pl. Soferim (al. pl. Sofrim)
  A specially trained scribe.
• Sotah
  a woman suspected of adultery.
• S'phirah pl. S'phirot
  Emanation(s) from the ultimate, infinite, indefinable G-d-head toward the palpable world; aspects of G-d.
• Sukkah (al. Sukah) pl. Sukkot (al. pl. Sukot) 
  Literally: booths; name of the festival that commemorates the Israelites' wanderings in the desert after leaving Egypt...The Feast of Tabernacles or Booths.
• Sunagoge
  #4864. sunagoge, soon-ag-o-gay'; from (the redupl. form of) G4863; an assemblage of persons; spec. a Jewish "synagogue" (the meeting or the place); by anal. a Christian church:--assembly, congregation, synagogue.
• Ta'am Ha'elyon 
  the "upper" mode of cantilation of the passage of the Ten Commandments.
• Taanit
  A section of the Talmud on Fasts...a fast day.
• Taanit Chalom
  a fast over a bad dream.
• Tachanun 
  a prayer of supplication.
• Tachath
  #8478. tachath, takh'-ath; from the same as H8430; the bottom (as depressed); only adv. below (often with prep. pref. underneath), in lieu of, etc.:--as, beneath, X flat, in (-stead), (same) place (where . . . is), room, for . . . sake, stead of, under, X unto, X when . . . was mine, whereas, [where-] fore, with.
• Tachrichim 
  Burial shrouds.
• Tachtiy
  #8482. tachtiy, takh-tee'; from H8478; lower most; as noun (fem. plur.) the depths (fig. a pit, the womb):--low (parts, -er, -er parts, -est), nether (part).
• Taharah 
  Ritual purification of the deceased in preparation for burial....washing of the dead body.
• Takhrikhim 
  Shrouds prescribed by Jewish law.
• Tal
  (Dew) The prayer for dew (in Israel) recited on first day of Passover.
• Tallit (al. Talit)
  Prayer shawl with ceremonial fringes on four corners.
• Tallit Katan (al. Talit) 
  A small prayer shawl; a special undershirt with four corners each bearing tzitziyot.
• Talmid pl. Talmidim
  student, disciple.
• Talmid Chacham 
  a scholar of the Torah.
• Talmud
  Comprised of both the Mishnah and Gemara, the Talmud is the collected legal and ethical discussions of the rabbis, edited around the year 500 CE.
• Tamid
  the daily sacrifice in the Sanctuary.
• Tammuz 
  Tenth month on the Jewish civil calendar.
• Tana pl. Tannaim (al. pl. Tana'im)
  rabbis in the Mishnaic period.
• Targum pl. Targumim 
  (Translation) Traditionally the name given the Aramaic translation of the Bible, read to the populace in Babylonian periods. The custom of reading services in Aramaic following the Hebrew goes back to hundreds of years before the great diaspora. Except for some interpolations and paraphrases, the Targum Bavli, also known as the Targum Onkelos, is a very faithful translation. Less faithful to the text are the Targum Yerushalmi and others of fragmentary character.
• Tashlich
  Traditional Rosh haShanah afternoon ceremony in which individuals symbolically cast their sins (crumbs) into a body of water...the casting away of sin.
• Tefilin 
  Prayer boxes worn during weekday morning worship. Tefillah (al. Tefilah) - Literally: prayer; also refers to the central group of prayers in each service, alternatively called the Amidah or Shemoneh Esre.
• Tefillah Zakah (al. Tefilah) 
  "a prayer of purity" recited upon the advent of Yom Kippur before Kol Nidrey.
• Teki'ah
  a shofar sound.
• Tekufah pl. Tekufot
  one of the four seasons of the year.
• Telos
  #5056. telos, tel'-os; from a prim. tello (to set out for a definite point or goal); prop. the point aimed at as a limit, i.e. (by impl.) the conclusion of an act or state (termination [lit., fig. or indef.], result [immed., ultimate or prophetic], purpose); spec. an impost or levy (as paid):--+ continual, custom, end (-ing), finally, uttermost. Comp. G5411.
• Tenach (al. Tanach) 
  Trilogy of Torah, Prophets, and Writings formed from initial letters of the Hebrew Torah, Nevi'im, Ketuvim...The Hebrew Bible.
• Teruah
  An awakening blast.
• Teshuvah 
  Literally: turning or returning; a Hebrew term for repentance...Repentance from sin, spiritual reawakening. A desire to strengthen the connection between oneself and the sacred.
• Tetragrammaton
  the four Hebrew letters usually transliterated YHWH or YHVH that form a biblical proper name of God.
• Tetzaveh
  a portion in the Book of Exodus.
• Tevet
  Fourth month of the Jewish year.
• Tevilah
  Literally: immersion...immersing in a ritual bath. Therapeutae - Sternly ascetic Jewish party whose views and practices were kindred to the Essenes in Israel.
• Tikkun Chatzot (al. Tikun) 
  a prayer of lamentation over the destruction of the Sanctuary, recited at midnight.
• Tikkun Leil Shavuot (al. Tikun) 
  Literally: service of the night of Shavuot.
• Tikkun Olam (al. Tikun)
  Repairing our broken world.
• Tikkun Soferim (al. Tikun) (al. Sofrim)
  the set of rules for the writing of a Torah Scroll.
• Tishah Be'av 
  The ninth day of the month of Av; a day of mourning for the destruction of the ancient Temple in Jerusalem.
• Tishri (al. Tishrei) (Ethanim)
  First month of Jewish year. Titkabel - a verse in the kadish, "Let the prayers of Israel be accepted.." Todah - the thanksgiving offering in the Sanctuary.
• Tohuw 
  #8414. tohuw, to'-hoo; from an unused root mean. to lie waste; a desolation (of surface), i.e. desert; fig. a worthless thing; adv. in vain:--confusion, empty place, without form, nothing, (thing of) nought, vain, vanity, waste, wilderness.
• Toldah (al. towledah) 
  #8435. towledah, to-led-aw'; or toledah, to-led-aw'; from H3205; (plur. only) descent, i.e. family; (fig.) history:--birth, generations.
• Torah
  Literally: teaching; in its most narrow sense, it is the first five Books of the Bible, hand-written on a parchment scroll; in its broadest sense, it is all of Judaism, which flows from those Books...Instruction (teaching) or law.
• Tosefta (al. Tocefta)
  (Supplement) Anthology of tannaitic text parallel to Mishnah, but outside Mishnaic canon, and more expansive. Rabbi Nehemiah, second century, began the work; in the third century it was continued by Hiyya ben Abba and Oshaiah.
• Treif (al. Trefah)
  Literally: torn apart; food that is not ritually fit. It is the opposite of kosher.
• Tru'ah
  a shofar sound.
• Trumah 
  a heave offering, contribution...the seventh portion in the Book of Exodus.
• Tsaphoon
  hidden.
• Tu Bishvat
  Fifteenth day of the month of Shevat; a minor holiday known as the New Year of the Trees, observed by planting trees.
• Tzaddik pl. Tzaddikim (al. Tzadik) (al. pl. Tzadikim)
  Chasidic sages were so called; they were often raised by their followers to the status of direct intermediaries with G-d, super-human miracle workers...a just man, righteous, upright.
• Tzafun
  the phase of the Seder ceremony in which the hidden afikoman is eaten.
• Tzedakah (al. Tsedakah) 
  Literally: justice or righteousness; the Hebrew word we use for charity and charitable acts.
• Tzedokim
  Sadducees.
• Tzidkatcha Tzedek
  verses recited after the minchah prayer on Shabat.
• Tziduk Hadin 
  a prayer of accepting G-d's Judgment.
• Tzitzit pl. Tzitziyot 
  Ceremonially knotted fringes to be worn on all four-cornered garments.
• Untaneh Tokef
  a passage describing Heavenly Judgment added to prayer on Rosh haShanah and Yom Kippur.
• Ur'chatz
  celebrant washes, one of the fifteen phases of the Seder ceremony Rachatzah
  washing Rochtzah
  the phase of the Seder ceremony in which hands are washed for the meal.
• Ushpizin
  the Seven Shepherds of Israel who "visit" every Jew's Sukah on the Feast of Tabernacles.
• Uva Letzion
  a prayer composed of a selection of Scriptural verses.
• Va'era
  the second portion in the Book of Exodus.
• Va'etchanan 
  the second portion in the Book of Deuteronomy.
• Vav
  Hebrew letter.
• Vayechal 
  a paragraph from Exodus chapter 32 and 34 read on a public fast. Vayelech
  a portion in the Book of Deuteronomy.
• Vayechi 
  the last portion in the Book of Genesis.
• Ve'ahavta
  Literally: and you shall love; the prayer from Deuteronomy 6:5-9, that obligates Jews to love G-d and to teach Judaism to future generations; part of the Shema.
• Velamalshinim
  a passage relating to slanderers and informers, prescribed as a nineteenth brachah added to the eighteen benedictions of the amidah prayer.
• Vezot Habrachah
  the last portion in the Torah.
• Vidui 
  confession.
• Ya'aleh Veyavo
  a passage added to the amidah prayer and to the Grace after the Meal on Festivals and New Moons when additional sacrifices were offered in the Sanctuary.
• Yachatz
  The breaking of the middle matzah of the ceremonial matzot during a Passover seder...one of the fifteen phases of the Seder ceremony.
• Yahrzeit
  a day of memorial.
• Yamin Noraim (al. Yamim) 
  Literally: The Days of Awe; the ten-day period beginning with Rosh haShanah and ending with Yom Kippur.
• Yarmulke
  The Yiddish term for skullcap; the Hebrew term is kipah.
• Yavam
  Husband's brother upon whom devolved the duty of marrying the former's widow if left without children....the brother-in-law.
• Yavneh
  A city that became the location of an academy and a central focus for the Jews once the Romans destroyed Jerusalem.
• Yebamah
  Under Biblical laws, childless widow who was commanded to marry late husband's brother, so that a child might be named after the departed.
• Yeshivah pl. Yeshivot 
  Torah academy.
• Yeshua
  Hebrew name meaning salvation (same as Jesus).
• Yetzer
  Impulse.
• Yetzer haRa 
  Impulse toward evil.
• Yetzer haTov
  Impulse toward good.
• Yichud
  Time spent alone together by the bride and groom immediately after the wedding ceremony...Room entered by bride and groom where the two, in the consummation of the marriage, become one.
• Yitro
  the sixth portion in the Book of Exodus.
• Yizkor
  ("May He remember") Prayers for the departed, recited on Yom Kippur, Shemini Atzeret, last day of Passover, second day of Shavuot.
• Yod
  Hebrew letter.
• Yom haDin
  Literally: Day of Judgment; one of the names for Rosh haShanah.
• Yom haPeduth 
  The Day of Redemption.
• Yom haZikkaron
  Literally: The Day of Remembrance; one of the names for Rosh haShanah.
• Yom Kippur (al. Kipur)
  Literally: The Day of Atonement.
• Yom Kippur Katan (al. Kipur)
  the eve of a New Moon, a "little" Day of Atonement.
• Yom Teruah (Rosh haShanah)
  The Feast of Trumpets.
• Yom Tov pl. Yamim Tovim
  a Festival Day, holiday.
• Yoma
  A tractate of the Mishnah on Yom Kippur.
• Yoma Arichta 
  one "long" day, two days considered as one.
• Yotzrot
  liturgical poems added to the shacharit prayer.
• Yovel 
  a Jubilee year at the end of a fifty year cycle.
• Zaqen 
  #2205. zaqen, zaw-kane'; from H2204; old:--aged, ancient (man), elder (-est), old (man, men and . . . women), senator.
• Zeman Mattan Toratenu (al. Matan)
  Literally: the Season of the Giving of Our Torah; another name for Shavuot.
• Zeman Simchatenu
  Literally: the Season of Our Joy; another name for Sukkot.
• Zikhrnot
  A portion of the Rosh haShanah service that deals with divine remembrance.
• Zikkaron
  A Memorial.
• Zionism 
  The belief that there should be a Jewish national homeland in the historic land of Israel.
• Z'roah Adonai 
  Arm of the Lord.

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The Books of the Old Testament

• Bamidbar
  Numbers
• Bereshit (al. Bereishit)
  Genesis
• Chavakuk
  Habakkuk
• Chumash Hapikudim
  The Book of Numbers
• Divrey Hayamim 
  Chronicles
• Dvarim (al. Mishneh Torah)
  Deuteronomy
• Echah 
  Lamentations - read on Tishah Be'av.
• Ester
  Esther - read on Purim.
• Hoshea
  Hosea
• Irmeyahu
  Jeremiah
• Kohelet
  Ecclesiastes - read on Sukkot.
• Melachim
  Kings
• Mishlei (al. Mishley al. Mishlev)
  Proverbs
• Nechemiah
  Nehemiah
• Rut
  Ruth - read on Shavuot.
• Shir Hashirim
  Song of Songs - read on Pesach.
• Shmot
  Exodus
• Shmuel
  Samuel
• Shofetim (al. Shofitim)
  Judges
• Tehillim (al. Tehilim)
  Psalms
• Vayikra
  Leviticus
• Yonah
  Jonah

---

Names

• Aharon
  Aaron
• Avraham
  Abraham
• Balshatzar
  Belshazzar, King of Babylonia
• Chavakuk
  Habakkuk
• Eliyahu
  Elijah
• Esav 
  Esau
• Ester
  Esther
• Hoshea
  Hosea
• Irmeyahu
  Jeremiah
• Mattitiyahu
  Hebrew name for Matthew
• Menasheh 
  Manasseh
• Moshe
  Moses
• Nechemiah
  Nehemiah
• Rechavam 
  Rehoboam, King of Judah
• Rivkah
  Rebekah
• Rut
  Ruth
• Shimshon 
  Samson
• Shlomo
  Solomon
• Shmuel
  Samuel
• Tzidkiyahu 
  Zedekiah, King of Judah
• Yitzhak (al. Itzchak)
  Hebrew name for Isaac
• Ya'akov
  Jacob
• Yechezkel 
  Ezekiel
• Yechoniah
  Jeconiah, King of Judah
• Yehoshua
  Joshua
• Yerovam
  Jeroboam, King of Israel
• Yeshayahu
  Isaiah
• Yochanan
  Hebrew name for John
• Yonah
  Jonah
• Yosef 
  Joseph

---

The Tribes

• Asher 
  the Tribe of Asher
• Binyamin 
  the Tribe of Benjamin
• Efrayim
  the Tribe of Ephraim
• Issachar
  the Tribe of Issachar
• Levi 
  the Tribe of Levi
• Menashe
  the Tribe of Menashe
• Reuven
  the Tribe of Reuben
• Shimon
  the Tribe of Simeon
• Yehudah
  the Tribe of Judah
• Zevulun 
  the Tribe of Zebulun - Dan, Gad, Naphtali, Joseph

---

Partial Listing of the Mishnah

• Zeraim
  Order of the Mishnah (seeds) regarding ritual laws, blessings, prayers:
  Berakhot, Peah, Demai, Kilayim, Shebiit, Terumot, Maaserot, Masser Sheni, Hallah, Orlah, Bikkurim
• Moed 
  Order of the Mishnah (festivals) regarding the Sabbath and all festivals:
  Shabbat, Erubin, Pesahim, Sheqalim, Yoma, Sukkah, Besah, Rosh haShanah, Taanit, Megillah, Moed Qatan, Hagigah
• Nashim 
  Order of the Mishnah (women) regarding marriage, divorce, relationships:
  Yebamot, Ketubot, Nedarim, Nazir, Sotah, Gittin, Baba Qamma, Baba Mesia, Baba Batra, Sanhedrin, Makkot, Shabuot, Eduyyot, Abodah Zarah, Abot, Horayot
• Nezikin 
  Order of the Mishnah (damages) regarding civil and criminal law:
  Zebahim, Menahot, Hullin, Bekhorot, Arakhin, Temurah, Keritot, Meilah, Tamid, Middot, Qinnin
• Kodashim
  Order of the Mishnah (holy things) regarding sacrificial laws, Temple observance:
  Kelim, Ohalot, Negaim, Parah, Tohorot, Miqvaot, Niddah, Makhshirin, Zabim, Tebul-Yom, Yadayim, Uqsin
• Tohorot 
  Order of the Mishnah (purification) regarding things clean and unclean.