Glossary
resource
Aron Kodesh
Ah-rohn ha-koh-desh
The protective ark for the Torah scrolls
Bimah
Bee-mah
Where you stand to read from the Torah in synagogue
Eitz Chayim
Etz Khah-yim
The Torah scroll holders
Havdalah
Hahv-da-lah
The short ceremony at the end of the Sabbath
Kippah
Key-pah
The little hat used to cover the head
Kosher
Ko-sher
Usually refers to dietary laws, often taken to mean fit for purpose
Magen David
Mah-gen Dah-vid
Six pointed star known as the Star of David
Mezuzah
Meh-zooz-ah
The piece of parchement in a case that is attached to the doorposts
Mitzvah/Mitzvot
Mitz-vah / Mitz-vot
Commandment(s), also understood as a good deed
Ner Tamid
Nehr tah-mid
The eternal light above the ark
Rimmonim
Rih-moh-neem
The decorative bells on the Torah scroll holders
Sefer Torah
Say-fehr Toh-rah
The Torah scrolls
Shabbat
Shah-baht
The day of rest
Siddur
Sid-dur
The prayer book
Sukkah
Soo-kah
A temporary shelter some Jewish families build to celebrate the festival of Sukkot
Tallit
Tah-leet
The prayer shawl worn over the shoulders
Tanach
Ta-nach
Printed book containing Five Books of Moses (Torah), Book of Prophets, and Writings
Tefillin
Teh-fee-lin
Small leather boxes containing verses from the Torah, used by observant men before daily morning prayers
Ten Commandments
Ten Com-mand-ments
First ten laws given to Moses on Mount Sinai
Yad
Yahd
The pointer used to read the Torah
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