Glossary

A

A"h: Abbreviation for alav hashalom or aleha hashalom, meaning “peace be upon him or her,” used when referring to someone who has passed away.
Achdus: Unity.
Ad mosai: Literally, “until when?”—an expression of longing for the coming of Moshiach.
Adar: The Hebrew month associated with Purim and increased joy.
Admur: An acronym for Adoneinu Moreinu V’Rabbeinu, “our master, teacher and Rebbe.”
Admur Hazaken: The Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, founder of Chabad Chassidus.
Afikoman: The piece of matzah set aside and eaten near the end of the Pesach Seder.
Ahavas Hashem: Love of G-d.
Ahavas Yisroel: Love for a fellow Jew.
Aishes chayil: Literally, “woman of valor”; the passage from Proverbs traditionally sung on Friday night.
Akeres habayis: The woman as the foundation and mainstay of the Jewish home.
Aliyah: An ascent; commonly, being called to the Torah or moving to Eretz Yisroel.
Alter Rebbe: Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, the first Chabad Rebbe and author of Tanya and Shulchan Aruch Harav.
Am Yisroel: The Jewish people.
Anash: Members of the Chabad community; an acronym for Anshei Shlomeinu.
Arba minim: The Four Kinds used on Sukkos: lulav, esrog, hadassim and aravos.
Aron Kodesh: The Holy Ark in a synagogue where the Torah scrolls are kept.
Asarah B’Teves: The fast of the Tenth of Teves, marking the beginning of the siege of Jerusalem.
Aveilus: The halachic practices of mourning.
Avinu Malkeinu: A prayer meaning “Our Father, Our King,” recited on fast days and during the High Holidays.

B

Baal Shem Tov: Rabbi Yisroel ben Eliezer, founder of the Chassidic movement.
Baal teshuvah: A Jew who has returned to greater Torah and mitzvah observance.
Bar mitzvah: A Jewish boy who, at age 13, becomes responsible for observing mitzvos; also the celebration marking it.
Baruch Dayan HaEmes: “Blessed is the True Judge,” said upon hearing of a death.
Baruch Hashem: Thank G-d; literally, “blessed is G-d.”
Bas mitzvah: A Jewish girl who, at age 12, becomes responsible for observing mitzvos; also the celebration marking it.
Basi L’Gani: A foundational Chassidic discourse associated with the Frierdiker Rebbe and the Rebbe’s acceptance of leadership.
Beis din: A Jewish court of law.
Beis Hamikdash: The Holy Temple in Jerusalem.
Bentch licht: To light and recite the blessing over Shabbos or Yom Tov candles.
Bentching: Reciting Birchas Hamazon, Grace After Meals.
Bitachon: Trust in G-d.
Bli neder: Without making a halachically binding vow.
Bracha: A blessing.
Bris: The covenant of circumcision performed on a Jewish baby boy, generally on the eighth day.

C

Chabad: An acronym for Chochmah, Binah and Daas—wisdom, understanding and knowledge; the Chabad-Lubavitch movement.
Chag: A Jewish festival or holiday.
Challah: Bread traditionally eaten on Shabbos and Yom Tov; also the portion separated from dough.
Chametz: Leavened food prohibited on Pesach.
Chanukah: The eight-day Festival of Lights commemorating the rededication of the Beis Hamikdash.
Chassid: A follower of Chassidus and of a Chassidic Rebbe.
Chassidus: The inner dimension of Torah as taught by the Baal Shem Tov, the Alter Rebbe and subsequent Chassidic Rebbeim.
Chasunah: A Jewish wedding.
Chazan: The person who leads the congregation in prayer.
Cheshvan: The Hebrew month following Tishrei; also called Mar-Cheshvan.
Chinuch: Jewish education; training a child in Torah and mitzvos.
Chitas: The daily study portions of Chumash, Tehillim and Tanya.
Chiyus: Vitality, enthusiasm or spiritual liveliness.
Chizuk: Strength or encouragement.
Chol Hamoed: The intermediate days of Pesach and Sukkos.
Chumash: The Five Books of the Torah, often printed with commentaries.

D

Daf Yomi: The daily study cycle of one page of Talmud.
Davening: Prayer.
Dvar Malchus: A Torah teaching or discourse of the Rebbe; literally, “a royal word.”
Dvar Torah: A Torah thought or teaching.

E

Eishes chayil: See Aishes chayil; “woman of valor.”
Elul: The Hebrew month before Rosh Hashanah, devoted to repentance and spiritual preparation.
Emunah: Faith.
Eretz Yisroel: The Land of Israel.
Erev: The eve of a day or holiday, such as Erev Shabbos.
Eruv: A halachic enclosure that permits carrying in certain public areas on Shabbos.
Esrog: The citron used as one of the Four Kinds on Sukkos.

F

Farbrengen: A Chassidic gathering for Torah, honest reflection, inspiration and niggunim.
Fast of Gedaliah: A fast observed after Rosh Hashanah commemorating the assassination of Gedaliah.
Frierdiker Rebbe: Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn, the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe.

G

Gabbai: A synagogue official who assists with services and communal matters.
Galus: Exile.
Gemara: The rabbinic discussions and analysis that, together with the Mishnah, form the Talmud.
Gematria: A method of interpreting Hebrew words through their numerical values.
Geulah: Redemption.
Gimmel Tammuz: The third of Tammuz, associated with the histalkus of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
Gomel: The thanksgiving blessing recited after surviving certain dangers or recovering from serious illness.
Gut Shabbos: A Yiddish greeting meaning “Good Shabbos.”

H

Hachlatah: A resolution or firm decision, often referring to a positive spiritual commitment.
Hachlatos tovos: Good resolutions.
Hafotzas hamaayanos: Spreading the wellsprings of Chassidus.
Hafrashas challah: The mitzvah of separating a portion from dough.
Hagbah: Lifting the Torah scroll after the Torah reading.
Haggadah: The text and guide used at the Pesach Seder.
Hakaras hatov: Gratitude.
Hakhel: A gathering for Torah inspiration and unity; originally the biblical assembly held after the Sabbatical year.
Halachah: Jewish law; literally, “the way” or “path.”
Hallel: Psalms of praise recited on festivals and Rosh Chodesh.
Hamentash: A triangular pastry traditionally eaten on Purim.
Hashgachah pratis: Divine Providence; G-d’s supervision of every detail.
Haskamah: Approval or endorsement, often by a rabbinic authority.
Havdalah: The ceremony marking the conclusion of Shabbos or Yom Tov.
Hesped: A eulogy.
Hiddur mitzvah: Beautifying or enhancing the performance of a mitzvah.
Hilula: The anniversary of a righteous person’s passing, viewed as a spiritually significant day.
Hiskashrus: The bond or connection between a Rebbe and a Chassid.
Histalkus: The passing of a tzaddik.
Hisvaadus: The Hebrew term for a farbrengen.

K

Kabbalah: The mystical dimension of Torah.
Kabbalas ol: Accepting the yoke of Torah and mitzvos with commitment beyond personal preference.
Kabbalas Shabbos: The Friday-night prayers welcoming Shabbos.
Kaddish: A prayer sanctifying G-d’s name, recited at several points in the service and by mourners.
Kallah: A bride.
Kapparos: A pre-Yom Kippur custom involving a symbolic transfer and a charitable donation.
Kashrus: The laws and practice of keeping kosher.
Kavanah: Intention or focused concentration in prayer and mitzvah observance.
Kedushah: Holiness; also a responsive passage recited during the repetition of the Amidah.
Kiddush: The blessing over wine that sanctifies Shabbos or Yom Tov.
Kiddush Hashem: An act that sanctifies G-d’s name.
Kiddush levana: The monthly blessing over the new moon.
Kinus: A gathering or convention.
Kinus Hashluchim: The international gathering of the Rebbe’s male emissaries.
Kinus Hashluchos: The international gathering of the Rebbe’s women emissaries.
Kislev: The Hebrew month in which Chanukah begins.
Kittel: A white garment worn by some men on Yom Kippur, at the Seder and under the wedding canopy.
Klal Yisroel: The Jewish people as a whole.
Kohen: A male descendant of Aaron with special priestly responsibilities.
Kol hakavod: An expression meaning “all honor” or “well done.”
Kosel: The Western Wall in Jerusalem.
Kosher: Fit or proper according to Jewish law, especially regarding food.

L

Lag B’Omer: The thirty-third day of the Omer, associated with Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai.
Lechatchilah ariber: The approach of going over an obstacle from the outset rather than struggling beneath it.
Levi: A male member of the tribe of Levi, with special ritual roles.
Lulav: The palm branch used with the other Four Kinds on Sukkos.
L’chaim: Literally, “to life”; a toast, and sometimes an informal engagement celebration.

M

Maamar: A formal Chassidic discourse.
Maariv: The evening prayer service.
Maaser: A tithe; commonly, setting aside a portion of income for charity.
Machzor: A prayer book for Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur or festivals.
Mashgiach: A supervisor, especially one responsible for kosher standards.
Mashpia: A spiritual mentor or Chassidic guide.
Matzah: Unleavened bread eaten on Pesach.
Mazal tov: A congratulatory expression meaning good fortune or blessing.
Mechitzah: A partition separating men and women in a synagogue or at certain events.
Megillah: A biblical scroll; commonly, Megillas Esther read on Purim.
Menorah: A candelabrum; commonly the Chanukah menorah, also called a chanukiah.
Mezuzah: A parchment scroll containing Torah passages, affixed to Jewish doorposts.
Mikvah: A ritual pool used for spiritual purification.
Mincha: The afternoon prayer service.
Minhag: A Jewish custom.
Minyan: A quorum of ten Jewish men required for certain communal prayers.
Mishloach manos: Gifts of food sent to friends on Purim.
Mishnah: The foundational compilation of the Oral Torah edited by Rabbi Yehudah Hanasi.
Mitzvah: A Divine commandment; commonly, a good deed.
Mivtza: A public mitzvah campaign initiated by the Rebbe.
Mivtzoim: The Rebbe’s mitzvah campaigns.
Molad: The calculated time of the new moon used in the Jewish calendar.
Moshiach: The anointed redeemer who will lead the Jewish people in the final Redemption.
Motzaei Shabbos: Saturday night after Shabbos ends.

N

Nachas: A blend of pleasure and pride, especially from children or students.
Nasi: A leader or prince; in Chassidic usage, the spiritual leader of the generation.
Nefesh Elokis: The G-dly soul.
Nefesh habehamis: The animal soul.
Neshama: Soul.
Neshek: An acronym used for the campaign encouraging Jewish women and girls to light Shabbos and Yom Tov candles.
Niggun: A Chassidic melody.
Niggunei Chabad: Chabad melodies.
Nissan: The Hebrew month in which Pesach occurs.
N’shei Chabad: The women of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement.

O

Ohel: A structure built over a gravesite; commonly, the resting place of the Frierdiker Rebbe and the Rebbe in Queens.
Omer: The forty-nine-day count between Pesach and Shavuos.
Oneg Shabbos: Enjoyment of Shabbos through food, rest and spiritual pleasure.

P

Parshah: The weekly Torah portion.
Pesach: Passover, commemorating the Exodus from Egypt.
Pidyon haben: The redemption of a firstborn son, performed in qualifying circumstances.
Pirkei Avos: Ethics of the Fathers, a tractate of Mishnah devoted to moral and spiritual teachings.
Purim: The holiday commemorating the salvation of the Jews in the time of Queen Esther and Mordechai.

R

Rambam: Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon, Maimonides; also shorthand for his legal works.
Rashi: Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki, the classic commentator on Torah and Talmud.
Rebbe: A Chassidic leader and spiritual guide; in Chabad usage, commonly the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
Rebbetzin: The wife of a rabbi or Rebbe; also a title of respect for a learned Jewish woman.
Rosh Chodesh: The beginning of a new Hebrew month.
Rosh Hashanah: The Jewish New Year and Day of Judgment.

S

Seder: The ordered Pesach-night service and meal.
Sefer Torah: A handwritten Torah scroll.
Selichos: Penitential prayers recited before and during the High Holiday season and on fast days.
Shabbos: The Jewish Sabbath, from Friday evening until Saturday night.
Shabbos Kodesh: The holy Shabbos.
Shabbos Mevarchim: The Shabbos on which the upcoming Hebrew month is blessed.
Shacharis: The morning prayer service.
Shaliach: A male emissary of the Rebbe.
Shlichus: The mission and work of a shaliach or shlucha.
Shloshim: The thirty-day mourning period following a burial.
Shlucha: A female emissary of the Rebbe.
Shofar: A ram’s horn sounded on Rosh Hashanah and at other significant times.
Sholom zachor: A Friday-night gathering celebrating the birth of a baby boy.
Shul: A synagogue.
Shulchan Aruch: The Code of Jewish Law.
Shulchan Aruch Harav: The Alter Rebbe’s code of Jewish law.
Shushan Purim: The day Purim is celebrated in Jerusalem and other ancient walled cities.
Siddur: A Jewish prayer book.
Simcha: Happiness, a happy occasion
Siyum: The completion of a unit of Torah study, often celebrated with a gathering.
Sukkah: The temporary outdoor dwelling used during Sukkos.
Sukkos: The Festival of Booths.

T

Tachanun: Penitential prayers omitted on joyous or special days.
Tachlis: Practical purpose or the essential point.
Talmid: A male student.
Talmidah: A female student.
Talmud: The Mishnah together with the Gemara and their discussions of Jewish law and tradition.
Tammuz: A Hebrew month; the Seventeenth of Tammuz begins the Three Weeks.
Tanach: The Hebrew Bible: Torah, Prophets and Writings.
Tanya: The foundational work of Chabad Chassidus authored by the Alter Rebbe.
Tefillah: Prayer.
Tefillin: Black leather boxes containing Torah passages, worn by Jewish men on weekday mornings.
Tehillim: The Book of Psalms.
Teshuvah: Repentance and return to G-d.
Tishrei: The Hebrew month containing Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkos and Simchas Torah.
Torah: G-d’s teaching; specifically the Five Books of Moses, and broadly all Jewish sacred teaching.
Tu B’Shevat: The New Year for Trees, observed on the fifteenth of Shevat.
Tzedakah: Charity; literally, righteousness or justice.
Tzitzis: Fringes attached to a four-cornered garment in fulfillment of a Torah commandment.
Tznius: Jewish modesty in dress, speech and behavior.

U

Upshernish: A boy’s first haircut, traditionally held at age three.

V

Vort: A brief Torah thought; also a word sometimes used for an engagement celebration.

Y

Yahrzeit: The anniversary of a person’s passing.
Yechidus: A private audience with a Rebbe; also a state of personal spiritual connection.
Yeshivah: A Torah academy.
Yetzer hara: The inclination toward selfishness or wrongdoing.
Yetzer tov: The inclination toward goodness and holiness.
Yizkor: The memorial prayer recited on certain festivals.
Yom Kippur: The Day of Atonement.
Yom Tov: A Jewish festival.
Yud Shevat: The tenth of Shevat, the yahrzeit of the Frierdiker Rebbe and the date associated with the Rebbe’s acceptance of leadership.
Yud-Tes Kislev: The nineteenth of Kislev, celebrating the Alter Rebbe’s liberation and known as the Rosh Hashanah of Chassidus.

Z

Zayin Adar: The seventh of Adar, traditionally observed as the birthday and yahrzeit of Moshe Rabbeinu.
Zman: A time or season; in yeshivah usage, a study term.