At the Passover Seder table a part of the matzoh on the table is hidden early in the evening meal and "discovered" again at the end of the Seder service for a ransom. Symbolic of Jews being ransomed from Egypt by the Eternal One (God).

Immigration of Jews to Israel. The word means "ascent."

This annotation means “before the Christian era”. Because Jews do not accept Jesus as the Messiah they do not use the annotations B.C. (before Christ) or A.D. (year of our Lord).

The dispersion or exile of the Jews into the lands outside of Israel after the Babylonian captivity. Exile refers to an involuntary exodus, as during the Persian conquest of Babylon. When the Babylonian king allowed the Jews to return to Palestine, many refused because they had become acclimated to that culture. Those people who remained in a country not their own while assimilating into it lived in diaspora.

The reality of diaspora has had great impact on the Talmud because people from all over the world living in diaspora countries would want to know how to adapt Torah teachings to their country’s habits and laws. They wrote their rabbis asking for advice. These writings in part became part of Torah commentary. Jews not living in Israel are living in diaspora.

(Pronounced "ha-seed-im") The word means a pious man, a disciple of a great rabbi. During the 18th century in central and eastern Europe this movement was very popular. It was started by a mystic named Israel ben Eliezer. He was a wanderer, preaching a gospel that made him very popular among the common folk of the time. He sang the praises of simple faith, everyday pleasures, worship in a state of joy, in opposition to the strict rabbinical teachings. They taught celebration of God in a warm, personal way. The movement still exists in larger cities

The name comes from the time of Abraham who lived east of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in the Chaldean wilderness of the old Assyrian empire of 600 - 800 b.c.e. His tribe of wanderers were referred to as Ivram, meaning “people of the other side.” The word evolved into the current “Hebrew.” Most Hebrews are Jews. Hebrews are a distinctive people, claiming descent from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Since the diaspora they have intermarried with most of the world’s people and have lost the racial characteristics and traceable genealogy.

Other than the practicing of Judaism as a convert, a Jew claims descent from ancient tribes of Hebrew people, often called Israelites. The word comes from ancient Judea and its inhabitants. Because to be Jewish means to be of Semitic origin, Jews are not descended from the white race, though through the millenia they have intermarried with most races. This feeling of ancient separateness often contributes to their secularism.

A traditional approach to Judaism based upon the laws of commandments. The holy observances revealed by God in Torah - the Law of Moses. Orthodox Jews are the most fundamental group. All prayers and readings are in Hebrew. To live by Torah as interpreted by the writers of the Talmud is the wish and practice of this rigid and ultraconservative original Jewish movement. A variation, Hasidim (pious) contains mystical overtones regarding God and the scriptures. Members of this the original sect believe a religion wherein joy and emotional experiences are of primary import in Jewry. Torah is the supreme authority. Yarmulkes (skull caps) are always worn and tithing is paid.

Conservative congregations have a somewhat progressive attitude toward religious observation. Hats are still worn in synagogue. Tithing is encouraged and holy days are observed. Services are held in Hebrew and English. Jewish celebrations and customs are not rigidly observed because members are responsive to needs of a modern society.

This group of Jews are the most progressive in that Hebrew is used primarily only in reading Torah. Hats are not worn in synagogue. Services are held in English with Hebrew available for reading. Modern rabbis and cantors include women. Commandments are of course observed, as are ceremonies and customs but these may change accordingly as conditions change from place to place. Reform congregations support Zionism, stress the Hebrew language and do not deny the values taught by the mystical work, the Kabbalah (see below). Originating in Germany by governments which tried to convert the Jews, the movement failed. Nonetheless, Reform Jewry does not strictly adhere to ancient biblical teachings.

This kind of esoteric thought began with an elect group of scholars deeply involved in psychic experience. Indian, Persian and Greek writings became involved with Jewish theories of emanations of spirits which served God as intermediaries to the physical world. Gradually, ideas of demons, angels and the spirit worlds themselves took shape in the writings of ancient mystics. There are stories of bad luck which befell several early rabbinic scholars who investigated heavenly mysteries but the Kabbalah blossomed among the Jews of Europe nonetheless. The mass of Jews of today are unfamiliar with this type of literature.

The diverse ideals of Kabbalism eventually became united in a book called Sefar haZohar (Book of Splendor), imposing a structure and a unified system giving descriptions and commentaries upon the Pentateuch. It contains Rabbi Isaac Luria’s complex system of magic words and mystic exercises, diagrams of the sephirot (emanations) which are believed to mediate our earth from heaven, numerology as applied to the alphabet of the Hebrew language, some constellation astrology, the seven levels of heaven, mystic ideas of creation, codes, formulas and psychism. It is a serious work but not for the casual researcher or the hurried. Some of the questions posed in this work are answered by latter day scripture!

Literally means “tearing.” When a Jewish funeral is held a garment must be rent as a sign of mourning. This can be done when the news is received or later in the house of Shiva, or at the cemetary before burial. It is usually started with a knife and torn further by hand. For a parent a keria is made on the left side, for others the right side is used. Normally an indoor garment is used. Keria is never performed on the Sabbath or festivals but may be on some days of Passover and Sukkot.

When food is cooked or prepared according to Jewish dietary laws it is said to be kosher. A Yiddish word. Eating kosher food makes one stronger in devotion to God. Examples: milk and meat are not eaten at the same time. This comes from Moses’ words in Exodus and Deuteronomy not to seethe a kid in its mother’s milk. Food ritually fit to eat in accordance with Jewish dietary laws. The three kinds of kosher are: milchig (dairy), fleishig (meat dishes) and pareve (fruits, vegetables, eggs, and foods that can be eaten with either meat or dairy dishes

Only four footed animals that chew a cud and have cloven hooves are kosher. Crawling animals are forbidden. Fish must have scales and fins to be kosher. An animal that has not been slaughtered according to biblical ritual is unclean is non-kosher.

Meat can only be declared kosher by a special supervisor.

A candelabrum, the official emblem of Israel. A Hanukkah menorah has nine branches, one each for the eight nights of Hanukkah, and a ninth (the shamash)which lights the others. A Sabbath menorah has eight branches and is used in the same way.

The Eternal Light, usually above the Holy Ark that contains the Torah scroll in a synagogue. It is lit at all times as a remembrance of the menorah in the ancient temples of the era b.c.

Reading Genesis 10 informs us that of Noah’s three sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth, Shem was the forerunner of the Hebrews. Japheth was progenitor of the Greek nation, whereas Ham begat the colored races. Semitic people originated in SW Asia and also include Sumerians, Canaanites, Phoenicians and Arabs. They are essentially an Asiatic race.

Derived from the word “Spain.” When in 1492 Jews living in Spain and Portugal were being forced to convert to Christianity or leave the country they chose to migrate to Turkey, Holland and the Italian cities to the north of that country. There are large Sephardic communities around the world. Many live also in Israel, North Africa and Turkey as well as in our larger cities.

The seven day mourning period for the dead (See Gen 50:10). It is courteous for friends of the deceased not to pay a call to the family the first three days following a death, ad they will want to be alone in their mourning to “sit Shiva,” to sit with the body or in honor of their dead. The first three days are obligatory, beginning immediately after internment. A lighted candle is put in the room near the head of the deceased. In olden times the body was wrapped or draped and left in the room with the mourning family for three days. One purpose of forced mourning is to emphasize the difference between life and death, thereby increasing appreciation of life.

A Jewish celebration of the liberation of Israel from Egyptian slavery. National birthday of Jews, occuring in March or April each year. Passover is also a celebration of nature’s harvest. Pesach (or Passover) is significant of justice, inalienable rights given of God, life and societal cooperation. These rights must be in tune with God, under His direction (See Num 15:40-41, Lev 19:33-36). When Moses led the Israelites from Egypt in 1280 they had been under the yoke of slavery which Pharoah Ramses II imposed upon them. The Jews were not harmed by the plagues. After ten plagues were brought upon the Egyptian people, Ramses let the Israelites leave Egypt.

This feast of Pesach is to be celebrated for seven days. On the first night a lamb was sacrificed in the ancient temple, consumed with matzah (unleavened bread) and bitter herbs, to symbolize slavery and the hasty departure from bondage. Roasted lamb is no longer eaten. The events of the Exodus are sometimes re-enacted (See Ex 12:26; 13:8, Deut 6:20). Special dishes and other ware are set for these nights. They are not used during the remainder of the year. Many dietary rules attend this holiday which involve koshering of food and utensils. Jews are commanded to use only unleavened bread, to make a traditional seder plate containing foods commemorative of the Exodus story. I recall many Passover seders in our family when we could put aside our differences, eat the traditional foods, say the required prayers and remember the great story of the Exodus.

The start of the Jewish New Year. It is a time of self-examination, repentance and expiation of sins. During this time of personal inventory we measure ourselves against what we know we ought to be and strive to make greater effort. Orthodox Jewry believes it is the time of Heavenly Judgement.

Rosh Hashanah begins in the month of Tishri, the seventh month, the most important because of the significance of the number seven, meaning completeness. Usually a shofar, the ram’s horn is blown on this holiday. The shofar calls Jews to their special occasions. We greet each other with the words L’Shanah tovah Tikko Sayvoo (May you have a good year). Sweet food is served at dinner in the hope of a sweet, happy new year.

The Jewish prayer and song book. There are siddurs for holidays and for daily and weekly use. Some are quite complex, containing rules and rituals for every public and private occasion of prayer and song, with commentary and footnotes.

The Old Testament including the Torah books (see below), the Prophets, Psalms, Proverbs, Song of Solomon, the Book of Esther and the Talmud.

Biblical books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy as well as the Prophets section. The Torah (teaching) scroll is made of parchment. Every ark in every synagogue in the world has one. The men who write the Torah scroll feel they are given by God a holy calling to this lifelong work. They must do it perfectly. No errors are permitted. In an important way the Torah embodies the revelations of God, the teachings of prophets and rabbis throughout the centuries. Rabbis must be masters of Torah and its 613 commandments which are the essence of Judaic teachings.

Torah readings often include readings from the Talmud; in fact, all religious teachings of Judaism, which declares its creed: “God, Torah, Israel.” In Paradise the righteous sit and study Torah all day, it is said. The prophet Ezra was said to be instrumental in establishing Torah as the law of Jewish life. He read it to the assembled Hebrews and the tradition has carried on with readings by rabbis and congregation to each other. It was once chanted in Hebrew but translated into Aramaic. The Torah needs to be read and translated, but is usually not translated. There are really two Torahs, the Palestinian and the Babylonian. Each is composed of two sections, the Mishnah, a rabbinical commentary on the Torah, and the Gemarah, a rabbinincal commentary on the Mishnah. Each book deals with different tractates and each is from antiquity.

Charity, or justice. Jews see giving of money to help others as a proper function of citizens in society, a just act.

A confession of sins. When on the verge of death a person is urged to confess all sins. This is similar to the Catholic process, but Jews are encouraged to confess their sins during the penitential season of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

This holiday is our Day of Atonement, the most solemn of all Jewish holidays. It follows Rosh Hashanah, closing the penitential season. In Orthodox worship Yom Kippur is the day judgement is sealed upon us by the Heavenly Tribunal. But if the sinner repents and atones for his sin between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur the judgement may be revoked, and so this is a day of at-one-ment with God through sincere repentance and nobler living. On Yom Kippur Jews fast from sunset to sunset.

This most beautiful of ceremonies is begun with the singing by the cantor and congregation of the Kol Nidre (all the vows), the haunting and riveting song which petitions God to annul all vows, oaths and transgressions. My memory of hearing the Kol Nidre is with me even today. Its mournful tone and spiritual intensity make it impossible to hear without evoking strong emotion, even tears. If ever a song was made to reach the Supreme One, the Kol Nidre must be considered.

Even in biblical times Jews were in the habit of making many vows during emotional or perilous times which were impossible to keep, so a means had to be created whereby they could be released from them. These promises included those made during religious persecutions when Jews were forced to accept Christianity under duress.
I remember a prayer during the afternoon service

Zion refers to the land of Israel. Zionism is the reuniting of the Jewish people to their homeland, a task the Mashiach will be expected to accomplish. Jews living in diaspora often turn in the direction of Israel when they pray.

Includes oxen, goats, sheep, doves or young pigeons. Must be male and without blemish. Symbolic of total surrender to God.

Can be male or female, without blemish. Cattle, sheep, goats. No fowl. To thank God or involving covenants or vows.

Male or female animals or fowl, without blemish. Made to atone for offenses against others or broken covenants. These offerings include extra offering for restitution against another.