Glossary and Notes
[Abbreviations: Dimin. = diminutive; Ger. = German, corrupt German, and Yiddish; Heb. = Hebrew, and Aramaic; pl. = plural; Russ. = Russian; Slav. = Slavic; trl. = translation.
Pronunciation: The transliteration of the Hebrew words attempts to reproduce the colloquial “German” (Ashkenazic) pronunciation. Ch is pronounced as in the German Dach.]
Additional Service. See Eighteen Benedictions.
Al-Chet (Heb.). “For the sin”; the first two words of each line of an Atonement Day prayer, at every mention of which the worshipper beats the left side of his breast with his right fist.
Alef-Bes (Heb.). The Hebrew alphabet.
Ashré (Heb.). The first word of a Psalm verse used repeatedly in the liturgy.
Äus Klemenke! (Ger.). Klemenke is done for!
Azoi (= Ger. also). That’s the way it is!
Badchen (Heb.). A wedding minstrel, whose quips often convey a moral lesson to the bridal couple, each of whom he addresses separately.
Bar-Mitzveh (Heb.). A boy of thirteen, the age of religious majority.
Bas-Kol (Heb.). “The Daughter of the Voice”; an echo; a voice from Heaven.
Beigel (Ger.). Ring-shaped roll.
Bes ha-Midrash (Heb.). House-of-study, used for prayers, too.
Bittul-Torah (Heb.). Interference with religious study.
Bobbe (Slav.). Grandmother; midwife.
Borshtsh (Russ.). Sour soup made of beet-root.
Cantonist (Ger.). Jewish soldier under Czar Nicholas I, torn from his parents as a child, and forcibly estranged from Judaism.
Challeh (Heb.). Loaves of bread prepared for the Sabbath, over which the blessing is said; always made of wheat flour, and sometimes yellowed with saffron.
Charif (Heb.). A Talmudic scholar and dialectician.
Chassidim (sing. Chossid) (Heb.). “Pious ones”; followers of Israel Baal Shem, who opposed the sophisticated intellectualism of the Talmudists, and laid stress on emotionalism in prayer and in the performance of other religious ceremonies. The Chassidic leader is called Tzaddik (“righteous one”), or Rebbe. See art. “Hasidim,” in the Jewish Encyclopedia, vol. vi.
Chayyé Odom. A manual of religious practice used extensively by the common people.
Cheder (pl. Chedorim) (Heb.). Jewish primary school.
Chillul ha-Shem (Heb.). “Desecration of the Holy Name”; hence, scandal.
Chirik (Heb.). Name of the vowel “i”; in Volhynia “u” is pronounced like “i.”
Davvening. Saying prayers.
Dayan (pl. Dayonim) (Heb.). Authority on Jewish religious law, usually assistant to the Rabbi of a town.
Din Torah (Heb.). Lawsuit.
Dreier, Dreierlech (Ger.). A small coin.
Eighteen Benedictions. The nucleus of each of the three daily services, morning, afternoon, evening, and of the “Additional Service” inserted on Sabbaths, festivals, and the Holy Days, between the morning and afternoon services. Though the number of benedictions is actually nineteen, and at some of the services is reduced to seven, the technical designation remains “Eighteen Benedictions.” They are usually said as a “silent prayer” by the congregation, and then recited aloud by the cantor, or precentor.
Eretz Yisroel (Heb.). Palestine.
Erev (Heb.). Eve.
Eruv (Heb.). A cord, etc., stretched round a town, to mark the limit beyond which no “burden” may be carried on the Sabbath.
Fast of Esther. A fast day preceding Purim, the Feast of Esther.
“Fountain of Jacob.” A collection of all the legends, tales, apologues, parables, etc., in the Babylonian Talmud.
Four-Corners (trl. of Arba Kanfos). A fringed garment worn under the ordinary clothes; called also Tallis-koton. See Deut. xxii. 12.
Four Ells. Minimum space required by a human being.
Four Questions. Put by the youngest child to his father at the Seder.
Ganze Goyim (Ger. and Heb.). Wholly estranged from Jewish life and customs. See Goi.
Gass (Ger.). The Jews’ street.
Gehenna (Heb.). The nether world; hell.
Gemoreh (Heb.). The Talmud, the Rabbinical discussion and elaboration of the Mishnah; a Talmud folio. It is usually read with a peculiar singsong chant, and the reading of argumentative passages is accompanied by a gesture with the thumb. See, for instance, pp. 17 and 338.
Gemoreh-Köplech (Heb. and Ger.). A subtle, keen mind; precocious.
Gevir (Heb.). An influential, rich man.—Gevirish, appertaining to a Gevir.
Goi (pl. Goyim) (Heb.). A Gentile; a Jew estranged from Jewish life and customs.
Gottinyu (Ger. with Slav. ending). Dear God.
Great Sabbath, The. The Sabbath preceding Passover.
Haggadah (Heb.). The story of the Exodus recited at the home service on the first two evenings of Passover.
Hoshanah (pl. Hoshanos) (Heb.). Osier withe for the Great Hosannah.
Hoshanah-Rabbah (Heb.). The seventh day of the Feast of Tabernacles; the Great Hosannah.
Hostre Chassidim. Followers of the Rebbe or Tzaddik who lived at Hostre.
Kaddish (Heb.). Sanctification, or doxology, recited by mourners, specifically by children in memory of parents during the first eleven months after their death, and thereafter on every anniversary of the day of their death; applied to an only son, on whom will devolve the duty of reciting the prayer on the death of his parents; sometimes applied to the oldest son, and to sons in general.
Kalleh (Heb.) Bride.
Kalleh-leben (Heb. and Ger.). Dear bride.
Kallehshi (Heb. and Russ. dimin.). Dear bride.
Kasha (Slav.). Pap.
Kedushah (Heb.). Sanctification; the central part of the public service, of which the “Holy, holy, holy,” forms a sentence.
Kerbel, Kerblech (Ger.). A ruble.
Kiddush (Heb.). Sanctification; blessing recited over wine in ushering in Sabbaths and holidays.
Klaus (Ger.). “Hermitage”; a conventicle; a house-of-study.
Kob tebi biessi (Little Russ.) “Demons take you!”
Kol Nidré (Heb.). The first prayer recited at the synagogue on the Eve of the Day of Atonement.
Kosher (Heb.). Ritually clean or permitted.
Kosher-Tanz (Heb. and Ger.). Bride’s dance.
Köst (Ger.). Board.—Auf Köst. Free board and lodging given to a man and his wife by the latter’s parents during the early years of his married life.
“Learn.” Studying the Talmud, the codes, and the commentaries.
Le-Chayyim (Heb.). Here’s to long life!
Lehavdil (Heb.). “To distinguish.” Elliptical for “to distinguish between the holy and the secular”; equivalent to “excuse the comparison”; “pardon me for mentioning the two things in the same breath,” etc.
Likkute Zevi (Heb.). A collection of prayers.
Lokshen. Macaroni.—Toras-Lokshen, macaroni made in approved style.
Maariv (Heb.). The Evening Prayer, or service.
Maggid (Heb.). Preacher.
Maharsho (MaHaRSHO). Hebrew initial letters of Morenu ha-Rab Shemuel Edels, a great commentator.
Malkes (Heb.). Stripes inflicted on the Eve of the Day of Atonement, in expiation of sins. See Deut. xxv. 2, 3.
Maskil (pl. Maskilim) (Heb.). An “intellectual.” The aim of the “intellectuals” was the spread of modern general education among the Jews, especially in Eastern Europe. They were reproached with secularizing Hebrew and disregarding the ceremonial law.
Matzes (Heb.). The unleavened bread used during Passover.
Mechuteneste (Heb.). Mother-in-law; prospective mother-in-law; expresses chiefly the reciprocal relation between the parents of a couple about to be married.
Mechutton (Heb.). Father-in-law; prospective father-in-law; expresses chiefly the reciprocal relation between the parents of a couple about to be married.
Mehereh (Heb.). The “quick” dough for the Matzes.
Melammed (Heb.). Teacher.
Mezuzeh (Heb.). “Door-post;” Scripture verses attached to the door-posts of Jewish houses. See Deut. vi. 9.
Midrash (Heb.). Homiletic exposition of the Scriptures.
Minchah (Heb.). The Afternoon Prayer, or service.
Min ha-Mezar (Heb.). “Out of the depth,” Ps. 118. 5.
Minyan (Heb.). A company of ten men, the minimum for a public service; specifically, a temporary congregation, gathered together, usually in a village, from several neighboring Jewish settlements, for services on New Year and the Day of Atonement.
Mishnah (Heb.). The earliest code (ab. 200 C. E.) after the Pentateuch, portions of which are studied, during the early days of mourning, in honor of the dead.
Misnaggid (pl. Misnagdim) (Heb.). “Opponents” of the Chassidim. The Misnagdic communities are led by a Rabbi (pl. Rabbonim), sometimes called Rav.
Mitzveh (Heb.). A commandment, a duty, the doing of which is meritorious.
Nashers (Ger.). Gourmets.
Nishkoshe (Ger. and Heb.). Never mind!
Nissan (Heb.). Spring month (March-April), in which Passover is celebrated.
Olenu (Heb.). The concluding prayer in the synagogue service.
Olom ha-Sheker (Heb.). “The world of falsehood,” this world.
Olom ha-Tohu (Heb.). World of chaos.
Olom ho-Emess (Heb.). “The world of truth,” the world-to-come.
Parnosseh (Heb.). Means of livelihood; business; sustenance.
Piyyutim (Heb.). Liturgical poems for festivals and Holy Days recited in the synagogue.
Porush (Heb.). Recluse.
Prayer of the Highway. Prayer on setting out on a journey.
Prayer-scarf. See Tallis.
Pud (Russ.). Forty pounds.
Purim (Heb.). The Feast of Esther.
Rashi (RaSHI). Hebrew initial letters of Rabbi Solomon ben Isaac, a great commentator; applied to a certain form of script and type.
Rav (Heb.). Rabbi.
Rebbe. Sometimes used for Rabbi; sometimes equivalent to Mr.; sometimes applied to the Tzaddik of the Chassidim; and sometimes used as the title of a teacher of young children.
Rebbetzin. Wife of a Rabbi.
Rosh-Yeshiveh (Rosh ha-Yeshiveh) (Heb.). Headmaster of a Talmudic Academy.
Scape-fowls (trl. of Kapporos). Roosters or hens used in a ceremony on the Eve of the Day of Atonement.
Seder (Heb.). Home service on the first two Passover evenings.
Seliches (Heb.). Penitential prayers.
Seventeenth of Tammuz. Fast in commemoration of the first breach made in the walls of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar.
Shalom (Heb. in Sefardic pronunciation). Peace. See Sholom Alechem.
Shamash (Heb.). Beadle.
Shechinah (Heb.). The Divine Presence.
Shegetz (Heb.). “Abomination;” a sinner; a rascal.
Shlimm-Mazel (Ger. and Heb.). Bad luck; luckless fellow.
Shmooreh-Matzes (Heb.). Unleavened bread specially guarded and watched from the harvesting of the wheat to the baking and storing.
Shochet (Heb.). Ritual slaughterer.
Shofar (Heb.). Ram’s horn, sounded on New Year’s Day and the Day of Atonement. See Lev. xxiii. 24.
Sholom (Shalom) Alechem (Heb.). “Peace unto you”; greeting, salutation, especially to one newly arrived after a journey.
Shomer. Pseudonym of a Yiddish author, Nahum M. Schaikewitz.
Shool (Ger., Schul’). Synagogue.
Shulchan Aruch (Heb.). The Jewish code.
Silent Prayer. See Eighteen Benedictions.
Solemn Days. The ten days from New Year to the Day of Atonement inclusive.
Soul-lights. Candles lighted in memory of the dead.
Stuffed monkeys. Pastry filled with chopped fruit and spices.
Tallis (popular plural formation, Tallesim) (Heb.). The prayer-scarf.
Tallis-koton (Heb.). See Four-Corners.
Talmid-Chochem (Heb.). Sage; scholar.
Talmud Torah (Heb.). Free communal school.
Tano (Heb.). A Rabbi cited in the Mishnah as an authority.
Tararam. Noise; tumult; ado.
Tate, Tatishe (Ger. and Russ. dimin.). Father.
Tefillin-Säcklech (Heb. and Ger.). Phylacteries bag.
Tisho-b’ov (Heb.). Ninth of Ab, day of mourning and fasting to commemorate the destruction of Jerusalem; hence, colloquially, a sad day.
Torah (Heb.). The Jewish Law in general, and the Pentateuch in particular.
Tsisin. Season.
Tzaddik (pl. Tzaddikim) (Heb.). “Righteous”; title of the Chassidic leader.
U-mipné Chatoénu (Heb.). “And on account of our sins,” the first two words of a prayer for the restoration of the sacrificial service, recited in the Additional Service of the Holy Days and the festivals.
U-Nesanneh-Toikef (Heb.). “And we ascribe majesty,” the first two words of a Piyyut recited on New Year and on the Day of Atonement.
Verfallen! (Ger.). Lost; done for.
Vershok (Russ.). Two inches and a quarter.
Vierer (Ger.). Four kopeks.
Vivat. Toast.
Yeshiveh (Heb.). Talmud Academy.
Yohrzeit (Ger.). Anniversary of a death.
Yom Kippur (Heb.). Day of Atonement.
Yom-tov (Heb.). Festival.
Zhydek (Little Russ.). Jew.
P. 15. “It was seldom that parties went ‘to law’... before the Rav.”—The Rabbi with his Dayonim gave civil as well as religious decisions.
P. 15. “Milky Sabbath.”—All meals without meat. In connection with fowl, ritual questions frequently arise.
P. 16. “Reuben’s ox gores Simeon’s cow.”—Reuben and Simeon are fictitious plaintiff and defendant in the Talmud; similar to John Doe and Richard Roe.
P. 17. “He described a half-circle,” etc.—See under Gemoreh.
P. 57. “Not every one is worthy of both tables!”—Worthy of Torah and riches.
P. 117. “They salted the meat.”—The ritual ordinance requires that meat should be salted down for an hour after it has soaked in water for half an hour.
P. 150. “Puts off his shoes!”—To pray in stocking-feet is a sign of mourning and a penance.
P. 190. “We have trespassed,” etc.—The Confession of Sins.
P. 190. “The beadle deals them out thirty-nine blows,” etc.—see Malkes.
P. 197. “With the consent of the All-Present,” etc.—The Introduction to the solemn Kol Nidré prayer.
P. 220. “He began to wear the phylacteries and the prayer-scarf,” etc.—They are worn first when a boy is Bar-Mitzveh (which see); Ezrielk was married at the age of thirteen.
P. 220. “He could not even break the wine-glass,” etc.—A marriage custom.
P. 220. “Waving of the sacrificial fowls.”—See Scape-fowls.
P. 220. “The whole company of Chassidim broke some plates.”—A betrothal custom.
P. 227. “Had a double right to board with their parents ‘forever.’”—See Köst.
P. 271. “With the consent of the All-Present,” etc.—See note under p. 197.
P. 273. “Nothing was lacking for their journey from the living to the dead.”—See note under p. 547.
P. 319. “Give me a teacher who can tell,” etc.—Reference to the story of the heathen who asked, first of Shammai, and then of Hillel, to be taught the whole of the Jewish Law while standing on one leg.
P. 326. “And those who do not smoke on Sabbath, raised their eyes to the sky.”—To look for the appearance of three stars, which indicate nightfall, and the end of the Sabbath.
P. 336. “Jeroboam the son of Nebat.”—The Rabbinical type for one who not only sins himself, but induces others to sin, too.
P. 401. “Thursday.”—See note under p. 516.
P. 403. “Monday,” “Wednesday,” “Tuesday.”—See note under p. 516.
P. 427. “Six months’ ‘board.’”—See Köst.
P. 443. “I knew Hebrew grammar, and could write Hebrew, too.”—See Maskil.
P. 445. “A Jeroboam son of Nebat.”—See note under p. 336.
P. 489. “In a snow-white robe.”—The head of the house is clad in his shroud at the Seder on the Passover.
P. 516. “She knew that on Wednesdays Yitzchokel ate his ‘day’,” etc.—At the houses of well-to-do families meals were furnished to poor students, each student having a specific day of the week with a given family throughout the year.
P. 547. “Why had he brought... a white shirt-like garment?”—The worshippers in the synagogue on the Day of Atonement wear shrouds.
P. 552. “Am I... I suppose I am to lie down?”—See Malkes.
P. 574. “In a hundred and twenty years.”—The age attained by Moses and Aaron; a good old age. The expression is used when planning for a future to come after the death of the person spoken to, to imply that there is no desire to see his days curtailed for the sake of the plan.