BAR COCHBA. The heroic Jewish leader who led the final revolt against the Romans in the year A.D. 123.
BAR MITZVAH. Confirmation of a boy at the age of thirteen.
BEZEL. A cake made in the shape of a ring.
BIKKUR-HOLIM. Used to denote a Hospital.
BROCHA. A blessing or a thanksgiving used on
various
occasions.
CHALLAH. White bread shaped as a twist used for
the
Sabbath sanctification.
CHASSID. Pietist; a name assumed by a sect of
Jews
mainly in Galicia established by “Baal Shemtob.”
CHAZAH. A cantor, or Synagogue reader.
CHEVRA-KADISHA. A burial society.
CHOLENT. A dish of various vegetables and meat,
eaten on the Sabbath.
CHOMETZ. Leavened bread.
EREV. Evening.
HAMANTASCHEN. A triangular cake eaten on Purim, shaped according to the hat Haman was supposed to have worn.
KAFTAN. A long coat, worn by Jews in eastern
Europe.
KIDDUSH. A blessing of sanctification over wine,
said at the ushering in of Sabbath and of Festivals.
LAG B’OMER. The 33rd day of the seven weeks between Passover and Pentecost: a students’ holiday.
MAZZELTOV. A greeting signifying Good Luck.
MEAH SHEORIM. A Hundred Gates: the name
of a
suburb of Jerusalem.
MINCHA. The afternoon service.
MITZVOTH. Acts of piety.
PARA. A Turkish coin of small value.
PESACH. Passover.
PRINCESS SABBATH. A poetical expression, used
for
welcoming the Sabbath.
PURIM. The Festival referred to in The Book of Esther.
RAV. One learned in rabbinical lore.
SAMOVAR. A tea-urn.
SCHPIELERS. Strolling-players.
SCHTRAMEL. Head-gear worn by Chassidim.
SEDER. The Service on the first two nights of Passover.
SEPHARDIM. Jews of Spanish or of Portuguese origin.
SHALACH MANOTH. Gifts—especially used with reference to distributions on Purim (vide The Book of Esther).
SHALOM. Peace.
SHIROS. Oil made from the sesame seed.
SHULCHAN ARUCH. The Jewish religious Code; compiled in the middle of the 16th century and regarded as of high authority.
SHULE. Synagogue, derived from the German Schule
(school).
SIMHATH TORAH. The festival of the Law, following the Tabernacle festival when the reading of the Pentateuch is completed and recommenced amid great rejoicing.
STRUDEL. A sweet pudding or cake.
SUCCAH. The tabernacle used as a dwelling on
the
Feast of Tabernacles.
TAVELT. Immersed; used in reference to the Ritual
Bath.
TORAH. The Law; specially referring to the Mosaic
code and its derivatives.
TSENNAH URENNAH. A Jewish German translation of the Pentateuch, embellished with legends for the use of women.