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Glossary
of commonly used terms in the Daily Halacha
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Acharonim
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The period of the "Acharonim", or the "later Sages", starts from about the 15th Century C.E. and extends to contemporary times. Among the most famous of the Acharonim are: Rav(Rabbi) Yosef Caro and Rav Moshe Isserles, the authors of the Code of Jewish Law; Rav Eliyahu, the Gaon of Vilna; Rav Chaim Soloveichik; Rav Yisrael Meir Kagan, the Chafetz Chaim; and Rav Moshe Feinstein. They wrote commentaries on the Talmud and the Written Law, works of philosophy and ethics, and responsa.
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Ashkenazim
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Jews of Western or Eastern European origin
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Bediavad
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An acceptable, but not best way to fulfill a Mitzvah.
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Bishul Akum
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Even though ingredients are 100% kosher, but if a non-Jew cooked it, so then it’s considered Bishul Akum and we are not allowed to eat it.
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Chatzitzah
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intervening substance that does not allow the water of the Mikveh to come in contact with the body surface
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Eruv
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A consturction of virtual walls that encloses a public place so that it becomes considered a private domain, in which carrying on Shabbat is permitted
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Geonim
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The Geonic period extends from about 690 C.E. until the 11th century. The first Geonim or
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Haftarah
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a passage from the Prophets that follows the Torah reading on Shabbat and festivals
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Hatarat Nidarim
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Nullification of Vows. The person wishing to nullify his vow must ask three men to sit together as a Rabbincal court and nullify his vow for him.
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Havdalah
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the prayer recited at the conclusion of Shabbat and festivals
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Heter
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A decree making something permissible
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Kabetza
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the volume of an egg, defined as 57.6 grams or 2 fluid ounces
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Kezayit
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the volume of an olive defined as either the volume of a thrid of an egg (19.2 grams or .7 fluid ounces)
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Lechatchila
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The best and right way to fulfill the Mitzvah
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Machloket
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Argument, Conflict
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Machmir
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The most strict and dedicated way
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Machzor(im)
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holiday prayer books
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Mikveh
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A ritual pool used for purification purposes
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Mincha Gedolah
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Half an hour after midday. THis is the earliesttime one may pray Mincha.
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Minhag
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Custom
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Minyan
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A quorum of ten men.
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Mitzvat Ase SheHazeman Gerama
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Sephardic ladies are exempt from making Berachot that are bound by time. However,
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Muktze
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An object such as money, that our Chachamim forbade to move on Shabbat
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Musar
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Ethics, Conduct, Morals
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Rashi
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"Rashi" is an acronym for Rabbi Shlomo Yitchaki, a French scholar born in 1040. He is one of the most popular and prolific of the Medieval commentators. Rashi wrote commentaries on the Five Books of Moses, the Prophets,the Writings, the Mishna, the Gemara and the Midrash. His works are such an essential part of Jewish literature, that the Code of Jewish Law considers it mandatory for every Jew to study the Torah with Rashi's commentary weekly.
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Ohr Somayach International
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Responsa
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"Responsa" are the responses of Torah scholars to questions of Jewish law posed to them both by laymen and experts.
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Ohr Somayach International
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Reviit
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86.4ml or 3.4 fluid ounces.
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Rishonim
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The period of the Rishonim, "the early Sages", starts from about the 11th century C.E. and extends to the 15th century. Among the most famous of the Rishonim are: Rashi, Maimonides, and Nachmanides.
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Safek
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Doubt
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Safek Berachot Lihakhel
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When it comes to making Berachot, we are always concerned and take the opinion not to make the Beracha.
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Safek Safeka
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Double Doubt- Combining lenient opinions for a Halachic conclusion
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Sephardim
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Jews of Spanish or Portugese Origin
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Shulchan Aruch
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The Code of Jewish Law is known in Hebrew as the "Shulchan Aruch" or the "Set Table." It contains in its four sections: 1) Orach Chaim - the laws of daily practice, Sabbaths and festivals. 2)Yoreh De'ah - the laws of Kashrut. 3) Choshen Mishpat - the laws of business. 4) Even Ha'Ezer - the laws of marriage and divorce. The Shulchan Aruch was written by a Sephardic scholar, Rav Joseph Caro, in Safed in approximately 1560 C.E.. It also contains the comments and rulings of Rav Moshe Isserles of Cracow, that include European Jewish custom (Ashkenazic).
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Yom Tov
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Holiday
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Zayin Minim
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The seven staple crops of Israel--Dates, Figs, Olives, Pomegranates, Grapes, Wheat, and Barley
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