Abba: "Daddy." When used for HaShem it refers to the closeness between the Father and a loyal child.
Adon: "master."
Adonai: The LORD -- Lord of lords
(The) Adversary: Known by many names including Heylel, Lucifer, Devil and Satan.
Am Israel: "People Israel."
Afikoman: Small piece of matsah reserved for "desert" at the seder meal.
Aggadah: Legends, lore, stories and other non-legal material from rabbinic literature. Also: a fairy tale.
Aliyah: An ascent: to Jerusalem, to the bima to bless Torah, emigration to Israel.
Amain: Hebrew for Amen.
Amidah: Standing prayer, also known as the Shemoneh Esrei or Tefillah. The central rote prayer in Jewish services.
Antiochus IV Epiphanes ("Manifest god"): Circa 167 B.C.E. this Greek (Salucid) despot withstood the People of HaShem and failed. See Chanukkah for more.
Antisemitism: Anti-Jewish. The term does not apply to abuses against non-Jewish Semites (including Arabs). The term does apply to abuses to against non-Semitic Jews (including Messianic Jews). First used in 1860 by the Austrian Jewish scholar Moritz Steinschneider in the phrase "anti-Semitic prejudices."
Apologetics: The intellectual discipline of defending spiritual truth.
Ark: Sacred storage are for holding Torah scrolls, located in the front of a shul.
Arian Christians: Those Christians who reject the deity of Y'shua and the Trinity doctrine espoused in the Nicene Creed. The term "Arian" is taken from Bishop Arius. Arianism is specifically listed as a heresy by the heretical Church.
Arius (250 or 256 ? 336 CE): Bishop Arius. One of the last serious defenders of Y'shua's true nature within the Church. Arianism is specifically listed as a heresy by the heretical Church.
Ashkenazic: Pertaining to the Ashkenazic Jewish community, i.e. whose roots go to Germany, Eastern Europe or Russia.
Avinu: Hebrew: father. Hence "Avraham avinu" means "Our father Avraham."
Avoda: Service to God
Avram: The Hebrew birth name of father Avraham. HaShem renamed him Avraham to mark the birth of the Avrahamic covenant.
Avraham: Also known as Abraham. Father of all Jewish People.
Avrahamic covenant: The covenant that established the Hebrews as a distinct people.

B.C.E.: "Before our common era", same as B.C.
B'rit Hadashah (Christian): 1). The New Covenant, 2). the Books of the New Testament. Jews do not accept these books as scripture.
Ba'al: "Master": Ancient demigods worshiped in the Middle East.
Ba'al teshuva or ba'al teshuvah -- Sometimes abbreviated as BT: A Jew who turns to embrace Observant/Orthodox Judaism. Baal teshuvah literally means, "master of repentance" or "master of return" i.e., one who has repented or "returned" to God.
Babylon: The Babylon Empire of King Nebuchadnezzar. Modern Iraq.
Babylon the Great (Christian): Future Roman based Global religion that will worship the coming global dictator.
Battei din: "Jewish courts" plural form of beit din.
Baruch HaShem: "Praise or thanks be to God." This phrase should be constantly upon our lips.
Beit din: A Jewish religious court. Plural: battei din
Beit HaMikdash: The "House of the Holy"; the Jerusalem Temple of HaShem.
Brit milah: Circumcision: The removal of the foreskin. Required of Jewish males. Ashkenazi pronunciation: bris milah, "covenant of circumcision"; Yiddish pronunciation: bris). A Jewish religious circumcision ceremony performed on 8-day old male infants by a mohel. The brit milah is followed by a celebratory meal (seudat mitzvah). (Genesis 17:1-14). Physical sign that one has embraced the Covenant of Avraham.

Ebionites (Early Christian): Some use this term to refer to the original followers of Y'shua, but that is doubtful. More commonly used for a Gnostic faction that rejected traditional Torah beliefs in favor of anti-material monism. Chief heretical rival of the Nicolaitans (the faction that became Christianity: Revelation 2:9, 3:9). Their belief in the incorporeal nature of Y'shua is expressly rejected at I John 4:3 and II John 1:7.
Echad Elohiym Hebrew: "One God": the title used in early Genesis and elsewhere.
Emissaries (Christian): Same as Apostles.
Emunah: Active faith.
Eretz Israel: The Land of Israel.
Essenes: Pious separatist Jews (separated themselves from the P'rushim and Israeli society under the leadership of the "Teacher of Righteousness") and dwelt especially at Khirbet Qumran, Damascus, and Bethabara (Yochanan the Immerser's community.

Flagellation (Christian and others): A masochistic or sadistic act in which the participants receive erotic or religious stimulation from whipping or being whipped. Common among Catholic monks in the early centuries, still practiced by some. Supposedly done in order to "share in the sufferings of Christ."
Frum (or "FFB": Frum from birth): Jews who are born and raised as religiously observant (Orthodox) Jews and continue to live that way. Most are considered Heredim (Ultra Orthodox)

Gaon of Vilna: Great Jurist and Talmudist. Declared Hasidim a heresy in 1772 (see Mitnagdism.
Gentile: A non-Jew, Ger: of the nations.
Ger: Used in two ways in and outside the Bible:
    Biblically: A non-Jew, specifically one that is affiliated with People Israel by worship and culture.
    In common usage: a convert to Judaism.
Ger Tzadik: A righteous convert or righteous non-Jew.
Gezerot: "Protective legislation" (known as shvut where these laws relate to Shabbat)
Gilgul Neshamot: The cyclical rolling of souls. Reincarnation. The Jewish doctrine that souls sometime "roll" from one body to the next before resting and awaiting the resurrection.
Gnosticism: Gnostic: A set of diverse, anti-biblical Syncretistic religious movements and beliefs consisting of various philosophical systems generally united around the theme that material existence is illusory and that through revealed Gnosis (secret initiate teachings) "clear reality" can be perceived. The "god concept" for Gnostics is most closely akin to Plato's conception of Pleroma (the constant unfolding of the diverse Divine emanations: the Aeons, the "Eternities" or "Worlds without end") and Godhead as seen in his Timaeus (dialogues). Some versions of the Nicene Trinity heresy are influenced by Gnosticism although more from Nicolaitan Paganism. Gnosticism is completely contrary to biblical religion. Apostle John refers to it an anti-christ (anti-anointed) doctrine (I John 4:3; II John 4:7). Grafted in: Conversion to Messianic Judaism (based on Romans 11). One of the terms used for Messianic conversion. Like the word "adoption" (Romans 8:15) it signifies that those who embrace Y'shua as Cohen Gadol (High Priest and Mediator) become members of the Messianic Jewish religion.
Golden Bowl (Occult): The mystically confirmed "bowl" in which the life force resides. When the golden bowl is cracked the life force (ruach) seeps out and the person dies (see: Ecclesiastes 12:1-7).
Goy: Yiddish: A non-Jew (plural goyim)
Grace: Greek: Che'n (pronounced "khane"): the unmerited graciousness or bestowal of undeserved favor by another.
Grafted in (Christian): Conversion to Messianic Judaism (based on Romans 11). One of the terms used for conversion. Like the word "adoption" (Romans 8:15) it signifies that those who embrace Y'shua as Cohen Gadol (High Priest and Mediator) become members of the Messianic Jewish religion.
Graphe: (Greek) meaning "writ," the "documents" (i.e. "scriptures" as the KJV has it).
Great Disappointement (Christian): October 22, 1844.

Based on Daniel chapter 9 William Miller announced that Jesus Christ would return to this earth take full possession of it. The first date for this event was given as sometime between March 21, 1843 and March 21, 1844. When this date didn't pan out, a new date was 'revealed': April 18, 1844. The final corrected date was set for seven months later on October 22, 1844. With this prophecy Adventist preacher Samuel S. Snow (1806?1890) established what is known as the Seventh-month movement to proclaim this final date. Snow proposed that the delay had been the stripping away of those Adventists who lacked faith in order to establish and strengthen the rest as the faithful remnent.

Ibbur Neshamot: The Jewish doctrine of the impregnation or incubation of souls.

This is a more specialized form of reincarnation (gilgul neshamot) in which a soul is sent from the 'spirit realms' to impregnate a woman in order to achieve some goal or task. For Christians Y'shua is an example of this sort of incarnation (being born of a virgin is not part of this concept). The idea is completely consistent with the Oral Torah.
Ibbur neshamot are always from a positive source.

Biblical usage: One who is a physical descendant of Ya'akov (Jacob/Israel).
Modern usage: One who lives in the Land of Israel (same as Israeli).

Kabbalah: The discipline and school of thought concerned with the mystical aspect of Rabbinic Judaism.

Kabbalah consists of esoteric Jewish teachings that focus on the relationship between the utterly transcendent Creator (En Soph) and material existence (HaShem's creation).
Strictly avoid ALL forms of "Christian Kabbalah," "Practical Kabbalah," "Hermetic Kabbalah" and other forms. These often contain and foster dangerous heresies. Kabbalah is for serious, advanced talmidim only.

Cover your head so that the fear of heaven may be upon you. -Talmud Shabbat 156b
R. Huna son of R. Joshua would not walk four cubits bareheaded, saying: The Shechinah [Divine Presence] is above my head. -Talmud Kiddushin 31a
R. Huna son of R. Joshua said: May I be rewarded for never walking four cubits bareheaded. -Talmud Shabbat 118b

Ma'ariv: Evening prayers (see prayers).
Magen David: The "Shield of David" or as it is more commonly known, the Star of David.
Maimonides: Rabbi Moses ben-Maimon; Rambam. Born Passover Eve, 1135, died in Egypt on 20th Tevet, December 12, 1204.
Mamser: A child born from a halachically forbidden union. According to the Mishnah, a mamzer is the offspring of a Biblically forbidden union (M.Yebamoth 4, Mishnah 13). The Shulhan Arukh adds that a true mamzer can only be produced by two Jews (Shulhan Arukh Even haEzer 4:19). Some hold that the child of an unmarried Jewish woman is not a mamser.
Mekubbalim: Students/practitioners of Kabbalah.
Melachah: Work or labor.
Melchizedek (?????????????? Malki-Tzedek): This obscure figure appears several times in the Bible for example: Genesis 14:18 and Psalms 110).
Menorah: Jewish candelabra. Normally holds 3, 7 or 8 candles.
Merovingian: The House of European nobility.

Originated from Merovech (Meroveus or Merovius in Latin and Merovee in French) founded the Salian Frankish Merovingian dynasty. According to tradition, Merovech was born of a sea god (his mother was raped by a bestea Neptuni Quinotauri similis; mero is the root of "mermaid"). This beast is known as a Quinotaur, which is to say, a five-horned sea bull. The House was established through Charles "The Hammer" Martel" (aka Carolus Martellus, ca. 688 ? 22 October 741).

• Halakhah (Jewish Law) comes from three sources: from the Torah, from laws instituted by the rabbis and from long-standing customs/traditions of the people. Halakhah from any of these sources can be referred to as a mitzvot.
• The word mitzvah is commonly used in a casual way to refer to any good deed. Because of this imprecise usage, halakhic discussions usually specify the type of mitzvot begin discussed:
• Mitzvot d'oraita (an Aramaic word meaning "from the Torah": there are 613 such mitzvot)
• Mitzvot d'rabbanan (Aramaic for "from the rabbis").
• Minhag refers to a mitzvah that arises from established custom.
Mitzvot from all three of these sources are considered binding, although there are differences in the way they are applied.

• A consecrated (anointed) person (as a king or priest). specially, The Messiah. "Mashiach" is a slightly more common spelling in English however "Moshiach" is most correct in our opinion (and according to the usage of the 1st and 3rd Lubavitcher Rebbe and other authorities).
• Many anointed persons are called "moshiach" in the Scriptures. For instance:


Exodus 29:29 And the holy garments of Aaron shall be his sons' after him, to be anointed [Hebrew: moshiach] therein, and to be consecrated in them.
Leviticus 4:3 If the priest that is anointed [Hebrew moshiach] do sin according to the sin of the people
I Samuel 10:1 Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath anointed [moshiach] thee to be captain over his inheritance
I Samuel 24:6 And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD'S anointed [moshiach], to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed [moshiach], of the LORD.
II Samuel 23:1 Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed [moshiach] of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said...
Isaiah 45:1 Thus saith the LORD to his anointed [moshiach], to Cyrus...

• na?tsar, נָצַר, meaning "to watch,"

And

• ne?tser, נֵ֫צֶר, meaning branch.

Olam HaZeh: 'The world as it is'.
Olam Haba: 'The world as it will be once the Kingdom is established', also used for the afterlife generally.
Oneg Shabbat, (Hebrew: "Joy of Sabbath"), informal Sabbath (or Friday evening) gathering of Jews in a synagogue or private home to express outwardly the happiness inherent in the Sabbath holiday. Now more social than religious, the group entertains itself with music, drama, community discussions, lectures, or the singing of religious melodies ? all in keeping with the biblical injunction, "and call the Sabbath a delight" (Isaiah 58:13). Usually refreshments are provided to complement the congenial atmosphere and perpetuate in spirit the Talmud?s recommendation to eat three full Shabbat meals.
Oral Torah: Mishna and Talmud: See "Torah"

Rabbi: A teacher of the Written and Oral Torah; a leader of a Jewish congregation or other ministry. While any such teacher is technically a rabbi, to be accepted as one by a given group one needs to receive formal certification that group accepts. Normally rabbis are very well trained in religious studies. Many are also well trained in secular subjects.
Rabbinic Judaism: The largest form of Judaism today. Descended from the Pharisee (P'rushim) movement of the first century.
Rambam: See: Maimonides
Rapha: See: Nephilim.
Rapture (Christian): The non-biblical belief that all "true Christians" will be miraculously teleported to safety during the tribulation period, thus avoiding the final testing.
Rebbe: Used in different ways, from the same root as rabbi: An especially honored rabbi, a teacher of rabbis, the spiritual leader of an Hasidic fellowship.
Reincarnation: See: Gilgul Neshamot and Ibbur Neshamot
Replacement Theology (Christian): The anti-biblical and anti-Semitic belief that the religion of Christianity (or some sect thereof) has replaced Judaism and the Jewish people as the Elect of God. It is generally believed by advocates of this view that the Jews have been cursed by God and "handed over to Satan for eternal damnation." It is believed that in order for Jews to be "saved" they must abandon Judaism and convert to Christianity.
Resurrection: The physical resurrection of the dead in the Olam Haba (world to come) is an established dogma of certain segments of Rabbinic Judaism (especially common among the Hasidim).
Rex Mundi: "Global Potentate." This term is used for the coming global ruler by many aligned with the Merovingian Elite and their supporters. They consider him to be a positive force in the world. This is the same prophecied being called anti-Christ by Christians and Dijal by Islam.
Ruach: Spirit.
Ruach HaKodesh: The Spirit Presence of HaShem. HaShem is One. The Ruach Hakodesh is not an entity apart from Him as believed by Christians. It is the Presence of God.

Tallit: Two varieties of square coverings worn by adult Jewish males in order to obey the command to wear tzit tzit. Observed in one of two ways:

• Wearing tallit gadol: This is the traditional fringed Jewish prayer shawl. Tallit gadol is only worn during prayer, meditation, and worship.
• Wearing tallit katan: This is a fringed smock style undergarment (some Orthodox wear it as an outer garment). It should be worn at all times by Torah observant Jews according to the Shulcan Aruch and other authorities. Some rabbis feel the command to wear tzitziyot does not apply after sunset while others wear it constantly, even while sleeping. It can not be worn too often by Jewish men. Women are no obligated to wear tallit. Orthodox women typically do not, non-Orthodox sometimes do.

• T: The Torah or "Teaching." Torah in this context refers to the Five Books of Moshe/Moses (Genesis - Deuteronomy).
• N: The Nevi'im or "Prophets."
• Kh: Khetuvim, The "Writings."

Traditionally worn by men (only) during Shacharit (Morning) Prayers (not worn on Shabbat or festival days). One attaches the straps to the non-dominant arm and forehead and recited certain prayers. The term tefillin is preferable to the word "phylactery" which means "amulet" and misses the whole point. "Laying Tefillin" is a righteous daily mitzvot for Jewish males.

• Written Torah: The Five Books of Moshe (Genesis - Deuteronomy)
• The Tanakh ("Old Testament") is sometimes called the Torah as well.
• Oral Torah: Timeless oral traditions later codified as the Talmud and Mishna
• Personal revelations from HaShem during prayer, study and meditation. These must always be consistent with the Written Torah.

Tallit gadol: This is the traditional fringed Jewish prayer shawl. Tallit gadol is only worn during prayer and worship.
Tallit katan: This is a fringed smock style undergarment (some Orthodox wear it as an outer garment). It should be worn at all times by Torah observant Jews. Some rabbis feel the command to wear tzitziyot does not apply after sunset while others wear it constantly, even while sleeping. It can not be worn too often.