Judaic Glossary

by Barbara Rucket and Flora Rosefsky

The following list was compiled as part of the program for the Threads of Tradition exhibit by the Peach State Stitchers of Atlanta. It defines terms which might be unclear to some visitors to this web site.

Aleph Bet

The Hebrew alphabet, 22 letters.

Amulet

Object to ward off the evil eye.

Atarah

Tallit neckband indicating the upper side of the tallit.

Chuppah

Jewish wedding canopy.

Challah Cover

Special Sabbath and holiday bread cover.

Dreidel

Spinning Hanukkah top, inscribed with Hebrew letters.

Hamsa

Hand shaped amulet, symbolizing G-d's protective hand.

Hanukkah

Festival of lights.

Kiddush

Prayer over wine.

Kippah or Yarmulke

Head covering.

L'dor v'dor

Hebrew, meaning From Generation to Generation.

Menorah

Seven-branched candlestick, not the nine-branched Hanukkiah.

Mezuzah

Small case containing a partment scroll with Deuteronomy 6:4-9 & 11:13-21; affixed to Jewish home's doorpost.

Miriam

Sister of Moses and Aaron.

Mogen David

Six-pointed star made of two interlocking triangles.

Mizrach

Plaque containing Hebrew word meaning "East."

Paroket

Ark curtain.

Passover

Festival celebrating the Exodus from Egypt.

Sephardi

Jews originally from Spain & Portugal as well as their decendants.

Sha'atnez

Biblical law prohibiting mixing wool and linen.

Siddur

Prayerbook.

Tallit

Prayer Shawl. Plural of tallit is tallisim or tallitot.

Tallit Bag

Bag to hold tallit when not being worn.

Torah Mantle

Cloth, metal, or wood covering for the Torah.

Tzitzit

Ritual fringes on a tallit.

Sources:

• Frankel, Ellen & Platkin Teutsch, Betsy (1995) The Encyclopedia of Jewish Symbols. North Vale, NJ: Jason Aronson.
• Lone Star Stitchers', Texas Chapter Pomegranate Guild of Judaic Needlework, February 2002 Newsletter.
• Springer, Selma and Friends (1986) Designs of Judaica: A Needleart Handbook. Santa Monica, CA: Simcha.
• Tupa, Mae Rockland (1994) The New Work of Our Hands (2nd ed.). Radnor, PA: Chilton.
• Ungerleider-Mayerson, Joy (1986) Jewish Folk Art. New York: Summit Books.

Posted on May 5, 2003.