ב"ה
Glossary
| Yachatz: (lit: "divide") the fourth step of the Passover seder--breaking the middle matzah in two. [7 related articles] Seder, the » Passover » Yachatz |
| Yachid: (lit. “unique”); G-d’s singular oneness which transcends all existence |
| Yadin-Yadin: advanced level of rabbinic ordination |
| Yael: Righteous wife of Heber the Kenite. When Sisera was fleeing the Israelite army, Jael invited him into her tent. When he fell into a deep sleep, she killed him by hammering a tent-peg through his temple. Jael is praised in Deborah’s victory song. [2 related articles] People » People & Events » Yael |
| Yahrtzeit Candle: A twenty-four hour candle lit on the eve of the anniversary of a yahrzeit and on certain other occasions. [6 related articles] Life Cycles » Human Being, The » Yahrtzeit Candle |
| Yahrtzeit, The: (Yiddish lit., “time of year”); the anniversary of someone’s passing, observed by the recitation of Kaddish, the study of mishnayot, etc. [44 related articles] Death » Yahrtzeit, The |
| Yahrzeit Licht: (Yid.) (lit. "yahrtzeit candle"); twenty-four hour candle lit on the eve of the anniversary of a yahrzeit and on certain other occasions [6 related articles] Life Cycles » Human Being, The » Yahrzeit Licht |
| Yalkut Shimoni: a collection of the Sages’ homiletical teachings [1 related article] Midrash » Yalkut Shimoni |
| Yarmulkeh: (Hebrew: kipah) Skullcap. The head covering worn by Jewish men symbolizing recognition of G-d above. [30 related articles] Halachic Concepts & Issues » Yarmulkeh |
| Yashan and Chadash: Chadash ("new") -- Grain that took root before Passover and is Biblically forbidden to be eaten until the 16th of Nissan. Yashan ("old") -- The same grain, after the 16th of Nissan, now permissible. [10 related articles] Halachic Concepts & Issues » Yashan and Chadash |
| Yasher Koach: a term used to imply both congratulations and thanks [2 related articles] |
| Yechezkel: (a) (5th century BCE) He prophesied during the Babylonian exile, encouraging the Jews to remain steadfast to Judaism despite their hardships. His famous prophecies include his vision of the Merkavah, a detailed description of the Third Holy Temple, and the vision of the valley of dry bones. (b) A common Jewish first name. [17 related articles] |
| Yechezkel: The book of Tanach containing Ezekiel's prophecies, including his vision of the Merkavah, a detailed description of the Third Holy Temple, and the vision of the valley of dry bones. [6 related articles] Prophets (Section of the Tanach) » Yechezkel |
| Yechidah: the highest or innermost of the five levels of the soul [28 related articles] Soul, levels of » Yechidah |
| Yechidut: private audience with a Rebbe [18 related articles] Kabbalah & Chassidism; Mysticism » Torah, The » Yechidut |
| Yehi Ratzon: (lit. "May it be Your will"); words beginning certain prayers of supplication Speech; Communication » Yehi Ratzon |
| Yehoshua: The book of Tanach relating the history of the Israelites from their entry into Canaan until Joshua's passing (1273-1245 BCE). [11 related articles] Prophets (Section of the Tanach) » Yehoshua |
| Yehoshua ben Chananiah: (Circa 50-130 CE) Mishnaic sage, headed a Torah academy in Bekiin, one of Johanan ben Zakkai's most prominent disciples and his successor as head of the Sanhedrin, and teacher of Rabbi Akiba. A needle maker by trade, he lived in extreme poverty. The Talmud records many discussions and debates Rabbi Joshua held with non-believers, including the Emperor Hadrian and his daughter. [4 related articles] Mishnaic Sages » Yehoshua ben Chananiah |
| Yehudah Hanassi: (Circa 135-219 CE) Known as Rabbenu Hakadosh ("our holy master") or simply as "Rabbi." One of the last Mishnaic sages, he recorded, edited, and organized statements of earlier sages, forming the Mishnah, setting the Oral Law in writing for the first time. He was phenomenally wealthy and was a close friend of the Roman Emperor Antoninus. [13 related articles] Mishnaic Sages » Yehudah Hanassi |
| Yehudah the Prince: (Circa 135-219 CE) Known as Rabbenu Hakadosh ("our holy master") or simply as "Rabbi." One of the last Mishnaic sages, he recorded, edited, and organized statements of earlier sages, forming the Mishnah, setting the Oral Law in writing for the first time. He was phenomenally wealthy and was a close friend of the Roman Emperor Antoninus. [13 related articles] Mishnaic Sages » Yehudah the Prince |
| Yehudit: A member of the Hasmonean family, ingeniously planned and executed the assassination of the Syrian-Greek General Holofernes, ending the siege on the city of Bethulia and saving its residents from starvation. [9 related articles] People » People & Events » Yehudit |
| Yerushalmi: (a) "Jeruselamite"; (b) the edition of the Talmud compiled in the Land of Israel at the end of the fourth century [13 related articles] Talmud, The » Yerushalmi |
| Yesh: (lit. "there is"); an entity which enjoys seemingly self-sufficient existence, as if independent of its Creator; in the mortal realm, yesh describes a person who is egocentric |
| Yesh Me’ayin: (lit. “something from nothing”); creation ex nihilo |
| Yeshayahu: (7th century BCE) One of the greatest prophets, a contemporary of Hosea, Amos and Micah. His prophecies include the vision of the Merkavah and many descriptions of the Messianic Era. [14 related articles] |
| Yeshayahu: The book of Tanach containing Isaiah's prophecies, including his vision of the Merkavah and many prophecies regarding the Messianic Era. [6 related articles] Prophets (Section of the Tanach) » Yeshayahu |
| Yeshivah: Academies of Torah learning. [71 related articles] Education » Yeshivah |
| Yeshut: (lit. "existence"); awareness of self; ego |
| Yesod: (lit. "foundation''); the sixth of the seven Divine middot, or attributes, and of their corresponding mortal middot, or spiritual emotions [11 related articles] |
| Yetzer Hara: (lit. “the evil inclination”); the human inclination to do evil, rooted in the physical nature of man. [74 related articles] |
| Yetzer Tov: (lit. “the good inclination”); the human inclination to do good, rooted in the spiritual nature of man [76 related articles] |
| Yetzirah; World of Formation, The: (Kabbalistic term; lit. “formation”); the third of the four spiritual worlds, the realm of spiritual existence in which the limited nature of the created beings takes on form and definition; the abode of the lower classes of angelic beings and of the souls of ordinary Jews [37 related articles] |
| Yevamot: Talmudic tractate that deals with the laws of yibbum (levirate marriage) and chalitzah (the ceremony which absolves a woman from yibbum) [5 related articles] Torah Books » Torah, The » Yevamot |
| Yevsektzia: (Russian); the “Jewish Section” of the Soviet Communist Party |
| Yibadel L'Chayim Tovim: (lit. "may he be separated for good life"), term used to distinguish the living from the departed |
| Yibbum (Levirate Marriage): When a man dies without leaving any children, there is a mitzvah for his brother to marry the widow. This is called yibum in Hebrew, or levirate marriage. If either party doesn’t want to marry, there is an alternative ceremony called chalitzah. [9 related articles] Self & Fellow » Human Being, The » Yibbum (Levirate Marriage) |
| Yibum: When a man dies without leaving any children, there is a mitzvah for his brother to marry the widow. This is called yibum in Hebrew, or levirate marriage. If either party doesn’t want to marry, there is an alternative ceremony called chalitzah. [9 related articles] Self & Fellow » Human Being, The » Yibum |
| Yichudim: unification of supernal elements in (and by) one's mystical devotions in prayer and/or mitzvah performance [3 related articles] Kabbalah & Chassidism; Mysticism » Torah, The » Yichudim |
| Yid: (Yiddish) Jew |
| Yiddish: the traditional language of Ashkenazic Jewry, spoken over the course of 1000 years in Central and Eastern Europe, and around the world. [24 related articles] Faculties and Talents » Human Being, The » Yiddish |
| Yiddishkeit: (Yiddish) Torah-Judaism |
| Yiftach: A Gileadite renowned for his valor, the sixth of the Judges, he judged the Israelites for six years (988-982 BCE). Though a prophet, he is considered the least worthy of the Judges. He successfully led the Israelites in battle against the oppressing Amonites. [11 related articles] People » People & Events » Yiftach |
| Yirat Hashem: the fear or awe of G-d, which compels us to refrain from sin. Divided into lower and higher levels: Yirah Ila'ah (supernal fear) is the awe one feels when contemplating G-d's greatness, Yirah Tata'ah is fear of the negative consequences that result from sin [96 related articles] |
| Yirmiyahu: (a) (5th century BCE) A contemporary of Zephaniah and Huldah, son of the High Priest Hilkiah. His melancholy prophecies concerning the forthcoming destruction of the first Holy Temple and the Babylonian exile were viewed by many as treasonous, and resulted in his incarceration. Authored the book of the Tanach that bears his name, as well as the Books of Kings and Lamentations. (b) A common Jewish name. [24 related articles] |
| Yirmiyahu: The book of Tanach containing Jeremiah's prophecies, many of which concern the destruction of the holy Temple. [6 related articles] Prophets (Section of the Tanach) » Yirmiyahu |
| Yishmael ben Elisha: (d. c. 140) Mishnaic sage, pupil of Rabbi Nechunia ben Hakaneh. As a child, he was rescued from Roman captors by Rabbi Joshua ben Gamla and brought to Judea, where he excelled in Torah learning. He is famous for his enumeration of the thirteen principles of halachah hermeneutics. He authored the Halachic Midrash, the Mechilta. He is one of the Ten Martyrs brutally killed by the Romans [10 related articles] Mishnaic Sages » Yishmael ben Elisha |
| Yizkor: prayer for the souls of departed parents recited on certain festival days [25 related articles] |
| Yoav: (9th century BCE) Nephew of King David and general of his armies, brother of warriors Abishai, and Asahel. Helped David secure his kingship, and loyally served him for the duration of his reign, leading the troops into battle time and again; fighting foreign enemies as well as quashing internal revolts. Nevertheless, he was over-zealous at times. Before his passing, David instructed Solomon to kill Joab to avenge the blood of two innocent generals – Abner and Amasa – whom Joab slew. [6 related articles] People » People & Events » Yoav |
| Yochanan ben Zakkai: Mishnaic sage, student of Hillel and Shammai, was appointed as the head the Sanhedrin in 50 CE. During the Roman siege on Jerusalem, he advocated concession to the enemy. He escaped Jerusalem and founded a Torah academy in the city of Yavneh, making it the Torah center of Israel. He enacted many practices to memorialize the destroyed Holy Temple and to ensure Jewish continuity. [9 related articles] Mishnaic Sages » Yochanan ben Zakkai |
| Yochanan Hasandlar: second century Talmudic Sage Mishnaic Sages » Yochanan Hasandlar |
| Yoel: Joel; The Book of Joel. [2 related articles] |
| Yoel: The book of Tanach containing Joel's prophecies, describing a terrible plague of locusts, calling for repentance, and foretelling the future redemption. [2 related articles] Prophets (Section of the Tanach) » Yoel |
| Yom Kippur: the Day of Atonement, fast day falling on the 10th of the Jewish month of Tishrei and climaxing the Days of Awe [315 related articles] Calendar, The Jewish » Yom Kippur |
| Yom Kippur Kattan: (lit. “the little Yom Kippur”); the eve of Rosh Chodesh (or the preceding Thursday, if Rosh Chodesh falls on Shabbat or Sunday), observed in many communities as a minor fast day during which special prayers are recited and VaYechal is read. |
| Yom Kippur War: the 1973 Arab-Israeli War, fought from October 6 to October 26, 1973 between Israel and a coalition of Arab states led by Egypt and Syria. [17 related articles] Historical Periods & Events » Yom Kippur War |
| Yom Tov: (Lit. "good day") A Jewish holiday. [85 related articles] Calendar, The Jewish » Yom Tov |
| Yoma: lit. day of. Tractate of the Talmud which concerns itself with the sacrificial worship of Yom Kippur; accordingly, it serves as a source for much of our information concerning the structure of the Temple. [5 related articles] Torah Books » Torah, The » Yoma |
| Yonah: (Heb. For Jonah.) (a) the prophet sent by G-d to urge the people of Ninveh to repent; (b) the Book of Jonah, read during the afternoon prayers on Yom Kippur [13 related articles] |
| Yonah: The book of Tanach relating Jonah's mission to prophesy to Nineveh, his attempt to avoid fulfilling this duty, and Nineveh's return to G-d. It is read on Yom Kippur. [7 related articles] Prophets (Section of the Tanach) » Yonah |
| Yonatan ben Uzziel: (1st century CE) Mishnaic sage, the greatest of Hillel's students, translated the Prophets and much of the Holy Writings into Aramaic. This translation is known as “Targum Jonathan.” [3 related articles] Mishnaic Sages » Yonatan ben Uzziel |
| Yose ben Kisma: (first and second centuries) Mishnaic sage, resident of Caesarea, a contemporary of Hananiah ben Teradion. He advocated submission to Rome and valued the association with Torah scholars above all else. [1 related article] Mishnaic Sages » Yose ben Kisma |
| Yovel: the Jubilee year, the fiftieth year of the Shemittah cycle, during which all properties return to their original owners and all slaves are freed (see Leviticus 25:8-16) [13 related articles] Sabbatical and Jubilee Cycles » Yovel |
| Yud: the tenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet, prounounced "y," with a numerical value of 10 [15 related articles] Speech; Communication » Yud |
| Yud Gimmel Middot HaRachamim: "The Thirteen Attributes of Mercy"; G-d’s boundless capacity for compassion, especially as expressed in the granting of atonement [17 related articles] Kabbalah & Chassidism; Mysticism » Torah, The » Yud Gimmel Middot HaRachamim |
| Yud Tes Kislev: The 19th of Kislev, anniversary of the passing of R. Dovber, the Maggid of Mezritch, in 1772, and anniversary of the release from capital sentence and imprisonment of his disciple, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, in 1798; celebrated as a Chassidic holiday amongst Chabad Chassidim. [117 related articles] Calendar, The Jewish » Yud Tes Kislev |