Jewishcoman independent reference guide to the history, ideas and texts of the Jewish tradition

An independent educational reference on the history and ideas of the Jewish tradition. This is not the website of the Moscow Jewish Religious Community, the Moscow Choral Synagogue or any other religious organization; we do not give religious advice.

Key ideas

Key ideas

Many words from the Jewish tradition appear in fiction, history books and museum displays without explanation. This glossary gathers nineteen basic terms with short reference definitions. We explain what a word means and which field it belongs to, but we give no practical religious instruction: how particular rules are observed is for believers and their religious authorities to decide.

A glossary definition is a door, not a room. Behind each of these words lie centuries of discussion and differing interpretations.

— Editor's note

How this section works: a term is included if it appears frequently in literature on Jewish history and texts. The definitions are neutral and descriptive; there are no religious-legal rulings or judgements here.

A–K

Aggadah
The narrative and homiletic part of rabbinic literature: legends, parables, interpretations and stories, as distinct from legal discussion.
Diaspora
Jewish life outside the Land of Israel. Diaspora communities have existed in many eras and many countries, and their history is an important part of Jewish history as a whole.
Halakha
The religious-legal part of the tradition: the body of norms governing everyday and ritual life. This guide describes the concept but does not give halakhic rulings.
Hasidism
A religious movement that arose in Eastern Europe in the 18th century; its founder is considered to be the Baal Shem Tov (about 1700–1760).
Haskalah
The Jewish Enlightenment, a movement that turned towards European secular learning. It is associated with the philosopher Moses Mendelssohn (1729–1786).
Kashrut
The body of traditional rules on which foods are considered permitted ("kosher"). The concept is explained here for reference only; we give no practical instructions.

K–N

Ketuvim
"Writings": the third part of the Tanakh, after the Torah and the Nevi'im (Prophets).
Midrash
A genre and body of interpretation of the biblical text, ranging from the analysis of individual words to extended narratives that expand on the biblical story.
Mishnah
A compilation of the oral tradition made around 200 CE; its redaction is associated with Rabbi Judah ha-Nasi. The Mishnah became the foundation of the Talmud.
Nevi'im
"Prophets": the second part of the Tanakh, between the Torah and the Ketuvim (Writings).

R–Y

Rabbi
In the tradition, an expert in religious law and a teacher. This guide does not publish rabbinic responses and does not speak on behalf of rabbis.
Shabbat (Sabbath)
The seventh day of the week, in the tradition a day of rest that begins on Friday evening. This guide explains the concept but gives no instructions on its observance.
Shema
One of the central prayers of the tradition, named after its first word, meaning "hear". Its text is taken from the Torah.
Synagogue
A building for communal prayer, gatherings and the study of texts. The synagogue grew especially in importance after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE.
Talmud
A compilation of discussions of the Mishnah and related questions. The Babylonian Talmud took shape by roughly the 5th–6th centuries CE; it is one of the central texts of the tradition.
Tanakh
The Hebrew Bible, made up of three parts: the Torah (Pentateuch), the Nevi'im (Prophets) and the Ketuvim (Writings).
Torah
In the narrow sense, the Pentateuch, the first part of the Tanakh. In the broader sense, the word "Torah" also refers to the whole of traditional teaching.
Tzedakah
A concept usually translated as "charity"; in the tradition, helping those in need is understood not only as a good deed but also as a duty of justice.
Yeshiva
A traditional place of learning where the Talmud and related texts are the main subjects of study.
  • Texts and sources

    The body of texts (Tanakh, Mishnah, Talmud, Midrash, commentaries) and how to work with a source.

  • People

    Historical figures: Rashi, Maimonides, the Baal Shem Tov and Moses Mendelssohn.

  • FAQ

    Answers to common questions about this guide, the texts and the history.

Sources

  • Electronic Jewish Encyclopedia (EJE)
  • Encyclopaedia Judaica
  • Great Russian Encyclopedia

This guide draws on encyclopedic reference works. Dates for ancient and medieval events are often approximate, and scholars do not always agree; where that is the case, we say so in the text.