A Jewish vocabulary containing glossary terms of Hebrew, Yiddish and English dictionary explanations of words, terms, phrases, and Jewish, Yiddish and Hebrew expressions.
An asterisk (*) indicates a cross reference within this Glossary. All non-English entries are Hebrew unless otherwise indicated. This glossary is in alphabetical order.
Baal gaiveh: Conceited, arrogant, egotistic
Baal Peor: Idol worshipped by Kal Yisroel in which 24,000 died as a result.
Baal Teshuva: One who begins their return to Torah Judaism / Torah Observance
Baal Ha Turim: Jacob Ben Asher (1270 - c.1343), Spanish codifier, son of Asher ben Jehiel. He was born in Germany and moved to Spain. He wrote Arbaah Turim which deals with daily conduct, dietary laws, prayers, Shabbatim, Holy Days {Holidays}, personal and family matters, and civil law and administration.
Babylonia: An ancient country between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers in western Asia.
Bagel: Hard circular roll with a hole in the center
Bah Tzoor: In rock
Beit: Second letter of the Aleph Beit; the Gematri is two
Beit: House
Beit HaMikdash: The (First or Second) Temple in Jerusalem
Baal Simcheh: An individual who celebrates a joyful occasion
Baal Toyreh: A scholar, a man of learning
Baal Tsedokeh: Philanthropist, humanitarian, kindhearted individual
Balak: Evil king, the seventh Parasha of Bamidbar {Numbers}; Bamidbar {Numbers} 22:2 - 25:9
Balabatish: Respectable, good manners, good substance, good standing
Balabatish Yiden: Respectable Jews with good manners and good standing in the community
Baleboos: Head of house, business etc...
Balebooseh: Housewife; wife who is an excellent homemaker; lady whose husband is the head of a business; a female business owner / manager; bossy woman...{feminine}
Balshem: Faith healer, one who engages in miracles
Bamidbar: (lit., in wilderness) Numbers, the Fourth Book of the Torah
Bar Mitzvah: When a young man reaches the ages of 13 he accepts the responsibility of fulfilling the Torah. This is a much celebrated event by family and friends.
Baroygis: Angry, enraged
Bat: Daughter
Bat Mitzvah / Bas Mitzvah: When a young woman reaches the age of 12 she is required to accept her Torah responsibilities.
Bava Kamma: The first tractate of the Mishnah of the order Nezikin dealing with the four principle types of damages and personal injury.
Bava Metziah: A book in the Babylonian Talmud, The Middle Gate...Second section of the first tractate of Mishnah order of Nezikin dealing with found property, laws of chattles, bailment, sales, interest, hiring and partnerships...
Bayn: Divide, between
Baytza: A roasted egg used for the Pesach Seder Plate
Bamidbar: Fourth Book of Torah, meaning wilderness
BCE: Before the Common Era
Be'er Sheva: Well of Seven
Beha'aloscha: Third Parasha of Bamidbar {Numbers}, 8:1 - 12:16
Behemoth: {Bi Hay Moot} Animal, of cattle or beast: hippopotamus, Nile horse {Job 40:15}
Beit din: Rabbinical court
Beit HaMikdash: The (First or Second) Temple in Jerusalem
Beit Midrash: Communal House of Study
Beraisa; pl., beraisos; Aram.: tannaitic statement not included in the Mishnah
Beirurim: the divine service of sifting and refining the materiality of this world by enlightened use, and thereby elevating the divine sparks concealed within it
Ben Toyreh: Son of learning, son of Torah
Bentshen Lecht: Say the blessings over the lit candles on Erev Shabbos and Yom Tovim.
Bereishis: Genesis, the first book of the Torah - beginnings
Beriah, the World of; lit., `the World of Creation': the second (in descending order) of the Four * Worlds
Berschert, G-d appointed soul mate or an intended event...
b"H: Baruch Hashem meaning, Praise G-d
Bet: Second letter of the aleph Bais
Bet HaMikdosh: Holy Temple in Jerusalem
Beth Knesset: Synagouge
Bilhan: Son of Eitzer, brother of Akan and Zaavan. see Genesis 36:27
Binah; lit., `understanding'): the second of the Ten Sefiros, or divine emanations; the second stage of the intellectual process (cf. *Chabad), developing the initial conception of *Chochmah
Birkas HaMazon: Blessing, Grace after meals
Biseleh: Yiddish for little
Blintzes: Cheese or jelly rolled and folded into a pancake then fried.
Blood Avenger: One who seeks the death of an individual who has murdered another.
Bocher: Am unmarried young man See Yeshiva Bocher
Borsht: beet or cabbage drink
Boychik: Yiddish for young boy
Bris Mila: Jewish male circumcision on eighth day after birth
Brocha: Ashkenaz for a blessing, a prayer
Brachot: Sephard for a blessing, a prayer
Bubbee: Yiddish for Grandmother
Bupkas: Yiddish for beans but used like nothing
