Aharon: Aaron.

Alef-Bet:  The first two letters of the Hebrew alphabet, generally used to refer to the entire Hebrew alphabet.

Aseret Hadibrot:  Literally meaning “the ten statements,” generally mistranslated as “the ten commandments.”

Challah:  While commonly used to refer to a braided, enriched bread (containing oil and/or eggs), the term is used in the Torah to refer to the mitzvah of Taking Challah (see below), rather than to any particular type of bread.

Chumash: A printed book containing the 5 books of the Torah. From the word chamesh meaning “five.”

Chumrah: A stringency. Generally something one particular rabbi or group of Jews adds on top of the Halachic requirements.

Haftara: That portion of the prophets read following the Torah reading for the week.

Haggada:  Order of things said at the Passover seder.

Halacha:  Jewish law, both oral and written, as it has developed since the giving of the Torah. “Halachic” means in keeping with Halacha.

Hashem:  Literally “the name,” used to refer to God when not in prayer, to avoid taking God’s name in vain.

Hechsher:  Certification that a food item has been deemed to be kosher by a Jewish authority.

Kiddush:  Literally “blessing.”  Generally used to refer to the ritual blessing said prior to drinking wine sanctifying a holy occasion.

Kippa:  Also known as yarmulke.  Traditional head covering generally worn by men; a skullcap.

Kohen:  Also spelled Cohen, meaning priest, a descendant from Aaron, Moses’s brother.  The Kohen Gadol was the high priest, in charge of sacrificial practice when sacrifice was practiced.

Kosher:  Fit to eat, having been prepared and including ingredients allowed by Halacha.

Mashgiach: Literally a guard. In this context (and when referred to public or restaurant kitchens) person charged with overseeing that things are done in keeping with Halacha.

Mitzvah:  One of God’s 613 commandments (as the term is used here), though commonly used to refer to a “good deed.”

Moshe: Moses. Often referred to as “Moshe Rabbeinu,” Moses our teacher.

Nosh: A snack.

Parashat: Literally “the Parsha of.” Usually followed by the name of the particular Parsha.

Parsha:  The part of the Torah designated to be read on a particular week of the year, according to the Jewish calendar.

Seder:  The ritual meal partaken of on Passover, consisting of a meal, songs, and stories developed over time and now fixed.

Shabbos:  Shabbat, or Sabbath, taking place from Friday just before sunset until Saturday just after sunset.

Sh’ma:  Referring to the central prayer said by Jews:  “Hear o Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One.”

Shmita: The year in which the land of Israel was allowed to lay fallow, which took place every 7 years.

Taking Challah: Taking a small portion of dough one makes, when using five pounds of flour or more, and burning it in the oven with a blessing, as required in Numbers 15:17-21.

יט   …בַּאֲכָלְכֶם מִלֶּחֶם הָאָרֶץ–תָּרִימוּ תְרוּמָה, לַיהוָה.	19 …when you eat of the bread of the land, set apart a portion for a gift for the Lord.
כ  רֵאשִׁית, עֲרִסֹתֵכֶם–חַלָּה, תָּרִימוּ תְרוּמָה…	20 Of the first of your dough you must set apart a cake for a gift…
כא  מֵרֵאשִׁית, עֲרִסֹתֵיכֶם, תִּתְּנוּ לַיהוָה, תְּרוּמָה—לְדֹרֹתֵיכֶם.	21 Of the first of your dough give unto the Lord a portion for a gift throughout your generations.

Tallit: A prayer shawl, rectangular in shape, having tzitzit on each of its four corners.

Torah:  The Pentateuch, or the first five books of the Jewish bible.  Consisting of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

Tzedaka: Often used to mean “charity,” but it literally means equity. In other words, giving tzedaka is not extra. It is what is fair and just.

Tzitzit: Fringes attached to the corners of a tallit, knotted in a Halachically-prescribed manner.