Jerusalem Talmud
Compendium of Jewish law and lore developed in the land of Israel circa 450 C.E.
Kabbalat Shabbat
“Receiving Shabbat.” A special collection of prayers recited to welcome Shabbat on Friday evening.
Aramaic
The colloquial language spoken by the Jews during the time of the Talmud.
Chazan
Hebrew word for “cantor,” meaning a trained clergyperson who specializes in Jewish liturgical music and leading worship through song.
Chumash
The Torah in the form of a book. The word “Chumash” derives from the Hebrew word chamesh (five) because the Torah is the first five books of the Bible. Used during communal worship and study, the Chumash often includes commentaries on the Torah text.
d'var Torah
“Word(s) of Torah.” (pl. divrei Torah). A brief oral teaching to the congregation which explores themes of the Torah portion or other Jewish content.
golel/golelet
"Wrapper." Refers to the person who dresses the Torah following its reading.
iyun t'filah
Lit. "A study of a prayer(s)." Refers to personal reflections on a prayer in the liturgy. (pl. iyunim–iyunei t'filah)
limud Torah
"Learning Torah." The learning (or occupation with words of Torah) is considered greater than all of the commandments combined because, mystically, engagement with the words in the Torah is an act of yichud—unification with God in the world.
magbia
"Lifter." Refers to the person who lifts the Torah following the communal reading. The magbia lifts and turns their back to the congregation so that the congregation may physically see at least three columns of the scroll.