names for God
The most holy of these names is YHVH—otherwise known in Greek as the four-letter Tetragrammaton. This Name was said once annually by the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) on the afternoon of Yom Kippur in the Holy of Holies in the Temple in Jerusalem.
nerot
"Lights" that are kindled at the beginning of Shabbat and festivals. Traditionally, women recite this blessing, but men and boys may join in as well or lead the blessing.
rabbi
Lit. "My master" or "My teacher"—the Yiddish pronunciation is Rebbe (In the Chassidic world, rabbis are referred to as Rebbe). In Orthodox communities the Rav (the suffix is possessive) is a master of the law.
Responsa
A genre of Jewish literature developed from the period of the exile in Babylonia to the present. In the typical format, a legal question is posed and a legal response is offered. There are thousands of responsa addressing virtually every aspect of Jewish ritual and ethical life.
S'farad
"Spain." Refers to Jews (S'faradim) from Spain, Portugal, Holland, and Turkey and around the Mediterranean Sea.
sefer Torah
Lit. "Book of the Torah" and refers to the Torah scroll with the five books of Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy).
Shulchan Aruch
Lit. "Set table." Refers to the 16th century code of law codified by Rabbi Joseph Caro in Safed, Israel. Includes a Gloss by Rabbi Moses Isserles from Germany writing his own law code simultaneously with Joseph Caro.
sidrah
"Order." Refers to the weekly Torah portion. (Pl. sidrot)
siddur
"Order." Refers to the Prayer Book (i.e., the "order" of the prayers).
simchah
"Happiness." Refers to any happy occasion.