Ivrit
Hebrew word for the Hebrew language.
Bible
The English word for Tanach, meaning the Hebrew scriptures.
Codes
A broad category of Jewish literature that addresses halachah (Jewish legal teachings).
Commentary
A broad term for the recorded words of individuals throughout centuries, offering insights and new perspectives on Torah, Tanach, and Jewish texts. According to some, the interpretive nature of translating a text from its original language means “all translations are commentaries.”
D'rash
May refer to midrash; may also refer to a few words of Torah shared during a worship service or gathering.
Gemara
The rabbinic commentary on the Mishnah; together, the Mishnah and Gemara make up the Talmud, the body of Jewish “oral law.”
Prophets/Neviim
The second section of the Hebrew Bible, found between the Torah, and the Writings; also refers to the many individuals recorded in that section of the Bible who received prophecies from God and shared them with the Jewish people.
Writings/Ketuvim
The third section of the Tanach, found after the Torah, and Prophets. This section includes Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Five Scrolls (Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, and Esther), Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I and II.
Aleinu
A concluding prayer of the worship service that reiterates humankind’s responsibility to make the world a better place and expresses the desire to bring the world together in peace.
Aron HaKodesh
Literally, “the holy ark,” often called “the ark.” cabinet in which Torah scrolls are kept in the synagogue’s sanctuary. In most synagogues in North America, the Aron HaKodesh is on the eastern wall so that when worshippers face the ark, they face toward Jerusalem.