Parashah
Torah portion. The five books of the Torah are divided into 54 parashiyot or portions.
Shabbat
"Sabbath;" plural: Shabbatot. Refers to the 7th day of Creation. In the Hebrew Bible, Shabbat is juxtaposed to the construction of the Tabernacle that carried the tablets of the Law throughout the period of wandering.
Shabbat HaGadol
"Great Sabbath;" the Shabbat that precedes Passover.
Shabbat Shuvah
"Sabbath of Return;" the Shabbat (sabbath) between the holidays of Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur. A special haftarah is read and traditionally the rabbi gives a sermon related to repentance.
Shabbat Zachor
"Shabbat of Remembrance;" the Shabbat immediately preceding Purim, it takes its name from the additional Torah portion--Deuteronomy 25:17-19--read that day--which begins with the word zachor (remember).
Shabbes
Yiddish and Ashkenazic Hebrew pronunciation for Shabbat (Sabbath).
Sh'mini Atzeret
"Eighth day of assembly;" conclusion of Sukkot.
sukkah
"Booth" or "hut;" temporary structure associated with the agricultural festival of Sukkot; plural: sukkot.
Sukkot
Seven-day fall agricultural festival associated with temporary booths or huts.
tzedakah box
Container for collecting money for charitable purposes. It is customary to place money in a tzedakah box prior to candlelighting in the home.