Search

Search Results

Displaying 1 - 10 of 153

The Gates are Closing, and God's Hand is Outstretched

The N’ilah service on late Yom Kippur afternoon is notable for its image of the Gates of Repentance closing their doors. At this late and hungry hour, for the final time during the Day of Atonement, we are summoned to repentance. The fact that many Sages argue we can actually delay our atonement to the end of the Sukkot holiday does not lessen the drama of the moment.

Avinu Malkeinu

Hebrew Spelling
אָבִינוּ מַלְכֵּנוּ

"Our Father, Our King"/"Our Parent, Our Ruler" A prayer (and song) chanted during the High Holiday period. Describes two simultaneous ways in which people might relate to God: the intimate relationship of a parent and the powerful awe of a ruler.

hanukkiyah

Hebrew Spelling
חֲנֻכִּיָּה
Alternate Spelling
chanukiah, chanukiyah

Nine-branched candelabra used during Hanukkah – eight branches for each night of the holiday, plus another branch (often taller, central, or more prominently displayed) for the shamash (helper) candle, which is used to light the others.

Hanukkah

chet

Hebrew Spelling
חֵטְא

"Missing the mark;" a Hebrew term for sin.

dreidel

Hebrew Spelling
סְבִיבוֹן

"Spinning top" in Yiddish (derived from German); "sevivon" in Hebrew; toy used in a children's Hanukkah game.

g'mar chatimah tovah

Hebrew Spelling
גְּמַר חֲתִימָה טוֹבָה
Alternate Spelling
Gamar Chatimah Tovah, g'mar chatima tova, gamar chatimah tova, G'mar Chatima Tova

"A good final sealing;" a High Holiday greeting used between Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur. Often abbreviated as g'mar tov.

gelt

Hebrew Spelling
כֶּסֶף

"Money" (Yiddish); often given as a Hanukkah gift; used for playing dreidel.

Site

Type

Jewish Holiday

Posted In