Ken Ayin Hara
"Against the evil eye; without the evil eye" (Yiddish); an interjection often uttered after mention of a positive; for example, "My grandson grew three inches over the summer, Ken Ayin Hara.
keriah
"Rend;" The traditional act of tearing a garment as an expression of grief; Many contemporary Jews wear a torn black ribbon during mourning to sympolize the torn garment.
ketubah
Traditional Jewish marriage contract; plural: ketubot
K'vod hameit
Literally, “respect/honor for the dead.” In Jewish tradition, preparing a body and holding a prompt funeral are important ways to honor the deceased.
Kiddush
"Sanctification;" blessing recited or chanted over wine (or grape juice), emphasizing the holiness of Shabbat and festivals.
Kiddush cup
Cup used for blessing wine on Shabbat, festivals and other events, i.e., weddings.
kiddush peter rechem
"Sanctification of the womb's opening;" modern ceremony celebrating the birth of a first child.
kiddushin
Marriage; the first part of a Jewish wedding ceremony.
Kippah
A head-covering often worn during worship and while in a sanctuary, although some people choose to wear a kippah all the time; plural: kippot. In Orthodox communities, only men and boys wear kippot, while in liberal Jewish communities some women and girls choose to
k'laf
Kosher parchment; commonly refers to parchment inscribed with specific biblical verses (Deuteronomy 6:4-9, 11:13-21) and placed within a mezuzah case.