Glossary of Terms
bs”d
Besiyata DeShamaya – An Aramaic term meaning “with the help of Heaven”.

Chumash
The Five Books of Moses from the Bible.

Chanukah
Jewish Holiday that celebrates the Jewish military and spiritual victory over the Greeks. The eight days of the holiday commemorate the miracle of a pure flask of daily olive oil for the menorah that was found that kindled for eight days. Starts the 25th of Kislev.

Gemara
See Talmud

Halacha
Jewish Law

Hashkafa
Jewish Outlook / Thought

Kislev
The Third Jewish Month from Rosh Hashana.

Mussar
Self-improvement works particularly for developing one’s character traits.

Mishna
Laws compiled from the Oral Torah.

Nach
The Book of Prophets and the Book of Writings from the Bible.

Navi
The Book of Prophets in the Bible.

Rosh Hashana
The Jewish new year. Literally “Head of the year.” Falls the 1st of the month of Tishrei.

Talmud
Compilation, explanation and derivation of the Torah’s laws. Includes stories and other wisdom.

Tanach
The three books of the Bible – Torah, Neviim (Prophets) & Ketuvim (Writings).

Torah
1) The five books of Moses in the Bible; 2) Any works that are derived from the Torah.

Ulpan
A quick method to learn Hebrew