- Mishkan: The Tabernacle constructed by the Jewish people while they were in the desert. A "sanctuary" for the holy presence of God. From the Hebrew word "shechinah," which means Holy Spirit.
- Aron: The Holy Ark. The cabinet which contained the original Tablets that Moses brought down from Mount Sinai.
- Talmud: A voluminous compendium of various discussions, questions, answers, theories, and resolutions to questions that resulted through attempts to understand the messages and meaning of the original Five Books of Moses. Written by many Jewish scholars during the period when the jewish people were in exile in Babylonia.
- Torah: The original Five Books of Moses. The Law that was given to Moses by God while Moses was on Mount Sinai.
- Rashi: Rabbi Solomon ben Isaac (or Shlomo Yitzhaki). Hence the acronym RaSh"I. Lived 1040-1105 in Troyes, France. Author of one of the most frequently used commentaries on the Torah, and the Babylonian Talmud.
- Ramban: Rabbi Moshe Ben Nachmon, Nachmanides, 1194-1270. He wrote a commentary on Torah and halachah, and more than 50 other lucid and logical works. He participated in a disputation (theological argument with the Catholic Church) in Barcelona in 1263; although he won, he was forced to flee Spain, and as a result all future disputations forbade the Jewish participants to answer frankly. At age 72 he settled in Jerusalem, reorganized the Jewish community, and moved to Acco to become head its Jewish community.
- Mussar Movement: Literally the "ethics movement," founded by Rabbi Yisroel Salanter. This movement emphasizes the study and practice of Jewish values and ethics. It also stresses courtesy and neatness and claims that greatness is achieved through the building of character. This in some way provided the oppressed masses of Eastern Europe who were not able to achieve greatness through Torah scholarship with an alternative source of self-worth.
- Chazal: Acronym from the Hebrew: Chochmainu Zichronom Livrocho. "Our Sages, may their memory be blessed".
- Parashat Ki Tisa: A section of Exodus that follows Terumah. This section deals directly with the sin of the Golden Calf.
- Parashat Mishpatim: The section of Exodus that directly precedes Terumah. This section deals directly with Mount Sinai and the receiving of the commandments.
- Chet Ha Egel: Literal translation from Hebrew: The Sin of the Calf.
- Beit Ha Mikdash: Literally, "house of holiness." A place where people congregate to study and/or pray.
- Shechinah: The spirit of God.
- Midrash: This hebrew word is sometimes used interchangeably with Mikdash. However, sources say that a Midrash is really a temporary Mikdash.
- Yom Kippur: Day of Attonement. Occurs ten days after the Jewish New Year and culminates what is called the Ten Days of Repentance. This is the holiest day in Judaism. On this day, it is said that God "inscribes" each person in either the Book of Life... or....
- Ibn Ezra: Abraham ben Meir ibn Ezra. Aben Ezra. Abu Ishaq Ibrahim ibn al-Majid. Abenare, Avenare. Abraham Judaeus.
- Shiur: Literally a study session, or lesson. Usually used to discuss in great detail a portion of biblical writing or biblical law.
- Har Sinai: Literal translation from Hebrew: Mount Sinai. The place in the desert of Sinai where it is believed that God delivered the Ten Commandments and the Torah to Moses.
- Halacha: Jewish law.
- Kabbalah: Literally, Jewish Mysticism.
- Chinuch: Hebrew word. Best translation: Education. Usually means education of students in matters pertaining to the bible.
