Aravot
Willow branches attached to the lulav used in Sukkot.

Arba Kosot The four cups of wine used during the seder.

Bedikat Chametz
Searching for leaven on the eve of 14th of Nisan

Bi'ur Chametz Burning of the Chametz

Bimah
The platform in a synagogue from which the law (Torah)is read and from whic the reader leads the congregation in prayer.

Challa
The special loaf of bread used on Shabbat and festivals.

Chanukiah
A Special ninepbranched candlestick (8 candles and a carrier candle lit during Chanukah)

Charoset
Mixture of nuts, fruit, wine and other ingredients for the passover ritual. Represents the mortar used while in slavery in Egypt.

Chatan Bereshit
Bridegroom of the first portion of the Torah. Reads the first chapter of Genesis on Simchat Torah.

Chatan Torah
Bridegroom of the Law. Honour bestowed on a member of the congregation on Simchat Torah who is called to the reading of the last portion of the Law.

Etrog
Citron, One of the four species used in services at Sukkot

Gemara
Completion. The discussion on the Mishnah

Haggadah
The name given to the book which contains the order of service for the two seder nights. The word means 'Telling'. It is the book which is read and discussed during the Seder. It recounts the Exodus story and contains the psalms and songs which are recited and sung in celebration of the events.

Havdalah
Seperation. The ceremony with wine, or other liquids except water, spices and a light which bids farewell to the sabbath. A shortened form is used at the termination of festivals.

Hoshanah Rabba
The great Hoshana, the name given to the seventh day of the festival of Sukkot

Kiddush
Sanctification. Prayer over the wine recited on Sabbaths and holydays. In the absense of wine it may be said over bread.

Kippah
The skullcap worn bu males, also called a Kupple or yarmulka.

Kosher
This means fit to be eaten by Jews. There are rules covering the preparation and consuption of food, all animals must have cloven hooves and chew the cud. All birds are permitted except birds of prey. Sea creatures must have fins and scales.
In addition it is not permitted that to mix meat and milk in one meal. Animals must be killed in a certain way with a single stroke to cut the throat. As much blood as possible should be drained from the meat. If something is not permitted it is called trefa.

Lulav
Palm, branch of palm tree used during the festival of Suykkot

Magen David
The star of David. This ancient symbol associated Judaism and is the central feature of the flag of the state of Israel.

Menorah
The seven branched candlestick which originally stood in the temple

Messianic age
The age of peace and freedom to be ushered in with the coming of the Messiah or "anointed one".

Mishnah
Learning. The oral law was written down around 200CE and put into its present order by the Rabbi Judah Hanasi.
The Mishnah represents a the written codification of rabbinic collections up to the end of the 2cnd Century
When the Mishnah was completed, later scholars subjected each paragraph to detailed discussions and examinations. These discussions are called the Gemara. The discussions ranged over aspects such as history, legends, ethics, science and many other different themes.

The Mishnah and the Gemara together are known as the Talmud.

Matza Shemurah
Matzot which are specially prepared for Passover made from the earliest stage of the wheat grinding

Maror
Bitter herbs used on the Seder plate at Passover

Seder
Order. The service for the first two nights of passover.

Sefer Torah
The book of the law, A handwritten scroll of the Torah from which the readings are made. The scroll containing the five books of Moses

Simchat Torah
Rejoicing in the Law. The ninth day of tabernacles. The last day of the festival when the reading of the Pentateuch is completed and recommenced.

Sukkah
Booth used for eating meals during the festival of Sukkot, also known as a tabarnacle. Tal
Dew, prayer for dew recited on the first day of Passover during the additional service.

Tallit or Tallith
Prayer shawl used by males during prayers.
The blue and white striped prayer shawl worn by Jewish Males during morning prayers. It has tassles on it in accordance with the rules given in the Torah.

The Talmud
The Jews posses two laws, the oral law and the written law
The written law being the bible.
The oral law has played an important part in Jewish Life throughout the ages. It was a great body of teaching, tradition and biblical interpretation passed down through generations orally. This tradition was written down and is called the Talmud.

Pentateuch