Bar Mitzvah/
BatMitzvah

Literally son (bar) or daughter (bat) of the Covenant. This important moment occurs when a child attains the age of 13. This is thought to be the time when the child becomes responsible for his or her own sins. After a child becomes Bar Mitzvah, he can be included as a member of a "minion" and participate in a religious service.

Minyan

A group of ten men needed to conduct a religious service.

Yarmelka (Jewish) or Kippah (Hebrew)

The skullcap worn by more observant Jews

Seder

A service and meal held each year on the first two days of Passover.

Bris (Jewish) or Brit (Hebrew)

The circumcision of a Jewish boy performed at eight days old signifying that he is in a covenant relationship with God.

Tallit

The prayer shawl worn by observant Jewish men in the Synagogue.

Rosh Hashanah

The Feast of Trumpets. The  Jewish New Year and start of the Ten Days of Awe in which Jewish people are encouraged to repent before God to receive His forgiveness for their sins.

Yom Kippur

The Day of Atonement. The most solemn day in Jewish religious life. A day of fasting. A day on which the observant pray that they will be inscribed in God's Book of Life.

Succot

The Feast of Booths. The Ingathering of the Fall harvest which commemorates God's  goodness to His Chosen people.

Chanukah

The Festival of Lights: An eight-day celebration of the miracle God caused to take place when the Maccabees led the Jewish people to victory over the Syrian invaders in 186 BC. Chanukah also commemorates the miracle of causing one day's supply of oil for the Menorah to last for eight days. (See Book of Esther)

Menorah

The Seven Branched candelabra that God ordained was to be lit in the Tabernacle in the Wilderness. It was used in the ancient temple in Jerusalem and is now used in synagogues throughout the world. It has become a symbol for Jewish spiritual life.

Shabbat

The Sabbath, observed throughout the Jewish world from sundown on Friday night to sundown on Saturday evening.

Tvillin

The Phylacteries that are put on each morning by observant Jewish men in obedience to Deuteronomy 6:8.

Mezuzzah

Deuteronomy 6:9 directs that God's commandments are to be written on the doorframes of Jewish houses and gates. The Mezzuzah is a small receptacle which contains a small portion of this text. Today, the mezuzzah is still placed on the doorframe of observant Jewish homes.