Potentially Useful Terms

Note to self: These terms might be important in case I need to know them in yeshiva, or if I write a blog entry and subsequently write a retroactive terminology page:

Ashkenazic- a style of Judaism that stems from ancient Ashkenaz (Germany). Contrasts with Sefardic Judaism. In addition to a different style of davenning, a main difference is that Ashkenaz Jews don't eat rice on Pesach. See"Sefardic."
Beit midrash- literally "house of midrash," this is where the learning happens. A sort of Jewish library of sacred texts.
B'Iyun- a way of learning gmara where you go in-depth and take a lot of time on a given page.
B'Kiyut- a way of learning gmara where you go fast and take less time on a given page.
Chevruta- a "friend," or partner, with whom you study gmara. Usually, chevrutas are intended to be permanent, like a spouse or a Manischewitz stain on your brand-new shirt.
Chutznikim- the plural of chutznik. This term refers to students who are from abroad- basically, Americans.
Daven- to pray. Done at least three times a day.
Esoteric- "Intended for or understood by only a particular group." A good SAT word.
Gmara- the written version of the Oral Torah, it is 2500 pages in 37 books in six main volumes. The gmara contains halachic discussions, laws, stories, and oter fun stuff. We learn gmara at least five hours a day. For a crash course, check out Rabbi Aaron Parry's "The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Talmud."
Halacha- Jewish law.
"In" Shabbat- Shabbat when one is required to stay at the yeshiva. See "Out Shabbat."
Maariv- evening prayer service.
Melafefon- Hebrew for cucumber. A very important word to know here.
Mincha- afternoon prayer service.
Minyan- a group of ten or more men above the age of 13 who daven together. See "Daven."
Mishna- texts collected by Rabbi Yehuda HaNassi that form the basis on which the gmara was written. See "gmara."
"Out" Shabbat- Shabbat when one is not required to stay at the yeshiva, and is allowed to go to Jerusalem or other populated areas. See "In Shabbat."
Seder- unfortunately, this does not involve matzah and wine, but does have more than Four Questions. During this time, one is free to study anything with anyone in the Beit Midrash.
Sefardic- a style of Judaism that stems from ancient Sefarad (Spain). Contrasts with Ashkenazic Judaism. In addition to a different style of davenning, a main difference is that Sefardic Jews do eat rice on Pesach. See"Ashkenazic."
Shabbat- the Sabbath. A day of prayer, cholent, and no work, especially bowling.
Shacharit- morning prayer service.
Shiur- lecture in a classroom setting, except there is more yelling by the students.
Talmud- see "Gmara."
Tanach- the Jewish Bible, which consists of the Torah (the "T" of Tanach, a Hebrew acronym), the Prophets (in Hebrew, Neviim, or the "N"), and Writings (in Hebrew, Ketuvim, or the "Ch." Okay, that one only works in Hebrew).
Torah- the five books of Moses, the Torah is part of the Tanach. See "Tanach."
Vaadim- means councils. Here, rabbis give optional lectures about relevant topics. Occurs only on Mondays and Thursdays. Some restrictions apply, see stores for details.
Yeshiva- literally "sitting," which is appropriate, it is a place where one may come to read Jewish books and learn Jewish values. The main building is the Beit Midrash. See "Beit Midrash."