Ashkenazic: Relating to Jews from Central and Eastern Europe
Bris: A short-hand name for “brit milah”
Brit milah: A religious ceremony involving circumcision of an 8-day old Jewish child bringing him formally into the Covenant between God and the Jewish people
Drosh: A short educational lesson, usually on a biblical subject
Haftarah: A section of the Bible that is read following the week’s Torah portion, usually derived from the writings of the prophets
Hatafat dam brit: A ceremony of ritual purification substituting for the brit milah ceremony when, for whatever reason, a circumcision is not performed at the same time
Kiddush: Blessing over wine
Kohane: A descendent from the tribe of Jewish priests who presided at the Temple in ancient Jerusalem. Kohanes often have last names such as Cohen, Cohn, Kahan, Kahn, etc.
Midrash: A story or tale told in the Bible, Talmud, or other religious writings
Minyan: Ten Jews thirteen years of age or older. Traditionally a minyan consisted only of men; now in Reform and Conservative congregations, men and women can constitute a minyan
Mogen: A modern variation of the traditional instrument for performing Jewish ritual circumcisions, now in general use by physicians for all circumcisions.
Mohel: A person trained both medically and religiously to perform a kosher brit milah ceremony.
Orlah: Foreskin
Pidyon: A symbolic ransoming of the firstborn male from the ancient obligation of having to devote his life to the service of God and the Temple.
Sandek: An honorary position at brit milah ceremonies often given to a prominent family member or friend. It involves holding the baby on one’s lap during the brit milah service.
Shalom zachar: A festive meal served on the Friday night after a male child is born.
Shehecheyanu: Prayer thanking God for having brought all those present together again for the occasion being celebrated.
Shulchan Aruch: Summary and codification of Jewish law composed in 1563 by Joseph Caro.
Simchah: Joyful occasion of religious significance