Glossary

Ancient Hebrew measure of grain that amounts to about 3.6 litres.

Four specific questions asked at the beginning of the Passover seder, the answers to which shape the rest of the retelling of the exodus from Egypt. Learn how to recite or sing the Four Questions.

From the Greek word meaning "sacrifice by fire", the Holocaust refers to the atrocities committed by Nazi Germany in World War II, including the genocide of six million Jews.

The 49-day period that begins on the second night of Passover and ends on Shavuot.

Hebrew word meaning "catastrophe", referring to the Holocaust.

The year the modern State of Israel was founded. 

A war in Israel fought on June 5-10, 1967 against Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. Because of the Six-Day War, Jerusalem was reunified and Jews gained access to the Western Wall. Israel also took control of the Golan Heights, the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and the Sinai Peninsula.

A war between Israel and a coalition of Arab states led by Egypt and Syria. The war began on October 6, 1973 (on Yom Kippur) and lasted until October 25, 1973. 

Literally, “my master;” the Jewish proper name for God; Yud Heh Vav Hey, the unpronounceable name of God often is pronounced as “Adonai.”

"Dessert" (Greek); matzah is the official "dessert" of the Passover seder meal. During the seder, the children traditionally "steal"and hide the afikoman, and it must be redeemed by the seder leader.

King of Persia (modern-day Iran) and a main character in the Purim story. When his queen, Vashti, refuses to entertain guests at the king’s feast, he banishes her. Young women from throughout the kingdom are brought to the king to be considered, and Ahashverosh chooses Esther as his new queen.

witness; Jewish law requires two witnesses sign the ketubah (Jewish marriage contract)Customarily, both are Jewish men who are not related to either marriage partner or to one another.  In Reform Judaism both men and women serve as witnesses.  Plural: aidim