A to Z of Judaism
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
- From Sandek To Succot
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Sandek
Term of Greek origin, translating as “companion of child”. Refers to the man given the honour of holding the baby on his knees during a brit milah ceremony.
Sarah
The first Matriarch and the wife of Abraham. Miraculously gave birth to Isaac at the age of 90 and died at the age of 127.
Sechach
Covering made of natural materials that acts as the roof of the succah.
Seder
Translates as “order”. Refers to the festive meal eaten on the first night of Pesach (and repeated on the second night in communities outside of Israel).
Sefer
A book
Sefirat Haomer
The counting of the Omer. During the Omer period, we are obligated to the count the days leading up to the festival of Shavuot.
Selichot
Special prayers for forgiveness recited on fast days, in the run up to Rosh Hashanah and during the 10 days of repentance between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
Sephardi
Refers to Jews of Spanish, Portugese, North African and Middle Eastern origin and their descendants, who follow in their traditions.
Sha’atnez
A mixture of wool and linen, that is prohibited to be worn in clothing by the Torah.
Shabbat
The weekly day of rest (Sabbath) and the seventh day of creation, when God rested after completing the Universe. Observance of Shabbat is one of the Ten Commandments.
Shacharit
The morning prayer service.
Shavuot
The festival of “weeks”. The name refers to the seven-week interval between Pesach and Shavuot. Commemorates the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai.
Shechita
Ritual slaughter of kosher animals.
Shema
Basic Jewish prayer that is recited at both the Shacharit and Ma’ariv services. It is a declaration of our faith in God. A different form of the prayer, called Kriat Shema al Hamita – literally, the "bedtime shema" – is recited upon retiring each night.
Shemini Atzeret
Festival falling immediately after the culmination of Succot – it begins on the evening that marks the end of Hoshana Rabba.
Shemita
The seven year cycle that must be observed in the land of Israel with regard to agricultural matters. During the seventh year of the shemita cycle, the land gets a “sabbatical” – it is left fallow, with no planting, ploughing or harvesting done. Great rewards are promised to those observing this mitzvah.
Shemona Esrei
Translates from the Hebrew as “eighteen”. Refers to the prayer recited as part of the shacharit, mincha, ma’ariv and musaf services and is also known as the “amidah” – standing – because that is the position in which it must be prayed. Eighteen refers to the number of blessings it comprised originally – although the daily version now contains 19 blessings.
Shemot (Exodus)
Second book of the Torah, dealing with the Jews’ enslavement by Pharaoh in Egypt and their subsequent redemption by God through Moses.
Sheva Brachot
Seven blessings recited under the chuppah. Repeated at the end of birchat hamazon at the wedding dinner and at every meal where a minyan is present during the first week of marriage. This period is referred to as the “sheva brachot” week.
Shevat
The 11th month of the Jewish year, during which Tu B’Shevat falls (on the 15th).
Shiur
A lesson or lecture dealing with Jewish religious material.
Shiva
Translates as “seven” and is usually used to refer to the seven-day mourning period following the burial of a close relative. Mourners sit on low chairs or stools – hence the expression to “sit shiva”.
Shloshim
Translates as “thirty”. Refers to the thirty-day mourning period after the burial of a close relative.
Shochet
One qualified in the ritual slaughter of kosher animals.
Shofar
Ram’s horn, blown as a call to repentance during the month of Elul and on Rosh Hashana.
Shul
Yiddish word for synagogue.
Shulchan Aruch
Definite Code of Jewish Law written by Rabbi Yosef Cairo in the 16th century.
Siddur
Jewish prayer book.
Sidrah
The weekly Torah portion.
Simchat Torah
Holiday that is celebrated simultaneously with Shemini Atzeret in Israel and on the following day in the diaspora. Celebrates the completion and the subsequent new beginning of the weekly Torah reading cycle.
Sivan
The third month of the Jewish year during which Shavuot falls.
Siyum
Refers to the completion of a religious text. Usually marked by a festive ceremony.
Succah
Translates as "booth" and refers to the small huts in which we are required to eat and sleep during the festival of Succot.
Succot
Festival of Tabernacles, commemorating the Jews’ wanderings in the desert following the Exodus and the protection God provided them with at that time.
