Sim-chah
Any joyous or blessed event is referred to as a simchah.
Tal-lit/Tallis/
The fringed prayer shawl used at many but not all
Talith
Jewish services. Denominational differences are re-
flected in the use of the tallit today. Wearing it is linked
to the Biblical command to put fringes on the corners of
your garments.
T’-fill-in/
T’Phillin/
Tefillin
Two small boxlike objects with leather straps that may
be worn at weekday morning services. One box is
worn on the head; the other is worn on the arm. They
symbolize the Jewish covenant and the binding of both
mind and body to doing God’s work. They contain
parchment on which appear Biblical verses written in
Hebrew and dealing with the commandment to wear
t‘ fillin. Very few Jewish personnel will carry their own
t‘ fillin with them.
Yar-mul-kah/
The skullcap, also known as a “kee-pah.” Great differ-
Yarmulke
ences exist on when, why, and by whom a keepah should
be worn.
Yar-tzeit
Yar-tzeit is the term used to refer to the anniversary of a
death.
Yid-dish
Yiddish is the language millions of Ashkenazic Jews
used to communicate with each other. It is still in limited
use. It combines German with Polish, Russian, Hebrew,
and many other languages. It is written in Hebrew
letters. Some Yiddish words that have become popular-
ized in America include:
Bubelah (a term of endearment)
Kibbitz (to joke or tease)
Klutz (a clumsy person)
Shlemiel (a foolish person; one who always has bad
luck)
Shlepper (untidy person; sort of a jerk)
Oy veh! (woe is me!)
Chutz-pa (gall, brazen nerve)
I S L A M
Islam, the name of the religion, and Moslem, the name used to denote a
follower of the religion,
were both coined from the same root
word— “aslama,” the Arabic word which means “to surrender. ” Islam
means “to surrender to Allah. ”
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