| HAG SAME'AH |
This is a very useful greeting to know since it works on all three pilgrimage festivals. |
| ASERET YEMEI TESHUVAH
| The Ten Days of Repentance-From Rosh Hashanah through Yom Kippur, we seek out friends, family, and acquaintances whom we've offended, apologize, and think of ways to improve our behavior in the new year. |
| AVINU MALKEINU |
Our Father, Our King-A prayer asking God for forgiveness, recited during the Aseret Yemei Teshuvah, or the Ten Days of Repentance. |
| GAM L'MAR or GAM LEKHA |
The Same to You-The appropriate response to L'shanah Tovah Tikateivu or Gemar hatimah tovah. |
| GEMAR HATIMAH TOVAH |
A Good Final Sealing [to you]-The sealing refers to being sealed into the Book of Life and this greeting is used from Yom Kippur through Hoshanah Rabbah. |
| ELUL |
The final month on the Jewish calendar during which the shofar is blown each morning as a reminder that the time of repentance has come and we should all begin moving closer to a life of righteousness and good deeds. |
| HALLAH (plural-HALLOT) |
These special Shabbat loaves are used on all the holidays. On Rosh Hashanah, they are generally round, a symbol of the year's cycle that we have just completed and the hope that the upcoming year be full and well rounded. |
| HATIMAH TOVAH |
A Sealing for Good-This is an abbreviation of Gemar hatimah tovah. |
| HAYYIM |
Life-which is what we pray for, more than anything else, during the Yamim Nora'im. |
| KIDDUSH |
Sanctification-The name of the prayer over wine recited on Rosh Hashanah and any holiday, for that matter, including Shabbat. |
| KOL NIDREI |
All the Vows-The most famous Yom Kippur prayer which lends its name to the entire first evening. We pray that we not be held responsible for unfulfilled vows made during the year past, and thus pay allegiance to the importance of communication: saying what we mean and meaning what we say. |
| L'SHANAH TOVAH TIKATEIVU |
May you be Inscribed [in the Book of Life] for a Good Year-An appropriate greeting throughout the holiday season, but used mostly until Yom Kippur. |
| MAHZOR |
The prayer book used on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, as distinguished from a siddur used the rest of the year. |
| MOTZI (or HAMOTZI) |
The prayer which should be recited over hallah at the beginning of our Rosh Hashanah meals, or any meal, for that matter. |
| MELEKH |
King-God, of course. We declare God King on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur thus reminding ourselves that our ultimate allegiance goes to not a leader of flesh and blood, but the ultimate power of the universe. |
| ROSH HASHANAH |
Head of the Year-The holiday that means another year has passed and another opportunity for sacred living, given to all. |
| SELIHOT |
Prayers of Forgiveness-These prayers are recited prior to and during the Aseret Yemei Teshuvah. We begin the Saturday evening prior to Rosh Hashanah as long as there are at least three days intervening. If not, we begin these prayers the previous Saturday. |
| SHOFAR |
A ram's horn is blown during the holiday season to wake and stir us, in order to make a commitment to greater goodness and sanctity in our everyday lives. |
| SIDDUR |
Prayer book-The prayer book used everyday except on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur when a mahzor is used. |
| SE'UDAH HAMAFSEKET |
Concluding Meal-This is the last meal before the Yom Kippur fast. Good Advice: Don't overeat (though one tradition says you should) and go easy on the salt, which will only make you thirsty. |
| TASHLIKH |
Cast Away-A ceremony conducted on Rosh Hashanah afternoon during which the community gathers at a pond or flowing river and symbolically casts its sins (everyone brings some hallah crumbs from lunch) into the depths. |
| TISHREI |
The first month on the Jewish calendar during which Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot take place. |
| TESHUVAH |
Repentance or Turning-This is what this season is all about and if you want to engage in some serious teshuvah, consider the following: come to services earlier and stay longer; think of people you have wronged and imagine what might happen if you apologize; and commit yourself to working things out with those people. |
| TZEDAKAH |
Righteousness-This mitzvah usually involves giving money to some worthy charity. Tzedakah is traditionally given before lighting candles. |
| TZOM KAL |
Easy Fast-This is a typical parting phrase on Yom Kippur when you want everyone to get through the fast without excessive discomfort. |
| VIDDUI |
Confession-An extensive confessional recited on Yom Kippur which begins with the words, Al Het-For the sin... |
| YOM KIPPUR |
Day of Atonement-This is the most sacred day on the Jewish calendar during which we fast and ask God to forgive us of all our sins. By this time, we should have asked forgiveness of friends and family we have wronged as well. |
Updated July 12, 2006 
