hachnaah / הכנעה

Pronunciation: hakh-nah-AH
Definition: Surrender; submission.
Example: “The first step is hachnaah.”
Origin: Hebrew
Also spelled: hachna’a

hadar / הדר

Pronunciation: hah-DAR
Definition: Splendor; beauty.
Example: “There’s a hadar in mitzvos.”
Origin: Hebrew

haftorah / הפטרה

Pronunciation: hahf-TOH-rah
Definition: Prophetic reading.
Example: “The haftorah connects…”
Origin: Hebrew/Yiddish
Also spelled: haftarah

hakdamah / הקדמה

Pronunciation: hak-dah-MAH
Definition: Introduction; preface.
Example: “The hakdamah matters.”
Origin: Hebrew
Also spelled: hakdama

halacha / הלכה

Pronunciation: hah-LAH-khah
Definition: Jewish law.
Example: “According to halacha…”
Origin: Hebrew
Also spelled: halakhah

halevai / הלוואי

Pronunciation: hah-leh-VAI
Definition: If only; hopefully.
Example: “Halevai we should live this.”
Origin: Hebrew/Yiddish
Also spelled: halevay

hashkafah / השקפה

Pronunciation: hash-KAH-fah
Definition: Worldview; outlook.
Example: “This is a hashkafah issue.”
Origin: Hebrew
Also spelled: hashkafa

hashpaah / השפעה

Pronunciation: hash-pah-AH
Definition: Influence; giving flow.
Example: “The hashpaah enters the world.”
Origin: Hebrew
Also spelled: hashpa’a

hashem / השם

Pronunciation: hah-SHEM
Definition: “The Name”; God.
Example: “Hashem is with us.”
Origin: Hebrew
Also spelled: HaShem

havamina / הוה אמינא

Pronunciation: hah-vah MEE-nah
Definition: Initial assumption.
Example: “The havamina was…”
Origin: Aramaic
Also spelled: hava amina

heichi timtzi / היכי תימצי

Pronunciation: HAY-khee TIM-tzee
Definition: Case; scenario.
Example: “What’s the heichi timtzi?”
Origin: Aramaic
Also spelled: heicha timtzi

hisbatlus / התבטלות

Pronunciation: his-BAHT-lus
Definition: Self-nullification.
Example: “Hisbatlus opens the heart.”
Origin: Hebrew/Yiddish
Also spelled: bitul

hisbonenus / התבוננות

Pronunciation: his-boh-NEH-nus
Definition: Contemplation.
Example: “Do hisbonenus on this.”
Origin: Hebrew/Yiddish
Also spelled: hitbonenut

hisorerus / התעוררות

Pronunciation: his-oh-REH-rus
Definition: Awakening; inspiration.
Example: “There’s a hisorerus.”
Origin: Hebrew/Yiddish
Also spelled: hisorerut

hitbodedus / התבודדות

Pronunciation: hit-boh-deh-DOOS
Definition: Personal prayer; seclusion.
Example: “Rebbe Nachman emphasizes hitbodedus.”
Origin: Hebrew/Yiddish
Also spelled: hitbodedut