achdus / אחדות

Pronunciation: AKH-dus
Definition: Unity.
Example: “Achdus is not sameness.”
Origin: Hebrew/Yiddish
Also spelled: achdut

aderaba / אדרבה

Pronunciation: ah-deh-RAH-bah
Definition: On the contrary.
Example: “Aderaba, it proves the opposite.”
Origin: Aramaic
Also spelled: aderabbah

ahavah / אהבה

Pronunciation: ah-hah-VAH
Definition: Love.
Example: “Ahavah means closeness.”
Origin: Hebrew
Also spelled: ahava

aliyah / עלייה

Pronunciation: ah-lee-YAH
Definition: Going up; Torah honor.
Example: “He got an aliyah.”
Origin: Hebrew
Also spelled: aliya

aliyos / עליות

Pronunciation: ah-LEE-yohs
Definition: Torah reading sections or honors.
Example: “There are seven aliyos.”
Origin: Hebrew/Yiddish
Also spelled: aliyot

am haaretz / עם הארץ

Pronunciation: ahm hah-AH-retz
Definition: Ignorant or unlearned person.
Example: “Not in a negative way, but…”
Origin: Hebrew
Also spelled: am ha’aretz

anaf / ענף

Pronunciation: ah-NAHF
Definition: Branch.
Example: “That is only an anaf.”
Origin: Hebrew

anavah / ענווה

Pronunciation: ah-nah-VAH
Definition: Humility.
Example: “Anavah means truth.”
Origin: Hebrew
Also spelled: anava

arein / אַרײַן

Pronunciation: ah-RINE
Definition: Into; inside.
Example: “Bring it arein.”
Origin: Yiddish
Also spelled: arayn

aseres yemei teshuvah / עשרת ימי תשובה

Pronunciation: ah-SEH-res yeh-MAY teh-SHOO-vah
Definition: Ten Days of Repentance.
Example: “During Aseres Yemei Teshuvah…”
Origin: Hebrew/Yiddish
Also spelled: Aseret Yemei Teshuvah

assur / אסור

Pronunciation: ah-SOOR
Definition: Forbidden.
Example: “That would be assur.”
Origin: Hebrew
Also spelled: asur

avadeh / אַוודאי

Pronunciation: ah-VAH-deh
Definition: Of course.
Example: “Avadeh it’s true.”
Origin: Yiddish/Aramaic
Also spelled: avadai

avodah / עבודה

Pronunciation: ah-voh-DAH
Definition: Spiritual work; service.
Example: “That’s our avodah.”
Origin: Hebrew
Also spelled: avoda

ayin hara / עין הרע

Pronunciation: EYE-in HAH-rah
Definition: Evil eye.
Example: “Don’t make an ayin hara.”
Origin: Hebrew
Also spelled: ayin hora

azoy / אַזוי

Pronunciation: ah-ZOY
Definition: Like this; so.
Example: “Azoy, that’s the structure.”
Origin: Yiddish
Also spelled: azoi