Jewish Word Glossary

H

HaAretz

lit.=the land: The Land of Israel

habibi

lit.=the one I like: "My good friend"

hachlatah

resolution of a religious-observance debate

hachnasat orchim

the welcoming of guests; hospitality

hader

(Heb.) pride

hadasim

myrtle leaves, used on Succot

hadlakah

kindling, lighting candles

Haftarah

after Torah reading, a reading from Prophets, usu. related in content or theme to parsha just read (not related to the words "half" or "Torah")

hagbah

raising and display of the Torah scroll after reading

Hadassah

U.S.-based Jewish women's organization

Haggadah

Pesach guidebook, used during Seder

hakafot

dances around bimah on Succot [n]

hakarat hatov

lit.=the recognition of the good: gratitude, appreciation, esp. in public

hak'n a chainik

lit.=banging a kettle: annoying [v]

halachah

lit.=walking: Jewish law

"Ha-levai!"

(Yid.) "If only!"

Hallel

holiday prayer of thanks-giving Psalms

halvah

sesame candy

hamentash(en)

Purim cookie(s), filled with fruit or poppyseeds

HaMotzi

the blessing over bread

hano'oh 

benefit, pleasure

HaShem

The Name (in place of G-d's actual Name)

hashkafah

philosophy; religious "stream," esp. of Orthodoxy

hashkavot

Sephardi Yizkor prayers

hashgachah

lit.=supervison: kashrut certification

hashgachah pratis

lit.=detailed supervision: Divine providence or intervention

Haskala

19th cent. European Jewish "Enlightenment"

HaTikvah

lit.=The Hope: Israel's anthem

hatzlachah

success, prosperity (often used as a farewell: "B'hatzlacha!")

hava amina/ havamina

the slightest doubt, anything less than absolute certainty

Havdala

prayer bidding farewell to Shabbat

haymish

lit.=home-like: friendly, joyous

hefker

abandoned, ownerless

hespid

eulogy

Herzl, Theodor

early Zionist, Hebrew-language proponent

heter

expemption, waiver, usu. of halachah, for extenuating circumstances

hitsik

(Yid.) hot-headed, short-tempered

Holocaust

(always capitalized when referring to WWII Jewish genocide)

hondle 

lit.=handle: bargain [v]

hora

fast, festive circle-dance

hoshanah

prayer for hakafot

Hoshanah Rabbah

holiday at end of Succot

hummus

chick-pea paste, a Mid-Eastern dish