The Promised Land

The abbreviations Germ. (= German), Hebr. (= Hebrew), Russ. (= Russian), and Yid. (= Yiddish) indicate the origin of a word. Most of the names marked Yiddish are such in form only, the roots being for the most part Hebrew.

Prop. n = proper name.

The endings ke and le of Yiddish proper names (Mashke, Perele) have a diminutive or endearing value, like the German chen (Helenchen).

Double names are given under the first name.

The religious customs described prevail among the Orthodox Jews of European countries. In the United States they have been considerably modified, especially among the Reformed Jews.

=Ab= (aeb) Hebr. The fifth month of the Hebrew calendar. The ninth of Ab is a day of fasting and mourning, in commemoration of the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple.

=Adonai= (ae-do-nai'), Hebr. An appellation of God.

=Aleph= (ae'-lef), Hebr. The first letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

=Atonement, Day of= (Hebrew, Yom Kippur). The most solemn of the Hebrew festivals, observed by fasting and an elaborate ceremonial.

=Bahur= (bae'-hur), Hebr. A young unmarried man, particularly a student of the Talmud. (See Yeshibah bahur.)

=Berl= (berl). Yid. Prop. n.

=Cabala= (kaeb-ae'-lae), Hebr. A system of Hebrew mystic philosophy which flourished in the Middle Ages.

=Candle Prayer= (Yiddish, licht bentschen). Prayer pronounced over lighted candles by the women and older girls of the household at the commencement of the Sabbath.

=Canopy, wedding= (Hebrew huppah). A portable canopy under which the marriage ceremony is performed, usually outdoors.

=Cossaks= (kos'-aks), Russ. A name given to certain Russian tribes, formerly distinguished for their freebooting habits, now best known for their position in the army.

=Dayyan= (dai'-an), Hebr. A judge to whom are submitted civil disputes, as distinguished from purely religious questions, which are decided by the Rav.

=Dinke= (din'-ke), Yid. Prop. n.

=Dvina= (dv[=e]'-nae), Russ. Name of a river.

=Dvornik= (dvor'-nik), Russ. An outdoor man; a choreman.

=Dvoshe= (dvo'-she), Yid. Prop. n.

=Earlocks= (Hebrew peath). Two locks of hair allowed to grow long and hang in front of the ears. Among the fanatical Hasidim, a mark of piety.

=Eidtkuhnen= (eit-koo'-nen), Germ. Name of a Russo-German frontier town.

=Fetchke= (fetch'-ke), Yid. Prop. n.

=Fringes, sacred= (Hebrew zizit). Specially prepared fringes fastened to the four corners of the arba kanfot (literally, "four-corners"), a garment worn by all pious males underneath the jacket or frock coat, usually with the fringes showing. The latter play a part in the daily ritual.

=Goluth= (gol'-ut), Hebr. Banishment; exile.

=Good Jew= (Yiddish guter id). Among the Hasidim, a title popularly accorded to more or less learned individuals distinguished for their piety, and credited with supernatural powers of healing, divination, etc. Pilgrimages to some renowned "Good Jew" were often undertaken by the very pious, on occasions of perplexity or trouble, for the purpose of obtaining his advice or help.

=Groschen= (gro'-shen), Germ. A popular name for various coins of small denomination, especially the half-kopeck.

=Gutke= (gut'-ke), Yid. Prop. n.

=Hannah Hayye= ([h.]aen'-a [h.]ai'-e), Hebr. Prop. n.

=Hasid=, pl. =Hasidim= ([h.]aes'-id, [h.]as-id'-im), Hebr. A numerous sect of Jews distinguished for their enthusiasm in religious observance, a fanatical worship of their rabbis and many superstitious practices.

=Haven Mirel= ([h.]a'-ve mirl), Hebr. and Yid. Prop. n.

=Hayye Dvoshe= ([h.]ai'-e dvo'-she), Hebr. and Yid. Prop. n.

=Hayyim= ([h.]ai'-im), Hebr. Prop. n.

=Hazzan= ([h.]aez-an), Hebr. Cantor in a synagogue.

=Heder= ([h.]e'-der), Hebr. Elementary Hebrew school, usually held at the teacher's residence.

=Henne Roesel= (he'-ne roezl), Yid. Prop. n.

=Hirshel= (hir'-shl), Yid. Prop. n.

=Hode= (ho'-de), Yid. Prop. n.

=Horn, ram's= (Hebrew shofar). Ritual horn, used in the synagogue during the great festivals.

=Hossen= ([h.]o'-ssn), Hebr. Bridegroom; prospective bridegroom; betrothed.