| 586 B.C.E. | First Temple destroyed by the Babylonians |
| Pagan | Idol worshipper |
| Torah | The Written Law |
| Targum | Aramaic translation of the Torah |
| Machzor | High Holiday prayer book |
| Minhag | Custom or tradition |
| Jonah | Prophetic reading (haftara) for mincha (afternoon service), Yom Kippur |
| Yamim noraim | Ten days of Awe--beginning with Rosh Hashanah & ending with Yom Kippur |
| Kohelet | Book of the Tanach read on Sukkot |
| Shalosh regalim | The three pilgrimage holidays--Pesach, Sukkot, & Shavuot |
| Tanach | The complete Hebrew bible, made up of Torah, Neviim, Ketuvim |
| Neviim | Prophets--2nd part of the Tanach |
| Ketuvim | Writings--3rd part of the Tanach |
| Esther | Book of the Torah read on Purim |
| Mitzvot | Commandments found in the Torah |
| Tikun olam | "Repairing the World" |
| Sanhedrin | Jewish supreme court in ancient times |
| Oral Law | Initially unwritten explanations of the Torah; later written as Talmud |
| Nasi | President of the Sanhedrin |
| Halacha | Jewish Law |
| Gemilut chasidim | "Deeds of loving kindness" |
| 70 C.E. | Second Temple destroyed by the Romans |
| Tanaim | Sages and Rabbis whose teachings became the Mishnah |