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Glossary

Do you sometimes feel confused by all the foreign words and technical terms? We have created a glossary for you here, which lists the most important terms from the Jewish religion and history, including explanations.

Amida
The Amida (עמידה, Hebrew for standing), also known as the eighteen petition prayer (שמנה עשרה, schmone esre, eighteen) is the central prayer in Judaism. The term eighteen petition prayer goes back to the number of bracha (ברך), i.e. the number of prayers in which the words "baruch ata Adonai" (Blessed are You, Eternal One) are uttered. According to today's standard count, however, there are 19 brachot (pl.), so that Amida is the usual term.
Arba Minim
Arba Minim (ארבעת המינים, Hebrew for four species/plants) refers to a custom for the Sukkot festival. Traditionally, a festive bouquet, the lulav, is tied, which consists of four different plants: the etrog (אתרוג), a citrus fruit; a date palm branch (לוּלָב, lulav), after which the bouquet is named; a myrtle branch (הדס, hadass) and willow branches (ערבה, aravah).