Tuesday, November 15, 2005

What is the most important Jewish Word?

Shmuel Rosner, Chief U.S. Correspondent for Haaretz writes from the General Assembly of United Jewish Communities about a discussion of "Top 10 Jewish vocabulary words every Jewish leader should know." The rabbi’s at the conference made one list, while the rest of the group made another. Here’s what they came up with:

Rabbis: Mitzva V'Halachah (commandment and law), Hesed V'Rachamim (kindness and compassion), Tzedaka, Tikkun Olam, Bracha, Kashrut (dietary laws), Hachnasat Orchim (hospitality), Bikkur Holim, Shivah, Aliyah (immigrating to Israel).

Group: Tzedaka, Tikun Olam, Chesed, Chevra, Simcha (joy), Ahava (love), Shalom (peace), Tikva (hope), Achdut (unity), Klal Israel (all of Israel).

What are your top 10 Jewish words/concepts? Mine are: V’ahavta Lereicha Kamocha, Shalom, Achva(Friendship), Shira(song), Tfilla, Hashem, Sababa(cool), Keif(Fun, yes I know its an arabic word), Mastik (Gum – I like how the word sounds) and Yisrael.

6 comments:

ifyouwillit... said...

Didn't realise Keif was Arabic. You learn something new every day.

Anonymous said...

Ittay I had a discussion about your blog with you on shabbos and you said you didnt really want to go down the 'fun' path of blogging. You wanted to keep your blog serious. But the question you asked is sooo much fun!!! Its very jewschool like. I approve. Yael
By the way, to publish an an anonymous comment you have to be able to do a 'word verification.' What is this for? Is it to make sure Im not a terrorist(I cant say that word)? Can someone explain? and what happens if you cant read?

Ittay said...

hHi yael. The word verification is to prevent people adverstising used cars, home insurance, penis enlargers, US greendcards, University Degrees, or any other spam on this blog.

By the way, what are your top 10 words(Besides Jewish and Goyish, i guess that leaves 8)?

Jameel @ The Muqata said...

Taryag Mitzvot, Kabbalat Ol Machut Shamayim, Dugma Ishit, Ichpatiyut, Achrayut, Briyut, Osher, Teshuva, Shalom, Nikama.

Ittay said...

Interesting list muqata. What does Ichpatiyut mean? By nikama do you mean revenge. My understanding is that “an eye for an eye” has been understood as only a form of monetary compensation in Judaism, therefore “revenge: is not a very Jewish concept.
Great list anyway. Has provided good food for thought. Keep up the good work on your blog.

Anonymous said...

My answer:
Connection, integrity, learning, vision, reality, peace, compassion, fulfillment, action, pleasure

-T