Rabbi Julian Sinclair

Oferet Yetzukah

The term oferet yetzukah means a solid mould of lead and conjures up images of families playing dreidl, with Chanucah candles shining on the window sill.

Nezikin

Nezikin means damages, from the verb l’hazik, to hurt or damage.

Techelet

Techelet is the sky-blue dye colour that was familiar in ancient Israel, best known from the Shema’s command to “put upon the fringe of each corner a thread of blue”.

Pekeleh

Pekel is the original Yiddish form of the word, deriving from the German word pack.

Apocrypha

Apocrypha refers to books not included in the biblical canon, which was closed around 100 CE.

Ani Ma’amin

During these pre-election days in Israel, one hears many politicians declaiming his or her “ani ma’amin”, by which they mean their credo.

Ma'apilim

On the shores of Israel’s Mediterranean coast lies a defunct detention camp that now serves as a museum of the legacy of the Ma’apilim.

Shmittah

Shmittah is the sabbatical year for the land of Israel.

Tzedek

Tzedek meaning justice, has been a mark and aspiration of the Jewish people since its beginning.

Benoni

Benoni is the word you would use in Israel to ask for a medium-sized cup of coffee.

Wandering Jew

A phrase that can describe the most trivial situations such as having to change tables at a wedding.

Frum