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| Zarathustra's name for God, meaning "Lord of Wisdom", Supreme deity; power of good, creator of the world, guradian of humankind, aka Ohrmazd. |
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| "Holy Immortals", 6 divine attributes, archangels, or lesser immortal beings who, along with Ahura Mazda, make up Holy Heptad, the sacred seven. |
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| Zarathustra's name for the destructive spirit, the devil, aka Ahriman. |
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| A caucasoid branch of the indo-european family that historically separated into at least two groups, one migrating into Iran adn another into India. Some of the Aryans of Iran originated Zoroastrianism, and the intrusive Aryans of India originated Vedi Hinduism. |
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| "Order, Truth, justice" the governing principle of the world. |
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| The Sacred book of ancient Zoroastrianism. Only a quarter of the original has survived. |
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| Language of Zarathustra and the Avesta |
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| The bridge of judgment which connects this world with the unseen afterlife. After death, it is a means by which people cross between the two. Humans are judged before they cross this bridge. |
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| Originally "grave"; later, a walled tower open to the sky where Zoroastrians expose the dead to vultures and crows for disposal of the flesh; sometimes called tower of silence. |
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| The winged symbol or emblem of Zoroastrianism, the precise meaning of which is open to some question. It is the most commonly used Zoroastrian symbol. The central figure is popularly believed to be either Ahura Mazda or the fravashi. |
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| Possibly a guardian spirit, but may also be a spirit which enters this life witha person and continues with him or her beyond death. |
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| A pejorative term used by Muslims in Iran for members of the Zoroastrian faith. |
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| Hymns or poems written by Zarathustra; considered to be the most authoritative expressions of the Zoroastrian religion. |
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| The Primal Man, first progenitor of the human race and father of Mashye and Mashyane. |
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| The sacred plant whose juice is used as an offering in the Yasna |
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| Literally, "sacred cord"; girdle received by Zoroastrians at navjote and worn at all times. It is untied and retied several times a day to the accompaniment of prayers. |
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| the priestly caste of ancient Persia, in time associated with the Zoroastrian priesthood. The singular form, "magus" is the Greek version of the Old Persioan word "magu" meaning priest. |
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The first human couple, male and female, the Adam and Eve of Zoroastrian tradition.
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| A "high god" of pre-Zoroastrianism Iran that survived the advent of Zoroastrianism and also continues to have a presence in the Vedas of Hindu literature in India. |
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| The public ceremony of initiation into the Zoroastrian faith. |
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| Also called Middle PErsian, the language of Sassanian and early Islamic times in which later Zoroastrian books were written. |
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| The "persians" who settled in India in 936 C.E. to seek a land of religious freedom away from oppresion in Muslim Iran. Parsis today make up the largest community of Zoroastrians in the world. |
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| The coming Savior, the messiah figure of Zoroastrianism. |
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| A white cotton undershirt worn next to the skin at all times (except when bathing) as a religious symbol of commitment and protection. |
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| The spirit or soul of a man. |
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| the "Code against the demons" a book of purification in the Avesta, read at night in a lengthy ritual. |
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| A hymn to Ahura Mazda or some other immortal being. The yashts form an important part of the Avesta. |
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| The name of the founder of Zoroastrianism in its original Avestan language form. The Greek form of the name is Zoroaster. |
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| The broken piece of the unleavened bread set asid (or hidden) to be eaten at the end of the Passover meal. |
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| Jewish lore, that part of the oral Torah which contains expositions of biblical texts, theologies, philosophies, and stories related to Jewish life. |
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| Ruler of Syria (175-163 B.C.E.) who tried to force Jews to assume Hellenistic ways. |
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| Those jews who come from Europe, especially eastern Europe. |
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| "son of commandment", refers to a boy's attainment of adulthood at age 13 and his obligation to keep the Jewish law. |
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| "Daughter of the commandment", ritual for 12 yr old girls of the Conservative and Reformed JEwish traditions similar to Bar Mitzvah. |
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| The World Outside Israel. |
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| Commentary by later rabbis on issues raised in the Mishnah. |
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| Religious divorce obtainable only at the request of the husband. |
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| The ritual retelling of the story of Passover during the seder meal. |
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| That part of the oral Torah which is law. |
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| The festival of lights which celebrates the Jewish victory over the Hellenization program of Antiochus IV. |
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| Members of a mystical Jewish movement that emerged in eastern Europe in the eighteenth century which focuses on the love of and a personal relationship with God. |
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| "The great Hosanna" the seventh day of Succoth, on which prayers are said for a good harvest cycle. |
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| Prayer which reflects on the greatness of God and his ultimate triumph, also recited by the mourners at prayer services during the period of their mourning. |
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| Hebrew word meaning "writins"; refers to the third portion of the Jewish Bible. |
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| Hebrew word for the circular head covering worn by many Jewish males. |
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| A prayer said on the eve of Yom Kippur which asks God to forgive a person for the breaking of any vows which were made to God. |
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| Means "fit"; used primarily in relation to food which Jews are permitted to eat. |
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| The scroll read during the celebration of Purim, retelling the story of Esther. |
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| Candelabrum. The seven-branched version was one of the temple furnishings and today symbolizes Israel on its national seal; the nine-branched cersion is specifically used to commemorate Hanukkah, eith of the candles symbolizing the eight days of the festival and the ninth traditionally being used to light the others. |
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| Literally "doorpost", ritually, it is a small parchment containing the first two paragraphs of the Shema, which is usually placed in a small box or container and affixed to the doorpost. |
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| Literally, "search" for meaning, indicates the portion of the oral traditions not incorporated into the Gemara and later recorded separately. |
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| Ten males (Orthodox) or males and females (Conservative or Reformed) required for certain prayers. |
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| The written compilation of what had been oral halacha (law). It was set down in written form about 200 C.E. |
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| Opponents of the Hasidim who placed emphasis on learning the tradition rather than emotion. |
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| The person who performs the ritual of circumcision. |
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| Hebrew word meaning "prophets"; refers to the second part of the Jewish Bible. |
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| Spring festival celebrating the salvation of the people of Israel when the angel of death passed over Israel's firstborn in Egypt, as well as Israel's ultimate deliverance from bondage. |
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| Spring festival celebrating the salvation of the people of Israel when the angel of death passed over Israel's firstborn in Egypt, as well as Israel's ultimate deliverance from bondage. |
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| Organized riots which resulted in the murder of Jews and the pillaging of their homes and possessions. |
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| Spring festival celebrating the deliverance of the Jews in the days of Queen Esther. |
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| Means "my master", an authorized teacher. |
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| The spiritual head of a Hasidic community. |
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| Festival celebrating the new year. |
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| The order of the ritual of the Passover meal. |
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| Jews who have come from Spain or Arab lands. |
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| Literally, "hear" the name for Israel's fundamental confession of faith found in Deut. 6:4 |
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| The eighth day of assembly following Succoth, on which the prayer, on which the prayers for rain are said. |
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| Seven-day period of mourning decreased relatives in the home, during which the family sits on low stools and receives guests. |
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| The ram's horn sounded one hundred times on Rosh Hashanah and again to end Yom Kippur. |
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| "Rejoicing of the Torah", the celebration of the conclusion and recommencement of the Torah reading cycle which takes place on Shemini Atzeret (or the second day of Shemini Atzeret in the diaspora). |
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| The Feast of Tabernacles, commemorating divine protection of Israel during her wanderings in the wilderness. |
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| literally "Tabernacle", a booth constructed of three walls and a partial roof in which Jewish families should partake of meals and may sleep during the celebration of Succoth. |
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| The Mishnah plus the Gemara; the foundational writings of Orthodox Jewish life. |
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| The made-up name for the jewish Bible (the Christian old Testament) based on its three parts - Torah, Nevi'im and Ketuvim. |
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| The custom of symbolically casting one's sins into flowing water; performed on Rosh Hashanah. |
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| Two leather boxes which are worn on the arm and on the forehead at weekday morning prayers. |
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| The Pentateuch, or the first five books of the Tanak. |
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| The fringes on the prayer shawl or on an undershirt which remind one of the commandments in the law. |
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| Yiddish word for the round head covering often worn by Jewish males. |
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| The movement to establish a Jewish state in the land of Israel. |
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| The feast of Breaking the Fast. |
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| "Blessing power" which comes from God into creation for the benefit of human beings. |
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| The successors of Muhammad to the leadershp of the Muslim community who are not, however, considered prophets. |
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| Shahada (confession of faith), Salat (prayer), Zakat (alms), Ramadan (Fasting), Hajj (Pilgrimmage to Mecca) |
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| A reported saying of action of Muhammad. |
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| Muhammad's emigration from Mecca to Yathrib (Medina) in 622 C.E. |
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| In Sunni tradition, the leader of Salat Prayer; in Shi'i thought, the umma's divinely guided leader. |
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| "submission" or "surrender" to God. true monotheistic worship as revealed by Muhammad. |
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literally "striving" or "struggling" to serve God and the umma.
AKA "Holy Way" |
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| The black-draped cubicle structure in Mecca which contains the black stone and which, according to legend, was first built by Abraham and his son Ishmael. |
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| Messianic figure who, according to tradition, will appear at the end of history to prepare the world for final judgement by God. |
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| Most sacred place of Islam, birthplace of Muhammad and location of the Ka'aba. |
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| "city of the prophet", second holiest site in Islam. AKA Yathrib. |
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| Tower associated with a mosque from which the call to prayer is given. |
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| arabic 'masjid' "place of prostration" for ritual prayer. |
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| Individual who gives the call to prayer |
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| 570-632 c.e, the founder of Islam and the prophetic figure through whom Alla revealed the Qur'an |
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| a person who practices Islam; literally "one who submits to God." |
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| means "recitation", name of the Holy book of Islam, given through Gabriel. |
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| the month in which muhammad received his initial call and the month in which faithful Muslims fast during daylight hours; the ninth lunar month of the Muslim calendar |
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| Ritual prayer that is conducted five times each day. |
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| Fasting as a means of promoting individual spirituality and communal well-being. |
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| The muslim confession of faith "There is no god but God, and Muhammad is His messenger". |
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| the all-inclusive legal code of Islam |
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| Muslims who believe that leadership of the communitiy should have passed to Muhammad's son-in-law 'Ali and should be hereditary. Literally "party or Sect". |
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| The heresy of ascribing partners to God, or believing in more than one deity, opposite of tawheed. |
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| An adherent of the branch of Islam that emphasizes internal spiritual experience rather than external ritual forms and seeks mystical union with God in this life. |
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| compilation of the customs and exemplary behavior of Muhammad. |
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| majority sect of Islam, believe in consensual leadership and reject Shi;ite claim. |
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| doctrine of the uncompromised unity of God: "there is no god but Allah." |
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| Religious scholars or clergy who are the authoritative interpreters of Islamic law |
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| the worldwide community of Muslims |
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| the practice of giving 2.5 percent of one's accumulated wealth to support the umma, Alms/tithe. |
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