$Unique_ID{bob00289} $Pretitle{} $Title{Israel Glossary} $Subtitle{} $Author{Richard F. Nyrop} $Affiliation{HQ, Department of the Army} $Subject{israel pl jewish jews organization party israeli hebrew palestine law} $Date{1979} $Log{} Title: Israel Book: Israel, A Country Study Author: Richard F. Nyrop Affiliation: HQ, Department of the Army Date: 1979 Glossary aggadah-Sections of the Talmud (q.v.) and Midrash (q.v.) that contain anecdotes, folklore, maxims, and legends, as opposed to the laws of halakah (q.v.). agora (pl., agorot)-An Israeli coin. One hundred agorot equal one Israeli pound (q.v.). Agudat Israel (Union or Association of Israel)-A political party of Orthodox Jews founded in Poland in 1912. In 1970s party in Israel favored a theocracy. Al Fatah-Largest and, since 1969, dominant Palestinian guerrilla organization within the Palestine Liberation Organization. aliyah (pl., aliyot)-Literally, going up. One of the five major groups of immigrants to Palestine between 1880 and independence. Also immigration to Israel and being summoned to a reading of the Law in a synagogue. Amidah-The principal prayer recited at all services; also called Shemoneh Esreh and Tefillah. amora (pl., amoraim)-Designation or title of Jewish scholars in Babylonia and Jerusalem in the third to sixth centuries who compiled the Gemara (q.v.). Ashkenazim (sing., Ashkenazi; adj., Ashkenazic)-Jews of European origin. bar-Son of; frequently used in personal names, as Bar-Lev. ben-Son of; frequently used in personal names, as Ben-Gurion. Betar-A Zionist youth movement founded in 1923 associated with Herut (q.v.). Bilu (pl., Biluim)-University movement founded by students in Russia in 1882 to persuade fellow students to migrate to Palestine to engage in agricultural settlements. blood libel-Term used to describe medieval Christian belief that Jews engaged in ritual murder of non-Jews-usually youths-to obtain blood for Passover and other religious observances. Trials and persecutions on this issue common throughout most West European countries during the Middle Ages, and notion lingered in East European countries as late as the mid-and late nineteenth century. Aspects of this bizarre belief revived by officials of Nazi Germany. dayan (pl., dayanim)-Member of a rabbinical court. Diaspora-Refers to the Jews living in scattered communities outside Eretz Israel (q.v.) (Land of Israel) during and after the Babylonian Captivity (sixth century B.C.) and, especially, after the dispersion of the Jews from the region after the destruction of the Temple by the Romans in A.D. 70 (see table B, Preface) and the Bar Kokhba War in A.D. 132-135. In modern times the word refers to the "Jews living outside Palestine or modern Israel" and "the state of the Jews living scattered in the Gentile world" (see Webster's Third New International Dictionary, 1967). When the word is applied-usually lowercased-to non-Jews, such as the Palestinian Arab refugees, the word describes the situation of "the people of one country dispersed into other countries." dunam-Unit of land about one-tenth of a hectare, or 1,000 square meters. Eretz Israel-Land of Israel; sometimes printed as Erez, with dot under the z. erub (pl., erubin)-Provisions in halakah (q.v.) for circumventing in a rabbinically sanctioned manner some of the rigid limits placed on human activity on the Sabbath. Usually takes the form of a symbolic change in a boundary by use of fences or other devices. First Aliyah-Aliyah (q.v.) that began in early 1880s. fiscal year (FY)-Begins April 1 and ends March 31; FY1978, for example, began April 1, 1978, and ended March 31, 1979. FY-fiscal year (q.v.). Gadna-Abbreviation for Gdudei Noar, literally, youth battalions. This name has been given to a paramilitary youth organization for boys and girls that provides them with an elementary military training program. Formations are held weekly and on holidays for Israeli schoolchildren between the ages of fourteen and eighteen. Gahal-Acronym for Gush Herut-Liberalim, literally, Freedom-Liberal Bloc, also known as the Herut-Liberal Bloc, a political coalition group, created in 1965 by a combination of the Liberal and Herut (q.v.) parties. galut-Exile; sometimes used to denote the situation of Jews living in the Diaspora (q.v.). Gemara-Discussions, rulings, and traditions of the amoraim (q.v.) that supplement the Mishnah (q.v.) and form part of the Babylonian and Jerusalem Talmuds (q.v.). genizah-Place of safekeeping for sacred books. Hadassah-Women's Zionist Organization of America that subsidizes and engages in health and welfare projects in Israel. Haganah-Literally, defense. Abbreviation for Irgun HaHaganah, the Jewish defense organization formed in 1919-20 by volunteers in early Jewish communities as home guards for protection against hostile bands. It became the military arm of the Jewish Agency (q.v.) and went underground during the British Palestine Mandate period (1922-48) when it was declared illegal. Along with the Jewish Brigade, which fought with the Allied forces in World War II, it formed the nucleus of the Israel Defense Forces established in 1948. hakham-Title of rabbi of a Sephardic synagogue. halakah (pl., halakahs)-Either those parts of the Talmud that concern legal matters or an accepted decision in rabbinical law. Sometimes translated as religious law. halitzah-Ceremony by which a man publicly refuses to marry his brother's childless widow, a marriage called for in Deuteronomy as a levirate marriage, which has as its purpose the preservation of the dead man's name. halukkah-Collections made in the Diaspora (q.v.) to finance Jewish communities in Palestine, mostly in pre-Zionist period. Hanukkah-Eight-day observance of victory of Judas (Judah) Maccabee over Selucids and the subsequent rededication of the Temple in 164 B.C. Hasid (pl., Hasidim)-Adherent of Hasidism (q.v.). Hasidism-Religious movement, basically Orthodox but with elements of mysticism, founded in early eighteenth century by Israel ben Eliezer Baal Shem Tov. haskalah-Derived from Hebrew sechel, meaning "understanding" or "intelligence." An intellectual and enlightenment movement in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries among European Jews. They were attempting to acquaint the Jewish people with European and Hebrew languages, as well as with secular education and culture to supplement study of the Talmud (q.v.). Adherents called maskilim (sing., maskil). heder-Literally, room. A place used to teach Jewish children religious observance. herem-Expulsion or excommunication from the community or congregation by rabbinical authorities. Herut-Literally, freedom. Political party founded in 1948 in Israel based on ideals of Vladimir Jabotinsky, whose philosophy shaped that of Menachem Begin, who in mid-1978 continued to head party. Hevrat Ovdim-Hebrew for "worker society," commonly called the General Cooperative Association of Labor. A holding company of Histadrut (q.v.) that manages all of its economic enterprises. hillul hashem-An act in violation of Judaic belief or law; opposite of kiddush hashem (q.v.). Histadrut HaOvdim Haklalit-General Federation of Labor, commonly known as Histadrut. Founded in 1920 this national-level organization by 1978 included about 85 percent of the Israeli labor force; it was also the nation's largest single employer, its direct employment accounting for about 25 percent of the labor force. Histadrut performs many economic and welfare services in addition to trade union activities; leadership of Histadrut is generally drawn from the Mapai party (q.v.). Histadrut HaOvdim Haleumit-Federation of the National Worker, also known as the National Labor Federation. The trade union organization of the right-wing Herut-Liberal bloc; membership of about 85,000 in mid-1970s. Holocaust-Word used to designate persecution and annihilation of Jews by Nazi Germany from 1933 to 1945. Origin of the term uncertain but believed to be derived from the Greek translation of the Hebrew word olah (q.v.) the root of which means "to go up" and that signified a special sacrifice in which the burnt offering is totally consumed and the smoke "goes up" to God. hora-A popular folk dance, generally regarded as the Israeli national dance. IDF-See Zahal. Irgun-In Hebrew, Irgun Zvai Leumi (National Military Organization). Established in 1937 as an underground Jewish extremist organization known as ETZEL, derived from the pronounced initials of its Hebrew name. A more extreme group, known as the Stern Gang (q.v.), broke away from it in 1939. Both groups were especially active during and after World War II against the British authorities in Palestine. Both maintained several thousand armed men until all Israeli forces were integrated in June 1948. Israeli pound-Consists of 100 agorot. The external value of the pound depreciated severely over the years. Currency devaluations were numerous; the average value of the pound in terms of the United States dollar as calculated by the International Monetary Fund (in its monthly International Financial Statistics) is presented in table 19, Appendix A. From late 1974 to November 1977 a policy of creeping minidevaluations was in effect, and the pound was devalued by small amounts almost monthly. After November 1977 the pound was allowed to float, which also resulted in small and frequent changes. On February 28, 1978, the dollar value of the pound was 16.16 Israeli Pounds equal to US $1, and some observers expected the value to decline further in 1978. Before November 1977 rebates of taxes to exporters and surcharges on imports created in effect a system of multiple exchange rates for various commodities that modified the effects of adjustments in the exchange rates. Israel Workers' List-See Rafi. Jewish Agency-Representing the World Zionist Organization (q.v.) and working in close cooperation with the government, it promotes the development of Israel, encourages immigration of Jews into the country, organizes their immigration, helps them get started, and assists in their social and economic integration. Kabbalah-Major mystical movement in Judaism. Kabbalist-Student or adherent of Kabbalah (q.v.). kahal-Jewish congregation among Sephardim (q.v.). Karaite-Jewish sect (and member) that emerged during eighth century that accepts only the Torah (q.v.) as authoritative, rejecting rabbinic Judaism. kashrut-Jewish dietary laws; from which kasher (kosher) food. kefar-Village or town. kehillah (pl., kehillot)-Jewish congregation among Ashkcnazim (q.v.). kibbutz (pl., kibbutzim)-An Israeli collective farm or settlement, cooperatively owned and operated by its members and organized on a communal basis. kiddush hashem-Martyrdom or act of great sacrifice or courage in support of Judaic beliefs. Knesset-Israel's parliament, a unicameral legislature of 120 members elected by universal suffrage for four-year terms; Knesset may, through legislative procedures, call for elections before the end of the regular term or postpone elections in time of war. kolel (pl. kolelim)-A community in Israel whose members come from a particular foreign country or a locality of that country. Also, an institution for the advanced study of the Torah (q.v.). Kupat Holim-Workers Sick Fund, administered by Histadrut (q.v.); it is the country's largest medical insurance fund. It operates its own hospitals, clinics, laboratories, and other related facilities. Ladino-Language based on medieval Castilian but with Hebrew suffixes and written in Hebrew alphabet; developed and used by Sephardim (q.v.). Lehi-Acronym for Lohamei Herut Yisrael, literally, Fighters for Israel's Freedom, a former resistance and political organization, created in 1939 and disbanded under pressure in 1948. Commonly known as the Sternists or the Stern Gang. Levant-Name given to countries on the eastern shores of the Mediterranean. maabara (pl., maabarot)-Temporary settlements for immigrants. MACs-Mixed Armistice Commissions composed of representatives of Israel and four Arab states; set up by UNTSO (q.v.). Maki-Acronym for Mifleget HaKommunisti Yisrael-The Israeli Communist Party, or the Communist Party of Israel. Founded in 1919, it is anti-Zionist in doctrine and ideologically closely follows Soviet Union leadership. Mapai-Acronym for Mifleget Poalei Eretz Yisrael-Workers' Party, Land of Israel, also known as the Israel Workers' Party or the Israel Labor Party. It is a socialist-oriented political group, deriving substantial support from urban workers and cooperative agricultural villages. In 1968 and 1969 it combined with two other labor groups, Rafi (q.v.) and Mapam (q.v.), to form the Israel Labor Party. Mapai-Histadrut-Combination of the Mapai (q.v.) and Histadrut HaOvdim Haklalit (q.v.), political and labor organizations, respectively. Mapam-Acronym for Mifleget Poalim Meuchedet-United Workers' Party. Founded in 1948, it is a left-wing, socialist-Zionist political party. Membership is derived mainly from urban workers and professional groups. The party was among the first to favor agricultural collectives. Marrano-A Jew whose ancestors in Spain or Portugal had been forced to convert to Christianity but who secretly remained adherent of Judaism. Sometimes known as Converso. Masorah-Traditions that govern the spelling, reading, and writing of the Torah (q.v.); a masorete is a scholar of these traditions and masoretic means in conformity with the traditions. menorah-Seven-branched candelabra used in the Temple or a synagogue; also the eight-branched candelabra used to observe Hanukkah (q.v.). Midrash-An extrapolation from or an interpretation of the Bible by a rabbi or rabbis to set forth either law or admonitory teaching; also, a collection of such rabbinical decisions. minyam-Quorum of ten adult males, the minimum required for Orthodox Jewish communal prayer. Mishnah-Earliest codification of Jewish religious law, largely complete by A.D. 200. mitzvoth (sing., mitzvah)-Literally, good deeds; 613 deeds or acts governing daily life. Mizrahi-Abbreviated combination of Merkaz and Ruhani, meaning Spiritual Center, a term applied to a moderately Orthodox Zionist political group. It is concerned with the maintenance and extension of Orthodox religious tradition in state law and with the maintenance of religious institutions. moshav (pl., moshavim)-A cooperative smallholder's settlement of individual farms in Israel. Individuals own their farms and personal property. Work is organized collectively, equipment is used cooperatively, and produce is marketed jointly. moshava (pl., moshavot)-A settlement or colony of independent farmers who own and work their own land. moshav ovdim (plural, moshavei ovdim)-A worker's cooperative settlement of small farmholders. Individual units are independent but are worked cooperatively. moshav shitufi (pl., moshavim shitufim)-A collective smallholder's settlement that combines the economic features of a kibbutz (q.v.) with the social features of a moshav (q.v.). Farming is done collectively, and profits are shared equally. Each family lives in its own household, as in the moshav. Nahal-An abbreviated version of Noar Halutz Lochaim (Pioneer Fighting Youth), a paramilitary youth organization that includes both boys and girls. Nahal groups participate part-time in agricultural work during their military service that includes assignment to suitable villages. There, under military discipline, they continue military training and receive practical experience in farming. nasi (pl., nesiim)-Since independence, a title for the president of the state. In ancient times, title of the chief official of the Sanhedrin. olah (pl., olim)-An immigrant to Israel. Orthodox Jews-Adherents of that branch of Judaism that insists on a rigid and strict observance of halakah (q.v.); Conservative Jews accept the primacy of halakah (q.v.) but have introduced modifications in liturgy and ritual, whereas Reform Jews (sometimes called Progressive or Liberal Jews), emphasize rationalism and ethical behavior, reject the absolute authority of halakah, and assert the private religious nature of Judaism rather than the Orthodox emphasis on national ritual conformity. Pale of Settlement-Area of twenty-five provinces of Czarist Russia within which Jews were allowed to live, outside of which they could reside only with specific permission. Palmach-Abbreviation for Pelugot Mahatz, shock forces. In British Palestine and until June 1948, it was a commando section of the Jewish military forces. Organized in 1941 to provide the Haganah (q.v.) with a mobile force, it consisted of young men mostly from kibbutzim (q.v.), who took military training while working part-time at farming, serving in cooperation with the British army, without pay or uniforms. Many high-ranking officers in the modern Israeli military forces once served in the Palmach. PJCA-Palestine Jewish Colonization Association; established and subsidized by Baron Edmond de Rothschild to assist Jewish settlements in Palestine; active from 1924 to 1957. Purim-Festival commemorating freedom granted Jews of Persia in the time of Esther; observed on Adar 14 or 15 (see table A, Preface; table 2, Appendix A). Rafi-Acronym for Reshimat Poalei Yisrael, literally, The Israel Workers' List (also known as the Israel Labor List), created in 1965 when David Ben-Gurion and many of his supporters broke away from Mapai (q.v.). Rakah-Acronym for the Hebrew Reshima Kommunistit Hadasha, literally, New Communist List. Created in 1965, it is an offshoot of the Israeli Communist Party, Maki (q.v.), when it broke up into two factions. Reshima Kommunistit Hadasha-See Rakah. Reshimat Poalei Yisrael-See Rafi. Revisionists-Established in 1925 as a fourth important group in the World Zionist Organization (q.v.); led by Jabotinsky, the Revisionists opposed Chaim Weizmann's policy of cooperation with British Palestine Mandate authorities. Rosh Hashanah-Two-day holiday, the traditional New Year, at the beginning of the month of Tishri (see table A, Preface). Rosh Hodesh-New moon that signals the start of a month in the Hebrew calendar. Sabra (pl., Sabras or Tsabarim)-From Hebrew word meaning "a prickly pear," but adapted to mean a native-born Israeli Jew. Second Aliyah-Aliyah (q.v.) that began in early 1900s. Sephardim (sing., Sephardi; adj., Sephardic)-Basically Jews of Spain and Portugal and their descendants, wherever resident; tend to speak Ladino (q.v.) or Arabic; often applied to those Jews who are not Ashkenazim (q.v.). Shabbat-Sabbath, observed from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset. shallah (pl., shelihim)-In Jewish law, an agent or messenger; in modern terms an individual sent from Israel to Jewish groups in the Diaspora (q.v.) to raise funds, encourage migration to Israel, or solicit other help. Shavout-Festival of Weeks, commemorating Moses' receipt of the Law at Mount Sinai. Shemittah-Sabbatical year. shofar-Ram's horn blown on important occasions, such as Rosh Hashanah (q.v.); blown to signal independence. Stern Gang-See Lehi. Sukkot-Feast of the Tabernacles, which begins on Tishri 15 (see table A, Preface). Tradition calls for the use of "four species," which are aravah, the willow; etrog, citron; hadas, myrtle; and lulav, palm branch. takkanah (pl., takhanot)-Regulations that supplement the Torah and that govern internal workings of congregations and communities. Talmud-Literally, teaching. Compendium of discussions on the Mishnah (q.v.) by generations of scholars and jurists in many academies over a period of several centuries. The Jerusalem (or Palestinian) Talmud mainly contained the discussions of the Palestinian sages. The Babylonian Talmud incorporates the parallel discussions in the Babylonian academies. Talmud Torah-Study of the Law. Torah-The first five books of the Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy; often called the Pentateuch or the Law of Moses. In broader sense the entire body of traditional religious teaching and study. ulpan (pl., ulpanim)-Center for study, particularly for the study of Hebrew by adult immigrants to Israel. UNRWA-United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. Among other things, operated and/or worked in camps and schools for Palestinian refugees; still active in 1978. UNTISO-United Nations Truce Supervision Organization, established by the United Nations Security Council in 1949 to supervise armistice agreements between Israel and Arab states. World Zionist Organization-Founded in 1897 at the First Zionist Congress called by Theodor Herzl at Basel, Switzerland. The movement, named after Mount Zion in Jerusalem, was designed to establish in Palestine a national home for Jews scattered throughout the world. Since 1948 its efforts have been devoted primarily to promoting unity of the Jewish people and raising funds. In 1929 it established the Jewish Agency (q.v.). Until 1960 formal name was Zionist Organization, but word World added in new constitution. yeshiva (pl., yeshivot)-The traditional rabbinical educational system comprised of schools for the study of Talmud (q.v.). At the lowest level within the system are Talmud Torah, followed by junior and senior yeshivot at the secondary level, and at the most advanced level, the kolelim (q.v.). In Israeli yeshivot instruction is exclusively in Yiddish. Yiddish-A language based on Medieval Rhineland German used by Jews in eastern, northern, and central Europe and in areas to which Jews from these regions migrated. It contains elements of Hebrew, Russian, and Polish, and it is commonly written in Hebrew characters. Yishuv-The Jewish community in Palestine before statehood. Also used in referring to the period between 1900 and 1948. Yom Kippur-Day of Atonement, which falls on Tishri 10 (see table A, Preface). Zahal-Abbreviation for Zua Haganah Israel, the Israel Defense Forces or IDF. Zionist Organization-See World Zionist Organization. Zohar-The major compendium of teachings on the Kabbalah (q.v.) and as such, a mystical interpretation of the Torah.