Multimedia Mania/abacus-multimedia-mania.iso/dp/0028/00289.txt

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$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.