From the moment of birth, the average Jewish child is assailed by words--words from parents, relatives, neighbors, teachers, other human beings, billboards, radio, TV, movies, newspapers, and books. How much of that massive volume of verbal experience has a Judaic quality? As a rule, an infinitesimally small fraction.
Yet, Jewish terms are fundamental to Jewish consciousness and Jewish behavior, particularly if they are value terms--words and terminology rooted in tradition which have helped transmit the thought--life of our people. "Mazal tov," "shalom," 'yom tov," "Torah," and "mitzvah" are but a small number of those terms which, in their own way, enabled generations past to communicate the essence of Jewish distinctiveness and Jewish identity. Each is layered in meaning and steeped in history. Each represents a window of assumptions, understandings, and judgments through which our people have viewed the world.
They are among the dozens of terms that have been our code to understanding one another and to transcending differences in geography and custom. Even secular Jews, removed from Jewish religious life, employed them because they provided a common linguistic frame of reference that enhanced Jewish self-awareness. They constituted a unique cultural language that bound us to our ancestors, to one another, and to future generations of Jews.
Knowledge and use of a few such value terms have been included among the requirements for the Maccabee Award in the belief that it is important for every Jewish youngster to learn an active, even if limited, vocabulary of frequently employed Jewish "household" words early in life. The rationale is the same as that which motivated including the Hebrew names of Jewish holidays.
In teaching these terms, parents and leaders should try to avoid instant or incorrect definitions. As an example, it is really not complete to translate "shalom" as "peace." Such a translation misses the core meaning, the basic thought and feeling behind the word.
Mazal tov
Generally defined as good fortune or good luck. the term has become a popular synonym for "congratulations!" Some people pronounce it "mazl tof."
Actually, "mazal" in Biblical and Talmudic times meant a planet or constellation of the zodiac. Ancient belief held that the positions of stars and planets had special powers over us. This is a feeling still maintained by those who practice astrology. The term "mazal," therefore, acquired the connotation of fate or fortune. "Mazal tov" thus literally meant, "may you stand under a good constellation."
In the course of time, the rabbis, as well as Jewish scholars, cautioned our people not to place confidence in signs and omens derived from the stars. Still, the term "mazal" has been retained to signify a happy or fortunate occurrence.
Joyful occasions calling for the use of "mazal tov" are birthdays, a bar or bat mitzvah, a wedding, an anniversary, moving to a new home, beginning a new job, among others.
Selected References
Gross, page 245
Birnbaum, pages 57-58, 349-350
Kolatch, Volume l, page 44
Shalom
This term is commonly used as the greeting in Hebrew for both "hello" and "farewell" or "goodbye." In reality, however, it means neither. It denotes "peace." The word for peace in Arabic, "salem" sounds very much like it.
In Judaism, "shalom" is viewed as God's most perfect and most priceless blessing, the goal of all blessings. It is so important that the term concludes the priestly benediction, is found liberally in the ending prayers of the "silent devotion"" and is a catchword in the grace after meals. What is more. we have been taught that when "shalom" is missing, virtually none of the other blessings in life can compensate for it.
But it would be a mistake to think that "shalom" simply means the absence of war. A country may be at peace with its neighbors, but because of widespread hunger and poverty, may not enjoy the blessing of "shalom." Derived from the Hebrew root meaning wholeness, it signifies harmony despite differences, well-being of every conceivable kind, and above all, perfection. Accordingly, "shalom," meaning "all perfect," is one of the names of God in our tradition.
In short, "shalom" is more akin to a state of cooperation, helpfulness, good neighborliness, and friendly interaction.
Selected References
Gross, pages 64, 236
Birnbaum, pages 601-602
Also consult:
Basic Judaism for Young People, by Naomi Pasachoff, Behrman House, Inc., Volume I, page 19.
The Language of Judaism, by Simon Glustrom, Jonathan David Co., Middle Village, N.Y., pages 20-21.
Workbook 2 to Lessons From in Our Living Past, Behrman House, pages 11, 23, 37.
Yom Tov
Literally, the term means "a good day." Over the centuries, however, it came to be used primarily on festivals, when Jews greeted one another with the expression "gut yom tov."
The term has also been applied to any special occasion that raised a person above the mundane aspects of life or above pain, affliction, and daily concerns.
Selected References
Gross, page 64 Birnbaum, pages 257-258
Torah
In its narrowest sense, the word Torah applies to the "Five Books of Moses," variously referred to as the Pentateuch, the Law, or the Torah. It does have a wider connotation, however.
In earlier centuries, the term was extended to the traditional interpretations, commentaries, and laws embodied in rabbinic literature. Later it was broadened to include the entire body of Judaic culture--religion, ethics, education, etc.
More recently, it began to acquire the definition of learning in the widest sense of the word. It is not uncommon, to hear someone say, with reference to a skill or a piece of information already acquired, "That Torah I already know."
The Torah which refers to the "Five Books of Moses" is unlike any book or set of books the Maccabee Award candidate knows. It is not a book but a scroll. The parent or leader would do well to arrange for the Tiger Cub to see firsthand a Torah scroll complete with its script, rollers, and accoutrements. They include a pointer, mantle, breastplate, crown, bells, etc.
The Jewish Catalog, Volume I, pages 202-209; Volume II, pages 233-273
Trepp, pages 7-8, 18-23
Inside the Synagogue, Chapters 9, 11
Also consult:
Let's Talk about Being Jewish, by Dorothy K. Kripke, Ktav Publishing House.
My Synagogue, by Michael Weisser, Behrman House, an activity booklet.
Basic Judaism for Young People, Volume 2, by Naomi Pasachoff, chapters 12, 17 as well as pages VI-VIII in the foreword.
The Well Dressed Torah, Torah Aura Productions.
Mitzvah
This term has many shades of meaning: good deed, commandment, the obligation to fulfill a Jewish law or commandment, the act of fulfilling a law or commandment, or simply an act of human kindness.
According to the rabbis, there are 613 mitzvot in the "Five Books of Moses." They are divided into two categories: those between man and God, loosely characterized as ritualistic, and those between man and fellow man, customarily described as the ethical commandments. In contrast with Christianity, faith and belief are important, but they are not as significant as performance in Judaism--the fulfillment of a religious act.
Selected References
Birnbaum, pages 390-391
Trepp, pages 1-6
Also consult:
Mitzvot, by Amye Rosenberg, Behrman House, an activity booklet.
Basic Judaism for Young People, Volume 2, by Naomi Pasachoff, Behrman House, pages 67-74.
Let's Talk about Being Jewish, by Dorothy K. Kripke, Ktav Publishing House, pages 36-39.
A Mitzvah Is Something Special, by Phyllis R. Eisenberg, Harper and Row, New York, N.Y.
