Glossary
- Yad
- Lit., hand. The pointer used when reading the Torah.
- Yael
- Yael was instrumental in the Israelites' obtaining the victory that Deborah had prophesied. When she encountered the enemy king, Yael invited him into her tent. She fed him milk to make him drowsy. When he fell asleep, Yael made sure he would never wake again by driving a tent peg through his temple.
- Yah
- A name for God, as in halleluya – praise God. Some people prefer this name to Adonai (Lord) as a non-gendered option. Some equate the sound of yah to the sound of an exhaled breath.
- Yahrzeit
- (Yiddish) The anniversary of a death, usually marked by the lighting of a 24-hour (yahrzeit) candle and the recitation of Kaddish, the memorial prayer. In the US, the unveiling of the headstone usually takes place on or around the first yahrzeit.
- Yarmulke
- Yiddish for kippah. Small cap traditionally worn by Jewish men and now also by some women. Some cover their heads all the time; some do so only during prayer and study.
- Yehi Ratzon
- The opening of many prayers, "May it be Your Will ..."
- Yeshiva
- School of traditional Jewish study. Although traditionally, only for males, today there are some yeshivot for females, as well.
- Yetzer Hara
- The evil inclination. This is understood to be an aspect of every human being which leads to sin. It is not entirely without its uses, however. In the Talmud, the rabbis ask why God created the yetzer hara and conclude that it is necessary so that people propagate and build. It is similar to the psychological concept of id.
- Yetzer Hatov
- The inclination for good. That part of human beings which leads us to do good and act righteously in the world.
- Yom Hashoah [v'HaGivurah]
- Holocaust Memorial Day (also known as Heroes and Martyrs Rememberance Day), commemorated on the 27th of Nissan.
- Yom Ha’atzma'ut
- Israel Independence Day, celebrated with parties and parades on the 5th of Iyar; preceded by Israel Memorial Day.
- Yom Kippur – The Day of Atonement
- On Yom Kippur, the culmination of a long period of self-reflection, Jews fast, abstain from all worldly pleasure, and gather in prayers that last throughout the day. The shofar is sounded in one long blast at the conclusion of the holy day, following Ne'ilah, the final prayers, during which Jews envision the Gates of Repentance closing. It is customary to begin building one's sukkah as soon as the fast ends.
- Yom Tov
- A festival or holiday. Most of the restrictions that apply on Shabbat also apply on yom tov, with the exception of the prohibitions against cooking and carrying.
- Yom Yerushalayim
- Jerusalem Day, commemorating the unification of Jerusalem on the 28th of Iyar.