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HaAdam HaAcharon
Haaretz Ha-Muvtachat  (hah-E-retz ha-moov-TA-khat) n. The Promised Land; the land promised to Avraham, Yitzchak, Ya'akov (and their descendants) to inherit the land of Eretz Israel (the land of Israel). This is also sometimes spelled Ha'aretz Hamuvtachat. 
Hadassah  (ha-DAS-sah) n. Queen Esther's Jewish name was Hadassah (הֲדַסָּה, see Esther 2:7), derived from hadas (הֲדַס), meaning "myrtle" (i.e., an evergreen shrub) that has an ancient association with healing (hadas is also a branch of myrtle that forms part of the lulav used during Sukkot). The name Esther (אֶסְתֵּר), on the other hand, may derive from the Persian word for "star" or may come from the Babylonian pagan fertility idol named "Ishtar" (an idol that inspired the invention of "Venus"). The English word "Easter" (and its derivatives) also derive from the same root. 
Hadavar  (had-dah-VAHR) n. The Word (of Adonai) (John 1:1, 14). 
Had Gadya  (khad ga-dee-YAH) n. ("one little goat") A playful song that is traditionally the next to last song of the Passover Seder (sung before "L'shana Ha'ba'ah Birushalayim"). The lyrics are in Aramaic and Hebrew and begin: chad gadya, chad gadya (One little goat, one little goat), dizabin abah bitrei zuzei (Which my father bought for two zuzim). The song is cumulative, progressively building on previous verses as it moves through the song. Note that the song is often transliterated as Chad Gadia, Had Gadia, etc. 
Hadlakat Hanerot  (had-lah-KAT han-ne-ROTE) n. phr. Lighting of the candles (on Shabbat). The Shabbat lights are kindled (by the woman of the house) approximately 18 minutes before sunset. The custom of lighting two candles comes from the two synonyms, "Remember" (zachor) and "observe" (shamor) which introduce the Shabbat mitzvah in the two versions of the Torah, respectively. For more information, click here.
Haftarah  (haf-TAH-rah) n. Haftarah (pl. Haftarot); The concluding prophetic section after reciting the Torah on Shabbat or festivals. The person who receives the honor of reading the Haftarah is referred to as the Maftir, the one who concludes the reading of the Torah.
Hagbah / Hagbahah  (hag-bah-HAH) n. Hagbaha: "lifting." Also spelled hagbah, hagba, etc. The honor of raising the Sefer Torah (Torah Scroll) for the congregation to see. Ashekenaz and Sephardic traditions differ as to when this should occur - before or after the Torah reading. Also performed on Simchat Torah celebrations.
Hagbalah - Hagbalot  (hag-bah-HAH) n. Religious boundaries, limits, or restrictions (based on the commandment to set boundaries around Sinai during the time of the revelation of Torah: "And you shall set boundaries (הַגְבָּלוֹת) for the people all around, saying, 'Take care not to go up into the mountain or touch the edge of it. Whoever touches the mountain shall be put to death" (Exod. 19:12).
Hagedulah Bamarom  (hag-dool-LAH bam-mah-ROHM) n. phr. "The Greatness on High", a euphemism for YHVH (Heb. 1:3).
Haggadah  (hag-gah-DAH) n. Telling; story; narrative. The Haggadah shel Pesach is a book containing the story of the Passover that is read during a seder.
Haggadah Shel Pesach  (hag-gah-DAH shel PAY-sakh) n. A book containing the story of the Passover that is read during a seder.
Hagniut  (ha-gee-NOOT) n. Honesty; integrity.
Hakarat Tovah  (hak-kah-rat toh-VAH) n. הַכָּרַת טוֹבָה "Good recognition"; or "recognizing goodness"; i.e., gratitude; (also spelled hakarat hatov: הַכָּרַת הַטוֹב). Cultivating gratitude means learning to look at things with the "good eye," by choosing to see good in all circumstances. Ingratitude comes from a sense of entitlement, or the impression that good things should to you apart from any merit or need of your own. Instead of focusing on what you lack, and thereby seeing with an eye of fear, make the decision to trust that God is taking care of all your needs. Ask the LORD to open your eyes to His goodness. We must be careful to practice gratitude, especially before God. Taking God's blessings for granted, or assuming that you are entitled to better or more, is to "forget" the Source of your sustenance. Though we all want God's blessing and help, we must be careful when such blessing is bestowed to us, since that can lead to the illusion that we don't really need God. To live without conscious awareness of the presence of God is horrible.
Hakhnasat Orechim  (hakh-nah-sat oh-re-KHEEM) n. Hachnasat orchim: hospitality; hosting guests, especially on Shabbat or a yom tov. This is the characteristic that commended Abraham before the LORD and he was therefore honored as the father of the Jewish people.
Hakkadosh Barukh Hu  (hak-ka-DOSH ba-rukh HOO) phr. "The Holy One, blessed be He"; see the Names of God.
Hakkafot  (hak-ka-FOHT) n. The procession around the synagogue of the Sefer Torah during the holiday of Simchat Torah.
Hakol Beseder  (ha-kohl be-SAY-der) phr. Everything is in order; all is well.
Hakshavah  (hak-shah-VAH) n. Listening; heeding, and therefore obeying (from kashav, to heed, attend to). Not merely "hearing," but attending to the details of communication, especially interpersonal communication between people. Keshev (n) is attentiveness; kashav/kashuv (adj) means attentive. Shama is a synonym.
Halakhah  (ha-la-khah) n. An umbrella term for the entire body of Jewish law. The root of the word means "go" or "walk" (halakh). Halakhah, then, is the "way" a Jew is directed to behave in every aspect of life, encompassing civil, criminal, and religious law. In actual fact, Halakhah is used more as a synonym for the Oral Law (Torah Shebal Peh). Halakhah includes three subdivisions: Gezierah, Takkanah, and Minhag (see entries for each of these terms for more information).
Halbashat Arumim  (hal-bah-shat a-roo-MEEM) n. Clothing the naked. Clothing those in need.
Hallel  (hal-LAYL) n. Praise; Praise songs. Psalms 113-118. As part of Jewish liturgy, the Hallel is a verbatim recitation from Psalms 113-118 used to offer praise and thanksgiving on Passover, Shavuot and Sukkot, Chanukkah, and Rosh Chodesh. Hallel is not said on Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur, for obvious reasons, nor is it recited on Purim, since the miracles recorded there did not occur in the land of Israel. There are different types of Hallel:
Hevel  (HE-vel) n. 1. Abel, the third son of Adam and Eve. 2. Vanity; vapor; breath (Eccl. 1:2).
Hey  (HAY) n. Hey. 5th letter of the alphabet having a guttural sound of "h" as in hay. Originally represented by a pictograph meaning "behold!" Gematria = 5.
Hidden Bread  (LE-khem ha-nis-TAHR) n. (לֶחֶם הַנִסְתָּר); "Hidden bread," referring to the spiritual food that Yeshua ate to sustain Him in His mission (John 4:31-34). Note that this may also be called ma'akhal haNistar (מַאֲכַל הַנִסְתָּר) to correspond with the more general term for food used in the Greek New Testament (i.e., βρῶσις in John 4:32). It may also be called "secret bread," lechem sod (לֶחֶם סוֹד), implying that it is provided by the agency of the Spirit and not through the agency of natural production. Yeshua found great comfort and joy in doing the will of God and counted it as his spiritual food. As the prophet Job said, "I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food" (Job 23:12).
Hidden Miracle  (nays nees-STAHR) n. Nes Nistar (נֵס נִסְתָר). A hidden miracle, a term sometimes used to describe the story of Purim and other special deliverances of the Jewish people.
Hiddur Mitzvah  (heed-DUR meetz-VAH) phr. "Beautifying the commandments." The custom of making beautiful ritual objects. An action or ritual intended to make a religious act or object as beautiful as possible.
Hiddur Pnei Zakein  (heed-DUR pe-nay zah-KAYN) phr. "Respecting the elders." The midrash says: He who welcomes an old man is as if he welcomed the Shechina (God's presence).
High Holidays  (yah-MEEM han-noh-rah-EEM) n. The Days of Awe; the High Holidays; also, Yamim Noraim - Days of Awe. Ten days from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur. The process of teshuvah - literally "turning," calls us to rethink our goals and aspirations, our relationships with others and with the LORD, and take the steps necessary to repair what is broken.
Highest Heaven  (she-may ha-shah-MA-yeem) n. Highest Heaven. The third heaven.
Hillel  (heel-LEL) n. Hillel. Jewish student center. Named after the great Rabbi Hillel (110 BCE to 10 AD), a sage highly venerated among some Jews. Hillel was a contemporary of Yeshua the Messiah and perhaps took many of his ideas from the Master. Hillel was called the Nasi, a "Prince," "President," etc. His foil was another sage called Shammai. Hillel and Shammai Two opposing schools of thought (known as "houses") developed: one following Hillel and another following Shammai. The Talmud records over 300 differences of opinion between Bet Hillel (the House of Hillel) and Bet Shammai (the House of Shammai). In almost every one of these disputes, Hillel's view prevailed.
Hineni Shalacheini  (hee-ne-NEE she-lah-KHAY-nee) phr. "Here I am; send me." Isaiah's response to the LORD's question: "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" (Isa. 6:8). Isaiah's answer, hineni ("Here am I") was the same word both Moses and Samuel used when they had encountered the LORD. God then commisioned Isaiah to go tell the people, listen again and again (but do not understand); look again and again (but do not see). As with Pharaoh, the heart of the listeners would be hardened and the message would be disregarded. When Isaiah asked how long he should preach, the LORD said until their cities are all destroyed and people are exiled from the land. Nevertheless, a "holy stump" would remain from which the people would one day be regenerated.
Hishtadelut  (heesh-ta-de-LOOT) n. 1) intercession; 2) natural effort; action. The idea is that you do your duty and put the rest in God's hands for the outcome.
Hitbodedut  (heet boh-de-DOOT) n. הִתְבּוֹדְדוּת, seclusion; separation (from בִּדוּד, bidud, seclusion, separation). Hitbodedut refers to spontaneous prayer taught by Rebbe Nachman of Breslov. The goal is to establish an intimate relationship with God by talking to Him in an intimate, informal manner while secluded in a private setting. Doing hitbodedut involves pouring your heart out to God in an honest, transparent, and earnest way. Psalm 62:8. 
Hitgalut  (heet ga-LOOT) n. 1) Revelation; Disclosure (e.g., God's ~ to Abraham); 2) In the B'rit Chadashah, the Revelation of Yeshua the Messiah as given to His emissary Yochanan (John) (i.e., the book of Revelation).
Hoda'ah  (hoh-dah-AH) n. Gratitude; thankfulness; appreciation; praise; worship. Life is a gift from heaven. Think of seven blessings in your life to create your own personal "menorah of thankfulness."
Holiday  (khag / khag-GEEM) Holiday(s).
Holiday Prayerbook  (mahkh-ZOHR) n. "Cycle." Prayerbook for the festivals. A High Holiday prayerbook.
Holiness  (ke-doo-SHAH) n. Sanctification; holiness; The Kedushah is also a prayer (requiring a minyan) that repeats the "Holy, Holy, Holy..." verses in the Tanakh.
Holy Ark (Synagogue)  (ah-ROHN ha-koh-DESH) The Holy Ark. The special cabinet in which the Torah scrolls are kept. The plural for Torah is Sifrei Torah (seef-ray).
Holy Ark (Temple)  (ah-ROHN ha-be-REET) n. The ark of the covenant (brit). This sacred item of the Mishkan (and later of the Temple) was also called the aron ha'edut (ark of the testimony). The ark was a gold-plated wooden chest that housed the second set of two luchot (tablets) of the Ten Mitzvot that God spoke to the Israelites at Sinai (as well as some manna and Aaron's rod that blossomed, though later these two items were removed [1 Kings 8:9]). The Kohathites (a subclan of Levites) carried the Ark during the Israelite's wandering in the wilderness. After the conquest of Canaan, it was initially kept at Shiloh and was sometimes carried into battle by the Kohanim. King David later took it to Jerusalem, and his son Solomon placed it in the Bet Hamikdash (Temple) of Jerusalem, where it rested in the Holy of Holies and was seen only by the high priest on Yom Kippur.  The Scriptures describe the Ark as made of shittah wood. It was a cubit and a half broad and high, and two and a half cubits long (about 3.75 x 2.25 x 2.25 feet). The Ark was covered with pure gold and its lid, called the the kapporet (mercy seat) was surrounded with a rim of gold. On each of the two sides were two gold rings wherein were placed two wooden poles (with a decorative sheathing of gold) to allow the Ark to be carried (Num. 7:9; 10:21; 4:5,19, 20; 1 Kings 8:3, 6). Over the Ark, at the two extremities, were two cherubim, with their faces turned toward one another (Leviticus 16:2; Num. 7:89). Their outspread wings over the kapporet formed the throne of God, while the Ark itself was his footstool (Ex. 25:10-22; 37:1-9). The Ark was placed in the Kodesh hakodashim, the Holy of Holies, so that one end of the carrying poles touched the veil separating the two compartments of the tabernacle (1 Kings 8:8).
Holy Bible  (keet-vay hak-KOH-daysh) n. The Holy Bible. Tanakh.
Holy of Holies  (ko-daysh hak-ko-dah-SHEEM) n. The Holy of Holies. The Kodesh Hakodoshim was the inner part of the Heichal (temple).
Holy Priesthood  (ke-hoon-NAT KOH-desh) n. Holy priesthood. "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 2:5 "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." 1 Peter 2:9
Holy Spirit  (ROO-akh hak-koh-DAYSH) n. Ruach Hakodesh; Holy Spirit; Divine Spirit; Inspiration; Prophecy. See the Names of God.
Home Dedication  (kha-nook-KAHT ha-BAI-yeet) n. Dedication of the home; the ceremony affixing the mezuzah. Informally, a Chanukat Bayit is a house-warming ceremony. In Deuteronomy one is commanded to dedicate a new home as an official endorsement of its new place and purpose. "Is there anyone who has built a new house but has not dedicated it? Let him go back to his home, lest he die in battle and another dedicate it." (Deut. 20:5). Upon first moving into your new house, it is customary to leave a certain space or wall free of decoration and furnishing as a remembrance of the destruction of the Temple. It has also been known for Jewish people to use bread, salt and candles to initiate their new home. The bread represents the hope that there will always be enough food; the candles are a symbol of light and joy; and the salt is a reminder of the Temple sacrifices and tears shed.
Honesty (ha-gee-NOOT) n. Honesty; integrity.
Honoring Father and Mother  (key-bood av ve-AYM) phr. "Honor father and mother." Showing respect and love to one's parents (based on Exodus 20:12, 5th Commandment).
Honoring Parents and Teachers  (key-bood hoh-reem oo-moh-REEM) phr. "Honoring parents and teachers." The principle of showing respect to your teachers.
Hope  (teek-VAH) n. Hope. From kavah - wait, look for. Ha-Tikvah is "The Hope" - the national anthem for medinat Yisrael (the modern state of Israel). Tikvatenu means "our hope.  Yesh-tikvah le'acharitekh - for there is hope for your future. (Jer 31:17)  Yesh tikvah - there is hope (Lam 3:29).  Akh le-lohim domi nafshi, ki-mimenu tikvati - For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. (Psalm 62:5)  Ki-attah tikvati Adonai YHVH, mivtachi min'urai - For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O LORD, from my youth. (Psalm 71:5)
Horn  (KE-ren) n. Horn (of an animal); natural weapons on heads of animals; when applied to humans, horns can represent pride and defiance (e.g., Psalm 75:5, 10). Horns we used for holding shemen (oil) and as musical instruments. The Shechinah radiance streaming from Moses' face after he met with God (Ex. 34:29) is likened to horns (this mistranslation of keren (in the Vulgate) as "horns" of an animal misled Michael Angelo to place two small homs on Moses' head in his famous statue), and horns were put on the altar to focus the symbolic presence and power of God. To have one's horns exalted by God is to gain victory and salvation (Psalm 92:10; David's horn is to bud, Psalm 132:17). God is the source of all true salvation, hence he is termed the Horn of Salvation (2Sam 22:3). In a general sense, then, horns represent power, but this metaphor can be applied to God, to the Mashiach, to Moses, to David, to evil men and political rulers, and so on.
Hosanna  (ho-sha'-NA') phr. Hosanna; from an abbreviation of "O save!" (Psalm 118:25). A combination form of the words hosha and na (bring us salvation, please): 
Hosea  (ho-SHAY-ah) n. Hosea, one of the 12 "Minor" prophets and part of the Nevi'im. Adonai's messenger to the northern kingdom during her declining years regarding the love of God despite Israel's failures. Hoshea means "Adonai is Deliverer."
Hoshana Rabbah  (ho-sha'-na' rab-BAH) n. Hoshana Rabba; "Great Hoshana"; The 7th day of Sukkot special service. For each day of the Sukkot festival a Torah scroll is removed from the ark and brought to the bimah. The chazan and congregation circle the bimah holding the lulav and esrog and recite the Hoshana prayer. On the first six days of the Festival, the bimah is circled once. On Hoshana Rabbah, the last day of the Festival, seven circles are made. This custom commemorates the service in the Bet ha-Mikdash during which the kohanim would circle the altar once daily and seven times on Hoshana Rabbah.
Holocaust  (SHOH-ah) n. Shoah. From the Hebrew word meaning destruction. Usually used to refer to the systematic Nazi destruction of European Jewry which began in 1933 when Adolph Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany. This horrendous evil reduced the world's Jewish population by over one third. Also called haShoah.
Holocaust Remembrance Day  (yohm ha-SHOH-ah) n. Yom HaShoah, also known as Holocaust Remembrance Day, occurs on the 27th of Nissan. A day set aside by the government of Israel as the day to commemorate the Holocaust and its victims.
Hospitality (hakh-nah-sat oh-re-KHEEM) n. Hachnasat orchim: hospitality; hosting guests, especially on Shabbat or a yom tov. This is the characteristic that commended Abraham before the LORD and he was therefore honored as the father of the Jewish people.
House Dedication  (cha-noo-KAT hab-BIE-yeet) n. The dedication of a house; the minhag (custom) of dedicating a new house by affixing a mezzuah to the doorpost. Often an oneg is held and friends come over to see the new place. For the blessing, click here.
House of God  (bayt ha-e-loh-HEEM) n. The House of God; bet Hamikdash; Temple; synagogue.
House of Prayer for all peoples  (bayt te-fee-LAH le-khol ha-am-MEEM) n. "A house of prayer for all nations." This comes from Isa. 56:6-9: "And the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD, to minister to him, to love the name of the LORD, and to be his servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it, and holds fast my covenant-- these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples" (כִּי בֵיתִי בֵּית־תְּפִלָּה יִקָּרֵא לְכָל־הָעַמִּים). The Lord GOD, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, declares, "I will gather yet others to him besides those already gathered."
Hoveh  (ho-VEH) n. The present (tense); derived from the root hayah, meaning to be; to exist.
Humility  (a-nah-VAH) n. Humility; proper self-respect; Proverbs 16:18-19. The Talmud says that humility is the greatest of all the middot tovot (good qualities) from which all other middot tovot stem. Conversely gei'ah [arrogance-haughtiness] is the primary middah ra (bad quality) from which all other bad middot stem). "I shall explain how you should become accustomed to the practice of humility in your daily life. Let your voice be gentle, and your head bowed. Let your eyes be turned earthwards and your heart heavenwards. When you speak to someone do not look him in the face. Let every man seem superior to you in your own eyes. If he is wise or rich, you have reason to respect him. If he is poor and you are richer or wiser than he, think to yourself that you are therefore all the more unworthy and he all the less, for if you sin, you do so intentionally whereas he only sins unintentionally." - Nachmanides (from a letter he wrote to his son)
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