Encyclopedia

A B C F G H I M P R S T W Z
Cha Chu
  • Chachamim

    Chachamim

    חכמים – The sages is the term used by the Mishna for those we have come to call in Tannaim, the rabbis from the time of the Mishna (and baraitot). When “the Chachamim say,” this reflects a consensus opinion which the halacha generally follows. Today, we usually refer to “our sages of blessed memory” by…

  • Chazal

    Chazal

    חז”ל – “our Sages, of blessed memory,” the abbreviation for חכמנו זכרונם לברכה – Chachmenu zichronam li-veracha, meaning the Tannaim (rabbis of the Mishnah period) and Amoraim (rabbis of the Gemara period). Variations are also used, such as רז”ל – Rabbotenu zichronam li-veracha, “our teachers, of blessed memory.”

  • Chumash

    Chumash

    חומש – The five books of the Torah, the first five of Tanach: Bereshit, Shemot, Vayikra, Bemidbar, and Devarim (as we call them today); in English, via Greek and Latin: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. On other terms used for Chumash and its books, see my Introduction to Sefer Bereshit. As the Written Torah…