Alter Rebbe: Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi of blessed memory, the first Rebbe of the Chabad Chassidic movement, also known as the Baal HaTanya, the author of the Tanya
Anash: Lit., “the people with whom we are at peace”; this term is used to refer to other members of one’s Chassidic community
Avodah: Lit. “service,” i.e., toiling and growing in the service of Hashem
Avodas HaTefillah: Lit. “the service of prayer,” prayer at length accompanied by lengthy meditation on Chassidic concepts
Chassidus: A unique school of mystical thought, taught by a Chassidic Rebbe
Chassidus Chabad: The school of Chassidic thought taught by the Rebbeim of Chabad
Chabad: The Chassidic dynasty founded by Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi
Chitas: An acronym for Chumash (the five books of Moses),Tehillim (Psalms), and the Tanya of Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi. The Previous Rebbe instructed that everyone learn a daily portion of each Chumash and Tanya and recite a daily portion of Tehillim
Chossid (pl. chassidim): Disciple(s) of a Rebbe
Davven: to pray; Davvenen: prayer
Farbrengen (v. to farbreng): A Chabad Chassidic gathering, for the purpose of inspiring the participants to greater love of Hashem, of their fellow Jew, and of Torah, according to the guidance of Chabad Chassidus
Gimmel Tammuz: The 3rd day of the month of Tammuz, the day of the Histalkus of the Rebbe
Hashem: G-d
Hiskashrus: Bond with the Rebbe, established by studying his teachings and following his directives
Histalkus: Passing of a Tzaddik, especially one who taught mystical secrets (“penimiyus haTorah”)
Hisvaaduyos: The Rebbe’s unedited public addresses
Iskafya: Self-restraint in order to subdue the animal soul
Lubavitch: The town that served as the center of the Chabad movement from 1812-1915. The movement is named after this city. Literally, the name means “City of love” in Russian.
Maamar (pl. Maamorim): A Chassidic discourse
Mashpia: A spiritual mentor for a Chabad chossid
Nasi HaDor: “Leader of the generation”—the Tzaddik of the generation
Neshama: The special, extra Jewish soul
Nigleh: The revealed, legal dimension of the Torah
Rebbe (pl. Rebbe’im): Leader of a Chassidic movement, who is a great Tzaddik
Rov (pl. Rabbonim): The rabbi of a community, who is a halachic expert
Sicha (pl. Sichos): A public address of the Rebbe or one of the earlier Rebbe’im
Shaliach (pl. Shluchim): An emissary of the Rebbe, sent to spread Yiddishkeit and Chassidus
Shulchan Aruch: The Code of Jewish Law of Rabbi Yosef Caro
Tanya: The Alter Rebbe’s magnum opus, discussing the nature of Hashem, the souls, Teshuvah, and deep self-refinement; this work is known as “The Written Torah of Chassidus”
Toras Menachem: The Rebbe’s unedited public addresses
Tzaddik (pl. Tzaddikim): According to the Alter Rebbe’s holy work known as Tanya, a Tzaddik is a saintly Jew who possesses no evil inclination
Yom Hillula: The day of the passing of a Tzaddik who taught Pnimiyus HaTorah (the inner dimension of Torah); Hillula means literally “wedding,” for this day is regarded as a joyous occasion
Yud Shevat: The 10th day of the month of Shevat, the day of the Histalkus of the sixth Rebbe of Chabad, when the Rebbe became the Rebbe
