kedushah
Low (specialised religious/ theological term in English)Formal, theological, liturgical; used primarily in Jewish religious contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A state of holiness, sanctity, or sacredness; in Judaism, a concept of being set apart for divine purposes.
The specific prayer in Jewish liturgy praising God's holiness; also refers to the general Jewish concept of sanctification in ritual, time, space, and life events.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
A loanword from Hebrew (קדושה). While 'holiness' is its general English translation, 'kedushah' often retains a more specifically Jewish theological nuance, relating to the observance of commandments (mitzvot) and separation from the profane.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage, as the term is confined to specific religious discourse.
Connotations
Identical in both varieties: specifically Jewish religious connotation.
Frequency
Equally rare and context-specific in both British and American English outside Jewish communities.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
the kedushah of [something/someone]to live with/in kedushahVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in theological, religious studies, and Judaic studies contexts.
Everyday
Virtually never used in general conversation outside of religious teaching or discussion.
Technical
Used as a technical term in Jewish liturgy and law (Halakha).
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The word 'kedushah' is a Hebrew word.
- In the synagogue, we recited the kedushah prayer.
- The rabbi's lecture explored the concept of kedushah in everyday life, focusing on ritual and ethical behaviour.
- Theological interpretations of kedushah posit it not merely as ritual purity but as an active process of imitatio Dei through ethical and legal observance.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'KEdushah' for 'KEy to DUty and Sacred Holiness'.
Conceptual Metaphor
HOLINESS IS SEPARATION (being set apart); HOLINESS IS ELEVATION (spiritual ascent).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with Russian 'святость' (svyatost') for general contexts; 'kedushah' is specifically Jewish. Avoid using it as a direct translation for 'благословение' (blagosloveniye - blessing) or 'чистота' (chistota - purity).
Common Mistakes
- Mispronouncing the 'sh' as 's' (kedusah).
- Using it as a general synonym for 'blessing'.
- Capitalising it unnecessarily in mid-sentence.
- Using it in plural form (*kedushahs) – it's generally uncountable.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'kedushah' most appropriately used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a Hebrew loanword used in English, primarily within Jewish religious and academic discourse. It is not a common English word.
'Holiness' is the general English translation. 'Kedushah' retains specific Jewish theological connotations related to commandments, separation from the profane, and the specific liturgical prayer.
No, 'kedushah' is a noun. The related adjective is 'kadosh' (holy/sacred).
It is commonly pronounced /kəˈduːʃə/ in English, with the stress on the second syllable: ke-DOO-shah.