Borshtsh (Russ.). Sour soup made of beet-root.
Cantonist (Ger.). Jewish soldier under Czar Nicholas I, torn from his parents as a child, and forcibly estranged from Judaism.
Challeh (Heb.). Loaves of bread prepared for the Sabbath, over which the blessing is said; always made of wheat flour, and sometimes yellowed with saffron.
Charif (Heb.). A Talmudic scholar and dialectician.
Chassidim (sing. Chossid) (Heb.). "Pious ones"; followers of Israel Baal Shem, who opposed the sophisticated intellectualism of the Talmudists, and laid stress on emotionalism in prayer and in the performance of other religious ceremonies. The Chassidic leader is called Tzaddik ("righteous one"), or Rebbe. See art. "Hasidim," in the Jewish Encyclopedia, vol. vi.
Chayyé Odom. A manual of religious practice used extensively by the common people.
Cheder (pl. Chedorim) (Heb.). Jewish primary school.
Chillul ha-Shem (Heb.). "Desecration of the Holy Name"; hence, scandal.
Chirik (Heb.). Name of the vowel "i"; in Volhynia "u" is pronounced like "i."
Davvening. Saying prayers.