aufruf means an aliyah (Torah reading) made by the bridegroom, typically on the Shabbat before the wedding; a gathering at which this occurs. It carries an Arena rating of 1322, earned across 3 head-to-head judged battles.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, aufruf ranks #2,755 of 17,149 for Most Exacting Words, #2,805 of 17,132 for Most Betrayed by Its Sound, #4,979 of 17,140 for Most Whimsical Words, #5,553 of 17,130 for Most Beautiful Words.
aufruf is pronounced /ˈʊfˌɹʊf/.
Why “aufruf” is a great word
Aufruf is the ritual summons for a groom to ascend to the Torah reading on the Shabbat preceding his wedding, followed by a communal celebration of sweets and song. Its name derives from Yiddish אויפֿרוף (oyfruf, 'summoning, calling up'), with its spelling influenced by German Aufruf ('call, appeal'). Unlike the general aliyah, an honor accorded to any congregant, or the kiddush, a sanctification over wine or the repast that may follow, the aufruf is a singular confluence of personal milestone and public covenant. It is the tremor in a young man's voice as he chants the ancient blessings, the gentle rain of candies symbolizing a sweet life, and the clasped hands of a community that, for one luminous moment, holds the future aloft—a joyful, deliberate rehearsal for the weight and lift of a life built together.
Etymology
Borrowed from Yiddish אויפֿרוף (oyfruf, “summoning”), with the spelling influenced by German Aufruf.
noun
- An aliyah (Torah reading) made by the bridegroom, typically on the Shabbat before the wedding; a gathering at which this occurs.
Definitions & examples from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).
Words closest in meaning
By meaning, not spelling — each word's AI semantic fingerprint, nearest first.
- aliyah 58% match — The calling up of someone to the bimah for the reading of the Torah. vs aufruf →
- chuppah 51% match — The canopy over a Jewish couple during their marriage ceremony. vs aufruf →
- halitzah 51% match — A rite by which a widow absolves herself of the duty of levirate marriage. It involves making a declaration, removing a shoe, and spitting on the floor. vs aufruf →
- vort 50% match — A short Torah lesson, thought, or insightful saying, often shared at a wedding, gathering, or celebration. vs aufruf →
- zimrah 50% match — A table song sung at the Shabbat dinner table on Friday night. vs aufruf →
- chasseneh 50% match — A wedding. vs aufruf →
- challah 50% match — A traditional bread eaten by Ashkenazi Jews, usually braided for the Sabbath and round for a yom tov. vs aufruf →
- broose 50% match — A race from the church to the bridegroom's house, part of wedding festivities. vs aufruf →