kahal

K5A1H4A1L1

noun

The local governing body of a former European Jewish community, administering religious, legal and communal affairs.

OriginHebrew קָהָל →
Scrabble 12
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Meanings

nounkahal (plural kahals)

plural kahals · alternative qahal

  1. JudaismThe local governing body of a former European Jewish community, administering religious, legal and communal affairs.

    The State of Israel is the modern equivalent of the kahal, and its democratic institutions must be treated with the same respect and authority as the medieval kahal.

    2000, David Golinkin, “The Assassination Of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin Z"L”, in Responsa in a Moment, volume 3, page 91
  2. JudaismA congregation.

Origin

  1. Hebrewקָהָל“community”
  2. Englishkahal

Borrowed from Hebrew קָהָל (kahál, “community”).

More words from Hebrew

Full word history & related roots →

Rhymes & wordplay

Anagrams

LakhaAlakh
Cite this entry
APA

kahal. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/kahal

MLA

“kahal.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/kahal. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “kahal,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/kahal.

Source: kahal on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.