Dictionary

herem en · NOUN

Etymology

Transliteration of Hebrew חֵרֶם (ḥērem). Doublet of haram and harem.

Meanings

1. (Judaism, countable, uncountable) A prohibition enacted by rabbinic authority.
   • Rabbi David Hacohen of Corfu supported a ḥerem against dancing by men with married women. 2024, David Golinkin, “Is Mixed Dancing Really Forbidden At Weddings?”, in Responsa in a Moment, volume 4, page 235:
   • Six months after the Brisker Rav's arrival in 1878, he reinstated the cherem against any changes in the educational system. 1998, David Rossoff, “The Battle Cry”, in Where Heaven Touches Earth:
2. (Judaism, countable, uncountable) The exclusion of a person from the Jewish community.
   • Mr Raz said he was fired from his job at the settlement council six months ago because of his involvement in the campaign and a rabbi placed him in "herem", an ancient religious practice requiring that a wayward person be ostracised. 2006 March 23, Chris McGreal, “Settlers don't know when the knock on the door will come and they have to leave”, in The Guardian:

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