Mishnah
Collection of oral laws that complemented and annotate the written laws, compiled by rabbi Yehudah ha Nasi in the 3rd century.

narthex
A portico or a rectangular entrance-hall, parallel with the west end of an early Christian basilica or church.

protospatharios
The first spatharios. A higher byzantine official of the imperial hierarchy which usually permitted participation in the senate. It was awarded even to eunuchs. After the 11th century, it gradually lost its importance. It was also an honorary title.

rabbi
A title bestowed on the 'teacher' (scholar) of the Pentateuch (Torah). The concept and the role of the rabbi has evolved considerably over the centuries. Today, the term refers to those who have received extensive training in the rabbinic literature and have delved into the issues of Jewish Law (Halakha). Rabbis were always the religious leaders of Jewish communities, while often the rabbi who is in charge of a synagogue is called chief-rabbi.

responsa (plural of the Latin responsum)
Part of rabbinic literature, exchange of epistles (rabbinic correspondence) featuring questions and answers on specific legal issues.

strategos ("general")
During the Roman period his duties were mainly political. Οffice of the Byzantine state´s provincial administration. At first the title was given to the military and political administrator of the themes, namely of the big geographic and administrative unities of the Byzantine empire. Gradually the title lost its power and, already in the 11th century, strategoi were turned to simple commanders of military units, responsible for the defence of a region.

Talmud
A collection of Hebrew texts from enlightened rabbis, not forming part of the Bible yet constituting the continuation of the Jewish Bible; among else, it includes texts pertaining to the interpretation of Mosaic Law, and legal, theological, moral, scientific and historical texts. There are two Talmuds: the Babylonian Talmud and the Talmud of Jerusalem or Palestinian Talmud.

theme
A Byzantine term that signifies wide military and administrative units under the administration of a strategos (general). The institution was consolidated in the 7th century and was characteristic for the organization and the division of Byzantine Empire at the Middle Byzantine period. The term applies also to the army unit that resided in each administrative unit and was staffed by farmer-soldiers. The thematic system was maintained until the end of Byzantine period. However, in the Later Byzantine period it was used in order to declare mostly tax units.