herem

noun

1. (Judaism, countable, uncountable)A prohibition enacted by rabbinic authority.

   “Six months after the Brisker Rav's arrival in 1878, he reinstated the cherem against any changes in the educational system.”

   “Rabbi David Hacohen of Corfu supported a ḥerem against dancing by men with married women.”

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.”