Symbols are a fundamental element of Jewish identity, acting as bridges between the past and the present, the sacred and the everyday. Through them, religious beliefs, historical experiences and cultural values that have shaped the Jewish people over the centuries are expressed. In this section, we will explore the main symbols that have been established as recognizable reference points of Jewish faith and culture, analyzing their significance and role in strengthening collective identity and memory.
The seven-light lamp or menorah was a lamp vessel with seven lamps that burned in Solomon’s Temple. Over time it became a symbol of the Israelites and the Jewish religion, and today it appears as one of the symbols of the State of Israel. The symbol of the State of Israel depicts the Menorah with two olive branches on either side, as the prophet Zechariah had envisioned it. The meaning of this symbol is – as it says in the book of the prophet Zechariah: “You will succeed neither by human strength nor by physical strength, but by My Spirit!” (that is, that the true power is found in the spirit of God).
The kippah is the small hat that men wear when they are in the Synagogue or when they pray. Religious people wear the kippah all the time. Wearing a kippah is an old habit that shows our respect and fear for the God above us.
The talit is a rectangular shawl worn by men in the synagogue during certain prayers, obeying the command stated in the Torah. Each corner of the talit must have a finish consisting of four threads folded, i.e. a total of eight threads. These threads are braided in a special way with each other so that five double knots are formed.
Tefilins are two small boxes of leather containing a piece of papyrus with passages from the Bible inscribed. Tefilins are worn only by men from 13 years of age and above – the first time is in their religious adulthood – Bar Mitzvah – one on the left hand and one on the forehead, during morning prayers, on weekdays.
The origin of the name comes from the folk tradition that wants the shield of King David decorated with this geometric shape. The Star of David along with other geometric designs appears since antiquity as an ornament on buildings or utensils and it is known that in various peoples it was had it as a symbol against the “evil eye”. The Star of David “Magen David” It consists of two equilateral triangles, one upwards and the other downwards, forming six vertices. According to Jewish tradition, it is a symbol of God. The triangle with one corner upwards symbolizes his spiritual world and Heaven, while the lower triangle symbolizes his carnal nature and the Earth. This symbol appears on the flag of the State of Israel, which was adopted on October 28, 1948. Only 200 years ago, Magen David became a central Jewish symbol and began to adorn synagogues, Jewish communities and many religious utensils. At the time of World War II, the Nazis forced Jews to sew a yellow Magen David on their clothes, with the word “Jew” in the center, to distinguish them from their fellow citizens. This Magen David became the symbol of the tragic fate of the Jews in the Holocaust.
Of the religious objects, the most important is the mezuza that enters the doors of houses. All three of these objects have biblical origins and were created for the same purpose: to remind Jews of God’s Law. In the Bible, reference is made to the mezuza in Deuteronomy 6:9: “… You will write the commands on the doors of your house and on your gates.” This order and the placement of the mezuza in homes serves a dual purpose. One is as a reminder of God’s Laws, and the second is that it serves as a symbol of the Jew’s faith and participation in the Jewish people. Inside the mezuza is placed a piece of papyrus, where a skilled scribe has written in indelible ink the part of the Shema prayer. This piece of papyrus is carefully wrapped and placed inside the mezuza. Mezuzot (plural of Mesuzah) are placed on all doors of the house.
According to Jewish tradition, when Moses came down from Mount Sinai, he had in his hands the two stone tablets on which were written the 10 commandments. Legend has it that God made the plates by carving the sun and wrote them with fire. The 10 commandments are the basis of all Torah.
After the sin of the golden calf, Moses broke the plates and made new ones in their place with the same commands as in the former. The first and second tablets were kept inside the Aron Akodes (Sacred Box) in the Most Holy of Holies in the Temple of Solomon.
Over the years, when the Israelites went to war, they took the box of plates with them, because they had faith that because of them they would win the battles. Tradition says that King Isagia foresaw the destruction of the Temple by his enemies and hid the box with the plates, so that it would not fall into their hands.
Since then, it has not been found where the plaques are hidden and so various legends have been created about the place where they are located. Some believe that the slabs are located deep under the ground where the Temple in Jerusalem used to be. Another legend states that they are in Ethiopia, Africa and another that they are in the basements of the Vatican, along with the other relics that the Romans stole from the Temple.
Imitations of the plates decorate many synagogues, mainly above the place where the Sefer Torah are located, as well as many utensils such as Hanukkiahs, the wine glass, etc.
The Sefer Torah is a handwritten copy of the Pentateuch written on papyrus wrapped around two round pieces of wood called ‘aceh heim’ (trees of life), which at their upper end have sockets for decorative ornaments. When the papyrus is wrapped around the wood, the roll is ‘dressed’ with an ’email’ (coat – cover) beautifully embroidered and decorated.
The Sefer Torah is placed in the Aron Akodes (Sacred Case) in the Synagogue, from where it is taken out every time the Torah is read, i.e. every Monday, Thursday and Saturday, on feast days, on fasting days, as well as every Rosh Hodes (New Year’s Day).
The Shefer Torah is the most revered object of Judaism. When the Schaefer comes out of Aron Akodes and is carried around the Synagogue and when it is rotated so that everyone can see where the reading is taking place, the attendees must stand up and show their respect for this sacred object but especially for what it contains and symbolizes – the sacred Law.
A shofar is an ancient trumpet that is usually made of ram’s horn. It is used for Jewish religious purposes. Sofar can be heard at synagogue services in Rosh Asana and at the end of Yom Kippur.
It also blows every morning of the week during the month of Elul to Rosh Asana. Sofars are available in various sizes and shapes, depending on the choice of animal and the level of finish.
Hamsa is a symmetrical image of a palm with an eye in its center. It is common in many cultures, including the Jewish one. There are those who question whether it is a legitimate Jewish symbol, and many people avoid wearing Hamsa or hanging it in their homes.
Rabbi Yosef Chaim of Baghdad, a 19th-century Sephardic leader, notes that customarily, the word “Hamsa” (meaning “five” in Arabic) is used to ward off the evil eye. It also explains why many wear a small hand of five fingers with the letter “ה” (Hei) written on it, whose numerical equivalent is five.