Judaism Symbols Objects and Dress The Promised Land

Judaism Symbols, Objects, and Dress

The Promised Land • Hebrews believed the land of Canaan was the land promised to them by God in His covenant with Abraham • Today, it encompasses parts of Israel, Jordan, Syria, and Palestine • The Hebrews had to defeat the Canaanites in battle to take the land

The Ten Commandments • Given to Moses by God, on Mount Sinai • Part of the covenant with God • 1 -4 = Laws on relationship with God • 5 -10 = Laws on relationship with others/neighbours

The Temple of Solomon • First built by King Solomon • Caused division in the kingdom • Rebuilt by Hebrews released by the Babylonians • Birthplace of Hanakuh • Destroyed by the Romans a second time

The Menorah • Originally an ancient Hebrew lampstand • Traditionally burns olive oil • One day’s worth of oil lasted 8 days for the Hebrews under siege in the 2 nd Temple of Solomon • Now the centrepiece of Hanakuh

The Torah • The major text of the Jewish faith • Contains the first 5 books of the Bible’s Old Testament • Contains 613 other commandments that God gave to Moses • Describes the history of the ancient Hebrews

The Dead Sea Scrolls • Found in a cave by a Bedouin in 1947 • Writings from an ancient Jewish sect known as the Essenes • Hidden in the desert after the Romans destroyed Jerusalem in 66 -70 CE • Earliest known printings of nearly every book of the Hebrew Bible

The Star of David • Symbol of modern Jewish identity and Judaism • Possibly used as a decorative ornament in buildings • Connected to the work of the Kabbalah • Became the symbol for the Zionist movement in the late 19 th century

Jewish Badge • Used to identify Jews under the Nazi regime of Hitler • Required for all Jews over the age of six

The Flag of Israel • Star of David at centre • 2 blue stripes represent the traditional Jewish prayer shawl (tallit) • Adopted in 1948 as the flag of the State of Israel

The Tallit • A poncho-like piece of clothing • Wore over or under other clothing • Worn by men • A prayer-shawl that is worn while reciting weekday morning prayers and on the Sabbath

Kippa or Yarmulke • A brimless cap worn by Jewish men • Required to meet the custom of covering the head (according to certain orthodox laws) • Sometimes worn by women • Synagogues will keep extras on hand in case people arrive without one

Hasidic Jews • Originate from western Ukraine in the 1700 s • Spread throughout Europe • Importance of JOY and HAPPINESS while worshiping • Specific dress and hair style must be adhered to