[ Respond | The Valley's Bored ]
Posted by reverend shandolf (Shane) on 7/29/2006, 12:11 pm, in reply to "our older brothers" Every religion uses symbols to embody important concepts and to encapsulate identity. Each symbol may contain many meanings and interpretations. What follows are some of the major symbols used in Judaism: Star of David This symbol is also known as the "Shield of David", the central figure of the biblical history of Israel's kingship. It has been interpreted in a variety of ways by Jewish philosophers and theologians. Appearing in Jewish art for centuries, this implement was thought to be used in the Temple itself. It is a symbol of the nation of Israel as a chosen people, a source of light to all the nations of the world. Mount Sinai, Egypt The site where Moses received the Law from God as recounted in the Book of Exodus. Image courtesy of Jasmine Fernance Jeremiah 23:3: And I will gather together the remnant of my flock from wherever I have sent them and bring them back into their own fold, and they shall be fruitful and increase.... "For the time is coming," says the Lord, "when I will place a righteous Branch upon King David's throne. He shall be a King who shall rule with wisdom and justice and cause righteousness to prevail everywhere throughout the earth. And this is his name: The Lord Our Righteousness. At that time Judah will be saved and Israel will live in peace. Built by Solomon, the Temple is the center of early Jewish ritual life. Masada is a fortress in the Judean desert overlooking the Dead Sea. A symbol of resistance to foreign oppression. Originally a Roman garrison, the fortress served as a base for the rebels during the rebellion against Rome that culminated in the destruction of the Second Temple. Image courtesy of Linda A. Lieberman, 2001 Areas Mentioned in Biblical History: Ancient Egypt Granada Granada is where Samuel ha Levi was chief minister of the court (see readings on Samuel Ha-Nagid). Khazar's kingdom (mentioned in the Kuzari)
Symbols
Star of David
Image courtesy of Harry S. Truman Library.
Menorah
Israel � the Promised Land
The Temple
Masada
Course & Reading Specific Sites
Babylonian Exile ca. 600 BCE
Israel and Judah ca. 800 BCE
Ancient Syria (the area of origin for the Pact of Umar)
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