|
|
|
An ancient symbol of Judaism and the Hebrews, the seven branched Menorah was used in ancient Jerusalem in the Temple in rituals and in the tabernacle. The Torah was the source of the original design for the Menorah which burned olive oil instead of candles. The candelabrum with seven candle holders is displayed in Jewish synagogues. The Menorah symbolizes the burning bush Moses saw on Mount Sinai. The term hanukiah (chanukiah) refers to the nine branched candle holder used during the Jewish festival of Chanukah (Hanukkah). The Chanukah (Hanukkah, Festival of Lights) festival commemorates the the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem after the military victory of the Maccabees over the Seleucid Empire forces which had attempted to prevent the people of Israel from practicing Judaism.
The Talmud
was the first to describe the miracle of a one day supply of oil lasting for
eight days, and the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem. During this eight day festival Jewish religious freedom and national survival is celebrated with family and friends by
lighting candles together with a special menorah called hanukiah in Israel, by eating specially prepared food, by family
members of all ages playing dreidel, and by gift giving.
The Tallit is a prayer shawl worn during the Shacharit prayers of Jewish morning services. The tallit has tzitzit, special knotted six inch fringes, that are attached to the four corners of the prayer shawl. Only Jewish men and boys at different times in their lives are obligated to wear them. Today non-Orthodox groups also allow women to wear Tallit prayer shawls. The Yarmulke (Yarmulka, Yarmelke) is a thin, slightly rounded cloth cap ranging in size from four to nine inches or more in diameter that is traditionally worn by Jewish men. Today some non-Orthodox women also were yarmulkes. The yarmulke is usually worn while making blessings, praying, and studying religious texts. Some traditional Jews wear yarmulkes both indoors and outdoors all day long.
The fabric and color of a
yarmulke can indicate that the wearer is an adherent of a particular religious
movement. Jewish prayers include blessings for menorah candle lightings on
Jewish Holidays, for putting on the Tefillin, for putting on the Tzitzit, and
for putting on a Tallit.
|
|
|
Explore 
Visit other 
Judaism
Jewish Judaic Talmud 
