Signs and Symbols of Judaism & the Life Cycle
Star of David: The Magen David (or as it is more commonly known, the Star of David) is the symbol most commonly associated with Judaism today, but it is actually a relatively new Jewish symbol.
The Menorah: One of the oldest symbols of the Jewish faith is the menorah, a seven-branched candelabrum used in the Temple. It has been said that the menorah is a symbol of the nation of Israel and our mission to be "a light unto the nations." (Isaiah 42:6).
The Mezuzah: A parchment inscribed with religious texts and attached in a ornamental case to the doorpost of a Jewish house as a sign of faith. Inscribed on the parchment are mitzvot extracted from passages in the Torah.
The floor plans of a Synagogue differ depending on the variant of Judaism. The segregation of both the men and women is particularly common in Orthodox synagogues. You will also find a separate section where the women sit. This may be on an upper floor balcony, or in the back of the room, or on the side of the room, separated from the men's section by a wall or curtain called a mechitzah. The reason behind this is so the men do not get distracted by the presence of women and focus more on their prayers. However, this changes when you go to some Conservative and Progressive synagogues when men and women are allowed to sit next to each other.
The Menorah: One of the oldest symbols of the Jewish faith is the menorah, a seven-branched candelabrum used in the Temple. It has been said that the menorah is a symbol of the nation of Israel and our mission to be "a light unto the nations." (Isaiah 42:6).
The Mezuzah: A parchment inscribed with religious texts and attached in a ornamental case to the doorpost of a Jewish house as a sign of faith. Inscribed on the parchment are mitzvot extracted from passages in the Torah.
The floor plans of a Synagogue differ depending on the variant of Judaism. The segregation of both the men and women is particularly common in Orthodox synagogues. You will also find a separate section where the women sit. This may be on an upper floor balcony, or in the back of the room, or on the side of the room, separated from the men's section by a wall or curtain called a mechitzah. The reason behind this is so the men do not get distracted by the presence of women and focus more on their prayers. However, this changes when you go to some Conservative and Progressive synagogues when men and women are allowed to sit next to each other.
In Jewish Law, although the human soul exists before birth, human life begins at birth, that is, at the time when the child is more than halfway emerged from the mother's body.
Brit Malah: Of all of the commandments in Judaism, the Brit milah (literally, Covenant of Circumcision) is probably the one most universally observed. Like so many Jewish commandments, the Brit milah is commonly perceived to be a hygienic measure; however the biblical text states the reason for this commandment quite clearly: circumcision is an outward physical sign of the eternal covenant between G-d and the Jewish people. Circumcision is performed only on males. Although some cultures have a practice of removing all or part of the woman's clitoris, often erroneously referred to as "female circumcision," that ritual has never been a part of Judaism.
Bar and Bat Mitzvah:
"Bar Mitzvah" literally means "son of the commandment." "Bar" is "son" in Aramaic, which used to be the vernacular of the Jewish people. "Mitzvah" is "commandment" in both Hebrew and Aramaic. "Bat" is daughter in Hebrew and Aramaic. Jews become responsible for observing the commandments at the age of 13 for boys, 12 for girls. However, the term is more commonly used to refer to the coming of age ceremony itself, and you are more likely to hear that someone is "having a bar mitzvah" or "invited to a bar mitzvah."
Marriage:
Death and Afterlife: In Judaism, death is not a tragedy, even when it occurs early in life or through unfortunate circumstances. Death is a natural process. Our deaths, like our lives, have meaning and are all part of G-d's plan. In addition, we have a firm belief in an afterlife, a world to come, where those who have lived a worthy life will be rewarded.Mourning practices in Judaism are extensive, but they are not an expression of fear or distaste for death. Jewish practices relating to death and mourning have two purposes: to show respect for the dead (kavod ha-met), and to comfort the living (nihum avelim), who will miss the deceased. All Jewish people either poor or rich are buried in the exact same way. That is that the body of the deceased is wrapped in plain linen and place in a plain, wooden coffin with no decorations. This symbolises that everybody is equal in the eyes of G-d.
Brit Malah: Of all of the commandments in Judaism, the Brit milah (literally, Covenant of Circumcision) is probably the one most universally observed. Like so many Jewish commandments, the Brit milah is commonly perceived to be a hygienic measure; however the biblical text states the reason for this commandment quite clearly: circumcision is an outward physical sign of the eternal covenant between G-d and the Jewish people. Circumcision is performed only on males. Although some cultures have a practice of removing all or part of the woman's clitoris, often erroneously referred to as "female circumcision," that ritual has never been a part of Judaism.
Bar and Bat Mitzvah:
"Bar Mitzvah" literally means "son of the commandment." "Bar" is "son" in Aramaic, which used to be the vernacular of the Jewish people. "Mitzvah" is "commandment" in both Hebrew and Aramaic. "Bat" is daughter in Hebrew and Aramaic. Jews become responsible for observing the commandments at the age of 13 for boys, 12 for girls. However, the term is more commonly used to refer to the coming of age ceremony itself, and you are more likely to hear that someone is "having a bar mitzvah" or "invited to a bar mitzvah."
Marriage:
- Judaism believes in the concept of soul mates, called bashert.
- The primary purpose of marriage is love and companionship, not just childbearing.
- A contract called a ketubah spells out terms of marriage and divorce.
- Marriages between certain close relatives are prohibited.
- The man steps on glass to represent to fall of the Temple.
- The wedding is performed underneath a white canopy as shown in the picture below. The four open edges of the canopy symbolises the new home being built by the couple when they become husband and wife.
Death and Afterlife: In Judaism, death is not a tragedy, even when it occurs early in life or through unfortunate circumstances. Death is a natural process. Our deaths, like our lives, have meaning and are all part of G-d's plan. In addition, we have a firm belief in an afterlife, a world to come, where those who have lived a worthy life will be rewarded.Mourning practices in Judaism are extensive, but they are not an expression of fear or distaste for death. Jewish practices relating to death and mourning have two purposes: to show respect for the dead (kavod ha-met), and to comfort the living (nihum avelim), who will miss the deceased. All Jewish people either poor or rich are buried in the exact same way. That is that the body of the deceased is wrapped in plain linen and place in a plain, wooden coffin with no decorations. This symbolises that everybody is equal in the eyes of G-d.