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Andrew Murray
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 A Ministry dedicated to preserving the truth and accuracy of the infallible Word of God. |
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| Israel: A closer look at the nation of Israel | |
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Back to Israel Index Hebrew Symbols Grafted In Early Messianic Symbol. This sign has reportedly been discovered, in recent years, on pottery in The Jerusalem area, believed to date from the 2nd century a.d. some experts Have concluded that it was an identifying mark of the early Jewish believers in Yeshua (Jesus) that tied together, their traditions and their faith. Surely more Facts will come to Light as more archaeological evidence emerges. We call this three-part design the "grafted-in" symbol as it beautifully illustrates the truth of Romans 11:17-18. The Menorah (Candelabra) at the top reminds us of god's torah and His fulfillment of the promises to Abraham in calling out the People of Israel. The Magen David (Star, or shield, of David) in the middle recalls the Nation of Israel And the establishment of the Davidic monarchy in the Land of Israel. The Fish at the bottom, long a symbol for Yeshua (from the greek word for fish, ichthys, which Was used as an acronym for Jesus Christ, son of god, savior'), shows that the gentile has been grafted into the Jewish root through faith in Yeshua, the Messiah of Israel, The fulfiller of the torah and the rightful king in the line of David. Note that the symbol is one, completely fused together. With this fusion the "Grafted-In" symbol demonstrates that Jew and gentile are truly one in the messiah, reconciled through his atonement. In him the middle wall of partition has indeed been broken down. It is our desire that this symbol will inspire you as you meditate on the scriptures, which in turn and lead you to share these truths with others. Star Of David
The six pointed star is called "magen David" in Hebrew. Today the Star of David is an expression of Jewish identity. God told Abraham in Genesis 15:5, that He would make Abraham's descendants as numerous as the stars in heaven, thus associating stars with the descendants of Abraham. Chai
Chai is a Hebrew word meaning "Alive or Living " and is worn today as a symbol of Jewish identity.
Kippa
Cover your head, so that the reverence of heaven be upon you" (Rabbinic writings) Kippa, the Hebrew word for skullcap (yarmulke in Yiddish). Though never legislated by the sages, the customs of not going about bareheaded at any time, at home, in the Synagogue and outdoors, extend back several thousand years in time. In many ways, it has become a mark of Jewish piety. To wear a head covering was the ancient Roman stigma for a servant. Free men went bareheaded. The Jews adopted this custom in a House of God and in prayer or whenever God's name was mentioned in blessings (such as during meals which are preceded and followed by blessings) to emphasize that they were the servants of the Lord.
Gradually, the practice was extended to wearing a head covering also under the open skies. It became a Jewish way of showing reverence to God. While a white skullcap is preferred for the High Holy Days because white is a sign of purity, there is otherwise no special significance to the wide array of colors and designs in which they are now made. Plain black kippas, however, tend to be worn by more orthodox Jews.
Tallit (Prayer Shawl)
Speak to the Children of Israel and bid them to affix fringes (tzitziot) to the corners of their garments ... so that you may look upon it and remember all the commandments of the Lord." (Numbers 15:37-41) The "Tallit" was created as a garment to hold the fringes as mentioned in Numbers. Four cornered garments were common in ancient days but the development of clothing not having four corners would have rendered the commandment obsolete.
To prevent the total disappearance of a mitzvah (commandment) with such great symbolic significance (since it serves as a reminder to observe all the commandments) the Sages encouraged the wearing of specially-made four cornered garments so as to provide the opportunity to observe and implement this commandment. The "Tallit", a four-cornered shawl with the required fringes has thus become the garment traditionally worn by the men during prayer services. In English, it is commonly called a "Prayer Shawl" It is believed that the woman who touched the hem of Jesus' garment as mentioned in Matthew 9:20-21, had actually touched the fringes of His prayer shawl.
Mezuzah
And these words which I commanded you this day ... you shall write them on the doorpost of your house and on your gates" (Deuteronomy 6:9) Although the mezuzah is the Hebrew word for doorpost, the parchment scroll (klaf) which is placed upon the doorpost is also referred to as "Mezuzah" after the place where it is put. The mezuzah is a small scroll of parchment on which are written two Biblical passages: "Hear 0 Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one" ... (Deuteronomy 6:4-9), and "And if you will carefully obey my commandments ... " (Deuteronomy 11:13-21).
The parchment scroll is rolled up, enclosed in a case of wood, metal or plastic and attached to the doorpost. The mezuzah, in its case, is then nailed to the right side of the door frame at the beginning of the upper third of the doorpost. The mezuzah is tilted at an angle with the upper part of the mezuzah slanted inward toward the house or room, and the lower part away from the house. The Hebrew letter "Shin" ( ) appears on the Mezuzah symbolizing God's name "El Shaddai."
Ram's Horn (Shofar)
In English, the word trumpet appears many in scripture and many times it is referring to the ram's horn as opposed to the Chatzotzrah, a long, straight trumpet made usually of silver or gold. At Mount Sinai when the Jewish people received the law of Moses, it was accompanied by several miraculous signs (Exodus 19:16) among which was the shrill sound of a shofar that emanated from the sacred mountain. Later on when Joshua led the siege of Jericho, it was the blasts of the shofars (Joshua 6:20) that triggered the collapse of those impregnable walls. Still later, in the time of Gideon, it was a band of only 300 men (Judges 7:15-23) which at God's command scattered the mighty Midianites by smashing pitchers and blowing the shofar.
A shofar is a curved horn taken straight from a male sheep commemorating the sacrifice of Isaac when at the last moment God provided a ram that had its horn caught in the thicket. Horns of cows were rejected because these animals were associated with the worship of the Golden Calf by the Children of Israel in the desert, a sin vigorously condemned by Moses. The Shofar blown at the Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah) (Leviticus 23:24) marks the start of a 10 day period of spiritual self-examination and repentance, which culminates with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.
The Seven Branched Menora
The Menorah that was the centerpiece of the Tabernacle in the wilderness and of the first and second Temples in Jerusalem had seven branches. This is not to be confused with the nine branch Menorah used to celebrate Chanuka. Specifications and instructions for the making of the Temple Menorah are recorded in Exodus 25:31-40. The golden candlestick had seven bowls on the end of the branches containing pure oil for the light.
Twenty-two almond blossoms decorated the whole piece which was hammered out of one talent of pure gold equivalent to 34 Kg. or 75 pounds! The Menorah was the only light that lit up the Tabernacle as there were no windows. The seven lamps filled with oil are a witness to perfect light. This fullness of light is described in the prophecy concerning the Messiah of Israel in Isaiah 11:2: "And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord."
The Nine Branched Menorah
Chanuka is observed for eight days and it commemorates the historic victory of the Maccabeans following a three-year long uprising against the ruling Syrian-Greek regime and their Jewish Hellenistic supporters who conspired to impose restrictions against Jewish religious practices and values. The struggle culminated with the recapture of the Temple in 165 B.C. and the restoration of its traditional Jewish service. The victory also restored Jewish political sovereignty over the land. Chanuka means "Dedication" and refers to the rededication of the Temple to the service of God after it had been defiled with pagan images.
The Talmud explains that after the Syrian-Greeks defiled the Temple, only one small undefiled jug of oil for the Menorah still bearing the seal of the High Priest cauld be found. The cruse only contained enough oil to burn for one day. Nevertheless, the High priest kindled the Menorah and a miracle happened: The Menorah flame continued to burn for eight days! To commemorate the event, it was decided that henceforth, the holiday would be observed annually by kindling one new light each day for eight days. Thus Chanuka became known as the Feast of Lights. The Chanuka Menorah has nine branches, eight to commemorate this eight day feast. The middle stem making it a total of nine branches is called the "Shamash" and is used to light the other candles.
Anointing Oil
To anoint means to pour oil or ointment onto a person or object in a ritualistic fashion. the Hebrew word for anoint first appears in Genesis 31:13, where it refers to Jacob pouring oil on the stone in Bethel (Genesis 28:18-19). When anointing Israel's first King, the Prophet-Judge Samuel (1 Samuel 9:25) took Saul aside for instruction, then "took a vial of oil and poured it on his head, and kissed him and said Has not the Lord appointed you to be prince over His people Israel?'" (1 Samuel 10:1}. For anointing the Tabernacle and it's priests, a special oil was compounded and used for that sacred purpose.
Oil is symbolic of healing. When the Good Samaritan helped the man who had been mugged by robbers of the road from Jerusalem to Jericho, he poured oil and wine on his wounds. In the New Testament, anointing of the sick accompanied by prayer for healing by local church elders is recommended when requested by a sick person (James 5: 14-15). Anointing with oil was also part of the apostles' healing ministry (Mark 6:12-13). The word for "anoint" is MASEIAH, and the Messiah is therefore "The Anointed One". Oil is therefore associated with God's gift and God's outpouring of the Spirit.
Kiddush Cup and Blessing
Wine, being a symbol of joy and of a festive occasion, was a beverage in daily use in Talmudic times. A blessing was recited whenever the wine was taken. On the Sabbath, a special prayer, called the Kiddush meaning "sanctification," was recited with the wine for the sanctification of the holy day unto the Lord. At home, Jewish families recite the Kiddush before the Sabbath and holiday meals. A special "Kiddush cup" is usually set aside for this purpose.
Shabbath Candles and Candle Holders
Lighting the Sabbath candles formally ushers in the Sabbath for the members of the household. The minimum number of candles lit is two representing the two forms of the fourth commandment: "Zachor" Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy (Exodus 20:8) and "Shamor" Observe the Sabbath and keep it holy (Deuteronomy 5:12).
Challa Cover
The table set for the Sabbath should contain, in addition to the candles, two unsliced loaves of bread known as halla which are covered with a special cloth or napkin specially decorated to beautify the Sabbath table. The word "Halla" usually translated as "cake" or "loaf" is mentioned in the book of Numbers 15:20. The children of Israel were commanded to set aside, from the bread they had baked, a small portion of dough for the sustenance of the priest. The word "Halla" was first used in the Bible in Leviticus 24:5 to describe the 12 showbreads that were arranged in the Tabernacle.
According to most authorities, this is the origin of the use of "Halla" on the Sabbath and holidays. Two loaves are used to commemorate God miraculously sending manna from heaven enough to meet the needs for one day at a time. However so that the Israelites would not have to collect manna on the Sabbath (which would have constituted work) on the sixth day, a double portion was sent and it did not spoil. According to tradition, the two loaves of bread for the Sabbath commemorate this event.
Passover Seder Plate
The Passover commemorates the Exodus from Egypt. The Seder is a Jewish religious service which includes a festive meal on the first night of Passover. The word Seder means "Order" (of service). It is so called because it is a ritual accompanied by a specific order of service unlike any other festive meal of the year. A Seder Tray which usually has six circular indentations is placed on the Seder table so that the various symbolic foods can be displayed individually: Bitter herbs symbolize the bitterness endured by the Israelites during their bondage.
Haroset (apple and nut mixture) to represent the mortar used by the Israelites in the building of Egyptian cities. Salt water to represent the tears shed by the people in their misery. Karpas (a vegetable- celery or parsley is commonly used) a sign of spring, fruitfulness, and of ever-renewed hope in the future even as it is being dipped in the salt water. Shank bone and Egg both recall the destruction of the Temple by symbolizing respectively, the Paschal offering and the festival offering which were brought when the Temple was in existence.
Matzah Cover and Plate
Matzah" (unleavened bread) also used in the Passover meal, recalls the haste with which the Children of Israel had to leave Egypt as the "dough did not have sufficient time to leaven." It symbolizes "The poor bread which they ate in the land of Egypt" and commemorates the Paschal offering which the matza came to represent after the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple. |
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