Search results
Sep 18, 2024 · One key aspect of the symbolism of keys in the Bible is their significance in Hebrew culture. Keys held a deep and profound meaning for the ancient Hebrews, representing authority, power, and access. In Hebrew symbolism, keys were seen as a symbol of trust and responsibility, as they granted access to important places and treasures.
By: Emil G. Hirsch, M. Seligsohn. In Biblical times the key, as its Hebrew name indicates ("mafteaḥ" = "the opener"), was used chiefly to open the door which was locked by means of a bolt ("beriaḥ"). This bolt, like that used in the Orient to-day, had a number of holes into which fitted iron points in the door-post, so arranged that they ...
Jewish Symbols and Their Meanings. Judaism is based on learning Torah and doing the mitzvahs, through which we connect with G‑d and make the world a better place. During the course of our history, many symbols have become associated with Jewish people, Jewish scholarship, and Jewish culture.
- Menorah
- Dreidel
- Torah
- Tallit
- Kippah/Yarmulke
- Siddur
- Mezuzah
- Yad
- Challah
- Pomegranate
One of the most familiar symbols of Judaism, the menorah is a seven-armed candelabra that represents the state of Israel as a “light upon nations.” Interestingly, the menorah that is used to celebrate Hanukkah has nine arms instead of seven so we can light a candle for each night of the festival. Technically speaking, a menorah for Hanukkah is a “H...
We spin the dreidel – a 4-sided spinning top – during the festival of Hanukkah. Each side of the dreidel has a Hebrew letter written which represents the first letters of a Hebrew phrase, Nes Gadol Haya Sham (Poh) or “A Great Miracle Happened There (Here).” We play a dreidel game on Hanukkah because there is a legend that before the Maccabees defea...
Judaism is based on the Hebrew bible called the Torah, or the five books of Moses which are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. The word “Torah” means instruction or law and rabbinic teachings say that the Torah was given to Moses at Mount Sinai to share with the Jewish people. One of the holiest items in Judaism, the actual scroll...
This four-cornered prayer shawl is worn around one’s shoulders while reciting prayers. The Torah commands Jews to fulfill a mitzvah by wearing tzitzit, which are the knotted fringes on the corners of the tallit. The fringes are a reminder to remember and follow God’s commandments. There is a blessing for the Tallit that you recite before putting on...
The small, round head covering worn by Jews is called a Yarmulke in Yiddish, or a Kippah in Hebrew. It serves as a reminder that there is always someone above you. Orthodox males generally wear a Kippah at all times, while Reform and Conservative Jews mostly wear them at religious services. The custom of a head covering is now commonplace among wom...
The Jewish prayer book, is a compilation of the Jewish liturgy. Siddur means order in Hebrew and includes fixed texts and structures of prayer from the Torah and from Nevi’im (Prophets). Various prayers have been added to the siddur over time. Depending on the version, the siddur might have prayers for weekday services, while others might include b...
The small little cases you see on the doorposts of Jewish homes is called a mezuzah, and is based upon a teaching in Deuteronomy that commands us to keep G-d’s words in our minds and hearts by writing them on the doorposts of our homes. The mezuzah contains a rolled up piece of parchment with the words of the Shema, and the mezuzah itself usually h...
This decorative pointer is used by the Torah reader to follow along in the text during the reading of the Torah. It is in the shape of a hand because yad means hand in Hebrew. Not only does the yad keep the Torah reader’s place, but it also prevents the reader from touching the Torah parchment.
The golden brown twisted loaf of Jewish bread known as a challah dates back to when the Jewish people left Egypt and wandered in the desert for 40 years; the Torah says that during their journey a bread-like substance called manna fell from the heavens. In today’s Jewish home, challah is a yeast-risen sweet bread made from eggs that is braided into...
The luscious fruit of a pomegranate is one of Israel’s seven species and symbolizes love and fertility in the Jewish tradition. A pomegranate is frequently mentioned in the Song of Songs; further, the seeds of the pomegranates symbolize the 613 mitzvot or commandments because there is speculation that there are 613 seeds in a pomegranate. Many fami...
1. (n.) An instrument by means of which the bolt of a lock is shot or drawn; usually, a removable metal instrument fitted to the mechanism of a particular lock and operated by turning in its place. 2. (n.) An instrument which is turned like a key in fastening or adjusting any mechanism; as, a watch key; a bed key, etc. 3. (n.)
KJV: therefore they took a key, and opened INT: of the roof took the key and opened and behold. Isaiah 22:22 HEB: וְנָתַתִּ֛י מַפְתֵּ֥חַ בֵּית־ דָּוִ֖ד NAS: Then I will set the key of the house KJV: And the key of the house of David INT: will set the key of the house of David. 2 Occurrences Strong's Hebrew 4668 ...
People also ask
What does a key symbolize in Hebrew?
What does a key symbolize in the Bible?
Why are keys important in Hebrew culture?
What does a key symbolize?
What does “the power of the keys” mean in the Bible?
What are Jewish symbols?
Power of the Keys. KEYS, POWER OF THE. Normally in the Bible, and always in the NT, “key” (κλέις) is used in a fig. sense to refer to the means of entry into the realms of spiritual destiny. The phrase “the power of the keys” is not, strictly speaking, a Biblical one, although the keys themselves do symbolize the spiritual ...
