Judaica
Apparel
Kippah/Yarmulke
www.jewsforjesus.orgFirst, let us take a quick look at the most well known symbol of Jewishness, the little skullcap worn by Jewish men. The skullcap is called a Yarmulke in Yiddish and a Kippah in Hebrew. The practice of wearing a Kippah varies to a great extent. Ultraorthodox and Orthodox Jewish men will wear a Kippah 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Among the less observant, the Kippah is only worn in the Synagogue, during prayer, or during meals. Some non-practicing Jewish men wear the Kippah for social reasons only, strictly as a sign of Jewish identity.
The custom of covering the head has found broad acceptance in the Jewish community today. The Orthodox and Conservative strands of Rabbinic Judaism believe that covering the head is an expression of reverence for God. Some view the Kippah as a reminder of God’s hand of blessing on the Jewish head. God is above blessing and protecting the Jewish person, but also evaluating the conduct of every individual.
Tallit
www.jewsforjesus.orgA Tallit is a prayer shawl of various sizes and materials. The Zitzit (fringes, tassels) were attached to each of its four corners. The origin of the Tallit is found in Num. 15:37-41. In the days of Moses, Jewish people wore four cornered garments on a day-to-day basis. The tassels were attached to the corners of everyday garments. As styles changed, the four cornered garments disappeared. Therefore, the rabbis created a four-cornered garment, the Tallit, for fulfilling the command of Num. 15:37-41. According to the passage, the tassels serve as a reminder to the Jewish person to obey the Mosaic Law and live a life dedicated to God because God delivered us out of slavery in Egypt. Today Tallitot (plural) come in a multitude of creative designs and colors. The Tallit is worn over the shoulders with the tassels in front and back so the wearer is surrounded by the fringes. Jewish men wear the Tallit during their times of prayer, at home, or in the Synagogue. Recently, Jewish women of other than orthodox practice have begun donning Tallitot as well.
Tefillin
www.strath.ac.ukThe word Tefillin is related to the Hebrew word for prayer, tefilah. Often the word is translated as “phylacteries.” Phylacteries is not an appropriate translation because that word means “an amulet.” Tefillin are not superstitious amulets. Instead, symbols were commanded to be created by the Mosaic Law to serve as reminders of the necessity to keep the commands of God in the head and in the heart. These directions were given in Exodus 13:9, 16, and Deuteronomy 6:8, 11:18.
Tefillin consist of little boxes bound to the head and arm with leather straps that contain the verses mentioned above. These boxes are bound to the head and arm during weekday morning prayer services. The arm box contains one piece of parchment on which the four passages of Scripture cited above are written. The box bound to the forehead contains four compartments. Each compartment contains one piece of parchment on which is written one of the four sections of Scripture mentioned above. Formerly it was customary to wear Tefillin all day. That is no longer the practice and they are removed at the end of the weekday morning prayer service.
Items
The religion of the Jewish people is properly called “Rabbinic Judaism.” Although linked to the Bible, it differs from the Bible significantly. This is due to the addition of many traditions over the centuries. For the next few months, I will be sharing with you some of the Judaica your Jewish friend would own for the practice of this religion. Many Jewish people who do not follow Rabbinic Judaism will also have these items around their house for the purpose of decoration or Jewish identification. Knowledge of these items could provide a valuable conversation starter for you and open the door to a Gospel witness.
The Kiddush Cup
www.jewishsource.comThe word Kiddush is derived from the Hebrew root qadash (קָדַשׁ) which means to set aside for sacred use, sanctification, or to make holy. In Rabbinic Judaism, the Kiddush is a formal prayer recited in conjunction with a cup of wine or grape juice in the home or synagogue. The purpose for the ritual is to sanctify the Sabbath or the festival.
Rabbi Alfred J. Kolatch explains the significance of the Kiddush Cup in his book The Second Jewish Book of Why on page 228:
“It is traditional to fill to overflowing the cup of wine over which Kiddush, Grace After Meals, and Havdala are recited. This is often explained as expression of hope that life’s goodness and bounty will be as abundant as the wine that is being blessed.
A more basic reason is related to the sacrificial system in Temple times. When burnt and peace offerings were made, an entire container of wine was poured onto the altar. After the Temple was destroyed and wine was used in connection with home rituals, a custom developed of filling the cup of wine to its very brim so that some of it would flow over.”
Wine is a symbol of joy in Jewish thinking. As the Kiddush is recited with the overflowing cup, thanksgiving is offered for all the blessings of God.
The Shofar
www.jewsforjesus.orgThe Shofar is a primitive horn used primarily to make an announcement rather than as a musical instrument. Shofarot (plural) can be made out of the horn of any kosher animal. Traditionally, the horn of a ram is preferred in order to honor the fact that God used a ram as a substitute sacrifice for Isaac in Genesis 22:13. Conversely, the horn of a cow is not used because that animal is associated with the sin of the Golden Calf in Exodus 32.
The command to blow the Shofar is given in the Torah without explanation (Lev. 23:23-25, Num 29:1-6, Psalm 81:3-4). However, the rabbis were unsatisfied with that state of affairs and eventually developed 16 reasons why they thought God commanded the blowing of the Shofar:
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To announce the advent of the Messiah (Zech 9:14)
To gather Israel’s exiles (Isa 27:13)
Because it is decreed (obey even though there is no explanation)
As a call to repentance
As a motivator for righteous living and submission to God
To mark the anniversary of creation
To start the 10 Days of Awe between Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur
To remember Israel’s acceptance of the Law (Exodus 24:7)
To remember the admonitions of the prophets
To remind us to pray for the rebuilding of the temple
To remember the Akeidas Yitzack (the Binding of Isaac—Gen. 22)
To inspire fear and trembling (Amos 3:6)
As a reminder of the great and awesome Judgment Day of the future (Zeph. 1:14-16)
To remind us of the resurrection of the dead (Isa. 18:3)
To confound Satan
To cure a sin-sick soul
The sounding of the Shofar is most prominently associated with Rosh HaShanah, which is properly called the Feast of Trumpets. One hundred Shofar blasts are sounded in the synagogue during the Rosh HaShanah service.
The Mezuzah
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The Mezuzah is the small, decorative container affixed to the right doorpost (upon entering) of the house and rooms in orthodox Jewish homes. Inside the Mezuzah will be found a small parchment roll made from the skin of a kosher animal. Upon the parchment is handwritten, using a quill pen from a kosher fowl, the biblical passages Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 11:13-21. The biblical source for affixing a Mezuzah to the doorposts is Deuteronomy 6:9: “You shall write them (the commandments) on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” The purpose for affixing the Mezuzah is to serve as a symbol and reminder of the need to be constantly diligent to remember God, to teach and obey His law, and to love Him especially during the experience of prosperity.
The Hebrew word “Mezuzah” actually means “doorpost.” However, over time the parchment roll and the container in which it is placed became so closely identified with the doorpost that the doorpost, the parchment, and the parchment receptacle have all become known by the same name. The rolled parchment is placed in the container is such a way that the Hebrew word “Shaddai” (The Almighty) is visible through an aperture. Modern, decorative Mezuzot (plural) are usually inscribed with the word “Shaddai” (שדי) or simply the letter שׁ instead.
The Menorah
www.thegalileeexperience.com The menorah is commonly associated with the Jewish community. The menorah is a seven branch Temple Lampstand. The classic design of the menorah and the hanukiah (a nine branch lampstand) is identical except for the number of branches extending from the central stem. As a result, the two are often confused.
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The seven branch lampstand is the design that God specified for use in the Tabernacle and Temples. It was fashioned from one piece of solid gold and stood beside the south wall of the front room in the Tabernacle and Temple. Its function was to provide light for the room called The Holy Place. The central light was required to burn perpetually. As such, it is an important symbol in Rabbinic Judaism. The Talmud, Menachos 86b, states that the Temple Lampstand is a “testimony to all the inhabitants of the world that the Divine Presence rests within Israel.” The rabbi’s point is that it is “the source of Divine Light for the world at large" (www.moshiach.com/temple). The Temple Lampstand is also associated with joy and happiness. Finally, the Temple Lampstand is a symbol of the nation of Israel because Israel was chosen to be a light to the nations (Isaiah 42:6). That also makes it a fitting symbol of the modern State of Israel. The Temple Menorah appears as the major design element on the crest of the State of Israel (right).