Academy BJE - NSW Board of Jewish Education

Jewish Symbols

Candlesticks

The candle is a very important symbol for Jews. Fire is warm and inviting. The Kabbalah (Jewish Mysticism) says that the flame is a symbol of God’s relationship to the world and to human beings.

Chai

The word chai is made up of the Hebrew letters chet and yud. These letters have a number value of 18. The word means ‘life’ and it has a deep meaning. Many Jewish people wear necklaces with Chai on them.

Headcoverings

Men cover their heads with a kippah (yarlmulke/scullcap) to shows their respect for God. Married religious women also often wear a head covering, such as a wig, scarf or veil. This shows their modesty.

Magen David

The six-pointed star known as the Star of David (Magen David) is an ancient symbol. However, it was not always a Jewish symbol. Today, however, it is on the flag of the State of Israel.

Menorah

The menorah is a very familiar symbol which is seen in most synagogues around the world. It has seven branches and was originally the candelabrum that was carried by the Israelites in the Sinai Desert. Today, we see the menorah on the emblem of the State of Israel.

Mezuzah

The mezuzah is a symbol attached to the doorways of Jewish homes that identifies them as `Jewish’. It is a container made of wood, metal, stone or ceramic, which holds a piece of parchment on which are written prayers.

The Shofar

The shofar is a polished ram’s horn used in Jewish services at certain times of the year. It is blown to bring in the New Year and mark important events.

Tallit

The tallit is a symbol that God is always protecting us. It is as if we are wrapping God’s laws around us when we wear a tallit.

Tefillin

Each morning Jewish men bind tefillin (leather boxes containing four specific passages from the Bible) to their head and heart. This practice is meant to take them to a higher spiritual level.

Tzitzit

It is a mitzvah (commandment) to put on tzitzit as a reminder that God is always there and that we should always follow his comandments.

Yad

The word ‘yad’ means ‘hand’ in Hebrew. The yad is a decorative pointer in the shape of a hand that is used to show what place the reader is up to while reading the Torah.

Hamsa

a hamsa Some Jews wear a kind of good luck charm called a hamsa. It is shaped like a hand and usually has a picture of an eye in its middle. It reminds us of God's protective hand and his watchful eye over us.