The symbols-symbology tag has no wiki summary.
13
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2answers
284 views
Shape of the Luchot
According to the Talmud in Bava Batra 14a, the Luchot HabBerit were square. Where did the common "tablet" shape come from, with rectangles and a rounded top? Besides in pictures, I see it in ...
13
votes
5answers
328 views
What is the source of the Magen Dovid (Star of David)?
What is the source of the Magen Dovid (Star of David) in Rabbinic Judaism?
When was it first used, and for what?
11
votes
4answers
3k views
Would a non-Jew wearing the Star of David together with a cross be offensive?
I am not Jewish, although I come from a Jewish heritage. My great-grandmother was Jewish. I have, since childhood, found the religion fascinating, even though my belief in Jesus has firmly placed me ...
11
votes
1answer
377 views
What does this pointing hand symbol mean?
I've seen in the Shulchan Aruch the hand symbol ( ☜ ) appearing quite a few times.
What does it do? Does it reference to mforshim on the side?
10
votes
3answers
317 views
May a Jew be a Freemason?
According to what I've been told by several people who have inquired of "practicing" (is that the right word?) Freemasons, and supported by Wikipedia, "Freemasonry explicitly and openly states that it ...
9
votes
2answers
389 views
A site to search Kosher Symbols by characteristics?
Several years ago, I found a website that let me search and sort Kosher symbols by look and other characteristics. It seemed like each symbol was tagged with its distinctive features. This was very ...
9
votes
2answers
380 views
Is hamsa allowed?
Does the Halacha allow the use of a hamsa as a good luck charm, considering that it originated as a Muslim symbol?
8
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2answers
832 views
Is getting a tattoo of the Star of David “ironic”?
Amare Stoudemire, a professional basketball player and practicing Jew, has a Star of David tattoo. In an article at ProBasketballTalk, Kurt Helin calls this tattoo "ironic." But he links to a ...
8
votes
3answers
981 views
Rainbow as a bad omen
There is a popular idea that seeing a rainbow is a bad sign, as if the world is deserving of a deluge (c"v) and the only reason Hashem does not do so is because of His promise. Is there any source for ...
8
votes
3answers
302 views
How did the Star of David become iconic?
We all recognize the iconic symbol of the Star of David, do we know where it came from and where it got its name?
I always learned that the symbol appeared on King David's shield. True? How do we ...
8
votes
2answers
150 views
If two separate studies intersect, is it a good sign?
There is an expression that I have always heard, which is that when two separate Torah studies one is learning happen to reference each other, it is a good sign. A variant of this that I've heard is ...
7
votes
4answers
545 views
What are the symbols of the 12 tribes?
I remember that every tribe has his own symbol, e.g. Benjamin's symbol is a wolf. What are the symbols of the 12 tribes?
(I am especially interested in knowing what the symbol is for Levi.)
6
votes
1answer
206 views
star of david and the cross
I am a Christian and our church has a group of women that make prayer shawls for those who are sick or hurting or who are just plain in need of some comfort. We collect these shawls all month long ...
6
votes
2answers
82 views
Why a Beitzah on the Seder Plate?
Why do we use a roasted (maybe?) egg on the Seder Plate to represent the Festival offering?
5
votes
6answers
143 views
Apple on Rosh HaShanah
There is a custom of eating an apple dipped in honey on first night of Rosh HaShanah (among the other foods) as a sign that we should have a sweet year. Why is this done specifically with an apple and ...
5
votes
1answer
129 views
Is it Asur to wear apparel with the Versace symbol on it?
The Versace symbol is a Medusa which stems from Greek mythology. Is there a problem with wearing their apparel with this symbol? Additionally since it Asur to learn Greek mythology (see Shulhan Aruch ...
5
votes
1answer
95 views
Some years have a siman, what does it mean?
I saw on a calendar that each year has a siman, for example 5772 has the siman 517.
Here are the simanim for the next few years:
5773: 203
5774: 1523
5775: 517
5776: 1217
Does anyone know ...
5
votes
0answers
72 views
Dictionary of symbology in Kodshim and Taharot
I'm wondering if anyone has ever put together a book that lists all the different elements that can come up in the realms of Kodshim and Taharot (e.g. bulls, the number seven, water, slaughtering, ...
4
votes
2answers
154 views
Source for not having picture taken
Is there any source, halachic or otherwise, for an aversion to having one's picture taken?
4
votes
1answer
105 views
Not interlacing fingers in prayer
I have heard from an unauthoritative source that one should not interlace his fingers while praying, because, l'havdil, Christians do. Is there any authoritative source for the claim that it's ...
4
votes
0answers
78 views
Symbolism behind earrings used for the golden calf?
Shemos 32:2-3 tells us that the gold materials requested and used for the making of the golden calf were earrings. The Jews clearly had other gold items, including other golden jewlery (ibid 35:22). ...
4
votes
0answers
60 views
Sources for Hamsa
I know from Ben Ish Hai Shana Bet Parashat Pinehas siman 13 where he writes to make a Hamsa from wood. However, I am wondering if there any earlier sources to solidify the fact that this would ...
3
votes
2answers
60 views
What does the concept of rehovot hanahar mean?
I have seen the phrase Rehovot HaNahar (wideness of the river) used, often in a kabbalistic context, but am not sure what it symbolizes. The phrase can be found in the shabbos song Kel Mistater (the ...
3
votes
2answers
165 views
What to do with the Cross on the Chess King?
Many (perhaps most) Chess sets come with a King piece that has a cross on the top of it. Is there any problem with owning or using such a chess set? Should one break off the cross?
3
votes
1answer
122 views
A new knife for Rosh Hashanah?
There is a custom to buy a knife for Rosh Hashanah: the qualifier is that the knife not be serrated. What is the source for this custom and what is the significance of the knife not having edges?
3
votes
1answer
40 views
Parshas Tzav - 96 Pesukim?
At the end of each Parsha many Chumashim have the number of Pesukim that are in that Parsha. By Parshas Tzav they all say 96 which is the Gematria of Tzav צו. However if counted there are 97 Pesukim. ...
2
votes
2answers
78 views
Is there a Jewish symbol for evil?
Is there a Jewish equivalent to Christian's upside-down cross, a symbol that some Christians believe to mean "evil" or the "devil."
Does the "average" Jew have a visual symbol which might be taken to ...
1
vote
2answers
56 views
Source for 4 species and the name of God?
I have seen many people say that one of the things that the arba minim (four species used on Succot) relate symbolically to the name of God, each species corresponding to another letter. What is the ...
0
votes
1answer
137 views
Is Ahimsa related to Hamsa?
Is Ahimsa related to Hamsa (both the symbol and the name)? If so, does this lend credence to those who view Hamsa as being of non-Jewish (at best, or pagan, at worst) origin?
-2
votes
1answer
98 views
the symbol of transformation in Judaism
Would you please telling me about the symbol of transformation in Judaism? By transformation, I meant the upgrade from something earthy, lower in nature to higher, or even sacred entities.
Here are ...
