Number 6 in Judaism

Number 6 in Judaism

The Star of David – Magen David

The Star of David or as it is called, Magen David, has become a universal symbol of Judaism.

It is now the most popular and recognized symbol of Judaism and the Jewish People.number 6 in Judaism Magen David

Magen David means the “shield of David”.

There is no proof that the Star of David had anything to do with King David.

The symbol has also been associated with Solomon. Jewish mystics started using the symbol in the sixteenth century. 

In the seventeenth century the Star of David started to appear on synagogues.

 

The Zionist movement adopted the Star of David as their emblem at the end of the nineteenth century. 

Today we find the Magen David on the flag of Israel.

 

The Red Magen David is the equivalent to the Red Cross.

It was officially recognized by the International Committee of the Red Cross in 2006.

 The Passover Seder Plate

The seder meal is celebrated on the first night of the Passover. The word seder means “order”.

During the meal the order in the Haggadah is followed.

Each person may receive the book/pamphlet called the Haggadah. This makes it easy to follow the ritual during the meal.

Haggadah comes from the Hebrew word “to tell”. During the seder meal the story of the Exodus from slavery in Egypt is told.

On the table is a plate with six symbolic items.

These items are pointed to during the meal as they follow the Haggadah and the story of the Exodus from Egypt is told.  

More about the Seder Meal: go to Number 4 in Judaism     

The Six Symbolic Items of the Seder Plate:

1. Maror

Bitter herbs, symbolizing the bitterness and hardship the Jews endured as slaves in Egypt.

Many Jews may mix freshly grated horseradish with cooked beets and sugar.

2. Hazeret

Typically romaine lettuce, the roots are bitter tasting.

3. Haroseth

A sweet, brown, pebbly mixture, representing the mortar to build the houses of Egypt.

Some may use chopped nuts, grated apples cinnamon and sweet red wine.

4. Karpas

A vegetable other than herbs. Parsley is common, representing spring.

The vegetable is dipped into salt water. This symbolizes the tears of the Hebrew slaves in Egypt.

5. Zeroa

Roast lamb or goat shank bone, chicken wing or chicken neck.

This symbolizes a lamb that was offered in the Temple of Jerusalem.

6. Beitzah

A hardboiled egg, a reminder of life that transcends death.

 

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