Symbols
Star of David: [more correctly: Magen (“shield”)
of David. The most common symbol of modern Judaism, featured on the flag of
Israel. Gained popularity as a symbol for Judaism after Zionism adopted it
in 1897. See the blue six-pointed star in the graphic at the top of this page.
Flag of the State of Israel
Zionist Flags and Other Proposals: The site provides a brief history of the various flags used to identify Zionist interests prior to the adoption of the flag of the State of Israel in 1948. The Star of David is featured on most of the early flags.
Menorah: a seven-branched candlestick, copying the form of
one of the items found in the temple, and representing the seven days of creation.
It has been the most recognizable symbol of Judaism from ancient times.
Tetragram or Tetragrammaton: (lit. “four letters”)
the four consonants (YHWH) in the Hebrew word “Yahweh,” the personal
name of the Jewish God.
Tetragrammaton: The Jewish Encyclopedia article.
Yarmulke / Kippah: A skull cap worn by Jewish men. Orthodox Jews cover their heads in all public places; Conservative Jews (and some Reform) when at prayer.
Kosher:
Dozens of symbols indicate kosher foods, depending on which of various Jewish
agencies have supervised the procedure. The first four illustrated here are
among the most common in the United States. The fifth symbol is the most common
in Canada: COR stands for the Council of Orthodox Rabbis; each COR symbol
has a certification number.
Orthodox Union Kosher Page: This site provides various kinds of information about kosher requirements among Orthodox Jews.
Links of further interest:
Israel Shop: A commercial site selling various items of interest to Jews. It is useful to the student because it provides clearly photographed images of the typical items Jews use routinely in their religion and culture. Often a dozen of more examples of each are provided, giving one a sense of the range of diversity one might find in each item of ritual clothing or object of ritual use. For individual pages, click the following links: Yarmulkes, Tallits.