arly Messianic Symbol This sign has reportedly been discovered,
in recent years, on pottery in The Jerusalem area, believed to date
from the 2nd century a.d. some experts Have concluded that it was
an identifying mark of the early Jewish believers in Yeshua (Jesus)
that tied together, their traditions and their faith. Surely more
Facts will come to Light as more archaeological evidence emerges.
We at the Galilee Experience call this three-part design the "grafted-in"
symbol as it beautifully illustrates the truth of Romans 11:17-18.
The Menorah (Candelabra) at the top reminds us of god's torah and
His fulfillment of the promises to Abraham in calling out the People
of Israel. The Magen David (Star, or shield, of David) in the middle
recalls the Nation of Israel And the establishment of the Davidic
monarchy in the Land of Israel. The Fish at the bottom, long a symbol
for Yeshua (from the greek word for fish, ichthys, which Was used
as an acronym for Jesus Christ, son of god, savior'), shows that the
gentile has been grafted into the Jewish root through faith in Yeshua,
the Messiah of Israel, The fulfiller of the torah and the rightful
king in the line of David. Note that the symbol is one, completely
fused together. With this fusion the "Grafted-In" symbol demonstrates
that Jew and gentile are truly one in the messiah, reconciled through
his atonement. In him the middle wall of partition has indeed been
broken down. It is our desire that this symbol will inspire you as
you meditate on the scriptures, which in turn and lead you to share
these truths with others.
he six pointed star is called “magen David“ in Hebrew. The words
“magen David”, generally translated as the “Star of David”, literally
mean "Shield of David.” In early times, it was used on Roman mosaic
pavements as a decorative design without special significance. Its
earliest surviving use in a synagogue dates back 1,800 years, when
it appeared on a frieze in the Synagogue of Capernaum. The earliest
known example of its use on a tombstone was in sixth century Italy.
Today the Star of David is an expression of Jewish identity. God told
Abraham in Genesis 15:5, that He would make Abraham’s descendants
as numerous as the stars in heaven, thus associating stars with the
descendants of Abraham.
over your head, so that the reverence of heaven be upon you"
(Rabbinic writings) Kippa, the Hebrew word for skullcap (yarmulke
in Yiddish). Though never legislated by the sages, the customs of
not going about bareheaded at any time, at home, in the Synagogue
and outdoors, extend back several thousand years in time. In many
ways, it has become a mark of Jewish piety. To wear a head covering
was the ancient Roman stigma for a servant. Free men went bareheaded.
The Jews adopted this custom in a House of God and in prayer or whenever
God's name was mentioned in blessings (such as during meals which
are preceded and followed by blessings) to emphasize that they were
the servants of the Lord. Gradually, the practice was extended to
wearing a head covering also under the open skies. It became a Jewish
way of showing reverence to God. While a white skullcap is preferred
for the High Holy Days because white is a sign of purity, there is
otherwise no special significance to the wide array of colors and
designs in which they are now made. Plain black kippas, however, tend
to be worn by more orthodox Jews.
peak to the Children of Israel and bid them to affix
fringes (tzitziot) to the corners of their garments ... so that you
may look upon it and remember all the commandments of the Lord." (Numbers
15:37-41) The "Tallit” was created as a garment to hold the fringes
as mentioned in Numbers. Four cornered garments were common in ancient
days but the development of clothing not having four corners would
have rendered the commandment obsolete. To prevent the total disappearance
of a mitzvah (commandment) with such great symbolic significance (since
it serves as a reminder to observe all the commandments) the Sages
encouraged the wearing of specially-made four cornered garments so
as to provide the opportunity to observe and implement this commandment.
The "Tallit", a four-cornered shawl with the required fringes has
thus become the garment traditionally worn by the men during prayer
services. In English, it is commonly called a "Prayer Shawl" It is
believed that the woman who touched the hem of Jesus' garment as mentioned
in Matthew 9:20-21, had actually touched the fringes of His prayer
shawl.
nd these words which I commanded you this day ... you shall
write them on the doorpost of your house and on your gates" (Deuteronomy
6:9) Although the mezuzah is the Hebrew word for doorpost, the parchment
scroll (klaf) which is placed upon the doorpost is also referred to
as ”Mezuzah" after the place where it is put. The mezuzah is a small
scroll of parchment on which are written two Biblical passages: "Hear
0 Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one" ... (Deuteronomy 6:4-9),
and "And if you will carefully obey my commandments ... " (Deuteronomy
11:13-21) The parchment scroll is rolled up, enclosed in a case of
wood, metal or plastic and attached to the doorpost. The mezuzah,
in its case, is then nailed to the right side of the door frame at
the beginning of the upper third of the doorpost. The mezuzah is tilted
at an angle with the upper part of the mezuzah slanted inward toward
the house or room, and the lower part away from the house. The Hebrew
letter "Shin" ( ) appears on the Mezuzah symbolizing God's name "El
Shaddai."
RAM'S HORN (SHOFAR)
n English, the word trumpet appears many in scripture and many
times it is referring to the ram's horn as opposed to the Chatzotzrah,
a long, straight trumpet made usually of silver or gold. At Mount
Sinai when the Jewish people received the law of Moses, it was accompanied
by several miraculous signs (Exodus 19:16) among which was the shrill
sound of a shofar that emanated from the sacred mountain. Later on
when Joshua led the siege of Jericho, it was the blasts of the shofars
(Joshua 6:20) that triggered the collapse of those impregnable walls.
Still later, in the time of Gideon, it was a band of only 300 men
(Judges 7:15-23) which at God's command scattered the mighty Midianites
by smashing pitchers and blowing the shofar. A shofar is a curved
horn taken straight from a male sheep commemorating the sacrifice
of Isaac when at the last moment God provided a ram that had its horn
caught in the thicket. Horns of cows were rejected because these animals
were associated with the worship of the Golden Calf by the Children
of Israel in the desert, a sin vigorously condemned by Moses. The
Shofar blown at the Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah) (Leviticus 23:24)
marks the start of a 10 day period of spiritual self-examination and
repentance, which culminates with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.
he Menorah that was the centerpiece of the Tabernacle in the
wilderness and of the first and second Temples in Jerusalem had seven
branches. This is not to be confused with the nine branch Menorah
used to celebrate Chanuka. Specifications and instructions for the
making of the Temple Menorah are recorded in Exodus 25:31-40. The
golden candlestick had seven bowls on the end of the branches containing
pure oil for the light. Twenty-two almond blossoms decorated the whole
piece which was hammered out of one talent of pure gold equivalent
to 34 Kg. or 75 pounds! The Menorah was the only light that lit up
the Tabernacle as there were no windows. The seven lamps filled with
oil are a witness to perfect light. This fullness of light is described
in the prophecy concerning the Messiah of Israel in Isaiah 11:2: "And
the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and
understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge
and of the fear of the Lord."
hanuka is observed for eight days and it commemorates the historic
victory of the Maccabeans following a three-year long uprising against
the ruling Syrian-Greek regime and their Jewish Hellenistic supporters
who conspired to impose restrictions against Jewish religious practices
and values. The struggle culminated with the recapture of the Temple
in 165 B.C. and the restoration of its traditional Jewish service.
The victory also restored Jewish political sovereignty over the land.
Chanuka means "Dedication" and refers to the rededication of the Temple
to the service of God after it had been defiled with pagan images.
The Talmud explains that after the Syrian-Greeks defiled the Temple,
only one small undefiled jug of oil for the Menorah still bearing
the seal of the High Priest cauld be found. The cruse only contained
enough oil to burn for one day. Nevertheless, the High priest kindled
the Menorah and a miracle happened: The Menorah flame continued to
burn for eight days! To commemorate the event, it was decided that
henceforth, the holiday would be observed annually by kindling one
new light each day for eight days. Thus Chanuka became known as the
Feast of Lights. The Chanuka Menorah has nine branches, eight to commemorate
this eight day feast. The middle stem making it a total of nine branches
is called the "Shamash" and is used to light the other candles.
o anoint means to pour oil or ointment onto a person or object
in a ritualistic fashion. the Hebrew word for anoint first appears
in Genesis 31:13, where it refers to Jacob pouring oil on the stone
in Bethel (Genesis 28:18-19). When anointing Israel's first King,
the Prophet-Judge Samuel (1 Samuel 9:25) took Saul aside for instruction,
then "took a vial of oil and poured it on his head, and kissed him
and said Has not the Lord appointed you to be prince over His people
Israel?'" (1 Samuel 10:1}. For anointing the Tabernacle and it's priests,
a special oil was compounded and used for that sacred purpose. Oil
is symbolic of healing. When the Good Samaritan helped the man who
had been mugged by robbers of the road from Jerusalem to Jericho,
he poured oil and wine on his wounds. In the New Testament, anointing
of the sick accompanied by prayer for healing by local church elders
is recommended when requested by a sick person (James 5: 14-15). Anointing
with oil was also part of the apostles’ healing ministry (Mark 6:12-13).
The word for "anoint" is MASEIAH, and the Messiah is therefore "The
Anointed One”. Oil is therefore associated with God's gift and God’s
outpouring of the Spirit.
KlDDUSH CUP & BLESSING
ine, being a symbol of joy and of a festive occasion, was a
beverage in daily use in Talmudic times. A blessing was recited whenever
the wine was taken. On the Sabbath, a special prayer, called the Kiddush
meaning "sanctification,” was recited with the wine for the sanctification
of the holy day unto the Lord. At home, Jewish families recite the
Kiddush before the Sabbath and holiday meals. A special "Kiddush cup"
is usually set aside for this purpose.
SHABBATH CANDLES AND CANDLE HOLDERS
ighting the Sabbath candles formally ushers in the Sabbath for
the members of the household. The minimum number of candles lit is
two representing the two forms of the fourth commandment: "Zachor”
Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy (Exodus 20:8) and "Shamor" Observe
the Sabbath and keep it holy (Deuteronomy 5:12).
HALLA COVER
he table set for the Sabbath should contain, in addition to
the candles, two unsliced loaves of bread known as halla which are
covered with a special cloth or napkin specially decorated to beautify
the Sabbath table. The word "Halla” usually translated as "cake" or
"loaf" is mentioned in the book of Numbers 15:20. The children of
Israel were commanded to set aside, from the bread they had baked,
a small portion of dough for the sustenance of the priest. The word
"Halla” was first used in the Bible in Leviticus 24:5 to describe
the 12 showbreads that were arranged in the Tabernacle. According
to most authorities, this is the origin of the use of "Halla" on the
Sabbath and holidays. Two loaves are used to commemorate God miraculously
sending manna from heaven enough to meet the needs for one day at
a time. However so that the Israelites would not have to collect manna
on the Sabbath (which would have constituted work) on the sixth day,
a double portion was sent and it did not spoil. According to tradition,
the two loaves of bread for the Sabbath commemorate this event.
PASSOVER SEDER PLATE
he Passover commemorates the Exodus from Egypt. The Seder is
a Jewish religious service which includes a festive meal on the first
night of Passover. The word Seder means "Order" (of service). It is
so called because it is a ritual accompanied by a specific order of
service unlike any other festive meal of the year. A Seder Tray which
usually has six circular indentations is placed on the Seder table
so that the various symbolic foods can be displayed individually:
Bitter herbs symbolize the bitterness endured by the Israelites during
their bondage. Haroset (apple and nut mixture) to represent the mortar
used by the Israelites in the building of Egyptian cities. Salt water
to represent the tears shed by the people in their misery. Karpas
(a vegetable- celery or parsley is commonly used) a sign of spring,
fruitfulness, and of ever-renewed hope in the future even as it is
being dipped in the salt water. Shank bone and Egg both recall the
destruction of the Temple by symbolizing respectively, the Paschal
offering and the festival offering which were brought when the Temple
was in existence.
MATZAH COVER AND PLATE
atzah" (unleavened bread) also used in the Passover
meal, recalls the haste with which the Children of Israel had to leave
Egypt as the "dough did not have sufficient time to leaven." It symbolizes
"The poor bread which they ate in the land of Egypt" and commemorates
the Paschal offering which the matza came to represent after the destruction
of the Jerusalem Temple.
arly Messianic Symbol This sign has reportedly been discovered,
in recent years, on pottery in The Jerusalem area, believed to date
from the 2nd century a.d. some experts Have concluded that it was
an identifying mark of the early Jewish believers in Yeshua (Jesus)
that tied together, their traditions and their faith. Surely more
Facts will come to Light as more archaeological evidence emerges.
We at the Galilee Experience call this three-part design the "grafted-in"
symbol as it beautifully illustrates the truth of Romans 11:17-18.
The Menorah (Candelabra) at the top reminds us of god's torah and
His fulfillment of the promises to Abraham in calling out the People
of Israel. The Magen David (Star, or shield, of David) in the middle
recalls the Nation of Israel And the establishment of the Davidic
monarchy in the Land of Israel. The Fish at the bottom, long a symbol
for Yeshua (from the greek word for fish, ichthys, which Was used
as an acronym for Jesus Christ, son of god, savior'), shows that the
gentile has been grafted into the Jewish root through faith in Yeshua,
the Messiah of Israel, The fulfiller of the torah and the rightful
king in the line of David. Note that the symbol is one, completely
fused together. With this fusion the "Grafted-In" symbol demonstrates
that Jew and gentile are truly one in the messiah, reconciled through
his atonement. In him the middle wall of partition has indeed been
broken down. It is our desire that this symbol will inspire you as
you meditate on the scriptures, which in turn and lead you to share
these truths with others. 
he six pointed star is called “magen David“ in Hebrew. The words
“magen David”, generally translated as the “Star of David”, literally
mean "Shield of David.” In early times, it was used on Roman mosaic
pavements as a decorative design without special significance. Its
earliest surviving use in a synagogue dates back 1,800 years, when
it appeared on a frieze in the Synagogue of Capernaum. The earliest
known example of its use on a tombstone was in sixth century Italy.
Today the Star of David is an expression of Jewish identity. God told
Abraham in Genesis 15:5, that He would make Abraham’s descendants
as numerous as the stars in heaven, thus associating stars with the
descendants of Abraham.
hai is a Hebrew word meaning “Alive or Living “ and is worn
today as a symbol of Jewish identity. 
over your head, so that the reverence of heaven be upon you"
(Rabbinic writings) Kippa, the Hebrew word for skullcap (yarmulke
in Yiddish). Though never legislated by the sages, the customs of
not going about bareheaded at any time, at home, in the Synagogue
and outdoors, extend back several thousand years in time. In many
ways, it has become a mark of Jewish piety. To wear a head covering
was the ancient Roman stigma for a servant. Free men went bareheaded.
The Jews adopted this custom in a House of God and in prayer or whenever
God's name was mentioned in blessings (such as during meals which
are preceded and followed by blessings) to emphasize that they were
the servants of the Lord. Gradually, the practice was extended to
wearing a head covering also under the open skies. It became a Jewish
way of showing reverence to God. While a white skullcap is preferred
for the High Holy Days because white is a sign of purity, there is
otherwise no special significance to the wide array of colors and
designs in which they are now made. Plain black kippas, however, tend
to be worn by more orthodox Jews. 
peak to the Children of Israel and bid them to affix
fringes (tzitziot) to the corners of their garments ... so that you
may look upon it and remember all the commandments of the Lord." (Numbers
15:37-41) The "Tallit” was created as a garment to hold the fringes
as mentioned in Numbers. Four cornered garments were common in ancient
days but the development of clothing not having four corners would
have rendered the commandment obsolete. To prevent the total disappearance
of a mitzvah (commandment) with such great symbolic significance (since
it serves as a reminder to observe all the commandments) the Sages
encouraged the wearing of specially-made four cornered garments so
as to provide the opportunity to observe and implement this commandment.
The "Tallit", a four-cornered shawl with the required fringes has
thus become the garment traditionally worn by the men during prayer
services. In English, it is commonly called a "Prayer Shawl" It is
believed that the woman who touched the hem of Jesus' garment as mentioned
in Matthew 9:20-21, had actually touched the fringes of His prayer
shawl. 
nd these words which I commanded you this day ... you shall
write them on the doorpost of your house and on your gates" (Deuteronomy
6:9) Although the mezuzah is the Hebrew word for doorpost, the parchment
scroll (klaf) which is placed upon the doorpost is also referred to
as ”Mezuzah" after the place where it is put. The mezuzah is a small
scroll of parchment on which are written two Biblical passages: "Hear
0 Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one" ... (Deuteronomy 6:4-9),
and "And if you will carefully obey my commandments ... " (Deuteronomy
11:13-21) The parchment scroll is rolled up, enclosed in a case of
wood, metal or plastic and attached to the doorpost. The mezuzah,
in its case, is then nailed to the right side of the door frame at
the beginning of the upper third of the doorpost. The mezuzah is tilted
at an angle with the upper part of the mezuzah slanted inward toward
the house or room, and the lower part away from the house. The Hebrew
letter "Shin" ( ) appears on the Mezuzah symbolizing God's name "El
Shaddai." 
n English, the word trumpet appears many in scripture and many
times it is referring to the ram's horn as opposed to the Chatzotzrah,
a long, straight trumpet made usually of silver or gold. At Mount
Sinai when the Jewish people received the law of Moses, it was accompanied
by several miraculous signs (Exodus 19:16) among which was the shrill
sound of a shofar that emanated from the sacred mountain. Later on
when Joshua led the siege of Jericho, it was the blasts of the shofars
(Joshua 6:20) that triggered the collapse of those impregnable walls.
Still later, in the time of Gideon, it was a band of only 300 men
(Judges 7:15-23) which at God's command scattered the mighty Midianites
by smashing pitchers and blowing the shofar. A shofar is a curved
horn taken straight from a male sheep commemorating the sacrifice
of Isaac when at the last moment God provided a ram that had its horn
caught in the thicket. Horns of cows were rejected because these animals
were associated with the worship of the Golden Calf by the Children
of Israel in the desert, a sin vigorously condemned by Moses. The
Shofar blown at the Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah) (Leviticus 23:24)
marks the start of a 10 day period of spiritual self-examination and
repentance, which culminates with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.
o anoint means to pour oil or ointment onto a person or object
in a ritualistic fashion. the Hebrew word for anoint first appears
in Genesis 31:13, where it refers to Jacob pouring oil on the stone
in Bethel (Genesis 28:18-19). When anointing Israel's first King,
the Prophet-Judge Samuel (1 Samuel 9:25) took Saul aside for instruction,
then "took a vial of oil and poured it on his head, and kissed him
and said Has not the Lord appointed you to be prince over His people
Israel?'" (1 Samuel 10:1}. For anointing the Tabernacle and it's priests,
a special oil was compounded and used for that sacred purpose. Oil
is symbolic of healing. When the Good Samaritan helped the man who
had been mugged by robbers of the road from Jerusalem to Jericho,
he poured oil and wine on his wounds. In the New Testament, anointing
of the sick accompanied by prayer for healing by local church elders
is recommended when requested by a sick person (James 5: 14-15). Anointing
with oil was also part of the apostles’ healing ministry (Mark 6:12-13).
The word for "anoint" is MASEIAH, and the Messiah is therefore "The
Anointed One”. Oil is therefore associated with God's gift and God’s
outpouring of the Spirit. 
ine, being a symbol of joy and of a festive occasion, was a
beverage in daily use in Talmudic times. A blessing was recited whenever
the wine was taken. On the Sabbath, a special prayer, called the Kiddush
meaning "sanctification,” was recited with the wine for the sanctification
of the holy day unto the Lord. At home, Jewish families recite the
Kiddush before the Sabbath and holiday meals. A special "Kiddush cup"
is usually set aside for this purpose. 
ighting the Sabbath candles formally ushers in the Sabbath for
the members of the household. The minimum number of candles lit is
two representing the two forms of the fourth commandment: "Zachor”
Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy (Exodus 20:8) and "Shamor" Observe
the Sabbath and keep it holy (Deuteronomy 5:12). 
he table set for the Sabbath should contain, in addition to
the candles, two unsliced loaves of bread known as halla which are
covered with a special cloth or napkin specially decorated to beautify
the Sabbath table. The word "Halla” usually translated as "cake" or
"loaf" is mentioned in the book of Numbers 15:20. The children of
Israel were commanded to set aside, from the bread they had baked,
a small portion of dough for the sustenance of the priest. The word
"Halla” was first used in the Bible in Leviticus 24:5 to describe
the 12 showbreads that were arranged in the Tabernacle. According
to most authorities, this is the origin of the use of "Halla" on the
Sabbath and holidays. Two loaves are used to commemorate God miraculously
sending manna from heaven enough to meet the needs for one day at
a time. However so that the Israelites would not have to collect manna
on the Sabbath (which would have constituted work) on the sixth day,
a double portion was sent and it did not spoil. According to tradition,
the two loaves of bread for the Sabbath commemorate this event. 
he Passover commemorates the Exodus from Egypt. The Seder is
a Jewish religious service which includes a festive meal on the first
night of Passover. The word Seder means "Order" (of service). It is
so called because it is a ritual accompanied by a specific order of
service unlike any other festive meal of the year. A Seder Tray which
usually has six circular indentations is placed on the Seder table
so that the various symbolic foods can be displayed individually:
Bitter herbs symbolize the bitterness endured by the Israelites during
their bondage. Haroset (apple and nut mixture) to represent the mortar
used by the Israelites in the building of Egyptian cities. Salt water
to represent the tears shed by the people in their misery. Karpas
(a vegetable- celery or parsley is commonly used) a sign of spring,
fruitfulness, and of ever-renewed hope in the future even as it is
being dipped in the salt water. Shank bone and Egg both recall the
destruction of the Temple by symbolizing respectively, the Paschal
offering and the festival offering which were brought when the Temple
was in existence. 
atzah" (unleavened bread) also used in the Passover
meal, recalls the haste with which the Children of Israel had to leave
Egypt as the "dough did not have sufficient time to leaven." It symbolizes
"The poor bread which they ate in the land of Egypt" and commemorates
the Paschal offering which the matza came to represent after the destruction
of the Jerusalem Temple.