During this lesson we will find out about… Which symbols are important in Judaism? What do they symbolise? (‘Symbolise’ means ‘stand for’ or ‘represent’) Why are they important for Jews?
Recently in Britain, the clothing that some Muslim women wear has become a symbol representing Islam. Your homework was to answer these questions: 1. What is a burqa? 2. Why do some Muslim women wear a burqa? Discuss your answers with your partner & then we will feedback answers as a whole class. Girls: If you were Muslim, how would you feel about wearing a burqa? Why? Boys: If you were a married Muslim man, would you feel pleased that your wife wore a burqa? Why?
Symbols in Judaism To find out about the symbols in Judaism, the class needs to be divided into 5 groups. There are 5 activities to complete, each group will complete each activity. Groups will have approximately 5 minutes to complete each activity. As a group you must follow the instructions on the card to complete each activity. We will be looking at the following 5 symbols…
1)…name 2 symbols of Judaism that are also items of clothing? The tallit & the kippah 2) …give another name for the ‘Magen David’? Who first used it as a symbol? The Star of David – King David 3) …remember which symbol has 613 tassels? What do they represent? The tallit – They represent the 613 duties of a Jew 4) …name a symbol that contains the words: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your strength & with all your mind.’ The tefillin 5) …remember what the 7 branches of a Menorah candlestick represent? The 7 days of creation or the number of perfection 6) …name a symbol that this verse from the Tenakh (the Jewish holy book) is talking about: ‘Throughout the generations to come you are to make tassels on the corners of your garments’. The tallit 7) …name a flag that includes the Star of David symbol? The Israeli flag 8) …name the symbol that this verse from the Tenakh is talking about: ‘These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts…Tie them as symbols on your hands & bind them on your foreheads.’ The tefillin