Jewish symbolism

Jewish lore also links the symbol to a magic shield owned by King David that protected him from enemies.

The Jerusalem Talmud[7] and Midrash[8] described each garment as providing atonement for a specific sin: the coat for murder or for shatnez, the undergarment for unchastity, the miter for pride, the belt for theft or trickery, the breastplate for any perversion of the Law, the ephod for idolatry, and the robe for slander.

Gematria is form of cipher used to generate a numerical equivalent for a Hebrew word, which sometimes is invested with symbolic meaning.

For example, the gematria of "chai" (the Hebrew word for life) is 18, and multiples of 18 are considered good luck and are often used in gift giving.

Gold was a highly regarded precious metal (as in other cultures), but was occasionally avoided due to its association with the sin of the golden calf.

[16] This dye was highly regarded in both Jewish and non-Jewish cultures of this time, and was worn by royalty and the upper-class.

[19] Tola'at shani ("scarlet") was considered a striking and lively color,[20] and was used in priestly garments and other ritual items,[21] but could also symbolize sin.

[24] People eating during the Passover meal reclined, in the style of free rich aristocrats, to represent their liberation from slavery.

[26] Ahijah the Shilonite tore Jeroboam's mantle into twelve pieces, to typify the division of the kingdom of Israel,[27] and Zedekiah made horns of iron to encourage Ahab to engage in war with Ramoth-gilead.

[28] King Joash, at the command of the prophet Elisha, shot arrows from the open window into the air, to symbolize the destruction of his enemies.

[29] Isaiah walked naked and barefoot to show how the Egyptians and Ethiopians would be treated when taken captive by the Assyrians,[30] while Jeremiah wore a yoke upon his neck to induce the nations to submit to the King of Assyria.

Two hands with outspread fingers indicated that the dead man was descended from priestly stock (Kohanim) who blessed the people in this fashion, and a jug was carved on the tombstones of the Levites as an emblem of those who washed the priest's hands before he pronounced the blessing.

Jewish symbols are prevalent on wimpels; Torah binders made from the cloth used to swaddle a child on his Brit Milah.

After naming the son then the father and other relevant data, a standardised saying follows; the boy should grow to the chuppa (marriage canopy) and good deeds under the guidance of the Torah.

Various symbols have been attributed to the Twelve Tribes of Israel, most notably the Lion of Judah and the priestly breastplate of Levi.