Jewish Monuments and Memorials at North Barre Granite

Symbols are known to every ethnic group, culture and religion. Symbols are a very important part of memorialization. There are many symbols that represent Judaism and are suitable for use on Jewish memorials. The following symbols are most appropriate and meaningful. They have been used for centuries in Jewish cemeteries around the world.

THE MENORAH

Menorah is the Hebrew word for the seven-branch candleabra used in synagogues and other places of worship. The seven-branch Menorah represented the seven days of the week. Seven is also a holy number. At the time of the wanderings, the seven-branch Menorah was carried to illuminate the prayers at the shrine containing the Ten Commandments.

In the second temple, rebuilt on the site of Solomon's Temple, it is said there was a solid gold seven-branch Menorah of great proportion. When the invading Romans sacked the city of Jerusalem and destroyed the temple, they removed this candleabra and took it to Rome with other treasured vestments of the temple. A stone carving depicting this candleabra and the temple treasures being taken away, is on display in many museums. The original carving is in Rome.

THE STAR OF DAVID

(Shield of David) It is said that King David's soldiers had this symbols hammered into the fronts of their bronze shield when they went into battle. The origin of the Star of David is very ancient. Old civilizations; Chinese, Egyptian, Hindu and South American Incas considered the triangle a magic symbol. To some it represented fire; to others, water. Combining these two seemed to be the requisites of life, so the two entwined triangles forming the six pointed star was developed.

THE TORAH
This is the symbol of "law". It means "Teaching" or "law" in Hebrew. The Torah is always written by hand on parchment. The sheets of parchment are attached end to end and fastened to two wooden rollers. The rollers are called the "Trees of Life".

The Torah contains the five books of Moses, namely: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. The Torah is usually carved on a monument covered with a "mantle" embroidered with a Star of David. The actual mantle is usually made of white silk fringed with gold.

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

Represented by two hewn tablets of stone with the Hebrew numbers from one to ten engraved vertically, five to each tabIet, this is among the most popular of Jewish monument symbols. The Hebrew numbers one through ten, represent the first ten letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

In the synagogue, the Ten Commandmeats are usually shown in full carved relief in wood above the cabinet that holds the Torah, with the rearing Lions of Judah on each side. The lions represent strength, bravery and power. They were favorites among kings to guard treasuress and the holy articles of the court, palace and temple.