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SHOFAR
The sound of the shofar serves as a "wake-up" call to arouse our souls to repentance.
TALLIT
This is the large tallit worn during prayers. In Ashkenazi communities it is usually worn by married men only but there are different customs about this. It should be large enough to cover most of the wearer’s body.
MEZUZAH
The sanctity of the Jewish home is symbolized by the Mezuzah, a small scroll affixed at the doorpost of every Jewish home, and in every room therein. What does the Mezuzah contain? It contains the two Biblical passages in which mention is made of this important commandment: "And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thy house and upon thy gates."
(Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Deuteronomy 11:13-21)
TORAH
"Torah" refers to the Five Books of Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. But the word "torah" can also be used to refer to the entire Jewish bible (the body of scripture known to non-Jews as the Old Testament and to Jews as the Tanakh or Written Torah), or in its broadest sense, to the whole body of Jewish law and teachings.
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MENORAH
The menorah was made of pure gold. It had three feet, and seven straight branches. On each branch there were three upside-down cups. Near the base was another cup, bringing the total to 22 cups--exactly equal to the number of letters in the aleph bais, the Hebrew alphabet. There were also 9 flowers and 11 egg-shaped bulbs decorating the menorah. The flowers were a symbol of the world's potential for growth and development. The bulbs were a symbol of limitless spiritual pleasure. The menorah was lit by the Kohen Gadol, the High Priest, every day toward evening. All the flames in the menorah faced the central lamp. This lamp was called the nair ma'aravi--the western lamp--because it faced the Holy of Holies. This lamp was the first one kindled every day toward evening, and it would burn miraculously long after the others had burned out, until it was time to rekindle the menorah the next day. This was a sign to the entire world that G-d dwelt with the Jewish people.
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STAR OF DAVID
Originally, the Hebrew name Magen David -- literally "Shield of David" -- poetically referred to God. It acknowledges that our military hero, King David, did not win by his own might, but by the support of the Almighty. This is also alluded to in the third blessing after the Haftorah reading on Shabbat: "Blessed are you God, Shield of David."
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