Judaism Gallery

Unclean Animals Judaism

In Judaism, the concept of impure or unclean animals, plays a prominent role in Jewish law that specifies which foods are allowed (kosher) and which are forbidden to eat. In the Torah, some animals are named as pure or impure, whilst others are classified by other criteria that make them either pure or impure. To be pure an animal must be slaughtered and cleaned according to specific regulations. Land-dwelling animals that both chew the cud and have cloven hooves, are kosher. Camels, hare, pigs and boars are considered unclean animals because they do not meet these characteristics. Date:

© Mary Evans Picture Library

Descendants of Aaron giving the benediction to the people

This Priestly Blessing or priestly benediction, also referred to in rabbinic literature as Dukhanen, is a Hebrew prayer recited by Kohanim, (Hebrew Priests, descendants of Aaron). According to the Torah ( the five books of Moses) Aaron, a high priest and brother of Moses, blessed the people after offering sacrifices and promises. He stated that he would place his name on the Kohanim (hebrew priests) hands and bless the Jews. This practice still occurs today in Jewish synagogues where Kohanim bless the worshipers in the synagogue during special Jewish prayer services. This engraving is of the synagogue of the Portuguese Jews at The Hague. Date: 1737

© Mary Evans Picture Library

Jews at the Wailing Wall, Jerusalem

The Wailing Wall (also known as the Western Wall, Kotel, or, in Islam the Buraq Wall) is an ancient limestone wall located in Jerusalem. It makes up a small part of a much longer ancient retaining wall, known also in its entirety as the Western Wall. Located in the Old City, it is a place of prayer and pilgrimage which is sacred to Jewish people. It is the only remains of the Second Temple of Jerusalem which was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE. It is referred to as the Wailing Wall due to the practice of Jewish people weeping at this site over the destruction of the temples. Date: 1929

© Mary Evans Picture Library