symbolism – david g vogel

a lamb (almost a lion)

A lamb profile with full coat

The lamb is mentioned many times in Tanak (Old Testament), mostly in reference to its role in the peace offering, sin offering and the Passover festival.

“If the offering is a burnt offering from the flock, from either the sheep or the goats, you are to offer a male without defect.”
‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭1:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

By the time of the B’rit hadashah (New Testament) the lamb takes on very strong symbolic meaning, even as a name.

“They will make war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them—because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with Him are called and chosen and faithful.”
‭‭The Revelation‬ ‭17:14‬ ‭TLV‬‬

lemon basket

several lemons in a wire basket backlit by window light

A citron has several significant appearances in Judaism – the Four Species (arba minim in Hebrew) includes a citron held with three different branches during the holy days of Sukkot; the Israeli movie Ushpizin brought to light the power of a citron to bless a family with a son.

dancing Hanukiah candelabra

Hanukkah is also known as festival of lights. The Hebrew word (also written in English as chanukah) means “dedication” and marks an eight day winter celebration that commemorates the re-dedication of the Second Temple after a small group of Jewish believers (Maccabees) defeated their enemies. More at this link. A “hanukkiah” is basically a menorah with nine candle staff to distinguish it from the menorah’s seven. Why nine? that’s part of the miraculous story.

dancing hanukkiah and temple oil vase — Joyous dancing marks the re-dedication festival