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The "WALL"

Israel and Palestine

Ferryhill Summer Club 2002
"The Year of the Child

5th-12th August 2002 
9.15-12.15 pm 
in the Church Halls

The Arch of Titus

See a big photograph of the carving of the Temple Menorah on the Arch of Titus in Rome

The Israeli emblem reminds us of a very sad story that happened a long time ago. In the year 70 AD, a Roman general, named Titus, captured the city of Jerusalem, and his armies  destroyed  Temple. They seized the golden Temple Menorah (Candle Stick). To shame their unfortunate Jewish prisoners, Roman soldiers forced them to parade in chains through the streets of Rome carrying the captured Temple Menorah.

The Romans felt so proud of this triumph that they pictured the event on a monument called the Arch of Titus. Today, the Arch of Titus still stands in Rome, and the picture of the Menorah can still be seen. 

To the Romans, the story celebrated might and triumph, but to the Jewish people the story told the worst humiliation: the loss of independence in their homeland. After almost two thousand years and much agony and bloodshed, the modern State of Israel re-established the Jewish Homeland. Although the Temple and the Menorah were not actually rebuilt, The Jews felt that in a symbolic way, the Menorah had been saved from its ancient disgrace and restored to its original glory. The Jewish dream of independence and return has finally come true.

The Olive Branches

The prophet Zechariah, who lived in the sixth century BC had a vision. He saw a golden seven branched menorah flanked by two olive trees. Our Rabbis interpreted this vision to mean that the Temple and the State of Israel would someday be restored to their former glory. Also, olive branches are symbols of peace.