Link to host page
This page is part of © FOTW Flags Of The World website

Judaism

Last modified: 2026-06-06 by martin karner
Keywords: israel | judaism | temple mount faithful movement |
Links: FOTW homepage | search | disclaimer and copyright | write us | mirrors


See also:

Introduction

Judaism doesn't have a flag. There are flags mentioned in the Bible; these are described, to some extent, on the Israel pages. In addition, the flag of Israel functions as a sort of "Jewish Flag" around the world. For example, many synagogues in the US fly it alongside the US flag, and it seems to have more than just an Israel-related significance there. The history of this usage is tied up with the history of the Israeli (originally Zionist) flag; conversely, the history of the flag in a national sense is tied up with symbolism in Jewish religious history – the prayer shawl, the Star (Shield) of David (originally a more secular symbol), the Menorah, and so on. It must be noted that synagogues in Israel never use the national flag.
Nathan Lamm, 14 January 2001

The flag is the flag of the state of Israel and is not used as a religious symbol in Israel.
Dov Gutterman, 17 January 2001

Forgot to point that out – entirely correct. I remember Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz once pointing out that while synagogues across America feature the Israeli flag, Israeli ones never do. I don't recall his exact point, but here're some ideas of mine:

  • American patriotism in general causes this – unlike many other countries (including Israel?), we have flags all over, play the national anthem at sporting events, etc. etc. I guess the American flag is expected (some synagogues have it only), so the Israeli flag follows naturally, only later taking on religious significance. I wonder if Catholic churches outside the US fly the Vatican flag, as they do here (alongside the US flag).
  • Once in Israel, constant reminders (or boosts to Zionism) aren't needed (sort of like Meir Kahane changing his movement's symbol from Blue-White to Black-Yellow when he moved to Israel – discussed here earlier).
  • Related to the above: A weakness in religion covered by blatant appeals to Zionism? (And yes, I include all movements, including Orthodox, and yes, I think of myself as a strong Zionist – and yet I can't excuse what sometimes is painfully obvious.)

Nathan Lamm, 17 January 2001

With respect to the matter of the display and flying of flags in churches some time ago, I raised the issue of whether this was a matter of concern in Judaism also, that is, if there were similar concerns with respect to synagogues. I have thus far written to three Jewish religious bodies in the UK requesting information as to whether they had specific policies regarding flags in synagogues. John Lowe had done some admirable ferreting in what is known as the Responsa literature and found some interesting material, and in my e-mails to the two Orthodox bodies in the UK I asked whether they considered themselves bound by the opinion voiced by one leading expert in Halacha (Jewish religious law), the late British Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, whose views interestingly enough are considered definitive in the American Orthodox Jewish community.

I have received a communication from Rabbi David Jacobs, the Administrator of the Reform Synagogues of Great Britain. Rabbi Jacobs points out that as the Reform Synagogues of Great Britain (or RSGB) is not a monolithic body, as is its American equivalent the Union for Reform Judaism or the United Synagogue in the UK, it is not in a position to issue policy statements of this nature. The RSGB is purely a federation of synagogues (not to be confused with the Orthodox Federation of Synagogues mentioned above). Individual synagogues and congregations can decide matters of policy such as this for themselves. There are 42 member synagogues in the RSGB, not all of which own their own buildings, and Rabbi Jacobs has never heard of any flags of any kind being flown or displayed in any of them. Some synagogues hold an AJEX Shabbat, honoring members of the Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen and Women, the British equivalent of the Jewish War Veterans in the US; at that time the local AJEX chapters may bring their flags into the synagogue, either to the sanctuary or else displayed elsewhere in the building, at which time they may be accompanied by the Union Jack and/or the Israeli flag.

Ron Lahav, 26 January 2005

Temple Mount Faithful Movement
Tnu'at Ne'emanei Har-Habait

[TMFM flag] image located by William Garrison, 2 June 2026
(source)

The flag is designed after the Israeli national flag with two blue stripes. Instead of the Star of David in the center, there is depicted in light blue the territory of the prophetic Land of Israel, surmounted by a three-dimensional white Star of David with blue shadow lines, with a blue-white temple gate on top of it. The star is surrounded by a blue circle and Hebrew writings.
Writing on the upper part: "The Temple Mount and Land of Israel Faithful Movement" (תגועת נאמני הר-הבית וארץ ישראל).
Writings on the lower part (approx.): "Aim high!" (עלה נעלה) | "And we can do it" (וגם יכול נוכל לה).
Martin Karner, 2 June 2026

Yedi'ot Akhronot newspaper of 23rd May 2001 showed two pictures (first and second) of flags that were carried during the flag dance of Bnei Akiva – a religious youth movement connected with the Mafdal or National Religious Party – that took place the day before in front of Jerusalem wall. There were two kinds of flags in the dance, the national flag and another one based on the national flag with a logo replacing the magen David. The latter is not Bnei Akiva's flag but that of an extreme right-wing political movement named Tnu'at Ne'emanei Har-Habait, Temple Mount Trustees Movement.
Dov Gutterman, 24 May 2001

I located a better picture of the flag at their website. Their official name is the Temple Mount and Land of Israel Faithful Movement.
Dov Gutterman, 30 August 2001

"Two giant stones – 6.5 tons each – were transported yesterday morning ... in a large parade around downtown Jerusalem, accompanied by dozens of cars draped with flags of Israel and the Temple. The stones are fit to be used as the cornerstones of the Temple, says Gershon Solomon of the Temple Mount Loyalists ..."
It's a bit presumptuous for them to call the flag of their organization "the flag of the Temple". After all, there are a number of Temple-related organizations besides them.
On the other hand, their logo is a simple picture of the Temple, so as long as there's no words, perhaps it's OK, if unimaginative.
Nathan Lamm, 8 August 2003

A report from Israel about a march around the walls of Jerusalem reports: "Among the sights ... were ... 'white, blue and black flags depicting the rebuilt Temple' and strategically-placed flags indicating the names of the various gates for the marchers' edification."
No further details as yet.
Nathan Lamm, 28 August 2003

I have just seen a magazine article with a picture of a Temple-related flag, but I'm not sure if it's related to any organization, or just represents the Temple as such.
The flag is bright blue. In the center, surrounded by a white (cloudlike) shape that approximates their shape, is an image of the Temple facade (with outer courts) in red with gold details, and below it in gold, the Hebrew words "Yibaneh Hamikdash Bemiherah" (Build the Temple soon).
Nathan Lamm, 10 October 2004


See also:

Israel Flag "Love of Israel in the soul"

["Love of Israel in the soul" flag] image by António Martins, 5 April 2024

Israeli national flag connected to the Yeshiva "Hakotel" (Jewish religious school). Inscription above: "Love of Israel in the soul" (אהבת ישראל בנשמה); below: "Quarter midrash" (מדרשת הרוע). The Midrash is an ancient commentary on the Hebrew Biblical scriptures. (picture, source)
located by William Garrison, 28 September 2023

I suppose "Quarter midrash" refers to a city distict, one comprising a large synagogue and auxiliary facilities – could be that?
António Martins, 5 April 2024