Temple Beth Tzedek

12 Tribes of Israel: Benjamin, Joseph, Zebulon. Issachar, Asher, Gad
Temple Beth Tzedek
621 Getzville Rd., Amherst, NY 14226
Temple Beth Tzedek - Official Website

Jacob fathered 12 sons. They are the ancestors of the 12 tribes of Israel, and the ones for whom the tribes are named.

Seven of the Twelve Tribes of Israel stained glass windows in the sanctuary.

Tribe of Benjamin

Genesis 49:27: Benjamin is a ravenous wolf; in the morning he devours the prey, in the evening he divides the plunder
Symbol: wolf.

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Tribe of Joseph

Genesis 37:5
Genesis 49:22: Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall.

Symbol: sheaf of grain.

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The same window photographed at another time of day.
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Tribe of Zebulon (Zevulun)

Genesis 49:13: Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea; and he shall be for an haven of ships; and his border shall be unto Zidon.
Symbol: ship. Zevulun settled on the country's seaboard and was engaged in navigation. This idea is conveyed in the biblical phrase, "Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea; and he shall be for an haven of ships;" (Gen. 49:13).

Note the signature in the lower right corner (next illustration below)
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Tribe of Issachar

Genesis 49:14-15: Issachar is a strong ass couching down between two burdens: And he saw that rest was good, and the land that it was pleasant; and bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant unto tribute.

Symbol: The tribe's emblem of sun and stars is derived from the biblical phrase, "And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times" (1 Chron. 12:32).

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Tribe of Asher

Genesis 30:13: And Leah said, Happy am I, for the daughters will call me blessed: and she called his name Asher.

Symbol: The coastal strip from the foot of Mount Carmel up to Sidon was inhabited by Asher, the fertility of whose land was indicated by an olive tree (here) or by ears of corn or fruit.

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Tribe of Gad

Genesis 49:19: Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last.

Symbol: a camp. The tribe of Gad settled in the land of Gilead, east of the Jordan. It did battle against Amon and Moab coming from the south, wandering tribes from the east, and Aram from the north. The emblem resembles a camp in reminiscence of the biblical phrase "Gad, a troop shall overcome him" (Gen. 49:19).

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