The Khomsa 

The Khomsa  “ה ” sign is the fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet which is also a symbol for the name of God.

What are the origin of the Khomsa and the meaning of the word?

The word “khomsa” in Arabic derives from the word “khamsa” which means the number five. In Hebrew it derives from the word “khamesh” which also means the number five, which is the numeral correlated with the Hebrew letter “ה “ (Hey), the fifth letter in the Hebrew alphabet.  Many Jews regard this letter as a symbol of God.

The shape of the Khomsa derives from the shape of the human hand.  In French it is called “La main de Fatma”

In the Arab World the symbol of the Khomsa is very well known. One can see it painted on the outside wall of many houses, particularly above the entrance doors of Arab houses.

Also many people wear a “Khomsa” as a button, as part of an outfit, as jewelry, or as a fashion accessory.  The Khomsa has become very well known by the local population in the Middle East and in North Africa until today. Little is known however, about its origin. Both Jews and Arab claim ownership to its origin, without giving any historical foundation.

Legend has it that the Khomsa has become a symbol of protection since the time when Moses was in Egypt. The Bible mentions the ten plagues that hit the Egyptians and they are also mentioned in the Jewish Hagada (the Passover Legend book).

At that time Moses had given instruction to Joshua, who later became the chief of his army, to paint on each door header the letter “ה” (Hey) which is the symbol of God, so that the angel of death may recognize the homes of the Israelites and pass over. Joshua realized that the time was too short to paint the sign “ה” (Hey) on all Jewish houses with the brush and decided to instruct his men to apply the hand, which clearly shows the five fingers, after dipping it in sheep’s blood and to put it on the door header of each Jewish house. This method accelerated the action and got it done on time before night fall. All Jewish houses were painted and the Angel of death could easily see the hand, standing for the letter “ה” (Hey)” and pass over each Jewish house.

Once the messenger of God left the area all the Egyptians’ first born found their death and the Jewish boys were spared.

Afterward the Egyptians realized that each Jewish house had the sign of the hand on their door header, which is in Arabic is called Khomsa. They realized too that all Jewish houses were not touched.

Since then the Egyptians understood that this symbol is a symbol of protection and the Arabs in the entire region adopted it for their protection until this day.

Note from the author:  Even today, the Jewish population from North Africa, who is still wearing the Khomsa as jewelry, does not know its real origin.

This story is based on part of the Bible and part on hearsay and legends and put it in writing by the author.