This blog brings you a selection of Jewish gifts that are designed by contemoporary Israeli artists.Here I will show you a variety of Jewish gifts that have some kind of modern twist. Many of the Jewish gifts fit for festive occasions in the Jewish home. The others will simply make your day a little brighter.
The Wailing Wall or the Western Wall is one of the most sacred Jewish sites. Hundreds of thousands of Jewish people visit this holy site every year, crying, asking God to listen to their prayers. Many write down their wishes on little notes and shove them between the bricks of the Wall.
As the bible tells us, King Solomon built the first temple in Jerusalem more than 2,000 years ago. This sacred temple was destroyed by the Babylonians leaving only the Wailing wall intact. Miraculously, aftet the second temple was built the Wailing Wall has survived the destruction of the second temple as well. Since then, the Wailing Wall has become a symbol for divine protection and hope of the Diaspora Jews to return to the land of Israel.
In 1967 War, the Western Wall was liberated by the IDF.
The Wailing Wall has been a great source of inspiration for many Israeli Judaica designers. This beautiful mezuzah case is a great example. This mezuzah is made from genuine Jerusalem stone.
Wailing Wall inspried mezuzah case by Caesarea Arts
I have to admit, I wasn't familiar with Jewish author Jesse Kellerman prior to reading The Genius. Having read the novel, I must say that Kellerman is one of the most intriguing Jewish authors today.
The Genius is an extraordinary piece in terms of writing, style, and plot.
Ethan Muller is a New York art dealer, young and ambitious. For Ethan, art is defined by its price tag. And who decides what art is? The art dealer. Indeed, Ethan is a self-centered, narcissistic protagonist. When Ethan receives a strange phone call telling him he must go to check a deserted art collection by an anonymous artist, he is astonished to discover a series of paintings that are extremely intense, psychotic even. At this point, Kellerman describes the drawings so vividly that you can literally feel their psychotic and compelling nature. The artist, Victor Cracke, disappears off the ground and no one knows of his whereabouts. Ethan starts to deal with the paintings as if they were his own. Soon enough, he begins to receive threatening letters. Ethan then receives another unexpected phone call from a retired NYPD cop who reveals to him a disturbing secret - an image of a boy in one of Cracke's paintings belongs to a victim of a serial pedophile rapist and murderer who was never caught.
Drawn into this wild realm, Ethan is about to discover buried secrets connected to his own family saga of the Jewish immigrant family that became rich and powerful.
Kellerman skillfully threads art, social criticism, and psycho-analysis with the history of Jewish immigrants bathed in romance and mystery. The Genius is a well-written modern (Jewish!) thriller that you will not be able to put down. This ambitious novel is a great gift for anyone who enjoys mystery books.
As I have reported on my Jewish news blog, The Optimistc Jew, there is now a first female African-American rabbi. According to Times, Alysa Stanton, 45, will become America's first female African-American rabbi in two months from now. Today she has completed seven years of rabbinical training at Hebrew Union College. Stanton will serve as the rabbi of Congregation Bayt Shalom, a synagogue in Greenville, N.C. Well, this is a big step for Jewish feminism. To celebrate that, I've decided to bring you here several Tallits (Jewish prayer shawl) that are specially designed for women. Tallit is usually worn inside synagogues and during the morning services.
on the image above- Tallit for women- Miriam and Deborah
As you might know, there is a strong disagreement in the orthodox community whether women should be allowed to wear a Tallit. In reform and conservative communities, by contrast, Tallit is worn by women as often as by men.
Different Jewish scholars have argued that wearing a Tallit by a woman is a sign of vanity. However, many rabbis today permit this practice. Today, even in modern orthodox communities more and more women proudly wear their Tallits. No one can stop ongoing social changes.
Tallits for women often include biblical motifs that signify the significance of women in the bible. Miriam, Moses and Aaron's sister, took an active part in the story of Exodus and provided an infinite source of water for the Israelites in the Sinai desert (today this is celebrated through the use of a new ritual article- Miriam's Cup) . Deborah the prophetess was the only female leader of the Israelites.
These Tallits for women are designed by Israeli judaica artists, Yair Emanuel - one of the most distinctive artists who live and work in Israel today. Emanuel's artistic designs of colorful Tallits make great gifts for Jewish women that is both practical and symbolic.
This year on Shavuot, like in every year, thousands of people have gathered at the Western Wall in the ancient city of Jerusalem to hear Birkat HaKoanim recited at the Kotel. I've already told you on an older post about this special blessing, Birkat Kohanim, alson known as the Priestly Blessing . Birkat HaKohanim is a powerful blessing that refers to the explicit name of God. This time i'd like to bring you here extraordinary Kohanim pendants by Israeli artists. Kohanim pendant makes a unique gift for Cohen or anyone who is interested in Jewish art and tradition. In the image on the left, you can see Birkat Kohanim Pendant by HaAri Jewelry, Israel. The pendant is inscribed in Hebrew with the psalms that comprise Birkat HaKohanim in the bible: "The Lord bless thee and keep thee, The Lord make His face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace" (Book of Numbers, 6:24-26). One of God's sacred acronyms is found only in the Hebrew version.
Kohanim , Cohanim or Cohens are decedents of Aaron and his sons, who were the High Priests (Kohen Gadol) of the Israelites. Kohens form a holy order – they have to follow the rules of the Torah to protect them against ritual defilement. The Kohens must abstain from certain things like going to cemeteries. As commanded by God to Moses and Aaron, only the holy order of the Kohnim can recite this powerful blessing.
The Kohanim, who served God in the Tabernacle in the Sinai desert and at the temple in Jerusalem, wore a special breastplate, inserted with Hoshen stones. According to the book of Exodus, the precious stones on the breastplate of the High Priest were engraved with the Hebrew names of the twelve tribes of Israel.
The Hoshen breastplate was to be made according to specific directions, given in the Bible - book of Exodus, Chapter 28: "And thou shalt make a breastplate of judgment, the work of the skilful workman; like the work of the ephod thou shalt make it: of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, shalt thou make it" (15).
"And the stones shall be according to the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names; like the engravings of a signet, every one according to his name, they shall be for the twelve tribes" (21).
The breastplate was connected to the mystical Urim and Thummim, and served as a divine oracle. This handcrafted Kohanim pendant is designed according the exact position of the stones as it was set in the High Priest's breastplate, as specified in the Bible. Each gemstone represents one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The 14 k gold plate in this hoshen pendant is engraved in Hebrew with the 12 names of the children of Israel.
Hoshen Breastplate Kohanim pendant by HaAri Jewelri (14K Gold)
I've just read that Madonna's boyfriend Jesus visited to an Israeli Kabbalah jewelry store in Brazil, and tried on several Kabbalah jewelry accessories, as you can see in the pictures. According to the rumors, Madonna has been dating 22 year old Brazilian model Jesus Luz in the last few months since her high-profiled breakup with husband Guy Rithcie. Madonna has been deeply involved in the Kabbalah world for a few years now. Last weekMadonna was spotted with Jesus at the New York kabbalah Center with her three "Kabbalah kids". Two years ago Madonna participated in Kabbalah Center's events during her visits to Israel. Madonna has declared herself the "ambassador for Judaism". Rumors say we are expected to have another visit soon.
HaAri jewelry is an Israeli studio design that has been focusing on sharing the Kabbalah teachings through the world of jewelry. In these pictures Jesus is wearing HaAri's a Hamsa pendant and Key pendant. Hamsa is a common feature in kabbalah jewelry. Hamsa jewelry is traditionally believed to provide the wearer with protection against the evil eye. To read an article about Hamsa jewelry click on the link. The Key pendant is an exclusive HaAri Jewelry piece. In Kabbalah, the key is a symbol of success and prosperity. The key parts are shaped as Hebrew letters Peh and Bet that symbolize the Godly speech that has created the universe. image source
The Key pendant is an exclusive HaAri Jewelry piece. In Kabbalah, the key is a symbol of success and prosperity. The key parts are shaped as Hebrew letters Peh and Bet that symbolize the Godly speech that has created the universe.
Here are the pieces that Jesus is modeling: Double Hamsa Pendant by Israeli Kabbalah jewelry studio, HaAry Jewlry
The Traveler's Prayer, known in Hebrew as Tefilat HaDerech, is a traditional Jewish prayer recited at the onset of a trip, long journey or a flight.
In this special prayer the traveler asks for divine protecting and safeguard. The traveler asks God to keep them safe from harm and dangers. Interestingly, Tefilat HaDerech is written in plural: we ask God to keep "us" safe rather than "me". According to sacred sources, a traveler is often alone, far away from their friends and family, and so - exposed to dangers. The traveler says this prayer in plural as to join himself or herself with a large number of people.
Tefilat HaDerech unisex ring by Israeli studio, Golan Jewelry.
Many Jewish people who travel around the world keep a copy of the prayer within reach. Jewelry accessories with Tefilat HaDerech inscribed on them allow the wearer to carry the sacred words wherever they go. These pieces might also include other protective amulets as the Star of David or Hamsa hand. Tefilat HaDerech pendant or ring is often given as a gift to soldiers, businessmen and businesswomen and constant travelers. The pendant shown below is inscribed in silver using an innovative technology that allows high resolution. Both pendant and ring include the entire text of Tefilat HeDerech!
Tefilat HaDerech Onyx pendant
Tefilat HaDerech recited by IDF soldiers:
The translation of Tefilat HaDerech from Hebrew (Wikipedia):
"May it be Your will, LORD our God and the God of our ancestors, that You lead us toward peace, guide our footsteps toward peace, and make us reach our desired destination for life, gladness, and peace. May You rescue us from the hand of every foe, ambush along the way, and from all manner of punishments that assemble to come to earth. May You send blessing in our handiwork, and grant us grace, kindness, and mercy in Your eyes and in the eyes of all who see us. May You hear the sound of our humble request because You are God Who hears prayer requests. Blessed are You, Adonai, Who hears prayer".
Jewish gifts blog wishes you many safe journeys, take care!
Shema Yisrael is the most renowned prayer in Judaism. In fact, it is not exactly a prayer, but rather a confession, a declaration addressed to God proclaiming: " Hear, O Israel: the Lord is our God, the Lord is One". "Shema" is usually used by extension to refer to the full version of the daily prayer but is best known for its first psalm. The full version of Shema Yisrael includes three paragraphs from the Torah: Deuteronomy 6:4–9, 11:13-21, and Numbers 15:37–41. These verses comprise the biblical commandants to say Shema Yisrael twice a day - before sunrise and shortly after nightfall- and affix a mezuzah to every doorpost. The verses that comprise Shema Yisrael are written on a scroll that must be kosher (written by a Sofer Stam according to Jewish law ) and this scroll is placed inside a mezuzah case.
Shema Yisrael mezuzah case by Caesarea Arts
These words express the foundation of the Jewish religion: the belief that the God of Israel is the only God.
Every Jewish person is commanded to recite this prayer twice a day. Every child knows it and every parent must pass it to the children. Jewish women are not obligated to recite Shema. However, it is common practice among all Jews - women, men, and children – to do so. It must be because these words touch the soul of every Jewish believer.
Calling out the words Shema Yisrael has become an integral part of Jewish collective memory after the Holocaust. Hundred of thousands of Jews who were led to their death called out Shema Israel before the Nazis murdered them. That is another important aspect of the prayer, and some argue the most important: by saying Shema Yisrael the believer declares his unconditional faith even in the gravest of moments- we accept the fact the God who has brought the Good is the same God who brought the bad.
There is interseting folkolre about a great Tzadik- a righteous man- called Rabbi Akiva Ben Yoseph. Rabbi Akiva who lived in the second century was imprisoned by Tyrannus Rufus and painfully tortured - his flesh was being torn with irons tools. Even as he was suffering, Rabbi Akiva was reciting his prayers calmly. When asked by his tormenter whether he was a sorcerer since he seemed to be feeling no pain, Rabbi Akiba replied with no hesitation, "I am no sorcerer; but I rejoice at the opportunity now given to me to love my God with all my life.” Rabbi Akiva, who has become a legend, died on the Attonememt Day reciting the Shema with his last breath . His last word was Echad - One in Hebrew (Talmud Brakhot).
A Shema Yisrael pendant is a very popular Jewish jewelry accessory. I've already introduced you to a Star of David pendant inscribed with these two sacred words. Here is another Shema yisrael pendant alsomt mythical – in some mysterious way the craftspeople of an Israeli studio design wrote the prayer on an Opalite stone. If you watch the image closely you can see the words beautifully written in Hebrew.
Shema Yisrael pendant with an Opalite stone by Golan studio
Below, the song Shema Yisrael performed by Israeli singer Sarit Hadad, who might be the most successful female singer in Israel for the past decade. The song was written as a prayer, asking God to strengthen our souls when times are hard. This song has become an Israeli hymn.
Listen to the song Shema Yisrael with English subtitles (well, sort of…)
