A Jewish Home

YOUR JEWISH HOME

Mezuziot

Candles for Shabbat and Holidays

Candle Sticks

Kjddush Cup

Challah Board and Knife

Challah Cover

Kipot

Mizrach

Etrog Holder

Chanukah Menorah

Purim Megillah and Groggers

Pesach Seder Plates

Pesach Matzah Covers

Yahrtzeit Candles

Jewish Books

MEZUZOT A home becomes uniquely Jewish by affixing a mezuzah case with a kosher parchment on which the Shma is scribally written. There must be a mezuzah (minimally) on the doors that open to "the street". Many follow the custom of a mezuzah on the doorpost of every room in the house (except the bathroom). CANDLE STICKS Candle sticks for Shabbat and holidays should be displayed prominently ever/ day of the year. In some families it is the custom lo light two candles. In others, one candle is lit for each member of the family. As a family grows, the joy of Shabbat and holiday light increases. KIDDUSH CUP   Each family should have a special cup or goblet to be used for Shabbat, holidays and other joyous occasions, when wine, the symbol of beauty and sweetness in our tradition, helps announce and sanctify a special observance. There should be one kiddush cup for a family or as time passes, perhaps a collection of cups - one cup for each member of the family.     CHALLAH BOARD AND KNIFE A special cutting board and knife decorated with Jewish art and/or Hebrew lettering, raises our Shabbat and holiday dinner table above a place used simply for eating. The challah reminds us of our tradition, our history and our survival. CHALLAH COVER Placed over the challah until the "motzi" bracha is recited, an attractive challah cover adds to the beauty and emphasizes the special nature of the Shabbat and holiday meal. KIPOT A skull cap known in Hebrew as a kipah is worn according to Jewish tradition whenever God's name is recited during meals, during prayers or Jewish study or oilier Jewish observances. The kipah should certainly be worn at times of candle lighting, kiddush, ha-motzi, during meals, Birkat Hamazon grace after meals, and Jewish studies. HAVDALAH SET   As the Shabbat and holidays arc ushered in by Ihc lighting of candles, so too these days arc concluded by the lighting of a Havdalah candle and the recitation in the home of a brief service. The word Havdalah means

separation and the Havdalah service formally marks the end of a religious experience and the return to normal work day activities.

A Havdalah set consists of a specially braided candle with multiple wicks intended to create a large, obvious flame. Also included is a spice box made of wood, silver, patina, or other materials and filled with spices. Their fragrance is used as a lingering reminder of the beautiful experience just concluded. In addition, wine in a Kiddush cup is used in the service as the blessing is recited at the outset of the Havdalah service.

MIZRACH

A wall decoration with the word Mizrach (East) written on it is traditionally placed on an Eastern wall of our home, facing toward Jerusalem, reminding us of our unity with Jerusalem and the State of Israel.

ETROG HOLDER

A special box of silver or wood in which the etrog — the special font of the Sukkot holiday is kept and displayed. The lulav and etrog arc waved in a special way on each day of Sukkot (except on Shabbat).

CHANUKAH MENORAH

Each family should possess at least one chanukiah-menorah to be used with candles or with oil. Some families have each person in the family light their own menorah.

PUIUM MEGILLAH

The Scroll of Esther is called Megillat Esther in Hebrew mid tells of the escape of the Jews of Persia from annihilation. It may be purchased in many decorative forms and is a significant addition to the articles of Judaica that can give our home a distinctive and meaningful decor. Many artistic groggers (Rashanim) from different parts of the world arc also available.

PESACH SEDER PLATES and MATZAH COVERS.

These items help add to the beauty of the Seder table. A nice Seder plate adds to the meaning of the Passover service

and contains the foods used for various rituals.

YAHRTZEIT CANDLES

A candle that bums for 24 hours and is to be kindled on the evening before the Yahrzeit date as well as the evening before the four days of Yizkor during the year. (The evening before Yom Kippur, Shemini Atzeret, the last day of Pesach and the second day of Shavuot) The Yahrzeit candle is lit by any Jew who has lost a mother, father, sister, brother, wife, son or daughter.

STARTING A JEWISH LIBRARY

*Chumash - The Five Books of Moses. Start with the Soncino edition, the S volume J.P.S. with commentary or the Artscroll Stone Chumash.

*Tanakh - The 39 books comprising
the complete Jewish Bible (including
the Chumash). The Jewish
Publication Society edition.

*Siddur Sim Shalom - Contains the weekday and Shabbat services. Also has prayers (tefillot) and blessings (brachot) for home observances and life cycle events like a brit or a chatuna (circumcision or wedding).

*Feast of Freedom Haggadah - Has a text and explanations for your Pesach .Seder.

*B'kol Echad - The rituals/blessings for Shabbat and holidays; songs and grace after meals. Purchase enough for each person in the family and guests.

Basic Judaism - One of the best and shortest introductions to Jewish holidays, observances and belief Rabbi Milton Steinberg (paper)

This is My God - Another excellent starter text. Herman Wouk. (paper)

*It's A Mitzvah - A step by step approach to a dozen of Judaism's beautiful mitzvot and how to make the opening tentative start. Rabbi Bradley Shavit Arisen (paper)

*Conservative Judaism; Century - A background to Conservative Judaism, its first 100 years and the successes and issues before the movement. Dr. Nell Gillman. (paper)

Conservative Judaism: Our Ancestors

to our Descendants - The history of Conservative Judaism and its unique philosophy. Originally prepared for United Synagogue Youth (USY). excellent for all. Dr. Elliott Dorff. (paper)

* Tradition and Change - History and goals of Conservative Judaism edited by Rabbi Mordechai Waxman.

The Sabbath - Dr. Abraham Joshua Heschel's spiritual interpretation of Judaism's Day of Rest. Readable for all. (paper)

Land Thou - Dr. Martin Buber's key essay on the relationship of each person to a personal God. (paper)

Night - Eli Weisel's classic "introduction" to the persona! horror of the Nazi Holocaust, (paper)

My People - Abba Eban's account of the people of Israel.

Thc Zionist Idea - Arthur Hertz berg

*A Guide to Jewish Religious Practice

* Isaac Klein

* Available from Book Service

   2 12-333-7800 cm. 2000