The beauty of Jewish art lies in its ability to transcend simple decor, providing a window into the heart of the Jewish nation. From framed blessings to intricate hamsas and quirky Jewish Judaica- each artwork tells a story about our spiritual purpose and connectedness, blending beauty and meaning with your taste.

Let's journey through the captivating world of Jewish wall art, discovering what lies behind the chatchkes and frames on the wall. Be it whimsical wall tiles to metal letter art for your big ‘Macher’ neighbor, our pieces are quality, hand-selected, and detailed. Scroll through our vibrant catalog to find the perfect gift to enrich your home, office, or a loved one’s space just in time for the holidays!

Blessings for the Home:

“Let no sorrow come through this gate, let no trouble come in this dwelling, let no fright come through this door, let no conflict come to this department”

Though its origin is unclear, a variation of this prayer was discovered as protection against the plague in the early 1900s and is very popular to date. Blessings serve as gentle reminders of gratitude, serenity, and G-d’s divine presence in our lives. Your home is your sanctuary, and adorning its walls with ‘Birkat Habayit’, the prayer for the home, creates an atmosphere of warmth, spirituality, kindness, and peace. This prayer is typically framed on the wall next to the door or window, making a wonderful gift for a new homeowner. 

All of our amazing pieces come matted and beautifully framed. Check out this timeless gold leaf papercut, a perfect gift for that friend who likes a more traditional piece.

We love this lighthearted but elegant peacock frame. Prefer something round? Check out our colorful tree piece.

Blessings for Business:

In Judaism, we believe that success, wealth as well as failure and loss originate from a higher power. In the unpredictable world of business, it can be frightening to rely solely on your insight, efforts, and ‘good luck.’

Entrusting G-d to provide guidance and wisdom to make wise decisions provides security in knowing that we do not control outcomes. Seeking blessing for our business serves as a reminder to conduct our operations with honesty, dignity, and kindness. We also seek protection from financial loss and unforeseen circumstances.

By acknowledging G-d’s presence in the day-to-day running of our lives, we express humility and appreciation, bringing more blessings into our day-to-day interactions. Our ‘Blessings for Business’ not only embellish your workspace but embody integrity, wisdom, and the comfort of knowing that everything is for the best.

Is a friend or family member starting a new business? Want to show thanks to an employee? Check out our….

Physician Prayers:

Doctors and medical professionals are regarded in Jewish tradition as ‘messengers of G-d’ who bring healing to the world. Preservation and sanctity of life is a sacred commandment in the Torah, as it says “and you should guard yourself and your soul carefully.” (Deuteronomy) Not only this but services rendered by physicians and healers are considered ‘Pikuach Nefesh,’ lifesaving work which overrides any Mitzvot in the Torah, including the laws of Shabbat.

Where does the physician's prayer originate? Maimonides, or Rambam, was a renowned medieval philosopher, Rabbi, and physician. One of his famed works is the "Prayer for the Physician," a deeply spiritual and profound reflection on the role of doctors and the healing process.

There’s no better way to show gratitude and appreciation than with our classic gold frame, blue matte physician prayer.    

Does your doctor prefer a more artsy, colorful look? check out this bold piece.

Have a child or friend in medical school? Gift them with a one-of-a-kind painted porcelain physician mezuza. These prayers-on-art provides comfort and hope to physicians and their patients.  Need a gift for a different practitioner? This classy framed ‘healing arts’ prayer is perfect for your chiropractor, nurse, or therapist!

Woman of Valor Art:

A famous archetype in Jewish tradition, the Eshet Chayil, or "Woman of Valor" holds a revered place within her home and community. Written by King Solomon, the prayer symbolizes the timeless strength, wisdom, and compassion of the Jewish woman. It is also thought to have been written about G-d or Shabbat itself.

Traditionally, Eshet Chayil is sung by the husband every Friday night as a tribute to his wife, capturing the essence of feminine grace, resilience, and dignity. Our foremothers set the tone for generations of strong, spiritual, and selfless women. Traits engraved in the DNA of Jewish women.

There’s no better way to show appreciation for a teacher, mother, or young bride than with one of our beautiful artworks. Our contemporary illustrative piece is perfect for the powerhouse role model in your life. For a more classic look, take a look at our paper cut, platinum leaf frame.

Have you always wanted one but never got around to it? Celebrate yourself and all that you do with this elegant, Persian-columned piece. You deserve it!

Hamsas:

The Hamsa, or Arabic word for ‘5’, has deeply rooted symbolism within the Jewish tradition. Raising the hand (5 fingers) invokes good luck and spiritual protection from the evil eye. In the Exodus, Moses lifted his hands to help the Jewish nation win an arduous battle against Amalek.

Hamsas and similar amulets have been popular amongst Sephardic (middle eastern) Jews for centuries, as mentioned by some of the greatest sages of the 18th century. The hamsa plays an important role in Islamic tradition as the ‘The Hand of Fatima’,  bridging the gap between cultures, making a great gift for Jews and Muslims alike.

Some sources correlate the Hamsa to the 5 senses and 5 books of the Torah, invoking wisdom and divine guidance. In addition to warding off negativity and harm, the hamsa is thought to bring blessing and good fortune. Want to bring more love into the home while you’re at it? Perk up your living space with this rainbow heart hamsa. 

Hamsas are handcrafted with various shapes and materials- such as this pink copper metal wall tile, and sometimes engraved with a special blessing like this vibrant laser cut piece.

The mysticism and beautifully intricate designs of the Hamsa make it the perfect, charming gift for a friend, or coworker or a rich embellishment for your own home. If you’re truly looking to wow, this colorful copper, glass, Swarovski piece is one the whole family with adore!

Jewish Themed Art:

Jewish tradition is rife with nuances, culture, and thematic elements.

 For example, the 7 species (Shivat Haminim) hold symbolic significance, each type representing elements such as sustenance, joy, wisdom, spirituality, abundance, piece, and strength.

Love and Gratitude are essential ingredients for the Jewish home. “Love Hashem Your G-d. Love Your Neighbor as Yourself. “ Love for oneself, each other, and G-d forms the foundation of our religious beliefs. Why not display it beautifully and brightly on your wall?.

Gratitude for the abundance of good in our lives defines our faith in G-d and willingness to give to others, as depicted by this magnificent frame based on the Ashrei prayer.

Beyond the sacred, solemn, and spiritual- Judaism also embraces the whimsical and joyous. A home is not complete without some ‘Meshugas’ too! You’ll love our metal letter art, with all sorts of Jewish catchphrases- perfect for the mensch, macher, rabbi, or ‘Bashert’ in your life! 

Our collection of wall tiles, pomegranates, dove, and magen david- are rustic, classy, and perfect to hang around the home.

Want something totally unique? This ‘chopped liver’ aluminum sign is perfect for the funny couple, guy or gal in your life.

From playful illustrations to expressions of Jewish culture, these artworks inject personality and lightheartedness into any environment. Spark conversations and smiles with a gift from our unique collection!

But the Jews feared no death. They listened to the voice of G-d, marking their doorposts with blood from the lamb sacrifice. This symbolic ritual distinguished the Jewish homes from the Egyptians', enabling G-d to 'pass-over' their dwelling places and leave them unscathed. A terrible night for the cruel Egyptians, but a night of love, protection, and hope for the Jews. After 210 years of brutal slavery, they were soon to be free.

Modern-Day Mezuzah:

While that starry night in Egypt is not the actual biblical source, our modern-day Mezuzah resembles the blood on the doorpost. Putting up a Mezuzah has, and continues to be a flagship mark of a Jewish home, a powerful testament to G-d's power.

Have you ever driven through a random city or township and played the 'Mezuzah in the Wild' challenge? There is something thrilling about spotting a Jewish house in the middle of nowhere. The rest of the world may deem it odd, but it's perfectly acceptable to see Jews of all types holding up their hand to kiss the pretty little tube on the doorpost upon entering and exiting the room.

(Speaking of pretty little tubes, don't miss this gorgeous floral handcrafted piece, perfect for those who love color!

https://www.shalomhouse.com/products/flowers-mezuzah-painted-porcelain.htm

Mezuzahs are not simply historical religious artifacts. Aside from being a powerful reminder of our faith, identity, and connection to G-d, mezuzahs provide a wellspring of protection for the Jewish home.

The actual commandment for Mezuzah can be found in Deuteronomy, 6:9,

"Hear, 0 Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord is One. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."

A Mezuzah has not only the Shema prayer inscribed on the parchment inside but also the hidden name of G-d. These words, a testament to G-d's One-ness and our special connection with Him, bring divine protection and blessing to the home.

There's a reason Mezuzahs are very popular for young couples starting out in their new home- say Maze! tov with our classic glass and copper Mezuzah, or our unique fused Mezuzah with a tube for glass shards from under the chuppah (canopy) https://www.shalomhouse.com/products/fused-mezuzah-with-tube-for-shards-glass.htm

Affixing the Mezuzah: A Ritual of Faith, A Lifetime of Blessing 

While it's certainly not magic, there are countless stories of how putting up or fixing the incorrect placement of a mezuzah led to miraculous change and much-needed salvation.

The process of affixing the Mezuzah to the doorpost is steeped in tradition and meaning. Observing this ritual properly necessitates precision and care. Here's a step-by-step guide to properly affixing the Mezuzah:

Before you read on, our olivewood and resin Mezuzah are handmade, with no two pieces alike. Treat your friend, loved one, or show appreciation with this rustic-yet-classy gift https://www.shalomhouse.com/products/olivewood-and-resin-mezuzah.htm

Selecting the Mezuzah:

Choose a Mezuzah scroll that meets all the necessary religious requirements. It must be handwritten by a scribe (Sofer) on parchment, following specific rules and using special ink.

Choosing the Location:

The Mezuzah is placed on the right-hand side of the doorpost as you enter the room, with the top of the Mezuzah facing inward. It should be placed at a slight angle, leaning towards the room.

Inserting the Scroll:

Place the Mezuzah scroll into the designated slot within the Mezuzah case.

Reciting the Blessing:

Before affixing the Mezuzah, recite the blessing: "Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech haolam, asher kidshanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu likboa mezuzah." Translation: "Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to affix a Mezuzah."

Affixing the Mezuzah: Using nails or adhesive, attach the Mezuzah to the doorpost, ensuring it is securely fastened.

By meticulously performing this sacred ritual, we demonstrate our unwavering faith in G-d. The Mezuzah is a tangible reminder of our shared bond and brings a sense of holiness and divine protection into each corner of the home.

Our copper vine mezuzah is divinely unique, featuring a simple yet elegant leaf design with a green finish. Perfect as a birthday, special occasion, or thank you gift.  http://www.shalomhouse.com/products/copper-vine-mezuzah-with-green-patina.htm

The Mezuzah: Stories of Faith and Protection

Over the centuries, countless tales of divine protection and miraculous occurrences have been associated with the Mezuzah. Here are a few stories that illustrate the remarkable power attributed to this sacred object:

An Eye-Opening Miracle

Chaya, the daughter of Rabbi David Grossman, the chief Rabbi of a city in Israel returned home from school one day with a swollen eye. While originally thought to be something small, the swelling continued until it became bloody and full of pus. After seeing multiple specialists and receiving conflicting diagnosis', there was no conclusive answer to her concerning condition.

The rabbi had a trip planned to the United States, where he planned to visit top ophthalmologist, Dr. Hornblass. He insisted on seeing Chaya in person, and she immediately booked a flight for the following day.

(A friend or family traveling or moving away? No better way to send them off than with our unique porcelain airplane mezuzah)

On their way to the doctor, she stopped to visit the late Lubavitcher Rebbe, where a large lineup of people were already waiting to see him and receive his blessings. Immediately upon noticing the rabbi and his daughter, the rebbe advised 'Check the mezuzah immediately and she will have a complete recovery.' Rabbi Grossman called his wife, who brought their Mezuzot to the local scribe for checking. Sure enough, within the Shema phrase "and it should be as a reminder, between your eyes", the word 'Einecha,' (your eyes) was rubbed out. Mrs Grossman immediately put up a new, kosher mezuzah.

Back in New York, Chaya Rivka was feeling strange. She went for a nap, and miraculously- when she awoke, her eyesight had returned to normal. They went to see the specialist, who was completely dumbfounded by her recovery. The rabbi told him the story with the Mezuzah. Years later, Rabbi Grossman was invited to a New Jersey synagogue as a guest speaker. When he entered the room, Dr.Hornblass, the eye specialist ran over to him, dressed in a tallit (prayer shawl.) "I saw the miracle with the Lubavitcher Rebbe and the Mezuzah, and then, I knew- there must be a G-d.'' (Mezuzah Maven)

Speaking of optometrists, show your thanks with our unique painted optometrist mezuzah! Whether you or the giftee is a sports enthusiast, musician or entrepreneur, we have Mezuzah for everyone!  http://www.shalomhouse.com/products/optometrist-mezuzah-painted-porcelain.htm

The Miracle Child Who Saved a Life

There was a couple struggling to conceive for years. They were told by many specialists that the situation was hopeless. They were given a blessing and told to put up Mezuzot around the house. Within exactly one year of putting up the Mezuzot, they were blessed with a child.

The story does not end there, however.......

The baby's father, a first responder, was at the scene of the twin towers on September

11. The world descended into chaos as desperate families tried to reach loved ones trapped inside the building. What happened was nothing short of miraculous. The last thing he remembered was seeing a falling object about to crash on him. Upon waking up, he discovered that a firefighter pushed him out of the way at the last second, saving him from immediate death. Why was he saved? The firefighter recognized the man as the father of his son's classmate. Amidst the smoke, debris, and chaos, he instinctively ran to save a familiar face- the father of the boy who was born in the merit of Mezuzah.

Want to send a bris or baby gift? The kids will be delighted with our cookie monster mezuzah, https://www.shalomhouse.com/products/cookie-monster-mezuzah-painted-porcelain.htm Or, take a look at our fireman mezuzah- the perfect gift for a kid or first responder in your life! http://www.shalomhouse.com/products/fireman-mezuzah-painted-porcelain.htm

Camp Troubles

A group of girls in a select bunkhouse at overnight camp all experienced various injuries. A bunk bed broke and fell down on top of one camper, another fractured her foot, another became ill with a virus and had to spend a week in the camp infirmary. All these girls had something in common- names that began with 'Shin'. The camp rabbi came to check the mezuzah at the entrance of the bunkhouse and found that the 'Shin' in the first letter of the 'Shema' was upside down!

Embracing the Mezuzah's Power

In the realm of Judaica, the Mezuzah stands as a physical testament to the Jewish faith, a reminder of God's presence, and a source of divine protection. The commandment to affix it to our doorposts is a ritual that connects every Jewish family to their heritage and beliefs. Whether you live in Jerusalem or Shanghai, The Mezuzah's power transcends its physical size, serving as a universal beacon of hope and spiritual security for generations.

Want to bring a taste of Jerusalem to your home? Check out our porcelain Jerusalem mezuzah, handcrafted in beautiful shades of blue. http://www.shalomhouse.com/products/jerusalem-mezuzah-painted-porcelain.htm

Embracing the Mezuzah connects us to our past and creates timeless trust in the future. This beautiful, easy Mitzvah fills our homes and hearts with strength, faith, and spirituality. Let the Mezuzah be your personal source of connection, pride in your Jewish Jewish identity, and a steadfast reminder of God's loving protection!

Don't leave our site without seeing our most popular 'mitzvah mezuzah', made in Israel with love by the one and only Mordechai Hazan. A perfect gift for your rabbi, teacher, or friend!   https://www.shalomhouse.com/products/mitzvah-mezuzah-painted-porcelain.htm

At Shalom House Judaica, we celebrate Jewish Heritage and tradition with handcrafted, beautiful gifts for every personality and occasion! Our extensive mezuzah collection includes one-of-a-kind glass, porcelain, wood, metal, and sterling silver pieces for every age and stage. Happy shopping!

If you're looking for an extra special gift, our sophisticated green orb copper and sterling silver mezuzah will not disappoint! https://www.shalomhouse.com/products/green-orb-mezuzah-copper-and-sterling-silver.htm

Judaism is full of opportunities to party and celebrate. Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, weddings, birthdays, babies and Brit Mila, Shabbat, holidays- even moving into a new home! Each event or milestone carries with it a unique spiritual power and potential that we can appreciate. Let’s explore some attributes of these joyous occasions that bring so much vitality and life to our heritage and traditions.

Check out some of our specialty products for the upcoming Shavuot holiday here! https://www.shalomhouse.com/products/shavuot/

Bar/Bat Mitzvahs

When a Jewish boy turns 13, he becomes obligated to the commandments of the Torah- such as putting on tefillin, praying in a group of 10 or more men, and being a role model in the community. Reaching the age of Bar Mitzvah changes his status from a boy to a man with new responsibilities. It is considered a special event in Judaism and typically includes a special reading from the Torah speeches, and of course- a large celebration with family and friends.

Bar-Mitzvah is the first time a boy will don tefillin, special leather boxes inscribed with the Shema prayer. (It is a mitzvah in the Torah for all adult men to don tefillin during morning prayers. Tefillin are bound with leather straps to the head and arm, which is close to the heart, to remind us that our intellect and emotions should be used for the purpose of Mitzvot and closeness with G-d. ) Tefillin are a pricey gift, but there are plenty of gift options that are sure to make the Bar-Mitzvah boy happy and proud.

Brighten up his door with our porcelain hockey Mezuzah https://www.shalomhouse.com/products/hockey-mezuzah-painted-porcelain.htm

Or hand-painted guitar mezuzah

https://www.shalomhouse.com/products/guitar-mezuzah-painted-porcelain.htm.

Did you know A bar mitzvah boy can also make his own kiddush? Welcome the boy of the hour to the men’s club with this eye-catching blue kiddush cup and matching saucer. https://www.shalomhouse.com/products/kiddush-cup-with-saucer-blue-by-quest.htm

Bat Mitzvah-

Unlike boys, girls become ‘women of the Torah at the age of 12.

Girls accept responsibility for the Mitzvot and take their rightful places within the community. Women play an important role in carrying and passing down the spiritual traditions of Judaism to the next generation. Jewish girls approach their Bat-Mitzvah with pride and excitement, and while some opt for a low-key event, many will have a big party with speeches, dancing, and gifts.

There are many bat-mitzvah clubs and programs to learn about Judaism and the significance of the Mitzvot and prayer, (make her night with this sterling silver Shema necklace- https://www.shalomhouse.com/products/shema-necklace-sterling-silver.htm)

Some girls also begin to light Shabbat candles when they turn 12- get her started with these adorable blue candle holders https://www.shalomhouse.com/products/blue-anodized-aluminum-candle-holders.htm.

We love our number 18- 18 is the numerical value of ‘Chai’, life. Our 14kt yellow gold studs are a sparkly way to congratulate you!

htps://www.shalomhouse.com/products/baby-chai-stud-earrings-14kt-yellow-gold.htm

Brit Mila-

Mazel Tov, It’s a boy!

The tiny bundle of joy with the cute button nose is not just adorable, but a new link in the chain of Jewish life. Abraham was the first person in history to perform the Mitzvah of Brit Mila, becoming the first ‘official jew’ at the age of 99! Abraham performed the difficult task to symbolize his special covenant with G-d, an unbreakable bond that was passed down to every Jew succeeding him. In return, G-d promised Abraham that his offspring would forever survive and flourish, no matter who attempts to annihilate us.

We circumcise boys on the 8th day to reinforce and add our new addition to this special covenant. The baby wears a special outfit (such as this soft cotton embroidered set https://www.shalomhouse.com/products/bris-set-with-blue-embroidery.htm) and is placed on a special brit pillow (https://www.shalomhouse.com/products/blue-bris-pillow-case.htm)

The bris procedure is performed by a certified Mohel and often followed by a festive meal. The Brit is also when the child receives his name, a representation of his unique soul, or essence. Welcome their new bundle of joy with a protective hamsa for the stroller https://www.shalomhouse.com/products/baby-blessing-hamsa-h-131e.htm.

Or, send this plush hanging aleph bet since he’ll be walking and talking in no time!

https://www.shalomhouse.com/products/alef-bet-wallhanging.htm

Baby Naming-

The survival of the jewish nation is entirely dependent on women!

From times of slavery in Egypt to the matriarchs and prophetesses, women are the true heroines of our history (and future!) We welcome the birth of a beautiful baby girl with a baby naming, or Simchat Bat. The father is called up to the Torah during the week or the first Shabbat after she is born. He says a special “Mi Sheberach’ prayer for the health of the mother and blesses his new daughter to grow into a wise woman of virtue and greatness.

A naming ceremony is often followed by a special kiddush with friends and family. Is there a new girl in the family or your social circle?

Adorn her room with a mezuza fit for a princess! https://www.shalomhouse.com/products/baby-mezuzah-copper.htm

Or, keep her warm with our soft, embroidered-with-a-blessing blanket https://www.shalomhouse.com/products/pink-baby-blanket-with-noahs-ark-cotton.htm

Thank heaven for little girls!

Housewarming Gifts:

The Jewish house party happened a long time ago!

The concept originated with the building of the Mishkan, or tabernacle, which accompanied the Jewish people throughout their time in the desert. The Mishkan was the ‘resting house of G-d’, and so is our home- since we fill out home with good deeds that bring upon it G-d’s light.

It is customary to affix Mezuzah’s to the door as soon as possible after moving into a new home. We usher in the new beginning with holiness, blessings, and sacred tradition. A housewarming party is the logical next step, but you may want to finish unpacking and setting up your dream home first.

A festive meal with family and friends is a perfect way to show your gratitude (and beautiful new home!)

There’s no better way to share excitement (and food) than with our brass, gold-plated napkin holder https://www.shalomhouse.com/products/pomegranate-vertical-napkin-holder.htm

Or decorative framed blessing for the home

https://www.shalomhouse.com/products/home-blessing-hamsa-framed-art.htm

Mad about Mezuzot? 

Wow your friends with this porcelain flowered stunner https://www.shalomhouse.com/products/flowers-mezuzah-painted-porcelain.htm. Check out our one-of-a-kind mezuzah selection, we have something unique for everyone (musicians, accountants, and even your nephew in hi-tech! https://www.shalomhouse.com/products/cello-violin-mezuzah-gold.htm

Gift them with something as unique as they are, after all- home is where the heart is!

Anniversaries

Judaism does not take anniversaries lightly.

Passover commemorates our freedom from the shackles of Egypt. Shavuot celebrates our acquisition of the Torah on Mount Sinai. Yom Kippur symbolizes G-d’s forgiveness for the sin of the golden calf, and forgiveness of our wrongdoing every single year.

According to Judaism, anniversaries carry a special energy, the same power that existed on an original day can be accessed each year. A wedding anniversary is not just a reminder of the day you married, but a day to re-awaken the love, trust, and commitment you promised each other on your special day.

Looking for a thoughtful gift for newlyweds? Gift them one of our ‘Ahava’ sculptures to hold the chuppah shards. https://www.shalomhouse.com/products/large-ahava-shards-sculpture-gary-rosenthal.htm

Do your parents, grandparents, or kids have a big anniversary coming up? Celebrate years of love with a hand-blown glass kiddush cup, with the perfect inscription- “I am to my beloved, as my beloved is to me.” https://www.shalomhouse.com/products/ani-le-dodi-pink-etched-glass-kiddush-cup.htm

Other Celebrations

Gifts and Awards

Judaism strongly believes in living productive, mindful lives full of accomplishments. However, with achievement must come the recognition that others may be less fortunate, and we must use our special gifts to support them.

Greatness takes on many forms. Giving charity, studying Torah, volunteering, involvement in the community, and teaching or mentoring others are all ways to show leadership and make a positive difference in the world.

A family member or friend graduated from medical school? Celebrate the milestone with this colorful physician’s prayer

https://www.shalomhouse.com/products/colorful-physician%27s-prayer.htm

Friend opened a successful business or won a charitable award? Make them smile with our metal and fused glass tzedakah box

https://www.shalomhouse.com/products/tzedakah-box-extra-large-green-whoever-saves-a-life

-by-gary-rosenthal.htm.

Know a special woman who does a lot of Chessed (kindness) or volunteers for the community? Wow her with this magnificent gold and Swarovski woman of valor presentation peace,

https://www.shalomhouse.com/products/woman-of-valor-presentation-piece-by-quest-collection.htm

Judaism is filled with reasons to celebrate.

Every week, we celebrate Shabbat with a special day of rest, family, food, and spiritual connection. Holidays throughout every season, weddings, births, anniversaries, the dedication of of a new home or torah scroll. Our religious heritage is teeming with life,, light and joy, and even in dark or difficult moments- there is always an event to look forward to. There is no greater simcha then a simcha shared, and an individual simcha is never experienced in isolation. As Jews, we wholeheartedly share in each others special moments.

At Shalom Judaica, we’re proud to carry high end, exclusive items to show your friends and loved ones that they, and their special moments matter.

Here’s to the celebration nation!

At this time in history, Moses went up to Mount Sinai for the third time to bring down the second set of Tablets for the Jewish people. After a disastrous first attempt culminating with the Jews worshipping the golden calf and Moses smashing the Luchot (tablets), G-d was ready to forgive and forget. He returned on Yom Kippur with new Luchot and a second chance for the Jews to become one with G-d through the ten commandments.

The month of the high holidays is an auspicious time. G-d is “standing in the fields.” The usual position of the king is to sit deep within the walls of his palace, surrounded by servants and protected by a slew of guards. He is hard to reach and less accessible to the average man. This is G-d during the year. However, during the month of Elul- G-d leaves His palace to extend His hand to the people. We have a unique ability to speak with Him directly, asking for anything we desire- namely, a year of life and goodness.

Everyone wants a better, sweeter year than the last. Our table is laden with dates, leeks, pomegranates, gourd, and even a fish head to symbolize sweetness and victory over hateful enemies. We dip crunchy apples into golden honey, (check out this stunning wooden honey dish -https://www.shalomhouse.com/products/kakadu-honey-dish-wood.htm)

We do not know 100% what the year will bring, but we have the power to pray for change and take tiny steps that bring forth exponential growth and new direction. Doing so requires self-contemplation, a personal accounting of our souls. We look back at the year- our mistakes, triumphs, challenges, and victories. We apologize for stumbling and find ways to improve, be it through prayer, charity, and kind deeds.

We invest in change by setting new goals, whether it’s being a calmer parent or reaching out to those who are lonely. We ask those we have hurt for forgiveness, and we beg G-d to grant us a year of health and happiness, material, spiritual and emotional success. The holidays are a time to reset and reconnect with ourselves, G-d, and the people around us.

The intensity of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur is mitigated by the festive, joyous time of Sukkot. We remember the ‘clouds of glory that protected the Jewish people throughout their time in the desert by sitting in sukkahs. We move outside our comfortable homes into temporary outdoor huts as a sign that it is G-d who safeguards man and provides all material and spiritual sustenance, not man himself.

Sukkot also marks the beginning of the harvest season. The timing is especially significant this year with the completion of the Shemitta cycle in Israel, a once-every-seven-year event when farmers let their fields lie fallow as an act of faith and commitment to G-d.

We decorate our Sukkah with the shivat haminim, the seven fruits/grains native to the land of Israel.  We shake the ‘Arba Minim’- Lulav, Etrog, Hadasim, and Aravot to symbolize the unification of all types of Jews. No matter who they are or where they come from, all Jews come together in order to perform the Mitzvot of Sukkot. (Don’t forget to keep your etrog safe and kosher with our elegant velvet case)

We invite guests and the Ushpizin, seven forefathers Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Aharon, and King David into our ‘homes.’ We bask in G-d’s glory with festive songs, prayers, family, and food. (enhance your table with our embroidered table runners- https://www.shalomhouse.com/products/rimosaic-pomegranate-table-runner.htm)

We head to synagogue with our young ones to dance with our Holy Torah, the token and guide of the Jewish nation. (Excite the children with their very own Torah to bring to shul!

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On the eighth day, Shemini Atzeret, G-d asks to spend one final day with Him. It’s hard for Him to let go of these special moments together, and we feel the same.

Suddenly, the holidays hit an abrupt end. Unlike the beginning of the year, G-d is no longer ‘in the field,’ but ‘back in the palace’, more distant and hard to reach. The relationship is always there, but after the high holidays- we must work harder for it.

We return to our mundane, day-to-day lives. Holiday celebrations and festive meals are replaced with carpools and endless work meetings. The spiritual high, along with the warm crisp weather, descends into a cold and bleak winter. The contrast can cause some of us to feel down and spiritually disconnected. It’s harder to get out and see friends. We become more sluggish, perhaps feeling as though there is nothing to look forward to.

However, our goal as Jews is to live with purpose, meaning, and happiness. The glue holding our nation together is the ability to stand together throughout challenging and joyous times. To remain connected to each other and our spirituality. We do not simply ‘let go of G-d’ or our commitments simply because the atmosphere changes.

The point of the high holidays is to catapult man into a year of hope, change, and faith. The holiness and awe of the month carry us through the various cycles (and seasons) of the year, be it pleasant or at times, challenging. We welcome the blessings and prayers of the new year into our hearts and homes. (and walls- with this golden blessing for the home frame art https://www.shalomhouse.com/products/seasons-home-blessing-framed-art.htm)

If we maintain awareness of our goals and establish a concrete plan to do so, there is no need to fall into the trap of ‘spiritual deficiency’ after the high holiday’s end. The whole month of Elul we recite King David’s Psalm “G-d is my light and Salvation” (Hashem Ori Vyishi)

At the end of the prayer, we beseech G-d “Vshavti Bbeit Hashem Kol Yemai Chayai”, we should be able to dwell in the house of G-d all the days of our life. Not just during moments of tangible spirituality. Not solely when life is breezy, or feels unmanageably difficult. Rather, we hope to feel a deep connection every single day of the year. In this prayer, we ask G-d to help us remain focused on what’s important- always.

However, ups and downs are an inevitable part of life. Some months are tremendously busy, perhaps challenges arise, or maybe things appear to be going smoothly and we forget about the promises we’ve made. Our spiritual engines need a boost from time to time.

Here are ten tips to help you remain spiritually focused during the year!

‘Check-In’- with YOU.

Life is busy, responsibilities never seem to end. Take some time every day, even just a couple of minutes to reflect on the day and week as a whole. It may seem weird at first, spending a moment with yourself. Most individuals avoid being alone with their thoughts.

Humans relentlessly seek ways to fill their inner spiritual and emotional void. When it’s too silent, we create noise. This constant noise is the work of our ‘yetzer hara’ the G-d given spirit within that impedes us from making good choices. Enticing pleasures and endless distractions create barriers between humans and their better, more spiritual selves.

Don’t become so busy or distracted that you have no time to think. Obsessing about your job, finances, an upcoming vacation or home renovations are a surefire way to stunt growth and development. Keep your eye on the prize- that is, a healthy relationship with yourself, others, and G-d.

Take a break from scrolling mindlessly or shopping online. Put your phone away for two minutes (at least!) before bed and ask yourself- what have I done right this week? What could use improvement? Was my behavior aligned with who I wished to be? Journaling a few minutes a night can help you stay present, calm, and focused.

Sleep, and Move!

Commit to getting enough sleep and exercise. Daily movement is crucial for releasing stress, boosting energy levels, and clarity of thought. If you’re feeling sluggish and disconnected, take a short walk around the block, practice some yoga, or if you’re up for the challenge- try 20 minutes of vigorous exercise. Research proves that individuals who sleep adequately are more productive, make better decisions, and are happier and more helpful than those who don’t.

Have you tried mindfulness? Maybe you’re a nature lover, and can find a serene spot outdoors- a running stream, flower garden, or peaceful trail nearby. If you’re a homebody, take a chair or yoga mat out to the garden, or practice in your office chair.  Close your eyes, do a body scan, and practice some deep breathing to center yourself and focus.

Look Outside- Yourself.

Another tip is to look outwards, and see how you can be of service to others. It’s easy to get wrapped up in our personal needs. Reach out and do one small kindness for someone you know who could use it. Make sure to set aside money for charity, and give a little extra to those in need (make sure you have a pretty box to put it in https://www.shalomhouse.com/products/tzedakah-box-with-flowers-and-green-stones-1.htm!)

Make a phone call to a friend who’s going through a rough patch. Spent an hour with that child who seems to need a little extra love. Surprise a lonely family member or single parent with an ‘i’m thinking of you gift.’ (Have you seen our hilarious Yiddish sayings mug? https://www.shalomhouse.com/products/yiddish-sayings-mug.htm.)

Utilize the (not-so) little things.

Inside and outside our homes are endless opportunities for spiritual attunement. Begin your morning with Modeh Ani, the prayer said upon awakening. Modeh Ani thanks G-d for waking us up with a new day- and new opportunities for accomplishment. G-d believes in man and his limitless potential, giving him a new shot at life every single day! Imagine that, a mini Rosh Hashana every single morning!

It’s important to follow up with washing our hands, Netilat Yadayim- to cleanse them of any impurities in preparation for prayer and the morning blessings. Some individuals even keep a cup and bowl of water next to their bed! You’ll look forward to doing this with an earthy, beautiful washing cup (https://www.shalomhouse.com/pr...

Remember to say blessings (brachot) at breakfast, lunch, or dinner. After going to the bathroom, say the Asher Yatzar prayer with intent- and thank G-d for a functional body that unfortunately, others don’t always have. (and get your favorite family doc this colorful, groovy physician’s prayer- https://www.shalomhouse.com/products/colorful-physician%27s-prayer.htm.)

When donning Tefillin in the morning, imagine G-d taking you out of Egypt to be a unique part of His nation, to bring His love into the world through your thoughts and good deeds. The numerical value of Tzitzit is 613. Wearing them daily reminds us of our unique connection with G-d and our commitment to the 613 commandments that can elevate the world. (Keep your tefillin safe with our Choshen tefillin bag, embroidered with the unique colors and names of the 12 tribes https://www.shalomhouse.com/products/choshen-tefilin-bag-velvet.htm)

Gratitude

Did you know one of the six constant mitzvot is simply to love G-d? The best way to love and appreciate someone is through gratitude. Keep a gratitude journal next to your bed, or have everyone at the dinner table mention one thing they’re grateful for. Make this a habit!

When you kiss your mezuzah, which contains the Shema prayer, think of something you may be taking for granted, such as your eyesight, breath, or morning coffee. Envision G-d’s love for you and try to send some loving vibes in return. (have you seen our best-selling porcelain mitzvah mezuzah? https://www.shalomhouse.com/products/mitzvah-mezuzah-painted-porcelain.htm)

Before saying the bedtime prayer at night, remember- you are reaffirming your faith in G-d and your unique place within the Jewish people!

Prayer Has Power!

Don’t forget the ultimate power tool- prayer! Prayer has been the ultimate medium to connect with G-d, from the time of our forefathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob who formulated the three daily prayers. All our fathers and mothers used prayer as a means to beseech G-d in times of need and thank Him in times of goodness.

It’s not only the three obligatory prayers (shaharit, minha, maariv) that are a time for prayer and connection. One can reach out to G-d any time of the day or night, simply to talk or pray in his language. G-d is always listening, as our father and our king- Avinu Malkeinu. A father is always there to listen, help and support his child. When feeling depleted, empty, confused, scared, happy- whatever the emotion, we can share it with our loving father above.

Shabbat- Sanctity, and Sanity

Let’s not forget about Shabbat. Ah, Shabbat. On the seventh day, when G-d took a break from the creation of the world. He permits us to rest. Silence. We pray, study, and reflect. We eat mouth-watering food and spend much-needed time with our families. Sabbath is sacred and holy. Sabbath is ‘Mein Olam Haba’- an earthly microcosm of the heavenly world to come. We usher in the Sabbath queen with the sparkling light of candlesticks. (https://www.shalomhouse.com/products/modern-hammered-candlesticks.htm)

We sanctify the day with the Kiddush prayer and blessings for our children. (delight them with their very own kiddush cup here! https://www.shalomhouse.com/products/modern-hammered-candlesticks.htm)

We sit in the synagogue and read about the Parshat Hashavua, learning valuable insights from our forefathers since the beginning of time.

Don’t forget to invite guests once in a while, perhaps someone who is new to Judaism. Showing others the beauty of our heritage is not only a huge mitzvah but a wonderful way to reignite the flame of spirituality within.

Sabbath is set aside to strengthen our relationships with family and G-d. Don’t miss this weekly opportunity to reset your spiritual compass and recharge for busy the week ahead.

Learn Something New!

Perhaps there is a weekly study group in your neighborhood or on zoom. Check out your community listings, neighborhood email group, or synagogue for information about classes (shiurim) given throughout the week. Grab a friend or use it as an opportunity to meet new people and learn something new. W

Whether it’s Talmud, Jewish history, Rabbinical literature, or Kaballah- there are endless resources out there (including the internet!) to enhance your spiritual repertoire. Develop a relationship with a teacher, mentor, or friend with whom you can ask questions and receive guidance when in need.

One Tiny Change

There are many tips listed here. Don’t be overwhelmed. It would be virtually impossible, unrealistic, and unwise to aim for perfection. The greatest of our sages unanimously agree that the only way to succeed is by aiming for the tiniest little change. Focus on one small area, something that is not too hard or unrealistic- and make that your primary growth aspiration.

Maybe it’s ten minutes a day of no gossip, remembering to say one blessing a day, or writing a single love note to your spouse every week. Whatever you choose, committing to one small change s the tried and true way to succeed and feel empowered. One success creates a ripple effect that positively shifts other behaviors in your life.

Hop Back on the Bandwagon!

We are human, and bound to fluctuate when it comes to our moods, relationships, and development. Spiritual pursuit should be a goal, not an obsession. Don’t feel guilty about having a bad week, month, or not meeting your expectations.

Speak kindly to yourself, and the next time you’re feeling upbeat or inspired, re-commit to your values and goals. Take it one day at a time, and worst-case scenario- Chanukah’s coming soon to light up the dark winter ahead :) (wow someone in advance with our whimsical combo menorah-https://www.shalomhouse.com/products/whimsical-combo-menorah.htm)

Let’s play a game - take a deep breath. Breathe in through your nose, real slow, and then breathe out through your mouth. Do it again, and then again.

Focus on your breathing, so that your mind becomes quiet.

Breathe in…

Breathe out…

Your breath and these words are the only thing in your mind.

And now - SHABBAT!

What’s the first thing that came to your mind when you thought of Shabbat, with a clear head?

Your eyes gently float through this text, from left to right, and what’s your brain doing?

Shabbat - what does this word mean to you?

What thoughts and memories fill your mind when you think about the 7th day of the week?

We hope that happy sensations come up as you think of Shabbat. Maybe thoughts about family, good food, or quality time with a good book.

This article will explore the different aspects around Shabbat and what it means to us, as members of the jewish people.

We will start at the beginning - the source, the reason for Shabbat.

Halacha origins

Why Shabbat?

Why on the 7th day of the week?

Why do we stop everything for a day?

Why do we light candles and have a kiddush?

We may not cover all the “why’s” around Shabbat, but let’s try to figure out how it all started.

According to our tradition, Shabbat is the purpose of it all.

The world, the 7 days, were all created for Shabbat.

What does that mean?

God created the world in 6 days, and then ceased his work, making it a special day, a holy day dedicated to rest and contemplation.

As jews, we’re meant to imitate Hashem and to rest on the 7th day, on Shabbat.

Hashem made this day holy just like that. It’s easy for Hashem, as he’s, well, our almighty creator.

Us, mere mortals, need to put in some effort to make the 7th day of the week holy. To differentiate it from the rest of the week.

That’s where all the mitzvahs, the commandments about Shabbat come in.

Leading the chart of Shabbat mitzvot, are of course, the candles and Kiddush.

So our effort to make Shabbat a special and holy day starts when we light the candles.

We’re told to keep and remember the Shabbat - Shamor and Zachor, as the pasuk goes.

To do that, to keep and remember we light the Shabbat candles. One for keeping and the other for remembering.

Returning to the quick mental exercise we started this article with - one of the first things that comes to mind when many think of Shabbat, is the candles. But it’s not just the sight of candles, it’s the whole ceremony around them; It starts from the moment when we set them up in their designated location on the counter top, on Friday afternoon, or even in the morning, if you run a tight household. A peak moment comes when we cover our eyes to light the candles, and then embark on a world tour to distribute noisy smooches accompanied by a ringing Shabbat Shalom for everyone in our vicinity, willing or not. Later in the evening, comes the lovely sight of their flickering light, dancing on the kitchen walls, as the lights went out. High times for the candles end along with shabbat, when it’s time to place the candle holders on their shelf for another 6 days until we bring them down again.

It’s funny how we can attach such strong sentiments to an object like candle holders, but they really do carry the weight of shabbat with them. That’s why many families choose to keep them mounted on a shelf, where they’re visible all week long.

And if you’re keeping them on display, you should have the prettiest set of candle holders as can be.

That’s where the Candle Holder category comes in, with so many unique options to place in the middle of your home all week long and keep Shabbat in your thoughts.

Our two favorites have to be these dazzling Tall Smooth Candlesticks, with their clean and modern look, but on the other hand, and the Wisteria Gold Candle Holders which are probably THE most unique set of candle holders you’ll see in your life. We can go on and about the amazing candle holders in this category, but with so much more to say about Shabbat, we’ll let you browse through it.

Now that we covered the entire experience around Shabbat candles, let’s move on to the second most popular Shabbat activity, and a very important mitzvah - the Kiddush.

We mentioned the fact that Hashem can easily make anything holy, but we need to work for it. Kiddush, in Hebrew, means ‘to make it holy’. We’re told to make the kiddush 3 times during shabbat - in the evening, morning, and at the end of Shabbat during the Havdalah. Every part of the jewish people, and even every family, have their own traditions around the kiddush - if you visit 10 different jewish homes, you’ll hear 10 different tunes for the kiddush, while most of them use the same phrasing. The tune of the kiddush is the soundtrack accompanying many Shabbat memories, and at some point, it’s not just the parents leading the kiddush - it’s everyone around the table, from young to younger.

In our efforts to make shabbat holy, we do our best to dress up nicely - we wear clean clothes, place a clean tablecloth on the table, and use our best tableware. One Shabbat accessory you can probably find in any jewish home, in the kiddush cup.

According to tradition, the kiddush cup needs to respect the shabbat, so it should be nice, and it also needs to contain a minimum amount of liquid. Looking for a Kiddush cup? Have a look at this category, where you can find many different styles and variations, to make your shabbat holy.

The Jerusalem kiddush cup has to be one of the most unique and pleasing options in this category. On the one hand, it has that traditional look to make you feel like you’re in your childhood home. You can almost hear your own father’s voice as he chants the kiddush when you look at this cup.

On the other hand, it has a subtle upbeat quality to it, making it fun and modern.

And let’s not forget the rest of the family - everyone around the table deserves their own Kiddush cup, so you can all chant it together. We have a whole category for baby kiddush cups and it’s the cutest thing you’ll see all day! Look at this darling Elephant Kiddush Cup with its tiny details and decorations.

Looking at this kiddush cup with its cute little holder you can just imagine the chubby little fingers excitedly holding the cup while everyone around the table smiles. Careful not to spill the grape juice or wine of the white tablecloth! Who are we kidding, we’ll just put in the wash when Shabbat ends.

Now that we reviewed the top 2 mitzvahs for shabbat, we can continue to talk about other mitzvahs like prayer, sleep and overeating, but we’ll touch those through our other topics.

Now, let’s look at Shabbat from a wider context -

Shabbat across religions

We’d like to explore the option, along with you, that Shabbat also keeps us at the cool kids’ table. How so? Every religion has their own Shabbat. Every religion has their day of rest, with its unique traditions around prayer, family and also, food.

Each religion has its own set of rules around when to meet and where. We have our tefilot at synagogue at their prearranged times. We know who’s going to lead the prayer, we know when the davening stops and it’s time for the rabbi’s talk.

We see many similarities across religions. Looking at all religions in a wider context, we can understand that during older times, one religion learned from another, picked up this tradition or the other, creating these similarities.

One custom that’s pretty unique to us, is the Challah.

No where in the world can you find a better smelling, softer to chew through bread.

We’d like to declare the Challah as the top jewish carb. Who’s with us?

To respect the best bread, on the best day of the week, we use Challah plates.

Indeed, this delicious bread doesn’t just sit on the table - no, it has a plate of its own. And challah plates have become a trending item - they come in all shapes and sizes. We love seeing what our talents artists create and challah plates are a futile ground for their creativity.

Wondering just how creative you can get with a challah plate? Have a look at this beautiful Blessings Tray. This handcrafted tray is fun, colorful and makes the perfect gift for the next time you’re invited for a Shabbat meal.

Another proof of jewish creativity is the Chaos Challah Board. If you only click on a single link throughout this entire article, make it be this link. The abstract design for this beautiful tray will make your challah taste sweeter.

So now that we agree that there are similarities across religions when it comes to the day of rest, but there’s nothing in the world like our dear Challah, we can move on to our next topic:

Family time

It all revolves around family, doesn’t it?

It all starts and ends with the people we love and cherish the most.

Memories of Shabbat from our childhood, thoughts of current Shabbats, all carry that scent of family to a certain extent.

We choose to spend this time with the people we love, whether they’re our blood relatives or chosen relatives - they’re our family and we love spending our Shabbat with family.

The world these days is crazy. We rush through our existence.

News updates are streamed directly onto our retinas, social media is injected into our veins.

Never in the history of humanity have people consumed information at such quantity and velocity.

We all know how important it is to disconnect from all this craziness, to take a break from the race.

Some choose to disconnect and take the time to be on their own, while others choose to disconnect along with others, their own private tribe of chosen people, their family.

Shabbat is all about that: a group of people who enjoy each other’s company, choosing to share delicious carbs in their favorite place - home.

Our ceremonies keep us together - Shabbat has its structure:

To kick off Shabbat we light the candles, then we pray Maariv.

In the morning of Shabbat we have our special tefila, followed by the best brunch of the week, and the rest of the Shabbat is somewhat of a blur - we’re dazed on food and schlafstunde. The end of this structured time is the Havdalah. Structures help us keep things going - we’re comfortable when we know what’s going to happen.

Tefilas, our prayers, are also structured. The siddur keeps the whole group of people, the minyan, going around the same order of chants. We’re such a structured religion that we even have an outfit for our prayer - Our tallit.

People can choose to wear whichever color clothes they like, to synagogue. No structure there. But then, they all wear the outfit of Hashem - the Tallit, and order is restored. This random gathering of people looks like an organized group once again.

While the Tallit is an outfit, there’s still room for plenty of creativity around it.

We wonder what our forefathers would have said if they saw the magnificent talitot that we get to wear these days. We can all be Joseph with the technicolor coat.

To help you choose your next tallit, we compiled this category, filled with brilliant Tallit options. Here are a few we’re really fond of:  

The Emanuel Embroidered Raw Silk Talit- Miriam features Mirian singing with a drum at the red sea. It’s a unique piece to bestow the spirit of our matriarchs on anyone, for a truly deep prayer.

The Cream Crushed Chiffon Tallit Set will make you feel like you're Kohen Gadol, the head priest in Bet HaMikdash. This luxurious set makes a wonderful gift for any occasion.

Now that we covered the importance of spending this special time with our favorite people, as a part of Shabbat’s structures of organized times and prayers, we’d like to mention a very important topic:

Health benefits

Yes. We’d like you to know that Shabbat is good for you.

Taking a day to rest and contemplate, spending time with the people you love - it doesn’t just make you smile - it can actually make you live longer.

Studies show that people who dedicate time to the things that make them happy, live longer.

Whenever we’re happy, calm and satisfied, the brain releases positive hormones which wash the body with everything good. The body fills up with materials which can gradually help the body heal. Our body creates and releases natural antioxidants and pain relievers whenever we’re pleased with our lives, so why not make a habit out of being grateful?

Shabbat is such a great time to thank Hashem for everything we have - our health, a strong body, the family, the home we live in, the community that keeps us strong. On Shabbat, we can just look around, take a deep breath, and feel good about life. Isn’t it wonderful?

So we’re agreed - we’re now starting the habit of having a Thankful Moment, every Shabbat. 

Holidays vs. Shabbat?

And what about the holidays?

Well, they’re a kind of Shabbat as well, aren’t they?

The structured time that’s filled with meals, prayers and people we love.

We also take the time to unwind and be grateful during the holidays. We wear our finest clothes, and use our best cutlery, like the Pomegranate Celebration Cup.

While holidays are sometimes more than a day long, Shabbat is just the right amount of days - one :)

But there’s no competition. We love the holidays just as much as we love Shabbat. We’ll take every chance we get to use our fancy challah plate, like the Challah Platter - Platinum Band.

So we’re settled - no need to choose between the holidays and Shabbat. There’s room for all the days of rest on our agenda.

All the items we mentioned in this article are grouped under the Shabbat category. We invite you to browse through this fun category - it’s filled with so many wonderful items that can make perfect gift ideas for any occasion. In fact, next time you need to get a gift, no matter for who or what - the Shabbat category is the first place to visit. It has everything, but in the best of Shalom house style!

That’s it, this concludes this article.

We hope you enjoyed this piece and may have found some new appreciation for our special day of the week - Shabbat.

Have a wonderful Shabbat - Shabbat Shalom!

Well, we all know the important pasuk, “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.” This is the 4th commandment, so important that it's one of the top ten!

Shabbat is our seventh day of the week, a day dedicated to resting and spending time with our loved ones. And the candles? What do they have to do with this special day?

The light of the candles is a part of what makes the Shabbat blessed. We light two candles; one symbolizes 'Shamor' - keep, observe the Shabbat, and the other stands for 'Zakhor' - remember the shabbat. These two mitzvahs were given to us so that we realize how important the shabbat is, and make sure we observe this mitzvah for generations to come.

So we light two candles, and bring that special light into our house. The soft candlelight dances around the wall and ceiling in our house, bringing peace and joy to the Jewish home.

While lighting the candles, we stand next to them, cover our eyes, and pray in a soft voice. That moment, when we light the candles, is the turnover moment. That exact second, when everyone around us quiets down, looks at us and waits to hear our loud and loving "Shabbat shalom", that's the moment when the 6 days of weekend. 6 days of labor, study and overall craziness, have come to an end, and given way to the relaxing and laid-back atmosphere of our dear Shabbat. The special day can begin, we're ready to remember and keep, now that the candles are lit.

The lighting of the candles is a special mitzvah, handed down from one generation to the next. While covering our eyes and standing next to the candles, we say the common blessing, but it's also the time to add a personal prayer. Many choose to thank Hashem or pray for their families' well-being during this time. It's said that the skies are open when we light the candles. Hashem is listening, as we softly speak to him, with our eyes covered and the light of the candles dances all around.

Many homes choose to match the number of candles they light, to the number of family members. 5 family members equal 5 Shabbat candles. The source for this custom may be the common belief that the light of a candle signifies the soul. This also means we should own the same number of candle holders as our number of family members. A set of candle holders makes a great gift idea for a newlywed couple or a new baby, matching the number of family members.

Which candle holders are your favorites?

Here at Shalom House, we know each home has its own preferences, be it candle holders made of sterling silver, glass, metal, wood, or ceramic. The Candle Holders category has 5 sub categories, for each of these types. This way, you can easily browse through the different categories to find the candle holders for you.

To help you choose your next set of candle holders, or a great gift for an anniversary, wedding, housewarming, a new baby, or bat mitzvah, we compiled this list of top candle holder options -

Looking for a classic? Sterling silver candle holders are always a win. These tall candlesticks are made in Israel, by artist Avi Nadav. They're large, uniquely designed, and are very impressive. Match these with tall candles to complete the look of total elegance.

Still around sterling silver, have a look at these stunning yemenite candle holders. Yemenite Judaica is known for its detailed design. This traditional work of art is hand crafted in Israel and could make a beautiful gift for anyone looking for new candle holders.

Moving on to glass candle holders, we have a few popular options to highlight:

The Breast Cancer Awareness Candle Holders are made of glass, steel, and copper. This pink fused glass item is unique and delicate. It's perfect for welcoming Shabbat with a smile and 10% of the proceeds are donated to breast cancer research.

The same lovely candle holder is also available in blue.

Another popular option made of glass, is the Wedding candle holders. The combination of blue and glass gives these candle holders a clean and calming look, which can easily be paired with your Shabbat table settings, to create the perfect look. These candleholders can also be made with the shards from your wedding glass, if you'd like.

And now, what about metal candle holders?

Metal is such a fun material, it just sparks creativity and a talented artist can bend it whichever way they like. Just have a look at some of these inspiring candle holders made of metal:

The Aura candle holders look like they're from the future. This highly popular item is made of polished stainless steel. When you place its 2 parts next to each other, they create a full circle, symbolizing the love of a family - when coming together, we are whole. This set is a wonderful gift idea for anyone. Grab a pair for yourself while you're at it.

The Late Blooming candlesticks are an example of quiet elegance. These candlesticks feature metal ace art, which gives them a unique look you won't find in any home. These candlesticks will go well in any setting, but you'll probably want to hang a new shelf, just for these, so that they can get the attention they deserve.

Looking at ceramic Shabbat candles, we highly recommend you check out the Modern Shabbat Set. These candleholders have a clean and modern look. Their geometric design makes them a favorite among young couples and a great gift idea for a bat mitzvah.

Our last recommendation for this list is the Jerusalem Shabbat Candle Holders, made of wood. Have a look at the lovely painting depicting old-time Jerusalem. What a perfect image to carry with you as you welcome Shabbat.

This concludes the list of top candle holder options.

We hope you found a few new favorites to help you welcome Shabbat in style.

Thanks for reading and Shabbat shalom!

How many years has it been since the wedding? One? Seven? Twenty two?

Let's enjoy a short trip down memory lane -

The excitement built up for months of preparations. The best clothes were chosen. Family and friends all gathered from around the globe to celebrate your union. You booked that photographer you love, to hover all over the place and capture happy people and special moments. There was plenty of good food that you chose but didn't get to eat and great music you picked out, which has by now become the soundtrack of these fond memories. The wedding ceremony becomes a blur at some point, as it just melts into a warm and familiar feeling of family life -

That special day was the beginning. Since then, so much has happened to turn you two into a strong unit. A family.

Remember how you felt towards your partner back then, around your wedding day? Throughout the years, the feeling changes from an infatuation like sentiment, to a true and stable connection.

Fun trips and private jokes only the two of you understand are just a small part of that special dynamic you share. You complete each other. Your day to day lives are linked. You mean the world to each other. And this is why you should continue to celebrate your anniversaries, even if it's been a while.

True love should be valued. Your partner should know how deeply you care about them, no matter how many years have passed.

And what about your best friend's anniversary? You took such a big part in it, it almost felt like your own event. You know the entire family, bought new clothes for the occasion and have as many photos as the bride. Every year, when the date approaches, you think of the preparations and wedding with a smile. That anniversary means to you just as much as your very own anniversary.

Your parent's anniversary should be an annual ritual by now - all your brothers and sisters gather together to celebrate the loving people who started the family, to celebrate the tribe leaders.

There are many happy occasions around us at all times - there's much joy in the world. We just need to keep an eye out for it.

How can we make our partner, friend, parents and ourselves happy on anniversaries? A special gift, along with words from the heart will make this anniversary perfect.

It may seem difficult to get a really good gift, the kind that your loved ones deserve.

You probably want to get the best gift out there, for your special people, especially if you're the family's official present getting delegate. They're all counting on you to get a really good gift and make everyone look good.

It's all nice and well, but we know you don't really have the time to start walking around the mall to pinpoint that perfect gift. Needle? Where are you? This world is a really big haystack!

Time is probably your most valued resource, with your beautiful children constantly calling out your name, a thousand emails waiting just for you, and trying to keep your home tidy. Even if all this has made you fall out of the habit of celebrating anniversaries, now is the time to bounce back. This is the year to surprise everyone with a gift that will make them feel seen.

How are you going to do that? How will you find such a great gift?

It's simple - We're here to make your anniversary shopping much easier -

We've created a special category for anniversaries, so that you could finish your shopping in 5 minutes, and still have time to get a few gifts for your friends, sister and parent's anniversary all in one order.

So what is the perfect gift for this anniversary?

Here's our lineup -

Take a sip of a fancy drink of your choice from these Heart Toasting Flutes. These beautiful and elegant glasses have a unique design that will make anyone want to pick them up, lift their pinky and call out L'Chaim. The heart shaped base of the glass makes them perfect for celebrating love, friendship and family. Match these with a nice bottle of something sparkly and you've got a great gift for the next anniversary.

It has become very common for couples to keep glass shards from their wedding, to incorporate in their home. It's fun to see that people now prefer to break a colorful glass under the chuppah, rather than a plain see through one, so that it could later make a nice memento.

This laser cut decorative item has a glass tube for colorful shards, either from the wedding ceremony, the engagement party, or just from that bowl you broke last week. That's also OK. You loved that bowl and it deserves to be remembered :) This steel sculpture spells out Love in English, and it's also available in Hebrew and in various other designs. Have a look in the Anniversaries category to see all the wonderful options.

Looking for a meaningful gift, to catch the eye and spark up conversation? The Shema Yisrael 3D Framed Decoupage by Ketti Camus is a wonderful option. This framed art is made in Israel. It features a Hamsa surrounded with love birds, good luck fish, old time town homes that remind us of biblical Israel and the eye of fortune, all in strong vivid colors to make the Shema pesukim pop out.

Looking for a cute decorative item for a loving couple? This Love Flowers Watering Can will not water the garden, since it's a color print, but it will fill the heart with love and light. This lovely piece features bright colored flowers and the word Love, Ahava, in many languages.

We love Hanukkah and we hope you do too. But this article is not about the holidays, it's about anniversaries. So how can we combine two beloved elements like Hanukkah and anniversaries? With a perfect gift for a loving couple, to use for many years to come - a Menorah! This Wedding Couple Hora Dance Menorah is a wonderful gift idea for anyone, especially for a couple who got married around Hanukkah, or not, but have invited you to a candle lighting. We love this Menorah since there's no dance that screams out "Mazel Tov" louder than the Hora, featured in this Menorah. And the name - what could be better than a Hora Menorah? The loving couple portrayed on the Menorah is dressed in their finest and are dancing in nature, in front of a beautiful tree to celebrate their love. We're sure this Hora Menorah will be with the family throughout many happy holidays. Everything about this detailed piece says love, friendship and joy.

Last but not least on our list today, is the gift that will keep on giving - a Bridal Tzedakah Box made of glass, steel and copper. Tzedakah is one of the most important mitzvot we have. When we give to charity, we help others and feel grateful for all that we have. Keeping a tzedakah box at hand is a guaranteed way to give to charity more, thus maintaining a good sense of proportion about our own daily troubles.

This tzedakah box is very special, since it's made by Gary Rosenthal, and it displays the quote “May your compassion for others be as strong as your commitment to each other”, making it a meaningful gift option for any couple and any home.

We hope you enjoyed reading this piece and found the perfect gift(s?) for all upcoming celebrations of love.

Is it a girl? Is it a boy? What difference does it make, as long as they're healthy, right?

When a new baby comes into this world, everyone is overjoyed; the closer you are to the baby, the better - parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles and friends, all just looking for a chance to squeeze and cuddle their new family member, and to get them adorable little clothes like this Hug Sameach onesie.

But with a new baby come many responsibilities - we're not talking about the minor and insignificant things like feeding and changing… we're talking about the parties!

A baby boy means an 8 day countdown until we get a chance to dress up, hug our loved ones, take some nice photos and buy the baby gifts to last a lifetime, like this gorgeous little kiddush cup..

With a baby girl, it's really up to the parents to decide when they want to present their new bundle of joy to everyone.

But one thing is a given - the baby's name (see what we did there?)!

Some parents know what they're going to name their baby plenty of time before the baby's born.

Some can't make up their mind right up until it's time to announce the name, but many go for the "Meet and Greet" method -

With Meet and Greet, you list a few naming options you like, and when the baby comes, you try these out and see how it goes. No pressure, the baby's name is only going to be with them for the rest of their life.

Now, let's discuss a few important matters -

Why do we have a Bris?

Well, the gist of it is that we do it because Avraham Avinu did it.

But seriously, all jewish men follow the act of our Patriarch Avraham, who was the first to hear Hashem and speak to him.

Hashem ordered our leader Avraham, and all men of the jewish tribe who followed, to mark themselves as a part of the people. The biggest commitment one can take on, is the kind that's marked in the flesh. There's no escaping it.

So at the age of 8 days for a healthy baby, we have the traditional ceremony of removing the foreskin, praying, welcoming the baby into the jewish people, and naming him, mostly so we'd have an excuse to get this cute naming certificate.

The Bris can be performed by a Mohel or a certified Dr, or of course, someone who is both a Mohel and a Dr..

Parents can choose whether to throw a big party around it, or simply to have the procedure done with a small group of their loved ones around, just enough people to say the prayer. Whatever they choose, they'll be thrilled to get lovely gifts from our Bris and Baby Naming category.

What's the equivalent celebration for the birth of a baby girl?

Girl parents have it easy in comparison to Boy parents, at least party wise -

There's no tradition mandated ceremony, and it's totally up to the Girl parents to decide if they'd like to throw a party or not.

In case they choose to have a party, many people refer to it as a Brita - same as Brit, but in the Hebrew feminine form.

Parents who choose to hold a Brita, usually take their time to convalesce beforehand, a privilege Boy parents don't have, as the Brit is strictly held on the 8th day after the birth of a healthy baby.

Since baby girls are usually slightly older by the time they're introduced to the worlds, their loved ones already know their name, and have a chance to get them a filled out Baby Naming Certificate.

Announcing the name is really the main event of a Bris - that moment when everyone stops talking to hear the Mohel excitedly call out the name. A Brita usually lacks that part of the fun, but it's still a great occasion to hold or attend, since it's the first time everyone meets the new baby and gets them unforgettable gifts like the Chai stud earrings.

What should parents know before the Bris?

It's not as bad as you think :)

If this is your first circumcised child, we see you. It's stressful. You don't know what's ahead.

Up until now, you attended many Bris parties as a guest and probably remember the quiche more than anything else. Attending, or actually hosting the Bris as the parent of the circumcised baby is entirely different. It's not easy, but take a deep breath and it will be over faster than you think.

Surround yourself with the people you love and who can help you feel relaxed, so that you can pacify your baby. That's your top priority, to be there for your child. It just so happens that you're awesome at doing that, so clear your mind and hug your sweet baby.

In the past, the Bris was a far less pleasant act. It was never dangerous because the foreskin is a piece of skin that is easily removed without much risk. But still, before we had disinfectants and pain medicine, it was not as light a procedure as it is today.

Today, and please keep this in mind if you're a first time parent - it's not as bad as you think.

Keep the family in mind

Remember that the parents are probably exhausted, mere days after coming back from the hospital with a new baby. Bear with them, wrap them with love, try to help as much as you can by bringing over food, doing the laundry and helping with older children, the siblings of the newborn. The older children may all of a sudden feel they're unjustly thrown out of the spotlight, so keep them in mind and show them they're still your favorites, with a congratulatory baseball, a nice bracelet or a whimsical book.

It takes a village, and this is your chance to be a part of a supportive village for this growing family.

Looking for more fun gift ideas, for a Brit or Baby naming party?

Don't miss this Elephant Kiddush Cup, because children should not grow up without one. Look at how cute it is!

The baby's room could use a new Mezuzah, so what will it be? A castle, Giraffe, or a ballerina mezuzah, to welcome this new person into their first room?

A picture frame decorated with shiny animals is a great piece for the baby's room, especially if you take the time to print one the myriad baby photos you received and place it inside the frame. The parents will really appreciate the gesture as getting around to printing baby pictures is probably on top of their endless to do list.

Last but definitely not least, are Bris essentials - a clothing set in white and blue, complete with a tiny kippah that will make everyone go "awwww". And a blue bris pillow case, may it be part of many Bris to come.

All that's left now is to wish the family Mazal Tov, and lots of Nachas, from all of us here at Shalom House.

It seems like it was only yesterday, when you got them their very first kiddush cup. Just a tiny one, so that they can hold while singing the kiddush along with you. They got about two words right, but were as proud as can be, to feel included.

Then it was time for their very own siddur. The one that includes just the basic prayers like Modeh Ani, Shma, and illustrations of kids with big eyes looking up to Hashem.

And then they were already in school. All of a sudden they were telling the story of the Parsha at the Shabbat table, and this time it was your turn to feel proud.

At that point, you somehow had the audacity to blink, and all of a sudden it's their Bat and Bat Mitzvah. Mazel Tov! It's absolutely inconceivable that 12 or 13 years have somehow gone by. You know the saying - "The days are long but the years are short?". Well, 12 or 13 of those short years have passed, and now it's time to get ready for their Bat or Bar Mitzvah.

Whether you're the parent, sibling, family member or friend of the person celebrating, a Bat and Bar mitzvah are very exciting events to plan, attend and celebrate.

So what's the story behind this event? 

What makes 12 and 13 such a special age? Why don't we stop being special people, with special ceremonies, and decide to make a big fuss about a different age, like 16… Maybe name it after a flavor of some kind… Perhaps not sour, but sweet…?

Why not? Let's take a few paragraphs to understand Why Not, and answer these pressing questions and more, shall we?

Have you heard the stories from the past, 2 generations or more back, about young girls, married off at 12? Mothers at 14, grandmothers by the time they're 30?

The world was a different place, back then.

People had to constantly look out for themselves and their families, but not in the same sense that we do today. People had to actually make sure that their family members remained safe and at home, away from the hands of malevolent people.

Jews around the world didn't have the wonderful privilege that we enjoy today, of feeling safe in our country, enjoying a plentiful life and choosing our partners.

The reason young girls were married off at a young age in the past, was to keep them safe. Their parents, looking to keep their daughters from harm, had to marry them off very early, to keep them from being taken away by local thugs. If the girl was unmarried, said thugs would take notice of the pretty little jewish girl, and just take her away. However, if the girl was married, she was safe.

Seems like those wild animals also adhered to some honor code, respecting the fact that the girl is now married and not abducting her. So the solution was to marry off girls at a very young age.

Today we can't imagine a situation where a 12 year old gets married. We go through great lengths to allow our children to remain childish and naive for as long as possible. Most of them are already into makeup by the time they're 12, but that's the current trend, and totally by choice.

What does the young marriage saga have to do with Bat and Bar Mitzvah?

It's a great example of how times have changed.

In the past, children at the age of 12 and 13, were considered semi adults. They were expected to start taking their life seriously, to help their families, and especially, to assume responsibility for their spiritual faith.

A Bat and Bar Mitzvah, at the age of 12 and 13, are considered grown ups, for the sake of Mitzvahs.

How so?

When children are born, they're soft and pure. They're not committed to perform any Mitzvahs, and they're not held against any sins they may commit.

As they grow older, around the age of 3, we're expected to start conveying the message of Mitzvahs, responsibility, prayers and brachas to them, so that they can start turning those into habits which will grow with them into everyday habits. Until the age of 12 or 13, their sins are on us, their parents, their spiritual guardians. That's why we say - "Good riddance - She ptarani me olo shel ze", when they become Bat or Bar mitzvah - the burden of their spiritual fate is now laid on their shoulders - goodbye and good luck!

So, even though today, we still make pancakes for our 12 and 13 year olds, in the past, they were considered grown up enough to get married and take responsibility for their physical and spiritual existence.

So why this specific number? Why 12 and 13?

Well, each culture has their own rite of passage. Just like the Quinceanera, which sanctifies the age of 15, and the well renowned Sweet 16, for us it's 12 and 13.

The answer to this correlates to our previous topic - 12 and 13 are when puberty onsets, and the idea behind Bat and Bar Mitzvah is the responsibility the young adult now takes on. At this age, we believe the kids are ready to take charge and to decide between right and wrong.

Now that we understand the idea behind this special birthday, let's talk about the fun stuff! What should we get the Bat and Bar Mitzvah?

Well, first, you have an entire category filled with Bar & Bat Mitzvah Gifts to choose from. But of course we're here to help you choose. So here's the lineup of gifts you should really consider getting for the happy birthday girl or boy -

The lovely gift category holds a great variety of necklace options, like this delicate Dancing Bat Mitzvah necklace. This sweet and detailed pendant will make anyone smile.

The Diamond Tree of Life necklace is a classic to last well until the Bat Mitzvah reaches old age AD 120 BH and will pass it onto the next generation.

A fun Mezuzah is a great gift for any event, so here's a giraffe for you! Sorry. A Giraffe mezuzah. And also a Hockey Mezuzah. Yep. Hockey mezuzah. We don't know what about you but we simply can't get enough of these fun mezuzahs.

What about baseballs? What about them, you ask? Well, they're also a fun gift idea! Here's a Mazel Tov baseball and we couldn't finish this paragraph without a Mensch baseball, now could we?

If you're looking to get some serious items as a gift, or if you're the ones planning the event and need to gather all the essentials, we've got you covered with the Bat and Bat Mitzvah category right here.

This category is organized into sub categories like Tallitos, gifts for the tutor and more. We recommend you use it as a checklist, to make sure you've got everything needed for your happy occasion.

For example, did you remember to get a Torah Pointer? The Ezbah? Here's a classic option made of sterling silver.

A nice little Tallit clip shaped like the walls of Jerusalem is also essential in our book.

And what about a Tallit? You can't have a Bat or Bar mitzvah without a nice Tallit -

You wouldn't believe the amazing selection of Tallitos we have lined up for you. The Women's Tallit category and the Men's Tallit category are both full of beautiful options, you're likely to wind up getting more than one. The whole family can say שהחיינו together, wouldn't that feel special?

If you're not all that sure about it, or would like to pick up a few interesting bits of information about the Mezuzah, this article is just for you!

First, before we go over the HOW, let's mention the WHY.

Why do we put up Mezuzahs on our door posts?

Many of us members of the jewish tribe, often read the Shema scriptures. We're told to read those a few times a day and to keep those close to heart. The Shema scriptures say - “…inscribe them on the doorposts (mezuzot) of your house and on your gates.”

But why?

Let's be a toddler for a minute and repeat the evergreen - "But why?", shall we?

Judaism is an ancient faith, and it survived A LOT.

The main reason for mounting the Mezuzah, is rooted in what made our faith last through the years. Here's a shocker - it's the same thing that makes certain diets work, and all habit changes last. It's Consistency.

Yes, we put up a Mezuzah for the sake of Consistency. But why?

Well, looking at Abraham's first Hebrews, and comparing them to Moses' later Hebrews, we see Moses had more luck at pulling in the crowd.

Abraham led a tribe of a few thousands, while Moses ringed in many more.

How did he do that?

By introducing the Mitzvahs -

Our Mitzvot, our everyday acts, which lead us all through our waking hours, keep us consistent. We're constantly reminded of our jewish affiliation. Our self identity is one with our religion, thanks to the fact that we're busy being jews for quite a chunk of our lives.

Think about it -

Just saying - "I'm on a diet!", won't work. But being engaged, planning your meals, shopping for the right groceries; all those will create a sense of consistency and will keep you committed to your declaration.

And so it is with Mezuzahs - we put them on our doorposts, mostly to remind ourselves of our jewish affiliation. We reach up to them as we walk by, so they won't become an overlooked item, but a constant reminder of our faith and sense of belonging.

There are other, more spiritual reasons for putting up the Mezuzah, and we will be happy to share more information about those in a separate article.

What are the different parts of the Mezuzah?

Good question! Now we're talking;

To put up a Mezuzah, you need to understand what all those parts you found in the package are, right?

When looking at the Mezuzah, we just see the case, so some of us would expect to open the anticipated package we ordered from Shalom House, containing the beautiful mezuzahs we picked out, and see just one bit. But behold! There are more!

So - a Mezuzah is made of the case we already mentioned, but it also holds the scroll. The scroll is called a Klaf, in Hebrew, and it's basically a parchment. A real, old time parchment, hand made by a Soffer Stam - a person who spent many years studying the Torah and the intricacies involved in working on parchments. Parchments are made from a kosher animal and are inscribed in black ink, with a special quill pen. The same kind used to make a Sefer Torah that's used in the synagogue.

So what's inscribed in there? What are the holy words that make the Mezuzah so important to us, that we put it everywhere and reach up to it all the time?

It's the same words we started this article with - Shema Israel - “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One.”. Probably among the most powerful words in the jewish faith. But you may agree that "Challa" and "Matzo balls" are kind of powerful as well…

Anyway, you can get some lovely kosher parchments here, or you can choose to have your Shalom House Mezuzah delivered along with a parchment.

And now that we understand the WHY and the WHAT, let's talk about the HOW -

How should I put up my Mezuzah?

OK, so as with many of our other mitzvahs, there are a few details to keep in mind -

Where should the Mezuzah be mounted?

Some choose to put on all doorposts, leading to a living space, including the attic, garage and basement, but excluding the bathroom.

Others choose to place it at the main entrance to their home or place of business.

Whichever option you choose, here's where to locate it:

• The Mezuzah is traditionally placed on the right doorpost upon entering the space.
• It's usually placed diagonally, with a slight slant - the top of the Mezuzah should point inside the room.
• The Mezuzah should be hung at shoulder height.

And now, to the most important parts of the HOW section -

You should throw a big party to put it up!

Many people perform the Mezuzah mounting ceremony as the Main Event of their Housewarming party.

And why do we refer to it as a "Ceremony"? Because of the blessing. The Bracha -

When affixing the mezuzah to the door post, we say "Boruch Atah A-do-nai Elo-heinu Melech Ha-olam asher kiddishanu b'mivtzvotav v'tzivanu likbo’a mezuzah.".

Which means - "Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to affix a mezuzah."

We only say this Bracha once per ceremony. If you're mounting several mezuzahs on the same day, no need to repeat the blessing.

And now, you know the WHY, WHAT and HOW of the Mezuzah. It's time for some fun!

Why should I get a Mezuzah?

Have you seen some of the beautiful Mezuzah options here at Shalom House?

A Mezuzah can make a great gift for a new home, or for a couple who just moved in together, a wedding present and even to congratulate your friends on the successful completion of their home renovation.

So… Which Mezuzah should I get?

Who's the Mezuzah for?

Is it for a child's room? If so, have a look at the Children's category - it holds many fun Mezuzahs like a Train, and Noah's Ark. How wonderfully creative are these?

Is the Mezuzah for a place of business? If so, a Football Mezuzah may not be your best bet. You should probably consider choosing a more grown up option, like this lovely 3d Mezuzah. These 3d cuties come in a variety of colors. Be sure to check the other colors out in the Metal Mezuzah category.

Looking to upgrade a living room or bedroom with a new Mezuzah? This Floral Silver Mezuzah is a great option, both delicate and stylish.

Are cookies a staple in your home? If so, this Cookie Monster Mezuzah (yes! A Cookie Monster Mezuzah!) is a MUST for you! Look at how well the puppet's naive look works with the Hebrew letter Shin in the back. You can tell he's just waiting to be mounted on your kitchen doorpost and make you laugh every time you reach up to the Mezuzah.

And our last Mezuzah recommendation for the day - the Wedding Mezuzah. Have you heard of the wonderful trend where couples keep the glass shards from their Chuppah and use it to decorate their home? Well, now you have. This Mezuzah's case is see-through, allowing anyone to view the parchment and also the colored shards which brought the couple together on their wedding day. Isn't that special?

Looking for more unique Mezuzahs? The Mezuzah category holds these and many other wonderful options.

Enjoy your new Mezuzah!

Have you ever asked yourself where this tradition of beautiful art started from?

Are you a fan of judaica? You probably are, if you're on our site :)

Today, we're here to answer some of these burning questions, and more!

So read on, and let's discover some judaica secrets, together! 

What's judaica?

Wikipedia tells us Judaica is Jewish ceremonial art. We actually like this definition, since it tells us many things about the purpose, uses and even origins of judaica.

When we use the term 'Judaica', we usually refer to a wide variety of items; from a tallit, which is indeed, strictly ceremonial, and all the way to jewish literature, paintings and other forms of arts, which are not a part of our ceremonies, but often do refer to those. As long as it's about Judaism or the jewish people, it can be called judaica;

Take a painting of a stormy sea, and it's just your plain, beautiful and enchanting nonetheless, but non judaica art.

Name it "The Parting of the Red Sea", and there you have it - Judaica.

A beautiful wall hanging that says "Live, Love, Laugh"- great, but not Judaica.

A unique wall hanging that reads a touching home blessing - Judaica indeed. 

Where did Judaica come from?

Well, the term 'Judaica' was coined somewhere in the 19th century, but art and the jewish people have been here for far longer than that. It's safe to assume that our creative and innovative people have been making art, describing the world they see around them in song, sculpture and paint, for as long as they've been around.

If we were lucky enough to witness our matriarch Sara's drawings, we would probably be proud to title those as Judaica.

Searching for the origins of Judaica is looking through the history of jewish art, which is a fascinating thing to do.

Throughout the events described in our tanach, the bible, we find stories of great ingenuity and creativity. Even though it's not mentioned right there in the scriptures, some of our patriarchs and matriarchs were pretty talented people.

Yosef, David and Bezalel are portrayed as highly creative individuals, perhaps they were the makers of the very first pieces of Judaica.

The historic creations we see around us today were made during the last few centuries. Anything earlier than a few hundred years could not have made it down to these days.

Those centenarians are somewhat based on earlier creations, and those rely on what came even earlier, since that's the nature of art.

So maybe just for a moment, we can close our eyes, think of a beloved Judaica painting, and imagine its very first creator - perhaps a thousand years ago - using the materials they had around to create, which were probably similar but not exactly the same as we use to create art today.

They probably had on a robe and a head covering of some sort. No buildings and cars around, just one story homes and donkeys, roaming on the road and looking for a cure for that deadly cold that hit their 36 year old elderly grandma.

So they created art, to reflect their world, their present. They matted it out on a piece of cloth, which was later seen by the next generation, who mimicked it in its own way, passing down from one generation to the next, finally allowing us to have a glimpse of their life, the jewish life they led in those days. Maybe it looked like this cute print shows?

So why do we need an entire genre of art?

Because we're awesome! We're an ancient people, thousands of years old. We've been through a lot, and we all have a cousin in another country and even a different continent.

And now seriously, let's take a moment to reflect on how a new genre of art comes to be.

We all know that art mimics life which mimics art.

So it's only logical that changes in art happen the same way they do in life - gradually.

Day after day, month after month, year after year -

It's the year 187AC, a new theme for poems becomes a trend among the poets of the time. They sit around in their weekly poets panel, talking about how it's been 187 years since that fella Yeshua was killed, and it probably won't have any effects on life at all, and then they write a poem. Each from their own view, but a few influential poems about the same topic, get it going, and so it begins.

In the same manner, a new painting subject is a hit among medieval artists. They all attended the same Passover talk by their enthusiastic rabbi, who really described the parting of the red sea well. He used his hands and some wonderful adjectives, so everyone sitting at the synagogue could see it from their eyes - they were all there, just for a moment. And so, the artists of the bunch, went home with this vivid image of a biblical event, and drew it.

And so it continues.

Many creations around the same subject - Hashem, the jewish people, faith, our biblical stories.

As human beings, we look for structure. It's easier for us to understand the world when it's grouped into categories. A good example of this is sight - yes, our ability to see with our eyes.

Did you ever get the feeling that you know the person walking on the other side of the street? You actually don't, but they have a very familiar face. You might have even told yourself that they have "that kind of face". When looking at people, we group their looks into categories. We have several recognition structures, gradually created in our brains throughout life, and every new face we see is filed into its suitable drawer.

So if we intuitively categorize everything in life, even basic things like the faces we see around us every day, it's obvious that we feel better doing the same thing with art -

In order to better understand, take in, live with art, we need to tell ourselves something about it. Answer the very basic question - "where does this belong?". Same way some look at a painting and say - "modern abstract!", or "cubism". Framing our body of art as "Judaica" helps us know it, feel closer to it, feel like it's ours, like it's part of us. One could easily connect with the statement - "I'm Jewish, Judaica describes my faith in art".

Judaica items tell our story as a people. Discovering Judaica, exploring it, is unveiling the history of the jewish people.

When looking at the history of the jewish people, it's easy to think there's not much to unveil. Why? Since our faith is very much based on its history.

We're told to keep much of it the way it was, and not make any unnecessary changes. 

We're told to maintain the same basic mitzvahs, so that we have the same daily acts as our forefathers, and our grandchildren will still do the same. That's the way Judaism has been kept for thousands of years.

A few examples for those types of mitzvahs are lighting the shabbat candles and wearing a tallit.

Think about it, your great grandma lit shabbat candles, perhaps using lovely candle holders like the Addi Mini, and your great grandchild will wear a tallit. There's something very reassuring in knowing that we've been doing the same as our forefathers, and that our offsprings will carry the same traditions.

So is there anything to unveil about the history of our people? If we've all been at it for so long, don't we already know what it looked like back then?

Well, in fact, there's a lot to discover. Especially through the peephole judaica provides us. How so?

Judaica items take us on a tour of the past, looking at the similarities, but also, at all that has changed.

Mitzvahs like the mezuzah, mounting those important scriptures in your home or place of business are a part of what's changed. The original meaning of the scripture to lead us to mount mezuzahs, has been updated throughout the years. The interpretation of the scripture has had a few lives, and today, the mezuzah serves as a reminder for the love of Hashem. Having it on our doorpost, looking at it and reflecting on Hashem's protection, is a way to wrap ourselves in our faith, that wasn't done a thousand years ago, but only a few centuries ago.

Taking a deeper look into the "mezuzah market" is a real eye opener. This interesting judaica item has had many incarnations. From a plain white plastic rectangle, which housed a piece of scroll - the same as we all knew as children, mezuzahs have taken a turn for the better. Artists now make mezuzahs in all shapes and forms and it's absolutely wonderful to see. From that plain white rectangle, to porcelain beaches, glass huppas and even pewter violins. And yes, we're still describing mezuzahs! These beautiful examples are just a drop in the sea of creativity. Looking at all the directions in which mezuzah design has spread out to, is definitely an indicator of how far along judaica has come through the years - keeping the same ancient traditions, but in new, upbeat, contemporary form.

Another form of art and judaica that evolves continuously, is song.

While lyrics might stay the same, when it comes to religious songs, the music often changes. Thinking of prayer songs, it's easy to remember various tunes we've heard for each, throughout the years. Whether it's a different synagogue or a different eda - origin, to have a different tune, or simply the fact that a new hit tune has made it to the top and now everyone's singing it. One of the reasons orthodox parents send their kids to yeshiva is so they come back with some updated tunes for the shabbat songs. We're kidding of course, but that's how it goes - a family is accustomed to singing their shabbat songs in a certain music, only to adapt it to another, when the kids grow up and start to bring in newer tunes.

Songs like Eshet Chail - Woman of Valor, are definitely Judaica, as they describe a woman who dedicates her time and efforts to her family and Hashem. A beautiful poem written so many years ago, and is still sung today, in many homes, before the Kiddush on Friday evening.

Has it always been like this?

How many tunes do you know for Eshet Chail? Just off the top of our heads right now, we can think of three different tunes. But the baseline - the lyrics, those important words remain the same, for many many years.

So we ask - was the song originally written to describe a real life woman? If so, we have to admit this is a somewhat surprising act of appreciation, especially seeing how widespread the song is.

Unlike other Judaica love songs, like those from Song of Songs, it seems like Eshet Chail was indeed written to portray a real life woman, and not the Shchina - Hashem's spirit. It has become such a common and touching way of showing our appreciation, that many people hang dedicated wall art in their homes. A great example of Eshet Chail wall art is this lovely wisteria print, and you can find many other unique Eshet Chail items in this dedicated category.

As we can see from this review, there are many options to choose from, when decorating the house and place of business with Judaica items.

Many people choose to decorate with Judaica items, and it's easy to see why -

Just like any other type of art, Judaica affects its surroundings. It changes the atmosphere of a room and can really light up any space.

These are all advantages that can be found when decorating your space with any type of art, but when decorating with Judaica items there's a special upside -

It is a great way of surrounding ourselves with divinity.

Judaica items act as a reminder of our association with our ancient people, who won't let go of potatoes, not for a single holiday meal.

Let's review a few fun Judaica items that can light up your home or place of business -

When you put a beautiful kiddush set like this one, on a delicate shelf, it's functional all week long, not only during shabbat. The sight of a kiddush set reminds us of our holy day, shabbat. How we wait for it all week long. Catching a glimpse of a nice kiddush set on a week day, reminds us of the smell of the synagogue on shabbat, it brings the love of our family meals into our hearts. We truly believe that having nice Judaica items around can elevate one's spirit, especially if you're an art lover who enjoys having unique items around the house.

We previously mentioned the non judaica example of home decor, which is the very popular "live, love, laugh" sign. Well, our artists know how we love a good lifestyle design option, so there's also a judaica version of it, right here - a colorful hamsa, with the words "love, health, happiness, success". Honestly, that's all we need in this life.

"Shema Israel"! Is there a more powerful pasuk for the jewish people? We say it every day, we shout it from the top of our lungs on Yom Kippur. It's so powerful it's become a phrase used to exclemate. So why not put it in your home, where everyone can see it and remember that we have Hashem to speak to, whenever we need support? Check out this beautiful wall hanging, showing stainless steel floating letters of the Shema.

Other floating letter signs to set the right tone in your home, are these home blessings in English and Hebrew.

Looking for other home blessing options? Have a look at this lovely category, with many options to choose from, so you can pick the right size, style and shape for your home or place of business.

Know a good doctor? It's funny how our mothers wanted us to become doctors, and now so many clinics do indeed carry jewish last names. In case you're looking to thank your doctor for their attention, want to congratulate a friend for graduating and adding the "Dr." title next to their name, or want to decorate your own practice, we have a whole category of Doctor Office Blessings, right here. Physician wall art is very popular, since doctors do God's work, and we want to show them our appreciation. Also, if we can help the Dr. by bringing in a bit of divinity into their office, why not do it?

To wrap this list up, we'd like to conclude by saying that Judaica is a fascinating field to explore. Every time we look deeply into it, we find out more about the jewish people.

We hope you've enjoyed this article and know where to look next time you'd like to get a nice piece of Judaica!

First to list here, but not the first to take place, was when Jacob disguised as Esau, using sheepskin to make his arms feel hairy and other not so pleasant materials to smell like an outdoorsman. This genius costume was probably one of the first cosplays to be documented in our people’s history.

Another great example is Joseph’s colorful coat, which was a marvel to look at. The coat was known all around and made his brothers so jealous of Joseph they felt they had to get rid of him.

An additional act of creativity, which was somewhat regrettable, was the golden calf. In an act of distrust, our ancient ancestors created the infamous golden calf. The runaway ex-slaves felt insecure when Moses took a while to come back from his session with our creator, and took it upon themselves to melt all their golden possessions to create a beautiful golden animal, to act as their new deity. Indeed creative, but got them in trouble.

The list of creative acts mentioned in the Torah goes on and on.

Reading the scripture conveys just how gifted the jewish people had always been. Our traditional stories describe the innovative ways our ancestors developed to handle challenges.

This type of creativity continued to characterize us throughout the years. As can be expected, it evolved, growing and developing as our people proliferated -

The first temple in Jerusalem was known as a beautiful structure, a true work of art - made of many wings, built from the finest materials of the time and full of light. The phrase to best capture the beauty of the first temple is probably this one: “He who has not seen the Temple in its full construction has never seen a glorious building in his life”. Makes us feel kind of sorry for not having the privilege of seeing it, yet :)

It is said that the sense of space one felt while walking into the temple was immense. It felt much bigger than it was, or looked from the outside. The high priest, the Kohen Gadol of the temple, wore the Choshen, the breastplate - beautiful stones which were holy and allowed him, the priest, to communicate with HaShem and the angels. To commemorate those days, where the temple and the Choshen were everyday elements of our lives, we include them in current works of art, like wall hangings and pieces of jewelry, like this one. Many works of art throughout history show Jerusalem in all its glory, the holy temple and the 12 stones of the Choshen.

It is told that Bezalel, the famous biblical artist, was appointed specifically by God to build the Tabernacle. Bezalel is known to have been a gifted creator, able to bestow beauty on to everything he touched. Were he alive today, we would probably refer to him as an artist who’s able to create on all mediums, as he was known to have created many and various works of art.

Looking at synagogues today, whether they were built in recent decades or centuries ago, like the ones that can be found in Europe, we notice their simplicity. The same clean look is also depicted in drawings describing older synagogues, so we realize this minimalism isn’t just a current fad. The reason for this is that the jewish house of prayer is not to be turned into a museum.

Lehavdil, on the contrary, walking into a big church, marveling at the art on the walls, floors and ceiling, can make us feel pretty bland, as we walk into a synagogue and see hardly any decorations. The jewish law tells us that synagogues are not to be adorned and are to be made beautiful only by their holiness.

And still, this heavy restriction on such a meaningful jewish establishment hasn't inhibited the development of creative minds within the jewish people.

All throughout history we see spectacular creations made by our people, even during times when it was prohibited to show any signs of judaism -

During the middle ages and renaissance, the jewish people endured many difficult days and years, where even lighting the candles of shabbat was enough to get a family severely punished. We can only imagine what heavy punishments faced a person who dared create and display jewish works of art.

But still,  well hidden behind closed doors, creative minds worked relentlessly to maintain the spirit of the Hebrews, allowing us a peek into the lives and daily routines of those who carried the same traditions, many years before us. A fine example of a tradition that is probably as old as our prayers, is the Modeh Ani text, which we still say every morning, like the jews of the middle ages. Modeh Ani means - “I am grateful”, and saying it every morning is a sort of meditation - A lovely ritual to remind us how thankful we should be for everything we have, for our ancestors and history which led our people to where we are today. That’s why we especially appreciate this sculpture.

In addition to showing daily traditions, many works of jewish art throughout history portray stories from the Torah and bible. Starting from scenes of chaos at the creation of the world, through Adam and Eve in Gan Eden, moving on to Noah's arc, the tower of Babylon, Lot’s wife and so on, we all know the stories. The Torah provided many artistic scenes for creative minds to later depict -

Our history as a civilization, as human beings of this era, is defined by the numerous works of art created to portray stories from the Torah. Artists of all religions have shown us their view of ancient stories. Anyone reading this article now can probably think of at least three separate depictions of Moses splitting the sea, not including the famous movie, which is a timeless classic of its own.

We see that the Torah and bible inspired many artists through the centuries, basically infusing our lives with beauty and imaginative thoughts.

The way you and I imagine our patriarchs, is affected by those artists. Think of Avraham, our forefather. What does he look like? Where did that image come from? Is it from a drawing you saw at some point in your life? That’s exactly it - our roots, our ancient stories are the basis for an entire genre of art. And art is the visual basis we use to imagine our history.

So when we use the phrase - “Jewish art”, we don’t only mean works of art which were made by jewish artists. We also include the many works of art made around the world to honor and depict the timeless stories of the Torah and bible.

Jewish art, like all art, was made in many forms - drawings, sculptures, manuscripts, jewelry, songs, architecture, mosaic and more.

Trying to tie all jewish art together into a single knot, we see that it is almost impossible - jewish art is versatile, made of numerous styles and comes in all forms. One reason for this versatility is the diaspora 

As a people, we would have much preferred not to have been kicked out of the holy land (twice!). But the harsh reality of being spread across the continents, had at least led to the positive outcome of making the jewish people soak up many flavours and colors, making jewish art as interesting as it is.

Jewish art from around the world reflects the different stories and histories of the 12 tribes, as they were distributed to many places, separated from one another and the beloved holy land.

It is fascinating to look at works of art made by jewish artists at the same time, but at different locations -

The jews of Europe told the same story as the jews of Africa, but in different colors and styles. These differences are rooted in the local atmosphere, laws and of course by which materials were available in every region.

The art made by Yemenite jews is known as exceptional -

Starting with song - Yemenite jews are known for their outstanding vocal abilities, and the historic reason for it is a wonderful example of how the local law shapes lives:

At certain times during history, Jews weren’t allowed to attend schools so that they remain illiterate. This was the islamic rule’s futile attempt at keeping the jewish population weak and powerless. The jews of that time found a great way to teach the general population to read, write and pray, without going to school - they memorized and sang the entire script of the prayer. Yemenite children were taught to sing the letters and prayers from a very young age, shaping many of the people into wonderful vocalists and strengthening their cognitive abilities along the way.

Yemenite jews were also known for making unique Jewelry and textile. Young brides among the jewish yemenites were adorned with complex outfits made of cloth and silver, with tall head gears and countless rings on each finger. This same style can still be found today, made by traditional artists who maintain the same style to commemorate their ancestors.

In another example of versatility, the effects of north african jewish art still resonates with the jewish people today -

The Hamsa, the palm symbol which symbolizes protection from the evil eye - Ayin HaRa, was originally an arabic symbol used by the local tribes of north africa, but it has made its way into jewish symbolism and has been a part of the jewish style for many years. Jews from all around the world enjoy wearing hamsa necklaces or hanging hamsa works of art around the house.

The blue eye, also originating in north africa, has the same meaning of keeping the evil eye away. This element is incorporated into many pieces of art and clothing, and even into Ketubahs like this one.

On the other side of the mediteranian sea lived the Jewish European artists, who are often known for their sculptures, writings and drawings.

Portraying jewish traditions like the Kohanim blessing - “Birkat kohanim”, into works of art was very common and has made its way down to our generation, like in this beautiful framed print. We can only assume how important it was for the jews of those times to create small depictions of jewish traditions, to keep the knowledge and faith alive. A small Bar Mitzvah sculpture like this one, was likely to be found passed from one generation to the next. In days where religious artifacts were best kept hidden, these sorts of items were fiercely protected, often being the sole symbol of Judaism in a person’s life.

Jews were persecuted all around the world, all throughout history. Their artistic style was heavily affected by the challenges and difficulties they faced in their daily lives.

The famous phrase Ani L’dodi was always known as a source of strength for our people, a pillar to lean on when times get hard. Ani L’Dodi Ve’Dodi Li, reminds us that HaShem has our back. We’re protected. Looking at the phrase this way, explains why it was so often incorporated into works of jewish art. Ani L’Dodi was and still is a source of solace for a jewish person seeking guidance. Beautiful framed prints like this one, were made through the ages to remind jews that their power lies in their faith.

Following the persecution and the fact that they didn’t choose to leave the holy land, we see much jewish art focused on the longing to return to the holy land. Many of the phrases we sing in our songs, describing our love for the land of Israel, were written by those jews in the days of the diaspora, as they wished they were able to return to their beloved country, like birds, spreading their wings and finding a new horizon.

Art can shape life just as much as life can shape art -

Some important mitzvahs have deeply affected jewish art. One of them is Tzedakah.

Tzedakah is the mitzvah to be charitable, a basic law for the jewish people who are told to be grateful and always share their happiness with those less fortunate.

During the days of the Torah, people had many ways to perform the mitzvah of Tzedakah, one of which was in the field, where farmers were told to leave off parts of their produce for those in need. Today, most of us are not farmers, but are still obligated to perform the important mitzvah of Tzedakah. That’s why it’s very common to see Tzedakah boxes in homes, synagogues and places of business. The Tzedakah box is a way to remind ourselves to thank HaShem for all the good we have - appreciate it by helping others.

Tzedakah is definitely one of the more beautiful mitzvahs, both in its meaning, and externally, as modern artists now make Tzedakah boxes in many fascinating styles: This pebble Tzedakah box, is a wonderful example of how life shapes art, and art ends up shaping life, both ours as the givers, and of others, who are in need.

We can’t simply finish this article without taking note of the written arts - the many songs and manuscripts written by jewish artists throughout the years -

Jewish writers, led by our great king Solomon, were often romantics.

Many of the scripts we read, can be interpreted as love songs for our significant other, or for the creator. Whichever way you choose to look at it, beautiful texts like the ones read during the wedding ceremony, the Chuppah, are indeed works of art and deserve a passage of their own. We read “I have found the one in whom my soul delights" and our hearts melt, which is why this heartfelt phrase has made its way into beautiful works like this framed print. As the people of the book, memorable texts are definitely our niche

This quick review of Jewish art, across history, origins and styles, shows us just how fascinating it is, with its many faces. Shalom House, as lovers of art, have gathered a wonderful selection of items of Jewish Art into this category for you to browse through, and get a sense of how widespread the world of jewish art is.

We hope you enjoy choosing your favorite items and brining a piece of the jewish people into your home.

You’ve come to the right place!

Shalom House Fine Judaica is one of the oldest Judaica stores in the United States.

Located in the west San Fernando Valley, the family Owned and Operated store was established in 1971.

Since the 70’s, it has become well known for bringing the finest in Judaica from Israel and around the world.

The welcome addition of this online shop, in recent years, has allowed patrons from across the globe to enjoy the unique products which are lovingly picked by the family.

Whether you’re looking for a gift or an item for your own home, Gallery Judaica has it all.

The Shabbat category is among the most popular categories in Gallery Judaica.

There are many things we can say about the versatile Shabbat category, but one thing we cannot say about it, is that it’s easy to choose from, with so many unique options.

Full or beautiful Judaica products that can light up any home or place of business, the category is very well organized as it’s divided into subcategories for you to easily browse through.

Today, we want to take you on a tour into the depths of artisan Judaica, led by the clock.

Let’s imagine that it’s Friday afternoon, and your home, or an imaginary home we’re visiting for this tour,  is all ready for Shabbat - your family finished preparing everything, to make this Shabbat as perfect as usual. The smell of good food is coming from the kitchen, freshness and cleanliness is felt from your home and even from your clothes, the table is set and the living room is free from its weekday mess.

It’s almost time for Shabbat.

Looking around the house, what unique Shalom House items of Judaica are laying around to make it impeccable?

Well, since it’s the afternoon and Shabbat is just starting, it’s time to light the candles, as they rest on their candle holders, maybe a lovely set of crystal candle holders like these. Many families make it their habit to drop a coin to their tzedakah box, while lighting the Shabbat candles, and this tour of our imaginary home zooms in on the whimsical baseball tzedakah Box, which is a definite favorite among patrons.

An hour or so later, the tefilah is over, and the family gathers around the table to start the awaited evening meal.

The event is kicked off by our traditional songs, like Shalom Alechem, thanking the angels for escorting us on our way from synagogue, and Eshet Chail, showing our appreciation for the people who made this happy gathering possible.

After we sing, it’s time for Kiddush, and the Kiddush cup, perhaps a unique conical shaped kiddush cup, is already full of wine, waiting for the blessing.

At the head of the table we see the place reserved for our beloved Challah, with its plate, quite possibly this beautiful anodized challah board. Next to it is the Challah cover, let’s assume, for fun, that it’s this upbeat pink dots cover, and of course, the challah knife alongside it, all laid out and ready to carve the savory bread.

This imaginary tour has brought us almost to the first bite, we can smell the warm Challah and almost taste the soup. But wait! Before we taste, aren’t we forgetting something? It’s shabbat! We should cover our heads before eating - a red wire kepa is an interesting choice to match our shabbat outfit.

The clock has rounded itself, the window is showing the moon setting and sun rising, and behold! It's morning! We hope you’re well rested after this Shabbat night, because it’s now time to put on a tallit and head off to synagogue.

The clock continues its march, we enjoy our afternoon schlafstunde, and then pull out the colorful anodized aluminum Havdalah set, from this lovely Havdalah category, to give our dear Shabbat a proper farewell.

We hope you enjoyed spending this imaginary shabbat with us, since we’d now like to walk you through another very popular category - Jewish Art.

One of the greatest things about the jewish people is how versatile it is. Speak to a jew from the US, and a jew from India, and they’ll both tell you about similar yet different customs. We see different styles of the same prayer, different spices for the same food and different tunes for the same song.

This versatility, along the years, has made room for much creativity. Jewish art reflects the wide spectrum of origins, customs and habits of jews from all around the world.

Resuming our tour of the same home as before, let’s look around. Let’s explore its decorations and enjoy the wide array of styles which make up jewish art -

The wall over the dining room table, has the beautiful ABC of Life Platter, as it glistens in its place, lighting up the home. The dining room cabinet, with its glass doors, is where this family keeps their Tree of Life presentation piece.

We’re then led to the living room, we see a sofa, a carpet and a shelf, where the Bat Mitzvah sculpture is proudly displayed. The shelf below, is holding the Home Blessing bowl. The living room table is the home of the beautiful Shalom Al Israel Hamsa, which is known for being a conversation starter.

Let’s quickly jump into the kitchen, where a kind reminder to be good to others and do tzedakah is hanging, in the beautiful form of this Save one soul blessing. And to put words into actions, a pebble tzedakah box is set right below it.

Our tour ends by the door, where a framed Birkat Habayit is hanging, to welcome, or in our case, send visitors off with a smile.

And this concludes our tour of the Shabbat and Jewish Art categories, but it’s just a taste of the two.

Browsing through these two popular categories is like walking in an art museum, or in fact, through a hip gallery downtown.

Be your own tour guide and browse through our gallery, from the comfort of your home.

Marvel at the many unique items, all arranged into organized categories, so you could easily find the items for you, and bring the beauty of Judaica into your home.

We love going to weddings, and the thought of planning one, really gets the blood pumping.

For those who are on the planning side of the event, there's just so much to get done, and it's ever so exhilarating! Our experience as guests in weddings has taught us many important lessons that we would like to apply when planning a wedding ceremony and party;

We remember that great venue, that sensitive yet quick rabbi. We took note of a centerpiece that impressed us and might have even logged the name of a kind photographer in our minds, for future reference. It's not just future brides and grooms who keep these bits of information in their heads, knowing that their wedding is coming up. It's often the parents, siblings and good friends who help the couple plan and organize their event.

Why do we need such an army of planners and idea hoarders?

The fact is that planning a wedding involves many small details.

It's true that some, the wiser of the lot, choose to keep it simple and hold a small wedding, with a limited selection of foods and home made decorations. But the rest of us take it big, make it grand and enjoy the exaggerations.

There's a lot to do, to make a wedding perfect, just the way you like it.

It starts with a choice of venue, which is also affected by your requested date. Once you have the where and when, you know the big questions are answered, and you can start thinking of all the other details:

Who will be officiating the ceremony? Do you have your heart set on a rabbi that's just the match for your style, or should you snoop around?

Who will run the ceremony, next to the rabbi? It's common to ask a sibling or a close friend to act as the chuppah host or hostess - the person giving the ceremony its structure and calling all people who take part in it, to come up. It's a way of making your ceremony more interesting, to honor someone close to you, but keep in mind that setting your expectations with your Chuppah host is very important - instructions like keeping it short, or emphasizing certain parts of the ceremony can be critical in making sure your ceremony runs smoothly and according to how you envisioned it. Many choose to have the rabbi take that position as well, considering their experience in leading Chuppahs. 

Now that you know who will be in charge of the ceremony, think of the essentials you need to buy for it -

You might want your very own Chuppah, to keep afterwards, like this Jerusalem Painted Silk Chuppah. This type of chuppah, specifically chosen by the wedding organizers, can make a big difference as it feels far more personal than using the standard fabric provided by the rabbi.

Next up in Chuppah essentials, is the Ketubah.

Choosing a ketubah can take time, as they come in so many styles. We recommend taking 20 minutes to browse through the Wedding Ketubot category, enjoying the wide variety of colors and options. While browsing, don't miss this modern Belonging ketubah or the traditional Heart of Jerusalem ketubah, which are favorites among our patrons.

Can't have a Chuppah without a kiddush, right? The blessing on the wine is essential for the ceremony, and the goblet is held for many important moments, catching the eye and getting snapped on camera.

Make sure your rabbi brings a goblet, or that the venue provides one, and if neither plan to provide it, consider bringing your own goblet.

Many couples choose to get a nice goblet they can later take home and use for Shabbat and holidays, always knowing this is the same goblet that united them in marriage. Think of how fun it is for the kids, in later years, to look at wedding photos and call out the goblet saying - "This is the same one we still use for shabbat!".

If you would like to get a goblet for your chuppah, have a look at this awesome category for wedding goblets, with many beautiful options like the Brides Wedding Kiddush Cup; Truly a work of art, depicting tender love.

What's the most memorable part of the Chuppah?

The breaking of the glass, of course.

Glass resting near foot, the crowd holds their breath. Everyone's quiet, looking at the beads of sweat forming on the groom's brow. Will he make it? Will the foot hit the glass, finalizing the ceremony?

We're exaggerating of course, but it is a peak moment in the entire wedding ceremony, followed by a blast of happiness, marking the end of the Chuppah, and the storming of guests for hugs and kisses, right before the party starts.

Here are a few things to think about when choosing a glass -

The first is something not many considered in the past, but it's quickly becoming quite a consideration - which color glass should be broken?

What does it matter, you're probably thinking. The glass is safely wrapped out of sight and no one cares about its looks. As a matter of fact, many wedding memorabilias include a see through container for the glass shards broken during the Chuppah to be displayed in.

Take this beautiful fused Mezuzah for example - if you choose a colorful glass, the mezuzah welcoming guests to your future home could also be as lovely looking as this, and ever so significant.

So even though your wedding guests won't see that the Chuppah's glass is a nice shade of purple while you're standing under the Chuppah, that color will be a great addition later on, when the shards turn into a decorative element for your home.

Another thought to keep in mind when choosing the glass to break at the Chuppah, is its thickness. The thinner the glass, the easier it is to break. Many grooms are so focused on completing this rite of passage, that they'll hammer their foot to the floor no matter if the force is needed or not. But still, keep the glass thin, to keep the party going.

To help wrap your head around other ideas involving the glass for the Chuppah, we created this category. Take a few minutes to browse through it, and we're sure you'll find more ideas to make your Chuppah even better.

Wedding bands and love jewelry is an entire world on its own. Do you know what style of ring you'd like? Are you both giving rings to one another? Take in mind that there are a few halacha guidelines when it comes to choosing your ring. For example, the groom needs to use his own money to get it. Also, its inner side should be smooth, and traditionally it should hold no stones. Have a look at the Love Jewelry category to see some lovely ideas around wedding bands, necklaces and other heartfelt pieces of jewelry to get for your loved one around the wedding.

Last but not least, don't forget to be grateful towards those who made it all possible - your parents.

Whether they're the ones who are actually paying for all of the fun, or have only done the simple act of bringing you into this world and caring for you all these years, spend a few minutes in gratitude towards all they've done for you. Your wedding is their celebration as well - there's nothing that makes a parent happier than seeing their child at their peak. We collected this category full of Gifts for Parents, so you could just point and choose the gift you think your parents and new in-laws might enjoy. A small token of your appreciation, especially when they know how busy you are, will really go a long way.

To wrap up this post, we'd like to invite you to browse through this Wedding category, which holds several subcategories containing everything you need for your big event, all in one place.

We know planning a wedding can be overwhelming, but look at how much easier things can get when you have so many of the essentials in one place. And of course, the love and support of your family and friends.

We wish you a joyous wedding and a happy home! Mazal Tov!

Your wedding day, whether it was 20 or 2 years ago, remains a significant milestone in your life and relationship.

Our wedding day is special to us, no doubt. But why is that?

The answers are many, but the first that comes to mind, is that our wedding day was the day that we started a new phase in our life. The day we were united with the person we chose to spend the rest of our life with.

It just so happens that we looked especially good that day, in our best clothes, hair, makeup and after weeks of dieting.

Perhaps another memorable aspect of our wedding day is the fact that we got many of our loved ones together, all in one place. Getting everyone together doesn't happen very often, and for some families, it rarely happens and we don't always mix and match both sides of the family, and our friends, all together.

But on our wedding day, we were brave enough to invite everyone to the same place, and at the same time, to celebrate the special event with people we cherish, providing our wedding further emotional significance.

So what, the wedding is over and now we have to forget all about it? Are we expected to just let that day rest in the past without ever thinking back on it, smiling and wishing we tasted that bit of desert everyone said was so great?

We certainly are not! And that's what anniversaries are for.

Anniversaries are our time to relive the fond memories from that special day, looking back at the good time we had with our loved ones while celebrating our marriage.

Anniversaries should be cherished, and it's great to see couples who choose to note their anniversaries by doing something special like a date night, spending the weekend away or enjoying a family celebration together.

Each couple finds their way of enjoying their anniversary, as it's a great opportunity to stop our daily race, look back together and thank the good hashem for everything we have, our time together and family we created together.

And of course, an important part of any celebration, are the gifts.

Anniversary gifts are a way to show your loved ones you care. Whether you're getting a gift for your significant other, your parents, your friends or your children, they'll really appreciate the fact that you remembered their special day. It's heartwarming to know others hold dear, what you yourself care about, so be that person who makes others smile by noting anniversaries with a token of your love.

If you are celebrating your own anniversary soon, are invited to an anniversary party, or know of a loved couple that's celebrating their anniversary, it's a great idea to start thinking of what this couple would like to get as a gift.

Your gift can hold much significance, referring to your special relationship and relating to the sacred bond of marriage as it is described in our scriptures.

Think of the couple you are shopping for and try to imagine what would signify their relationship. Do you, or they, like home decorations? Framed art, mini sculptures and other decorative items make wonderful anniversary ideas. Would they prefer a decorative piece of judaica, like a handcrafted mezuzah? A mezuzah is a great and useful gift. Are they the kind of people who would prefer a tzedakah box, to add more holiness into their home, as a way of celebrating their marriage?

The options for an anniversary gift are many, and we know it is very hard to choose. But as you know, that is what we are here for, and we are happy to help.

Today, we would like to share a few of our favorite anniversary gifts ideas with you, all taken from the wonderful Anniversaries Judaica Gifts category:

The Lasercut “Love” steel sculpture is a beautiful gift to get anyone who enjoys having nice things in their home. It comes in Hebrew as well, spelling Ahava which is the very romantic hebrew word for love. This steel sculpture contains a glass tube, directly attached to the letters. The tube is the best place to put the glass shards from your wedding or engagement party. We just love the idea of presenting those monumental shards from the glass or plate you broke during your ceremony to make your marriage or engagement official in front of an audience of cherished family and friends. This tube makes the laser cut steel sculpture a great gift idea for couples who just got married, as well, if you don't want to wait until their anniversary comes along, we're sure they won't mind getting an early gift.

The painted porcelain Wedding Mezuzah is a unique piece of handcrafted art. It portrays a loving couple, happy on their wedding day, surrounded by fruits and colorful elements, with a strong natural theme. This mezuzah is a great choice for many events, including anniversaries, as it's a gift anyone would love to get. You just can't stop smiling when you see it, so imagine having it mounted next to your door, at home and looking up to it to remember the special relationship you have with your spouse, and the unique bond you have with hashem, signified by the mezuzah, guarding our home. It's also a great conversation starter so get ready to explain to anyone who sees it where you got it and on what occasion. This mezuzah is proof of how far our artists have come in making judaica products ever decorative and useful.

The Wedding Couple Hora Dance Menorah is a practical yet fun choice. Know a couple who are celebrating their anniversary around Hanukkah? Then this is the perfect gift for them, as it notes both the general festival of lights we all celebrate and their personal holiday of marriage. This beautifully handmade ceramic menorah features an excited couple, dancing around a tree and holding hands, looking up with loving eyes. Lighting hanukkah candles in this menorah, you'll see how the unique design comes to life, adding the natural light of the candles to the heartfelt sentiment of the menorah, hard to describe in words. This beautiful piece is great not only for couples who celebrate their anniversary around hanukkah, as anyone would enjoy this colorful and lovely menorah.

The Ani L'Dodi Framed Art is a great gift idea for any type of occasion you're invited to, and even for your own home or place of business. The significant pasuk displayed in this laser cut frame, reminds us of one of the more romantic phrases in our written scriptures. We say this phrase around shabbat and the holidays, referring to our love of hashem, but also thinking of our loved ones. I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine. Are there any phrases more symbolyc to marriage in our jewish tradition than this one? It's not only a statement, but also an everlasting wish. We wish ourselves and our loved ones that the sacred bond between two people who love each other will stay strong, and that they will remain each others' beloveds for as long as they live. This framed art is made of lively colors and bright flowers, which bring out the sacred words, making them pop up in their simplicity and significance.

We hope that these gift ideas will help make the next anniversary you celebrate for yourself or loved ones a happier one.

Mazal tov and may you enjoy many more years of love and happiness.