Judaica Gifts & Israeli Handmade Jewish Gifts

The term Judaica covers diverse areas of the Jewish world and civilization, including Jewish history, culture, holidays, language, scripture, religious teachings, religious books, Jewish jewelry and artifacts, in general everything having to do with the Jewish religion and the Jews.

JUDAISM: the religion of the Jew, equivalent to the Hebrew “yahadut”, Judaism was the first monotheistic faith, ( the belief in one and only one God). It is practiced by the matrilineal descendants(descendants of the mother).

There is not a trace of racism in Judaism, the doors are open to all, anyone irrespective of his origin or color, is an eligible candidate for entry into the Jewish community.

Judaism is a lifestyle defined by God in the Torah (the bible), which contains obligations of man to God, such as the observance of Shabbat, of man to man, the prohibition of murder, and of man to him or herself and the prohibition of suicide.

Judaism affirms that god spoke to man in the form of prophecy, and that man has an opportunity to communicate with God by means of prayer. Although there are great differences between Judaism and other religions of the world, Judaism anticipate the time, told in the bible, that those nations will acknowledge the Lord in Zion, and the Lord will say: “and I brought to my Holy mountain, and allowed them to rejoice in my house of prayer, for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations”. ( Ezekiel 36;25 ).

Christian Gifts Calendar

As contrasted with the secular calendar year, beginning on January 1, according the Julian calendar, the Christian calendar year actually begins with the period of Advent. The month long Advent period begins in the fourth week of November and ends on Christmas Day, December 25th. This period, leading up to the Western calendar date of the birth of Jesus, is marked with a number of celebrations involving the use of the color purple in church decorations and regalia worn by priests and other church officials. Advent means "coming" and "arrival" and is supposed to note the correlations between Jesus' birth and his later death by crucifixion. Greenery, particularly evergreen and holly wreaths, are popular items given during this period, as well as potted holly and evergreen trees and shrubs. The period officially ends with Christmas, the most popular gift giving holiday during the Christian year. During Advent, gifts of ornamental jewelry of seasonal colors, including red, blue, green, and purple, are lovely ways to remember special friends and loved ones.

January is an important religious month for those belonging to Greek and Russian Orthodox churches; as well as to the Armenian church. The former two Christian faiths celebrate Christmas on or about January 6, according to the Gregorian calendar year. The Armenians celebrate the holiday near the end of January; usually on or about January 26th.

February is marked by many as the month when St. Valentines Day is celebrated on February 14th. St. Valentine is considered by many as the Patron Saint of Romance, and gifts of flowers, handmade jewelry, and especially candy and sweets are very popular in North America and Europe. As the heart is a very special symbol of Valentine's Day, jewelry and other items of this shape are very popular as well as diamond jewelry - especially engagement rings, as many marriage proposals are made on this occasion.

The month of February also has a week long joyous festival period usually known as Mardi Grass in the USA, and Carnival in South America and some southern European countries. During this period, which ends on the official beginning of the six week period of Lent, people dress in festive carnival garb and literally go "dancing in the streets". Gifts of festive foods and beverages, as well as all types of parties are popular during this festival period.

The more somber period of Lent, in which many Christians forsake the eating of meat, leads up to Easter, which commemorates the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Since Lent is an intensely religious period, especially the last two weeks before Easter, gifts of religious importance, including crucifixes and other jewelry items are ideal including Cross Jewelry. Easter itself also symbolizes spring and eternal renewal, and many people give gifts of candied eggs and other sweets, and even baby chickens, rabbits and other animals. Gifts of clothing are also important, and many Christians still traditionally dress up on Easter Sunday. The period of Holy Week leading up to Easter is a good time for giving religious jewelry and related items.

The Holy Day of Pentecost occurs on the 50th day after Easter. Pentecost is not overly celebrated as it occurs so soon after the Easter holiday season. Pentecost was originally an Old Testament holiday and though the Christian meaning is different, it does relate to the sanctification of the Holy Spirit. Red is a popular color for this holiday, so gifts with red, including jewelry, paintings and other mementos are appropriate gift ideas. Recent Christian interest in the Kabbalah makes "red string" and other Kabbalah Jewelry items good gift ideas.

The Autumn festivals of Tabernacles and Thanksgiving (in the USA) are good holidays to give gifts relating to the fall harvest. These gifts can include food parcels, paintings and pottery gift items. Though The American holiday of Thanksgiving is not really a Christian holiday, it does have much religious significance. The original celebrators of this holiday, the Puritans, were deeply religious people who considered their founding of Plymouth and other American colonies part of a Covenant with God. As with Tabernacles, gifts relating to the harvest and Autumn motifs are appropriate seasonal gifts.

Amethyst - The Color Purple in Jewelry

Amethysts are purple to violet colored minerals of the quartz family. Like other quartz stones, the amethyst has a Moh's hardness scale category of 7, and can be cut and polished into stones for jewelry. This beautiful mineral is commonly made into a variety of jewelry items, especially rings and broaches. Amethyst is believed to be most useful for all around healing and cleansing, removing negativity and getting rid of pain and tension.

The use of Amethyst stones in jewelry dates back to the ancient Egyptians, and is mentioned also in Greek and Roman writings. The ancient Greeks considered amethyst stones to be able to prevent drunkenness, and thus is derived the stone's name, which means "not drunken" in Greek.

The stone was also prized during Medieval times as a protection for soldiers in battle. Although once considered as a precious stone, it has lost much of its value due to a discovery of large amethyst deposits in countries such as Brazil and Russia.

The Amethyst derives its unique color due to the presence of manganese and iron. In its natural form, it is often found in quartz crystal formations known as geodes or 'amethyst grottos'. Rock hounds and other mineral collectors prize Amethyst geodes and for this reason they are often found in "rock shops". Like other minerals of the quartz family Amethysts are largely composed of silica or silicon dioxide.

Besides Russia and Brazil, Amethyst minerals are found in South Korea, Uruguay, India, and in several locations in the USA and Canada. It is often used as the birthstone for the month of February.

Fashion and fine Amethyst Jewelry made can be found in fine jewelry stores, fashion accessory shops and boutiques.

Unique Bar Mitzvah Gifts

The Bar Mitzvah ceremony is Judaism's second most important ceremony for Jewish males, the first being ritual circumcision on the eighth day of life. While ritual circumcision, or Brit Mila, initiates a male Jewish child into the covenant of his people, the ceremony of Bar Mitzvah initiates a boy into manhood at age 13. Upon reaching this plateau, a young man obtains the rights of Jewish Manhood, including being counted in a Minyan or prayer group requiring at least 10 Jewish males to conduct formal Jewish prayer. It also allows a young man the honor of being called to the Torah, Judaism's most sacred text, and is a major milestone in his Jewish education and preparation towards all the responsibilities of an adult, including marriage and heading a family.

The origins of the formal Bar Mitzvah ceremony date back at least to the period of the Second Temple and though customs differ somewhat in various Jewish cultures, including European or Ashkenazi backgrounds verses Sephardic or Oriental cultures. The basic ceremony of being called up to the Torah for the first time, and reading portions from both this holy scroll and from the Haphtarah or supplemental readings based on the Torah, are more or less the same in all of Jewish tradition.

When a young man approaches age 13, he begins studying for this ceremony including learning special melodies or trope in order to chant the verses from the holy readings of the Torah and Haphtarah portions for the Shabbat that he is to become a Bar Mitzvah. In many Jewish cultures, this also includes the Thursday preceding Shabbat as this enables proud parents and relatives to take photographs of his chanting from the Torah, an act forbidden on Shabbat. In Israel, this event can be even more meaningful as it is often done before the Kotel or Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem. Some people living abroad consider this act to be of such importance that they actually travel to Israel in order for their child to be formally initiated into Jewish Manhood in front of Judaism's most sacred symbol: the last remaining portion of the Temple.

In American, non-orthodox congregations, the mothers and other female relatives of the Bar Mitzvah have a greater role in the religious part of the ceremony with the entire family often invited to join the young man on the Bimah or platform where the Rabbi and the Torah reader are located to receive a special rabbinical blessing on Shabbat. In some conservative and reform congregations, the mother is even given the same honor as her husband in being called up to the Torah. Upon finishing his Haphtarah reading the Bar Mitzvah is often bombarded with sweets being thrown at him by his family, guests, and by members of the congregation.

After the Rabbinical blessing, the Bar Mitzvah may give a small talk or sermon to thank those who prepared him for this special moment in his life, as well as express what this occasion means to him and his ascent into Jewish Manhood. The ceremony of becoming a Bar Mitzvah is truly a milestone in the life of every young Jewish male.

In addition to the religious element, this event is also accompanied by parties and even formal banquets for the young man, his family and friends. These parties can range from being simple family get-togethers to very elaborate affairs, costing thousand of dollars; with limitations only to the parent's (and grand parent's) pocketbooks.

In addition to receiving various religious articles such as books, prayer shawls or talitim and the leather tifillim worn daily by religious Jewish men in morning prayers, the young man also receives numerous Bar Mitzvah Gifts of both money and personal items which add to the excitement of the occasion. In recent years Bar Mitzvah gifts have included more Israeli made products like unique Hamsa Hands and Jewish jewelry handcrafted by leading Israeli artists.

Visit our Bar Mitzvah gifts section for some great gift ideas.

The Fish in Jewelry and Home Decor

The Hebrews recognized fish as one of the great divisions of the animal kingdom, and as such gave them a place in the account of the creation (genesis 1;21,28) the mosaic law, (Leviticus 11;9,10) pronounced unclean such fish as were devoid of fins and scales, these were and are regarded as unwholesome in Egypt.

Among the Philistines Dagon was represented by a figure half man and half fish, and was expressly prohibited worship of the fish. The sea of Galilee was and still is extremely well stocked with fish, Jerusalem derived its supply of fish chiefly from the Mediterranean, (Ezekiel 47;10).

The Orientals are exceedingly fond of fish as an article of diet. Fishermen are often spoken of in the bible, and a large proportion of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus were of that occupation, Christ made them " fishers of men"( Matthew 4;18-22 ).

The early Christians, in times of persecution, used to engrave the form of a fish on their medals, seals, and tombs, as a tacit confession of their faith; As the five letters of the Greek word for fish are the initial letters of five words, signifying "Jesus Christ, the son of God, the savior"; this symbol has thus become the subject of a superstitious regard.

The fish has been a symbol for the generative and reproductive spirit. The word "Ichthys" also means "Womb" and "Dolphin" in ancient Greek and these meanings tie into the depictions of the mermaids. In some cultures the fish has been associated with reincarnation and the life force. In India some believe that the Fish is believed to house the soul of the deceased that if eaten reincarnation will occur in a newborn child.

The fish symbol may have also been known as "the Great Mother", a pointed oval sign, referred to as the Vesica Piscis. The shape of the Fish was associated with birth, fertility, feminine sexuality and natural force of women according to the Celts as well as other pagan cultures across Europe. In recent years there has been a revival of the Fish symbol and it has been associated with academic institutions, young movements and a new generation of believers.

Some Fish Amulets available on MostOriginal.com:

Burgandy Fish and Hamsa Handbag Charm

Orange Fish Amulet by Ester Shahaf

Fish Handbag Charm

Ball Chain Fish Charm Bracelet

Gold Fish Handmade Necklace

Click here for more information about Fish Symbols for Good Luck!

Victorian Style Artwork and Gifts


The Victorian era of Great Britain is considered the height of the British Industrial revolution and the apex of the British empire. It is often defined as the years from 1837 to 1901, when Queen Victoria (referred to as the greatest and most beloved of British monarchs) reigned, though many historians believe that the passage of the reform act of 1832 marks the true inception of a new cultural era. The Victoria era was preceded by the Regency era and came before the Edwardian period.

Queen Victoria also had one of the longest, if not the longest, reign in British history. The period is characterized as a long period of peace and economic, colonial, and industrial consolidation, temporarily disrupted by the Crimean war, although Britain was at war every year during this period. Towards the end of the century, the policies of new imperialism led to increasing colonial conflicts and eventually the Boer wars. Domestically, the agenda was increasingly liberal with gradual political reform. The Victorian era gave birth to Victorian design and style that are still around today.

Victorian style was often very ornate, especially the architecture, where there was a lengthy competition between the Classic style and Gothic style schools of thought. Gothic Revival was influenced by the original Gothic architecture of Medieval times. The Gothic boom actually begun in 1818, when Parliament assigned a Million pounds for building 214 new Anglican churches. One Hundred Seventy Four of them were constructed in a Gothic or near-Gothic style, and for almost a hundred years, most churches in England were Gothic in design. Despite the popularity of extravagant decoration, Renaissance or classic styles were also favoured for public buildings.

Several general style trends of the Victorian Era transcend any one facet of fashion, but rather had broad influence across clothing styles, architecture, literature, and the decorative arts, many of these had their roots in the 18th century, but flowered in the Victorian age, including; orientalism, the Gothic revival which generated the pre-Raphalites and artistic dress, Aestheticism, home d?cor, fashion through dress reform and rational dress.

Charles Fredrick Worth, the "father of Haute Couture" was a London draper who relocated to Paris in the 1840's, his success led to the dominance of Paris fashion houses as arbiters of style and the preferred clothiers for upper class women in both Britain and America.

The Ana BeKoach Prayer

Ana BeKoach, g'du-lat y'min-cha ta-tir, tze-ru-ra: We beg Thee, with the strength and goodness of Thy right arm, Untangle our knotted fate.

So begins one of the most significant prayers connected with the Kabbalah. The Ana BeKoach prayer, also chanted by Jews each Friday night, has an unknown author, and is attributed to have been written around the Second Century C.E. The prayer is made up of seven sentences which are supposed to correspond with the seven days of the week. The Kabbalistic meaning is even more pronounced as the prayer itself is actually a form of code for the name of God. Each letter corresponds to its numerical position within the Hebrew alphabet, and if you add up the first letters of each word you have the number 42, which is encoded to be first 42 letters of the Book of Genesis.

In other words, the number 42 is another term for God, The Creator.

Ana BeKoach is often found engraved on Jewish Jewelry and recited in Kabbalah meditation prayers and exercises, with the result to be a form of healing energy for the soul. As each line of the prayer has a significant meaning, the reciting of the prayer is supposed to assist in bringing comfort and healing into our lives. For example, the beginning of the prayer, as noted above, is make us aware that we live in a world of time and space, filled with both chaos and difficult obstacles. By praying for assistance from G-d, we can rise above all barriers and achieve the ability to rise the problems that surround us, enabling us to "untangle out knotted fate".

Other lines in the prayer call upon the Almighty One to assist us in achieving good health and prosperity, as well as finding the inner strength to prevail, even though there is "darkness" all around us. The prayer even makes mention of the forces of evil the Satan has sown upon the world, and how we can "tear away Satan" by eradicating our negative egos and fears.

One of the most meaningful lines is line 6 in which the Kabbalah's most hidden secrets are revealed, making the Kabbalah's essence of spiritual wisdom known to all. The prayer ends with the message of bringing a spiritual new beginning, enabling us to throw off our negative forces and begin a new life, more enlightened and refreshed.

The end of the prayer asks God to "accept our cries and hear our screams"; and blesses the name of God's Kingdom forever. As we are but mere mortals, we ask God to assist us in our search for answers to help find more meaning to our lives.

The Druze Culture in Israel

The Druze men have shaven heads, covered by a white turban, a mustache and beard – the women wear a white head scarf called a Naqab. They drink very delicious strong coffee and do not smoke. Let's take a closer look at the face of the Druze people.

A very general classification would deem them Arabs – this is in broad recognition of their language and culture. Worldwide there are roughly one million Druze, living mainly in Syria and Lebanon. Over the years many have emigrated throughout the world, mainly to Europe and North and South America.

The Druze of Israel

In 1948, when the land of Palestine was handed over to a new Jewish government by the British Empire and under the auspices of a United Nations partition, the Druze opted against Arab nationalism, along with their Muslim counterparts – though they have never had a problem accepting Jewish nationalism, or living under an Israeli flag. There are 104,000 Druze in Israel, with the highest concentration in the Golan Heights, which came under Jewish rule in 1967.

The Druze community of Israel, have their own courts, with jurisdiction on matters such as, marriage, divorce, maintenance and adoption. For years they have served in both the Israel Defense Force as well as the Border Police, originally on a volunteer basis, and more recently as part of the country's general draft program. In this military sphere, as well as political and public, these good-natured people have been known to attain and maintain high-level positions. This should be seen as a great accomplishment.

The Religion of the Druze

The religious roots of the Druze are steeped in something called Ismailism. It is a religo-philosophical movement which founded the Fatimid Caliphate in Egypt in the 10th century. They came into being during the reign of Al-Hakim (996-1021), blending Islamic monotheism with Greek philosophy and Hindu influences. The existing middle-eastern communities of Druze have existed since 1516, when the Ottoman conquest of Syria took place and Sultan Selim I recognized Fakhr al-Din as Emir of the Maronite Christians and the Druze.

They hold in esteem as mentors all different types of figures: Jethro, Moses, John the Baptist, Jesus of Nazareth, Salman the Persian, Mohammed, Akhenaton, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle and Alexander the Great.

There are no rituals or ceremonies – that is no fixed daily liturgy, no defined holy days and no pilgrimage obligations. Instead they seek spiritual connection with God at all times. These are the tenants of the Druze faith:

• Speaking the truth (instead of prayer)
• Supporting your brethren (instead of charity)
• Abandoning the old creeds (instead of fasting)
• Purification from heresy (instead of pilgrimage)
• Accepting the unity of God
• Submitting to the will of God (instead of holy war)

The Culture of the Druze

Besides for their hospitality and kindness, the Druze are also known for being a very creative people. Their beautiful and colorful artwork both ancient and modern, usually employs different kinds of natural paints and textiles, found in the Middle East. In the north of Israel, particularly near Mount Carmel, there are several Druze villages which have arts and crafts shows and host nights of Druze folklore. MostOriginal.com offers a selection of Unique Authentic Druze Handbags and Purses.

Pewter Amulets & Pewter In Gifts

Pewter is a metal alloy, traditionally 85%-90% Tin and 1% - 4% Copper, with the addition of lead for the lower grades. Physically, pewter is a bright, shiny metal that is very similar in appearance to silver, like silver, pewter will also oxidize to a dull gray over time if left untreated. Pewter is a very soft metal, enough to carve with hand tools. Use of pewter was common from the Middle Ages up until the various developments in glass making during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Pewter was the chief tableware until the making of china. Mass production of glass products has seen glass universally replace pewter in day to day life. Pewter artifacts continue to be produced mainly as decorative or specialty items, for example Roman pewter items are very rare, although some are still in existence. Un lidded mugs and lidded tankards are the most familiar pewter artifacts from the late 17th and 18th centuries, although the metal was used for many other items including, plates, dishes, basins, spoons, communion cups, teapots, sugar bowls and more.

Pewter is shaped by casting, hammering, or lathe spinning on a mold and is usually simply ornamented with rims, moldings, or engraving. The Pewter craft had almost entirely disappeared by 1850 but was started again in the 20th century in modern home decor, pewter jewelry, pewter amulets, wall hangings and reproductions.

Some Pewter Amulets & Pewter Jewish Jewelry available at MostOriginal.com:

Large Pewter Cross Necklace

Jewish Pewter Menorah

Pewter Doves Star of David Hamsa Hand

Light Blue Pewter Hamsa

Pewter Hamsa Amulet Turquoise

Round Pewter Dreidel

Pewter Cross Jewelry

Birkat Kohanim The Priestly Blessing

During morning prayers and holidays, the Kohanim approach the front of the synagogue and bless the congregation.
This is known as the Priestly Blessing, Birkat Kohanim or Nesiat Kapayim.
The prayer or blessing is based on the scriptural verse: "They shall place My name upon the children of Israel, and I Myself shall bless them."

The powerful Jewish Blessing consists of the following Biblical verses (Numbers 6:24–26):

May Hashem bless you and guard you
May Hashem make his face shine upon you and be gracious unto you
May Hashem lift up his face

After the Amidah, the Kohanim wash their hands, remove their shoes and walk up to the platform in front of the ark, which is at the front of the synagogue. They cover their heads with their tallit and recite the blessing over the performance of the mitzvah – turn to face the congregation, and then the hazzan recites the three verse blessing (written above) with the Kohanim repeating after him. The congregation responds Amen after each verse.

The text is found in the Bible in Numbers 6:23–27, when Aaron and his sons bless the Israelites. Amulets, dating from the First Temple Period, inscribed with this text are found today in Jerusalem at the Israel Museum.
A range of interpretations on these verses relate them to the three Patriarchs; Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and to the three applicable attributes of God: Mercy, Courage and Glory.
Only Kohanim are permitted to perform the Priestly Blessing, however the Torah strictly prohibits a Kohen from reciting the blessing when under the influence of alcohol, or immediately following the death of a close relative.

All of the Kohanim present in the synagogue are obliged to participate and so should a Kohen refuse, he is required to leave the sanctuary for the duration of the blessing.

In many traditional Jewish communities it is customary for congregants to spread their tallit over their own heads during the blessing and they must not look at the Kohanim. Should a man have children, they will come under his tallit for a blessing.

In addition to synagogue prayer services the Birkat Kohenim is also used by parents to bless their children on Friday night before eating the Shabbat meal; and some rabbis say the blessing to a boy at his bar mitzvah. Usually it is prefaced for boys with a request for God to make the child like Ephraim and Manasseh (this is Jacob's prayer to the children of Joseph).