Hanukkah Menorah

Chanukah Hanukah -The menorah light

Like the song, Hanukkah is approaching us, donuts, candle lighting, lots of light, the victory of the few against the many.

It is customary to light a Hanukkah menorah; candles should not be used, but only to see. It is customary to put the menorah on a shelf of the window so that everyone could   see the light, when I visited Jerusalem, I saw people placing the menorah in the street. The problem was that when the wind was blowing - the candle went out. Then  I went to visit my good friend Kobi Illuz  - Shaked's designs artist. There he showed me something new - a menorah house . This looks like a menorah, with transparent doors and it has nice  designed. You can  put the menorah in it. Close and ... We have protective menorah. So we can place  the menorah outside without fear that the candles will go out. Beautiful way to protect the menorah (Hanukkiah

So if you are preparing for Hanukkah, making the dreidels, the sufganiot,  and any Hanukkah songs. Here you have new  product worth looking for - a menorah house . You can find this menorah house at Shaked designs.

Hanukkah - menorah and sufganiyot

Light  menorah candle 

When we were kids at the kindergarten, Hanukkah  party was most important party  during the year. The thing that we were  waiting for was the giant spinning top the sevivon.  It was ceiling hung a large sevivon made ​​of cardboard  that was hang on the ceiling  , In this   giant dreidel awaited for us many gifts. After we ate donuts, we sang songs of Chanukah, and of course we light the Hanukkah candles on the menorah. At the end of the party the teacher used to take the big dreidel and open it and divides each child a gift.

Hanukka today

Today you can choose online Menorahs, to light candles with an iPhone, and eat  low-calorie eating donuts- sufganiyot , and see the story of Judah Maccabee and the Hashmoneans against the Greeks face in three dimensions. And that's what the kids of today will remember a few years.

The hanukkah spirit

And yet .. Hanukkah is a holiday atmosphere. Especially in Israel. You can see  huge Chabad  menorahs every important junction  inflamed with electricity. All the coffee and sells  donuts and their frying smell spreads all over the street, the school closed for eight days as the miracle of the oil and tin holiday  atmosphere on the street.

Tzfat and Jewish art

Tzfat and Jewish art. Tzfat was an important Jewish center. Known Rabbis and Kabbalists and lived in Tzfat So Tzfat became the spiritual  center of the  Jew. Tzfat, located on  mountains overlooking the sea of galilee. Walking at Tzfat's alley can give special experience .

judaica 

Alleys filled with scents of a rich past. Between the lanes can meet various Jewish artists. Painters, sculptors, intellectuals. Most of them combine their Jewish faith to their art. The judaica - paintings of Friday night kiddush or walking to the synagogue, including the Jewish life, whether it Sculptures Jewish symbols: Star of David, a dove with an olive, Menorah and carpenters who work with wood prepare Handmade Mezuzot Kiddush Cups .

Therefore, the encounter with these various artists is fascinating. They invite you to view a gallery for them or to the workshop. And any such place is a small world in itself. Judaica artists are everywhere and their creativity Pot impressive. Much of the inspiration they receive its air Tzfat  historical past and present. There are graves around Tzfat of  known  rabbis and Kabbalists. It's a fun trip and a real experience for those who like to meet people or lover of Judaica Jewish art.

Jewish wedding Kiddush cup

Jewish wedding. 

Here is the happiest moment. It started a few years ago when friends  introduced between you guys, or at the time in school, or maybe you knew the from the dance floor or maybe at the sea. There was excitement, there was love, you started out together, then you moved in together, sharing the same space, you learn to know each other better. Giltm new things

Pressing family

Then a pair of one friend get married, and the mother asks what's going on? Also when you get married? When my son will be a groom? when I get to see my daughter as a bride, when  someone ring on my daughter's finger, when i will bless seven blessings.

The decision

And then it happens, one day the man invites you out to dinner, or invite you to cruise, and at the end of dinner he pulls out a ring and ask if you'll marry him and you say yes. Word gets out fast by word of mouth from Aunt friends.

The wedding kiddush cup

And now you're here, under the chupa, Rabbi, Many guests look upon you, and you are at  the happiest moment in your life. Now the groom drank from the Kiddush and passed it to another moment the happy bride. This is not just a simple kiddush cup, It is judaica art itemt. The groom was looking for a long time until he found him, invited him especially from Israel. Invested. This wedding kiddush cup made of wood and silver. Wedding properly.

Good luck was yet to come further

  Jewish - returning to normal

The holidays are over. After almost a month of holidays, a lot of freedom and plenty of food. Returning to normal. It's not easy. After we have become accustomed to freedom it is  hard to get back to work hard again to get used to routine.

The  last holiday was  Simchat Torah. Joy in prayer is really something special. We were in the synagogue and saw the people praying with joy, doing laps. It was a happy ending for a holiday.

In general, there is  a different feeling. Something ends and something new begins. This is a special time and I'm glad is  happening

This long freedom can disconnect you from work, work and thoughts,  It is on the excellent and even very healthy for the soul.

We had the New Yea: Rosh- hashana , and then we asked for forgiveness on Yom Kippur, we built a suka  and lived there seven days and then we celebrated the end of reading the Torah and a new beginning.

So this New Year begins, let's hope a lot of good.

Tour to Jerusalem Old city

Mamila avenue

We arrived in the evening to Jerusalem. Parked in the “mamila”  parking , off the A lrov Mamilla AvenueArlov . Restored beautiful boulevard, ancient buildings. At the avenue you  can be find various shops and particularly feeling  of Jerusalem, a unique atmosphere. At the end Avenues standing  Jaffa Gate. You  can really  touch the great walls surrounding the Old City. At the gate there is the Tower of David.

We ate and then We decided to get to Western Wall. Because we're a little lazy We went there driving the car. Through narrow alleys. We finally found parking a bit far but the way to the wall beautiful.

The old city and wetern wall

After entering, we found a table where you can write notes.

There were not many people that evening.

We split up. The women went into the woman’s place and man went into the pigger part.  . The entrance has a box full of kippot. We put the kippa and on our heads and went to the wall. There is something very powerful in  those big stones, arranged over each other, the Wall was actually the western wall of the Temple. A holy place for Jews.

I pushed my note to one of the holes in stone, I asked a simple wish. And closed my eyes.

This is a powerful experience. That leaves a lasting impression

Wood mezuzah case from the past

Travel within Israel and especially of Jerusalem, A special city that has an atmosphere not always possible to define, I decided to drop visit shaked designs gallery store.

Long time since I've been there. Artist usual white kippa and a big smile on his face. He has just finished another piece of art and ask me for my opinion. It was a beautiful olive  wood Mezuzah case . The artist smiled at me.

The mezuzah case and Mysterious jewish

"Do you remember a this mezuzah case?" He asked

I did not answer. I do not remember this  Mezuzah case.

The artist tried again, "You've seen it before maybe a little differently..."

I strained my memory but I could not understand what the artist wants me to. The mezuzah case  is where I see the first time in my life.

The artist  reminded me of my Previous visit where he showed me a Piece of םךןהק wood  tree that he found. It was simply a piece of wood. I never imagined that the industry can convert into a prestigious Cover.

I asked him how it happened?

The artist continued to smile.

"With lots of patience, work, creation."

"...That's what I do is what I like" concluded.

Back to judaica gallery

Then as usual we had coffee and we passed the new Judaica products manufactured

I always like to see him, the experience is beyond the normal Judaica Gallery. The mountains around Jerusalem and the simplicity of the place with the creative fire enable you to enjoy every minute of this trip

Keeping and handling judaica Wooden Art work

Fine art product which Shaked designs  makes is fragile and should act with great caution.
Most judaica items such as Kiddush cups or Mezuzah cases (Mezuzot)  are made from olive wood (sometimes other types of trees) and are usually decorated with sterling silver |(925) , gold and studded with precious stones That's why it should get Special treatment.


Here are some tips that will help you take care and maintain the wood item.



Wood

• you can drink from the Kiddush cup  but Do not wet the it. You can wipe it gentley with a soft cloth.
• Do not leave the item in the sun.
• You can polish the wood using a cloth and a little oil linen flax seed oil.
• Never place hot objects directly onto or near the item.

Silver

• You can polish the silver by using silver polish material.
• Make sure that the Kiddush cup stored in an area where they can remain free of dust.
• rubber corrodes silver. So do not let the product comes in contact with rubber gloves
• After useing the Kiddush cup - Dry the silver completely with a soft, clean cloth.
• If you buy Silver polishes or dips - use it carefully those can materials contain harmful chemicals. Follow instructions and heed the manufacturer's warnings.

That's all for now. 

The most important work of art can also be useful, up to you.

 Kiddush cup can serve you in kiddush of  the Friday evening , even at jewish  wedding,

 or any other event. Mezuzah cases can sit on a shelf as part of Judaica collection 

 but also it can be hang on your door when inside is is the card. Enjoy.

The Olive tree - Jewish symbol

From the dawn of Jewish history, the Olive tree has appeared as a symbol and sign, entwined with Judaic tradition.
In the Book of Genesis, Noah sent out the dove to look for dry land. She returned with an olive leaf in her mouth, indicating the end of the Flood.
Later, in the book of Deuteronomy, the olive tree is listed amongst the seven species with which the Land of Israel was blessed.
With time, the olive tree has become a symbol of wholesomeness and symbiosis with the land, particularly the Land of Israel.

There are many special virtues to the olive tree which Man has learned to utilize to produce food, shelter, oil and cosmetics.
For ages, olive wood has inspired the heart of many artists. The uniquely shaped trunk, the historical past of each ancient tree, the overall beauty as well as sturdiness of the wood has sparked
the imagination of Jewish artisans throughout time and been incorporated into their works of art and Judaica.



The artists at Shaked Designs are aware of the uniqueness and special quality of the olive trees planted in the Judean Mountains. With this awareness, olive wood is incorporated as a natural raw material which adds a special spirit to each work, reconnecting us to the earth, the Land of Israel and to creation itself.

Judaica art store

The judaica art store is open 

After we built our little shop (we are located in Jerusalem) , and after we opened a gallery, we opened a small judaica art strore. We have upgraded our site so you can find all our artwork. Through the site to get all the information and get contact with us. The site provides images of our  Kiddush cups, Mezuzot  (mezuzah cases,  judaica rings and pendants).

Of course, every item is unique.

It took us a long time to open the Judaica store located next to the workshop. The process was long and like all birth it took a long time, planning and working. You can see in the store except Judaica art Many  products of Jewish gifts too. And soon we will have  department of the old , Antiques Jewish  items as we call it vintage. So go ahead you are welcome.

Behind each lies a story. The process of creating the story of the item or make each item special. A lot of thought has been devoted, inspiring and fun