Ritual & Religious Objects
When walking into a home, one can often tell right away that a Jewish family lives there. The reason for this is that we see an array of religious and ritual objects connected with Shabbat, holidays, life cycle events and Jewish rituals.
These objects are reminders of Jewish laws and traditions which can go back centuries in time. These objects are precious to their owners, whether they be individuals or synagogues, and, in
many cases, are passed down from generation to generation.
Our display of ritual objects connect us to synagogue, prayer, and the Jewish home. Many of these artifacts are priceless in terms of sentimental and spiritual value to their owners.
Yad
Minneapolis
Mom
My mother bought this yad at a Judaica store in Minneapolis. Both of my older brothers used this Yad during their B'nai Mitzvah.
I am going to use this Yad during my Bar-Mitzvah in November, 2013.
The yad is used when people are reading the Torah on Shabbat and holidays.
We use a Yad so we do not touch the Torah with our hands, because our hands have grease on them which could ruin the Torah.
Tallit
Minnesota
My Grandpa
This tallit was my great grandfather's. It has been in our family for about 100 years.
My great grandfather passed it down to my grandpa who lent it to me for the museum.
We wear a tallit at the synagogue after we become Bar Mitzvah.
It represents all the 613 mitzvot.
Tallis Bag
Minneapolis
Dad
My grandma made this tallis bag by hand and my dad used it for his Bar-Mitzvah.
Every time my dad goes to services he brings it with him.
We start wearing a tallis when we become Bar/Bat Mitzvah.
The most important part of the tallis are the tzizit, because they remind us of our mitzvot.
Doing mitzvot is what keeps us Jewish.
Mini Torah
unknown
Kim H.
It was given to my mom when she was 4 or 5 by ther synagogue and she has kept it ever since.
The Jewish people read from the Torah regularly.
It has stories about the beginnings of our people as well as laws and values for us to live by.
Without the Torah we would not know about our past and we woukdn't know how to live.
Kippah
Israel
Great Grandpa Max
My great grandfather gave this kippah to me. He died when I was 5 years.But, when I look at the kippah I think of him.
.
The kippah has my Jewish name on it, which is Mordechai. Mordechai was Esther's cousin in the Purim story.
My cousin's name is Esther.
Mordechai and Esther were heroes. they saved the Jews from destruction by banding together. That means I'm a hero too!
Tzedakah Box
Jerusalem
my mom
Each of my first cousins have a replica of this tzedakah box. We all got them when my Pa-Pa Ben passed away.
Every year, on his yahrzeit, we get together and donate all the money from all of the boxes to one of Pa-Pa Ben's favorite charities.
Giving tzedakah is a mitzvah. So, having a tzedakah box gets us started on the performance of this mitzvah.
Tzedakah means righteousness in Hebrew. We give Tzedakah simply because it is the righteous thing to do.
5 Books of Moses
Torah Academy
My Dad
This set of 5 books of Moses was given to my father by his school, Torah Academy, in 6th grade, for his graduation from elementary school in 1974.
All the graduates from Torah Academy received them
They are only written in Hebrew and the font is very small.
This is important because it reminds us that are parents, grandparents, and great grand parents all had a Jewish education. So our whole family has had and is having a good Jewish education.
These 5 books of Moses are important to Judaism because they are the Torah.They have God's name in them and they have everything that Jewish people believe in. That's why the 5 books of Moses are important to Judaism.
The word "Torah" means instruction or teaching in English. It contains the five books of Moses; Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, & Deuteronomy.
The Torah teaches us how to live Jewish lives. It also recounts our history as a people.
Siddur
Israel
My mom
This Siddur is my mom's. She got this from her grandmother when her grandmother visited israel in 1970.
My grandmother gave it to my mom for her Bat Mitzvah.
This Siddur is special because my grandmother passed it down to my mom.
So,maybe my mom will pass it down to me.
The Siddur is important to our Jewish heritage because we use it to pray all the time.
It unites all of our people, because we all say the same prayers.
Siddur
Israel
This Siddur belonged to my maternal great grandparents Hye and Florence Chodos. It was passed down to my mother when they passed away. It was used at family holiday celebrations.
I was named after my great grandmother Florence Chodos who this Siddur belonged to. Her Hebrew name was Tamima and mine is Tam.
Menorah
Minnesota
my dad
This Menorah was a wedding gift to my great-grandparents. The wedding was in 1920 in Minneapolis,MN!
It was passd down to my dad and we are happy to have it as a reminder of my great grand parents.
This menorah isn't a Hanukiah and it isn't used for Hanukah.
It resembles the menorah which used to be in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and had 7 branches, one for each day of the week.
There is also one of these in front of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament building in Jerusalem.
The Temple existed before we had synagogues, like we do today.
Torah
Israel
Mother
My mom received this little Torah at the consecration ceremony at her synagogue when she was in kindergarten.She and her brother and sister each participated in this ceremony at different times. The Torahs are all kept together as a reminder of the importance of their Jewish education.
Jewish education is what keeps Judaism alive. When a child begins their formal Jewish education, it is an important milestone.It is the beginning of a long commitment to keep learning.
We are called "The People of the Book," so studying is one of our most important values as Jews.
Tefillin
Eastern Europe
Grandpa
My grandpa's grandpa gave my grandpa these Tefillin for his Bar-Mitzvah in 1936.
Then, my uncle and father were given them for use on their B'nai Mitzvah.
When my brother and I will become B'nai Mitzvah, we will use them as well.
I think this is a big honor.
Tefillin are a symbol of our faith and connection to God and Judaism.
We use them every morning during Shaharit (except for Shabbat).
I am proud to continue this tradition of my family.
When I have children, I hope to pass the Tefillin down to them.
Tallis
New York
my dad
This tallis belonged to my great grandfather.
He wore it at his Bar Mitzvah.
It was then passed down to my grampa who gave it to my dad.
My dad also wore it to his Bar Mitzvah.
I plan on wearing it to my Bar Mitzvah as well.
A tallit is a very special ritual object.
The tzizzit on the tallit remind us of the mitzvot.
They are what teach us how to conduct ourselves and our lives.
I will be proud to wear this tallit which has been passed down from generation to generation in my family.
Mini 10 Commandments
Israel
my great grandma
My great grandma would kiss this artifact every morning. It was her way of thanking God for giving us the 10 commandments.
It was eventually passed down to my dad.
The 10 commandments were a gift to the entire world.
They teach us how to be good people.
The 10 commandments are the basis of Jewish law.