Today we have a treasurehouse of hand or machine crafted
Judaica, past and present, ceremonial objects and Jewish art,
available from shops in Jerusalem and throughout the four
corners of the world where Jews have been dispersed. Spice
boxes, Kiddush cups, Shabbos candlesticks, Mizrach and
Shivisi plaques, Challa covers, Chanuka Menoras,
mezuzos, kesubos and even Judaica created for
commericial purposes, like the various Omer counters (wooden
displays which one updates, day by day) are just some of the
rich ceremonial objects that are used exclusively for the
fulfillment of mitzvos, even though the actual
mitzva of lighting Shabbos candles or reciting
kiddush can be accomplished with a common cup and
candles makeshiftly stuck on to any surface by melting the
wax bottom.
It is the hiddur mitzva, however, the embellishment
and beautification of each commandment, that propells us to
refine our performance. This is why we take pride and
pleasure in acquiring the finest examples of tashmishei
kedusha that we are able. Country, custom, and locally
available materials account for the variations, but the
essential objects are clearly recognizable for their Jewish
identity and function. The adherence to Halocha is a major
factor in setting a timeless Jewish standard and method of
identification.
Many non-religious Jews collect and appreciate Judaica. It is
their visual and tactile link to their heritage. Although
they lack a Torah education and perspective, they cling to
the visual elevation and symbolism provided by owning or
admiring Jewish ceremonial art.
In the household of the Torah observant Jew, the links to our
heritage surround us in our heart, thoughts and deeds. Torah
is a living, breathing reality. It is more than a set of
objects on a shelf to be collected and admired. Yet, we must
not forget that we have eyes. These eyes are strong receptors
of the physical world around us. Hashem did not mean to deny
our visual senses but, rather, to control them carefully and
use them as instruments by which to do His will.
If properly used, the eyes can see the infinite color-shape-
texture and light in all of creation. They can watch it vary
with the seasons. The air subtly changes color according to
the temperature. The time of day or night increases or
reduces what we are able to view in the panorama of the
world. New fruits in season emphasize their flurry of colors
like exotic birds spreading their plumage. From nature we
meet an endless variety of spectacles to invigorate our
visual senses.
A thing of beauty is pleasing to the eye; it also pacifies
the soul. All the more so when that object is used for a high
purpose; that of performing mitzvos. These are our
treasures and our fine raiment. A silver cup in itself is
pleasing to the senses. All the more so - silver with
precious or semi-precious stones set in - and even more so
when a silver cup takes on an added elevated presence when it
is used to sanctify Shabbos. Silver threads on a blue velvet
cloth are splendid to look at but all the more so when that
cloth becomes a curtain on the aron kodesh.
We have the use of our external visual senses when we use
them along with the sense of touch, smell and hearing to
ennoble, beautify and carry out mitzvos. We also have
the internal visual picture of remembering the moments that
carved the Jewish identity such as the candles burning from
Shabbos to Shabbos in the tent of Soroh Imenu that represent
sholom bayis. A second example is the Menora
positioned in the Mishkon radiating a non-corporeal
luminosity that is evoked in our internal memories when we
light our Chanuka candles. They are part of the eternal spark
in the Jewish soul.
"He is my G-d and I will beautify Him." When the Jews of the
Desert beheld the vessels of the Mishkon, their hearts and
thoughts rose up towards Hashem. This is the goal of Jewish
art and crafts on the highest level when they are used as
tashmishei kedusha, to move our hearts and deeds via
the physical senses to the service of Hashem.
With the many mitzvos and observances we are commanded
to keep, either acording to time - daily, weekly, monthly or
yearly, or not according to a set time, we have the advantage
of filling our senses with a richness from within and from
without as we use our living Judaica treasures.
WORD-WRITING ACTIVITIES
* Use the following word/poetry/art activities to increase
the recognition of a child's appreciation for the objects of
tashmishei kedusha in our homes and shuls.
This is the time to expand English or Hebrew vocabulary.
Speak one language at a time. Try not to mix them together in
order to widen the vocabulary and concepts in each language.
High quality language heard by young children translates into
a broadened range of concepts and vocabulary later on in
life.
In a special notebook (or on rough draft, first) write down
your child's replies to the following questions and
exercises:
1) Word descriptions: Ask you child to describe your Shabbos
candlesticks, Shabbos table, or other tashmishei
kedusha in your home. Give clues by asking stimulating
questions that contain choices of adjectives such as: are the
candlesticks made from a hard or soft material? Are they
heavy or light, shiny or dull? Are they made from glass,
silver or copper?
Aside from the notebook you create together, you can play
Twenty Questions as a game on Shabbos, when taking walks or
traveling.
2) Sentences and Concepts: Teach concepts in short sentences.
Ask:
What is the job of the Shabbos candlesticks?
Why are they important?
Tell us about the candles burning in Soroh Imeinu's tent.
Explain that Jewish women, the world over, are lighting their
candles at the same time (according to their time zone).
Recall the candlesticks sitting majestically in your
grandparents' home. Ask the child to do the same.
3) Write a short story together. Have the child paraphrase
what stood out in his or her mind from the above questions
and discussions. Provide paper and pencil for the child to
write a short story or essay. Write it down for the child who
is yet unable to write.
4) Write a poem. Use words or sentences that rhyme in a unity
of sounds such as light, bright and night (or in simple
Hebrew, accordingly).
5) Optional: Make a drawing with a border decoration to
illustrate poem or story.
6) Read the finished work at the Shabbos table or let child
rephrase thoughts from memory.
[You may wish to create a tactile book, using silver foil for
candlesticks, a small cloth to be used as a challa
cover, real cloves for havdola, a sliver of lemon to
smell for esrog or some flax which protects it, a
hadas leaf, - your imagination and their's is the
limit. Notebooks can be created for different times of the
year or different subjects, using real or simulated materials
to bring the subjects to life.]
