Jewish Symbols in the Home
A Jewish home has many religious objects in it. These objects are very important in a Jew’s life and they all have a meaning. Here are some of the objects you may find in a Jewish home:
Mezuza
- This is the scroll that we attach to the doorposts of Jewish homes.
- We nail the mezuzah to the right hand doorpost as a person enters the room.
- The container around the scroll can be made from wood, metal or ceramic.
- Having a mezuzah on our doorposts lets everyone know we are Jewish
- We are supposed to have a mezuzah only because we love God and want to obey Him, and not as a good luck charm.
Candlesticks
- Candlesticks are used on a regular basis at the beginning of Shabbat and most Jewish festivals.
- Many candlesticks are made of silver, or silver plate, but they can be made of any material, such as glass, brass, bronze and so on.
- Many young Jewish girls have their own candlesticks which they use for lighting Shabbat and festival candles. The custom is for a girl who is not yet married to light only one candle, but a married woman lights two or more.
- Candlesticks are a popular Bat Miztvah and/or wedding present for Jewish women.
Chanukiah
- The chanukiah is used during the festival of Chanukah to commemorate the miracle of the oil that lasted eight days.
- Jewish children often make or at least own their own chanukiot, which they use to light the candles of the eight nights of the festival.
- The chanukiah is sometimes also called a Chanukah menorah. It is different from a 'regular' menorah because it has nine branches, not seven.
Mizrach
- This is like a sign or plaque that can be made from wood, cloth, ceramic or collage and is there for decoration.
- It is used to remind us which way to face when we pray. (Jews face towards Jerusalem in Israel when they pray, but may become confused about which direction that is without the mizrach).
- The word mizrach means 'east' because the custom of using one started in Europe where Jews face east towards Jerusalem when they pray.
Shivti
- This is a sign or plaque very similar to a mizrach and is usually found in a synagogue, but some homes also have one.
- The shivti reminds us that God is always present and knows what we do.
- On the shviti, we see God’s four-letter name (in Hebrew), surrounded by other words from a verse in the Bible (Psalms 16:18).
