Shemini Atzeret—“A Prayer For Rain”

Shemini Atzeret falls on the day after Sukkot, and its name means ‘the eighth day of assembly’. “Shemini” means the eighth; “Atzeret” means “holding back”. Thus, the name “Shemini Atzeret” means the eighth day – the additional day that brings the seven-day holiday of Sukkot.

Shemini Atzeret marks the beginning of the rainy season following the harvest in Israel and On Shemini Atzeret people  say a special prayer called the Tefillat Geshem, which means ‘a prayer for rain’.

Jewish People say this prayer because they need rain to help their crops grow and their animals stay alive according to the jewish history.  The prayer includes the words “mashiv ha ruach u-morid hageshem”, which tells us that God is the one “who brings forth the winds and brings down the rain.”

Some congregations (mostly in Israel) celebrate Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah on the same day. Outside of Israel it is more common to have two separate days. When viewed as two separate holidays, Simchat Torah should follow Shemini Atzeret.

Rain is very important to Israel from a prophetic sense along with a physical sense. There is a tradition that if it rains on Shemini Atzeret, God will be favorable to Israel concerning rainfall for the whole year. There is another tradition, that God has put an angel in charge of the rainfall. His name is Af Bri. He gets his name from the two Hebrew words for anger and health. Anger because it might rain really hard like a flood and health because the rain brings health and prosperity as a result of what the rain helps grow in the farmers’ fields.

Even though Shemini Atzeret immediately follows the festival of Sukkot, it is a totally separate holiday.In addition to the agricultural significance of the holiday, there are many other explanations given for the Shemini Atzeret in Rabbinic literature. Shemini Atzeret is understood as a day highlighting the special relationship between the Jewish people and God.

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Feast of Tabernacles- Sukkot

The name of the Feast of Tabernacles derives from God’s command to ancient Israel to build temporary “tabernacles,” sometimes called “booths,” to live in during the festival. The Israelites left their houses and built temporary dwelling places (Hebrew succah, meaning “hut of woven boughs”) to live in while rejoicing before God. These reminded them of their release from slavery and their dwelling in booths when God brought them out of Egypt.

The Bible emphasizes that, as with booths or temporary dwellings, our physical life is transitory. This festival emphasizes rest, peace and prosperity as it meets the needs of all people, including strangers, widows and the poor.

The Feast of Tabernacles is also known as Sukkot. Sukkot is an eight-day harvest holiday that arrives during the Hebrew month of Tishrei. It starts four days after Yom Kippur and is followed by Shmini Atzeret and Simchat Torah. The primary symbol of Sukkot is, the Sukkah, a hut with a roof of branches. Sukkot recalls the 40 years in the wilderness, when the Israelites lived in temporary huts, as well as the final fall harvest.

There are three major traditions associated with Sukkot: Building a sukkah, Eating in the sukkah and Waving the lulav and etrog.

On the afternoon before Sukkot begins, it is important to gather the four species into a “bouquet” while standing inside sukkah. Collectively the four items are sometimes called the lulav, “a slender palm branch that is held together with two willow branches and three willow branches”; the palm branch occupies the central position in the grouping of the four elements –Etrog, Lulav, Hadas and Aravah. These four items have their own significances on sukkot or the Feast of Tabernacles.

• Etrog-An etrog is a yellowish citrus fruit very similar to the lemon in color, taste and scent

• Lulav – A date palm tree’s branches grow vertically at the tree’s top, with the leaves folded and packed tightly against their spine to form a straight stick around three feet in length.

• Hadas-Myrtle branches, a shrub, and occasionally a tree, possessing fragrant and glossy leaves. Grow in series of two and opposite each other.

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Why we blow the Shofars on Rosh Hashanah?

The shofar is a special instrument used during significant Jewish religious events. Today the shofar is most commonly used on the Jewish New Year, called Rosh Hashanah (Day of Judgment). In fact, shofar is such an important part of this holiday that another name for Rosh Hashanah is Yom Teruah, which means “day of the shofar blast” in Hebrew. The shofar is blown one hundred times on each of the two days of Rosh Hashanah. If one of the days of Rosh Hashanah falls on Shabbat, however, the shofar is not blown.

There are many symbolic meanings associated with the shofar and one of the best known stories is, when God asked Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. At the last moment, Abraham was instructed not to kill Isaac, but rather to sacrifice a ram in his place. It was at that moment that Abraham noticed a ram nearby which was caught in a bush by its horn. The ram was duly sacrificed and Isaac’s life was saved. Because of this story some midrashim claim that whenever the shofar is blown God will remember Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son and will therefore forgive those who hear the shofar’s blasts. In this way, just as the shofar blasts remind us to turn our hearts towards repentance, they also remind God to forgive us for our sins.

During Rosh Hashanah 3 different sounds are blow from the shofar—

1. Tekiah ― one long, straight blast
2. Shevarim ― three medium, wailing sounds
3. Teruah ― 9 quick blasts in short succession

The Tekiah Sound— Tekiah ― the long, straight shofar blast ― is the sound of the King’s coronation. The presence of Adam and Eve gave God subjects who could then look God as Sovereign, and a shofar is blown as a symbol of God’s coronation.

The Shevarim Sound— Shevarim ― three medium, wailing blasts ― is the sad sounds cry of a Jewish heart. This is the moment ― when our souls stand before the Almighty without any barriers ― that we can truly let go.

The Teruah Sound—- The Teruah sound ― 9 quick blasts in short succession ― resembles an alarm clock, arousing us from our spiritual slumber. There is message in this sound –“Wake up you sleepers from your sleep and you slumberers from your slumber. Search your deeds and return in penitence.”

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Bring the best Jewish gifts this New Year from Judaicabeautiful.com

As the Festive season of big Jewish holidays is on their way so it’s important to buy or purchase traditional Judaica gifts for their loved one this New Year.

We all know that a Judaica gifts has its own significance on different Jewish holidays like Rosh Hashanah, Passover and many more. Judaica gifts often become priceless treasures for families, friends and loved once as time passes by and it’s a tradition from Jewish history to give gifts to our loved ones.

If you’re searching for best traditional Jewish or Judaica gifts then Judaicbeautiful.com is the best source for you as it has got a wide range of traditional, handmade and historical gifts. Judaicabeautiful.com has perfect gifts for all the big occasions like Rosh Hashanah, wedding, Shabbat etc.

Candles have a variety of meanings within Judaism. Candlelight is often thought of as a reminder of God’s divine presence. Candles lit during Jewish holidays and on Shabbat serve as reminders that the occasion is holy and distinct from our day-to-day life. You can purchase sliver candlestick of different design and color.

Of course the other important item to have prior to Rosh Hashannah is a shofar. Each day, save for Shabbat, the shofar is blown to awaken listeners to their “slumbers” and warn them for their coming judgment.

Judaica gifts are the best way to show someone you care and offer them important artifacts that will hopefully be passed down generation to generation. Mezzuzahs and Kiddush cups are among the most frequently given gifts.

Judaicabeautiful .com is also a great traditional and handmade gifts source for Bar Mitzvahs, Bat Mitzvahs, Wedding Mezuzah, Menorahs, Kosher Scrolls, Seder Plates, Torah, Shofars , Kiddush cup, wedding gifts.

Amidst this holy season if you are noticing your home incomplete with important pieces of Jewish tradition and gifts, now this is the right time to purchase Judaica gifts for yourself, your family and for your friends from Online store of Jewish gifts –www.judaicabeautiful.com. Being able to express your faith will bring you closer in touch with it and would thus strengthen it.

Judaica Beautiful is the one stop to go for beautiful holidays and occasions gifts with traditional touch of Judaism history. Everything from beautiful mezzuzahs, Kiddush cup, and so much more, perfect for the upcoming holidays and occasions.

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Hoshana Rabbah

The last day of Sukkot is called Hoshana Rabbah, In other words “Great Salvation “or “The Great Hoshanah. It is the day when the verdict that was issued on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is finalized. This is the day on which the heavenly decrees made on Rosh Hashanah and sealed on Yom Kippur and actually sent out to be fulfilled.

Hoshana Rabbah is marked by a special service at the synagogue. During the service, the rolls of the Torah are taken out of their ark and worshippers make seven circuits while holding the “four species” (plants) and reciting Hoshanot. The four species (four plants with symbolic meanings) are waved in proscribed directions after a blessing is recited during Sukkot, except on Shabbat (the Sabbath). People may do this at a synagogue, in the sukkah or at home

On Hoshana Rabbah the beating of the aravah, willow branch, is performed and a circuit was made around the altar while the worshippers recited: “Hoshanah” (“O Lord, deliver us”).

Hoshana Rabbah is considered a particularly important day in the Jewish calendar because, although Jews believe that God makes up His mind about a person’s fate during the coming year and seals the decree on Yom Kippur, they also believe that the decree is not delivered until Hoshana Rabbah, hence there is still an opportunity for a change of mind until then.

Although Hoshana Rabbah was not accorded any different status by the Torah than the other days of Chol HaMoed, the Jewish people have observe many customs on this day and have invested in it with a solemn character. For example, the white parochet, curtain on the ark, in the snoga remains up until after Hoshana Rabbah.

There are seven circuits, at each of which a special Hoshanah hymn is recited; hence the name, Hoshanah Rabbah. After the seven circuits, the four species are put aside and bunches of willows are taken in the hand and these are beaten on the ground three times so that the leaves fall off.

The usual explanation of this rite is that it is a symbolic representation either of the rain, required at this season, which beats on the leaves, or of the leaves which fall from the trees until these is revived by the rain.

On the evening of Hoshanah Rabbah, it is traditional to recite Tehillim (the Book of Psalms) and to read Sefer Devarim (the Book of Deuteronomy). In some circles, especially Hassidic circles, men stay up the entire night engaged in religious study.

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Miriam’s Cup

The Miriam’s Cup brings a new tradition to celebration of Passover. The Miriam’s Cup honors the role of Miriam and all women in keeping Judaism alive. Miriam’s cup represents Miriam’s Well, which was the source of water for the Israelites in the desert. The water of this well were said to be healing and sustaining. Thus Miriam’s Cup is a symbol of all that sustains us through our own journeys, while Elijah’s Cup is a symbol of a future Messianic time.

Women in general played (and still do play) a vital role in Jewish life. Filling the cup with water from each woman in the family allows the next generation of Jewish women to draw from the wisdom and strength of our culture and heritage.

Miriam’s Cup and the role of women in Jewish tradition

During the Jews exodus thorough the desert a well of water miraculously followed them throughout their journey. The well was given to the people by God through Miriam, the sister of Aaron and Moses. She was a prophetess and she was honored by God for her devotion to the Israelites in the Sinai desert. Miriam provided comfort and healing to the people and helped them to hold fast to their faith during this major tribulation in their lives.

The blessing over Miriam’s Cup

Once the cup is filled and the explanation is given, it is than raised and it is said “We place Miriam’s cup on the Seder table so as to honor the vital role that Jewish women in our history have played and to draw more attention to this role as the stories are so rarely told.”

You can either fill your Miriam’s Cup with water from a pitcher, or you can invite everyone at the table to pour some water from their drinking glasses into Miriam’s Cup.

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Judaica gifts and shopping for Jewish festival, Rosh Hashanah

With the Jewish new year and time to celebrate “ROSH HASHANAH” just round the corner, it’s a perfect time to celebrate and a time to tell all your special relatives or friends how much they mean to you. And what better and more precious way than to gift those specially meant judaica gifts and other items designed for the occasion of Rosh Hashanah from JudaicaBeautiful.com

Rosh Hashanah Decorative Plate

Welcome Rosh Hashanah in style with this beautiful masterpiece Rosh Hashanah Decorative Plate crafted for diligent style and looks.  28” ceramic blue & blacked glazed ceramic a real High Holiday plate that is based on an original made in delft, Holland, 1672. The product of The Israel Museum in Jerusalem.

Contemporary Rosh Hashanah Plate & ornamental Apple

At Rosh Hashanah you are going to love this item from JudaicaBeautiful.com Contemporary Rosh Hashanah Plate & ornamental Apple which is Rosh Hashanah +Ornamental apple. The hexagonal and apple shape of the plate creates a very unique design for the presentation of apples and honey- also termed as the traditional blessing for upcoming sweet and a fruitful year.

The original design is designed by the very famous artist Anat Basanta.

How the Rosh Hashanah Challah Became Round

A very interesting tale with year around appeal, even though it takes place at Rosh Hashanah every year.

A 28 pages fun filled book and a special delight for kids in the age group of 3-8.

My Soft Rosh Hashana Set

A product designed keeping in mind the needs of people on this auspicious festival season of Rosh Hashanah “My Soft Rosh Hashana Set”. The set includes 1 soft shofar, one soft apple and honey pot each, 2 full rounds of challahs, 2 soft candlesticks and 1 soft Kiddush cup, also one vinyle carrying case.

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Some Facts About Rosh Hashanah “The Jewish New Year”

Rosh Hashanah the Jewish New Year that falls on the 1 and 2 days of the Jewish month of Tishrei i.e. at the end of summer this year in 2012 Rosh Hashanah begins in the evening of Sunday, September 16, 2012, and ends in the evening of Tuesday, September 18, 2012.

Here are few interesting facts about this auspicious festival named Rosh Hashanah: –

• Rosh Hashanah is celebrated because on this day earth was created according to a popular Jewish belief the creation of the world is said to have been on the sixth day of creation when man and women were created.
• It is said that god forgave the acts of Adam and Eve on the very first Rosh Hashanah. And the god said just as they were judged by him and in turn forgiven for their acts in the similar passion their descendants too would be judged and forgiven on this very day.
• Most number of festivals celebrated during Rosh Hashanah is spent usually in synagogue; it’s a house of prayer long with special services for Rosh Hashanah that takes place over there.
• Ram’s horn is blown during the prayer services on the occasion of Rosh Hashanah so as to motivate people to repent and change their ways.
• There are many symbolic foods that are eaten during Rosh Hashanah also people like to shop during this festival a lot and many gift stores are there offering specially designed Jewish items for Rosh Hashanah on this special occasion among which the most popular online store offering Rosh Hashanah gifts and items this festive season is JudaicaBeautiful.com.

Visit our online store www.JudaicaBeautiful.com this Rosh Hashanah and shop all your desired items over there at an affordable rate.

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Jewish art from JudaicaBeautiful

Judaicabeautiful.com gives you the widest and the most precious collection of judaica gifts specially made in Israel.

Looking for a judaica gift online has never been an easy task. First of all you need to think of the correct item that you actually are looking forward to buy as there are many online Judaica stores and plenty at places like New York and L.A. judaicabeautiful is perhaps the only store that is the most popular and highly recommended store in the whole of New York and L.A. as finding a nice Judaica gift at an affordable price is something that judaicabeautiful has immortalized.

Also the quality of products that you will come across at judaicabeautiful.com is unmatched.

Just for example a few days ago I was looking for a nice Aries Short Earrings . When I searched it on google it gave me a plenty of search results. Well I admit that I do like a lot of fancy stuffs so I started looking for variety of other items, as judaicabeautiful.com has got innumerable number of items on their store. Finally I came across a reasonable priced Aries Short Earrings.

Conclusion:

Buying online a nice piece of Judaic art will definitely take some time as you need to find the perfect destination where you can shop peacefully and that too within your budget, like in my example I found the most adorable judaica shopping destination named judaicabeautiful.com 

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List of few items that you would find in our Store: –

Star of David

One of my personal favorite Jewish symbol is the Star of David. The Star of David is simply a hexagram used in the Jewish culture. In the modern time the star of David has become a premier Jewish symbol. This six pointed star (hexagram) can be found mostly on mezuzahs, menorahs, tallis bags and kipot. Even ambulances in Israel portray the sign of the “Red Star of David,” and the flag of Israel has a blue star that is planted squarely in the center.

The Star of David is also famously known as the Shield of David or Magen David, and as of today is used primarily as an object in Jewish Art.  Star of David was often used to recognize Jewish people as it being a symbol of Jewish culture.

Pope Innocent III once stated that Jews and Muslims will have a special mark on their eyes and would also have a special character of their dress to distinguish them apart of the Christian people. In Germany and Austria, Jews were distinguished by their special hat that was also known as the” Jewish hat”.

At JudaicaBeautiful web store we have gift items and other Jewish products including the entire range of the Star of David.

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Posted below are few pictures of the product range that you will see at our JudaicaBeautiful.com store.