Shabbat Candlesticks as a Shabbat Gift or Hanukkah Gift!

Shabbat Candlesticks is something that Jewish women use every single week at least once. When it comes to Jewish Holidays it gets used even more then once a week. This is why so many people are buying Shabbat Candlesticks for gifts.

Many types of Shabbat Candlesticks are available ranging from the more traditional Shabbat Candlesticks such as Sterling Silver Shabbat Candlesticks to the most contemporary Shabbat Candlesticks.

The type of Shabbat Candlesticks someone buys depends mostly on their taste and the style they prefer. Shabbat Candle lighting time is a very traditional time for Jewish women so a nice Candlestick set is very much appreciated.

We will cover in the upcoming days all types of customs common in the Jewish religion.

Dreidel is a Game or a Collectible?

Browsing around online, one comes to wonder what exactly is a dreidel. reading up on Wikepedia one clearly sees that a dreidel is an ancient game from the times of the second temple. However upon entering stores one sees it displayed as a beautful Judaica Art.

Dreidel is in fact a game, and many dreidels are sold for Dreidel game playing. However artists have created beautiful Art Dreidel master pieces featuring artistic designed dreidels. Some of these art dreidels can be used for dreidel game playing as well. However its purpose is for being displayed in art collections etc.

CJ Art Hanukkah Menorahs - Get Inspired!

I just saw a CJ Art Menorah for the first time, and my reaction is WOW!. I have never seen such a beautiful design, combining modern design with First Temple age design.

The artists at CJ Art have their unique talents of creating Jewish art with real antique style stones and add the most elegant touches with the glass creations.

I can't get over at these beautiful, marvelous, inspiring menorahs. I went ahead and posted one of these beautiful designs to my wish list and home my spouse will notice it. I wouldn't mind getting one of these for my Hanukkah Menorah collection.

In case you don't know what CJ Art is all about, here is an explanation:

CJ Art is a group of artisits in Israel who have all the exact smae goal, to design modern menorahs with touches of temple age art. CJ can be visited on the web at this link.

What Choices will you find when in Search for a Menorah?

So we have discussed Menorah candles. but Candles without a menorah is not really worth anything. So let's discuss the many menorah options one will accounter while shopping for one.

Sterling silver menorahs - Sterling silver menorahs, as you can imagine, are pretty expensive. The cheapest on I could find was a sterling silver menorah manufactured by Hazorfim, an Israeli Judaica silver manufacturer, and goes for $225.00. The most expensive I was able to find was this sterling silver menorah for $6,800. But unless you win a fortune overnight, I don't believe you would want to spend this amount.

Then there is the regular aluminum menorah or glass menorah collections. Glass menorahs are very nice and are a beautiful choice when you want to buy a menorah on the lower costing range, but want to get something nice. Glass menorahs come in many different designs, featuring modern paintings, or mixed with brass, gold etc. I personally love the glass menorahs very much and have bought one in the past. When searching for a nice but low cost Hanukkah gift, I would certainly have a glass menorah among my choices.

We will cover aluminum menorahs at our next posting and also continue to other menorah choices.

Is Hanukkah Gift Giving a Traditional Custom?

The Hanukkah gift giving is a new concept that has evolved out of the Hanukkah gelt giving tradition. In the past times, Hanukkah gelt (Yiddish for "money") was distributed to children to enhance their enjoyment of the Hanukkah holiday. (The amount given was usually in small coins, although grandparents or other relatives may give larger sums as an official Hanukkah gift. In Israel, Hanukkah gelt is known as dmei Hanukkah. Many Hasidic Rebbes distribute coins to those who visit them during Hanukkah. Hasidic Jews consider this to be an auspicious blessing from the Rebbe, and a segulah for success.)

Since Hanukkah falls on the same time as Christmas, it has led to the expansion of the gelt giving tradition to gift giving tradition. There are many different things that one can buy to present as Hanukkah gifts such as a Hanukkah menorah, Hanukkah decorations or just year round productss such as Jewish books or ordinary Judaica. You might also want to give an exquisite Hanukkah gift baskets.

Cold weather is coming along and this means Chanukah shopping is around the corner.

With the Succot holiday gone, one can only think of the next Jewish Holiday to seek some comfort in these cold days. As much as this warmth derived from holidays was needed in the past, this year with the economic turmoil and uncertainty it can be even called a life saver.

How I wait for the Chanukah days! For the days that I will be able to sit next to the Chanukah candles and mesmerize the ambiance radiating from these wonderful Menorah Candles.

What is so wonderful in the Hanukkah Candles that gets me and all other Jewish people feeling uplifted? I will do my research and write down my findings in the upcoming days. However, off-hand, it's the candles that symbolizes the victory of the Jewish people over the wicked Greek Empire that gets us in a high spirit. A spirit that can warm us even in these trying times.

Immunotec Research Vitamins, Are they Kosher?

We have been receiving lately inquireis about the Immunotec Research Vitamins, if they are kosher or not. The most common vitamins that were a concenr were the:

• Immunocal, a whey supplement.
  
• Immunocal Platinum, A bonded cysteine dietary supplement with Minerals and Creatine.


• Prycena, a high concentration of dairy calcium, fiber shake.


• Xtra Sharp, an all natural tonic

As much as we researched these vitamins we could not ascertain if they are kosher. We have learned that Immunotec Research does have a Immunocal product certified kosher, however we don't know from which Kashruth Agency it received it's kosher certification.