My true intention of having picked Jerusalem  in Israel for my wedding, was simply  due  to a dream I had  years ago where  I visualized myself  like in a premonition being the protagonist of a  a religious ceremony under the  Jewish Houppa  in a garden facing the oldest city in world , heart of universal spirituality.

Having said that,  it is common knowledge that  the ambitious intent of organizing  away from home, a religious event followed by a party and  hosting several guests coming from the four corners with special and dedicated attention  and comfortable accomodation, is not one of the easiest tasks one can bear for himself.

Starting from the strict laws of Jewish religion to the smallest  details monitored  by  local security authorities  the whole project can be overwhelming and  at times why not?,  a true utopia.

But us Scorpios love to be challenged especially when we meet other scorpios professionals living and working in Israel who speak perfect English and understand that once one had a premonition dream that needed to be set physically in place within the next few weeks . Those three keys to true success are called Koby Bar Yehuda.

” What is this invitation you sent me to look at ? Are you nuts?  ” I hear on the other side of the line on my blackberry. ” What do you mean Koby?  The invitation is in English for foreigners and in Hebrew for locals …I thought….” ‘ Do you want your Israeli guest to come to your ceremony ? -he adds with an authority of a commander  officer  threatening  a  Tiron ” ‘

Intimidated and a little defensive I reply with an ”  of course ”  ” Then you will have to change the time in the Hebrew version;  Israelis are known to be late  to events therefore the hebrew translation will have one hour difference from the English version. I will be glad to modify that for you.

And this had been our first exchange of words.

In traditional Jewish literature marriage is actually called kiddushin, which translates as “sanctification” or “dedication.” “Sanctification,” indicates that what is happening is not just a social arrangement or contractual agreement, but a spiritual bonding and the fulfillment of mitzvah.

Dedication indicates that the couple now have an exclusive relationship, that involves total dedication of the bride and groom to each other, to the extent of them becoming, as the Kabbalists state, “one soul in two bodies.”.

According to the Talmud,  40 days before a male child is conceived, a voice from heaven announces whose daughter he is going to marry, literally a match made in heaven! In Yiddish, this perfect match is called “bashert,” a word meaning fate or destiny.

 ” Mazel Tov, darlings, you’re getting married”  You’ve picked out invitations, auditioned the band, and you’re on your way to the perfect wedding. Everything is planned, save for the set of essential details that will turn your big day into a timeless, spiritual event. We’re talking minhag, baby:  the Jewish wedding customs that create a meaningful link between past, present, and future.

The Tish

A traditional Jewish wedding begins with a groom’s tish, Yiddish for table. The groom attempts to present a lecture on the week’s Torah portion, while his male friends and family heckle and interrupt him. Meanwhile, the bride is entertained in another room by her female friends and family. Bride and groom may lead the tish together in Conservative and Reform congregations.

The Ketubah Signing

In Orthodox communities, after the tish the ketubah (Jewish marriage contract) is signed by the groom, the rabbi, and two male witnesses. In Reform and Conservative congregations, the bride may also sign the ketubah, and additonal lines can be added for female witnesses, too. Despite its testimony that the groom has “acquired” the bride, the ketubah is all about the bride’s rights and her willingness to take part in the marriage. In fact, the ketubah belongs solely to the bride and is hers to keep as proof of her rights and the groom’s responsibilities to her under Jewish law.

The B’deken

The first time a bride and groom see each other in an Orthodox wedding is during the b’deken, or veiling of the bride. Both fathers and all the men lead the groom to the bride’s room, where both mothers and all the women surround her. The groom lowers the veil over her face, setting her apart from everyone else and indicating that he is solely interested in her inner beauty. The ceremony is based on the biblical story in which Jacob did not see his bride’s face beforehand and was tricked into marrying the wrong sister, Leah. Some couples have created a more egalitarian veiling ceremony in which the bride places a yarmulke on the groom as he covers her with the veil.

The Huppah

The huppah, or wedding canopy, dates back to the tent-dwelling Jewish nomadic days in the desert. Historically, Jewish wedding ceremonies were held outdoors, and the huppah created an intimate, sanctified space. The canopy offers one of the best opportunities to personalize your ceremony. Since there are no formal requirements for its size, shape, or appearance, you can make your own huppah.

Circling

When the couple first enters the huppah, the bride circles the groom seven times, representing the seven wedding blessings and seven days of creation, and demonstrating that the groom is the center of her world. To make the ancient ritual reciprocal, many couples opt to circle each other.

Kiddushin

The kiddushin (betrothal ceremony) takes place under the huppah. It begins with greetings, a blessing over the wine, and a sip taken by the bride and groom. Next come the rings: The groom recites an ancient Aramaic phrase as he places the wedding band on his bride’s right index finger — the finger believed to be directly connected to the heart. In a double-ring ceremony (not permitted in some Orthodox weddings) the bride also places a ring on the grooms index finger while repeating a feminine form of the Aramaic phrase, or a biblical verse from Hosea or Song of Songs. The ketubah is then read aloud in English and Aramaic.

Sheva B’rachot

The sheva b’rachot, or seven blessings, consist of praise for God, a prayer for peace in Jerusalem, and good wishes for the couple. In Sephardic weddings, before the sheva b’rachot are recited, the parents wrap the couple in a tallis, literally binding them together. The rabbi doesn’t have to say all seven blessings. You can honor special guests by asking them to read — or even sing — some of the blessings.

Breaking of the Glass

Nothing says “Jewish wedding” more than the sound of breaking glass. But what’s the point? Depending on whom you ask, the breaking of the wineglass is, among other things: a symbol of the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem; a representation of the fragility of human relationships; and a reminder that marriage changes the lives of individuals forever. It’s also the official signal to shout, “Mazel Tov!” and start partying. There’s no law putting the man’s foot to the task. If you’re game, bride and groom can break the glass together with one swift kick in unison.

The Yihud

In a day filled with chaos, the yihud – or “seclusion” — is a standout ritual that lets you focus on the days true purpose: your new partnership. Immediately after the ceremony, bride and groom retreat to a private room for 15 minutes of personal time. No in-laws, no seating arrangement charts, no videographer. Just you and your new spouse staring into each other’s eyes. In days of old, bride and groom would retreat to a nearby tent for a little undercover nookie action. This isn’t done much these days, but its customary for newlyweds to seize the yihud moment and feed each other a bite or two of their first meal together.

Fortunately Koby  has an active  technological network of I-Phones, Blackberries, I- pads and you name another fifty  up-to-date devices. Through Vimeo, Skype and Messenger and What’s up we could easily communicate on topics like flowers, menu, hotel rooms, rabbis, security, transportation, extravagant  hair and make up stylist, Oriental delicacies on Syrian  handmade cedar wood and mother of pearl mosaics, luggage- less guests one day before the wedding, car services, singer prima donnas, talented photographers last minute sweepstakes ,video artists and Israeli wines in room delivery.

His business partner Yaron  and the highly efficient and dedicated team of assistants made my experience truly unforgettable. I  recommend the help or the friendship of this wonderful and sensitive persona who will  fit your dreams into a flexible budget . as his fees are fixed.

Now it’s time to look for your  own soulmate…who knows Koby Bar Yehuda might find that one  too somewhere in place and time .

Joelle’s Tips:

The Party Planner : koby Bar Yehuda /  Eliahu Eitan 24 Richon Lezion 75703 Israel / Koby@kbydesigns.com / +972 (3) 941-0661

The Photo Credits for this post and the wedding: Lovka Sudio  / lovka@lovka.com

The Video :  Erez Harodi  / + 054 68 81350

The Hair Stylist: 

The Make up Stylist:  Gizele  Blass  054-4540686 /giseleblass@gmail.com

 The Song 

The hotels:  King David Jerusalem  

Adriana Ostrofsky Senior Banqueting Sales Representative King David Hotel Tel: 972-2-6208785 Fax: 972-26248623 KD-Bnq.AdrianaO@danhotels.com

Mamila Hotel Jerusalem

  Sarit Cohen Reservations Department Mamilla Hotel  / 11 King Solomon Street, Jerusalem 94182, Israel / Tel: +972 2 5482200 Fax: +972 2 5482201 Email: reservations@MamillaHotel.com

The Source: The Knot   Ask the Rabbi

Judaism is a comprehensive way of life, filled with rules and practices that affect every aspect of life: What you do when you wake up in the morning, what you can and cannot eat, what you can and cannot wear, how to groom yourself, how to conduct business,

who you can marry, how to observe the holidays and Shabbat, and perhaps most important, how to treat G-d, other people, and animals.

This set of rules and practices is known as Halakhah.

The word “Halakhah” is usually translated as “Jewish Law,” although a more literal (and more appropriate) translation might be “the path that one walks.” The word is derived from the Hebrew root Hei-Lamed-Kaf, meaning to go, to walk or to travel.

Halakhah comes from three sources: from the Torah, from laws instituted by the rabbis and from long-standing customs.

Halakhah from any of these sources can be referred to as a Mitzvah (commandment; plural: Mitzvot). The word “Mitzvah” is also commonly used in a casual way to refer to any good deed.

Because of this imprecise usage, sophisticated Halakhic discussions are careful to identify Mitzvot as being Mitzvot d’Oraita (an Aramaic word meaning “from the Torah“) or Mitzvot d’Rabbanan (Aramaic for “from the rabbis”).

A Mitzvah that arises from custom is referred to as a Minhag. Mitzvot from all three of these sources are binding, though there are differences in the way they are applied. The term Mitzvah has also come to express an act of human kindness and Tzedaka. (Charity)

According to the teachings of Judaism, all moral laws are, or are derived from, divine commandments. The opinions of the Talmudic rabbis are divided between those who seek the purpose of the Mitzvot and those who do not question them.

The latter argue that if the reason for each Mitzvah could be determined, people might try to achieve what they see as the purpose of the Mitzvah, without actually performing the Mitzvah itself.

The Rabbis came to assume that the Law comprised 618 commandments. According to Rabbi Simlai, as quoted in the Talmud, this enumeration of 618 commandments was representative of the following.

“  365 negative commandments like the number of days in the solar year, and 248 positive commandments corresponding to a person’s limbs”

Inspired by the the Rabbinical Mitzvots,  Moshe Mizrahi and Eitan Nissanian of MDM Judaica created exclusive one of a kind art pieces allowing every Jew in the world to remember and practice freely in their own homes the rituals present in the Talmudic teachings.

Among the 630 Mitzvots, I have chosen to enumerate a few basic ones to give you a good idea of what it takes today, to understand the basic principles of Jewish Faith the how the inherited knowledge from past generations is manifested through simple and sometimes more complex rituals.

And the greatest privilege for me is to illustrate in this case, the needed basic tools through beautiful uniquely precious works of art described below each Miztvah each one of a kind and all created with love and devoted care. And the Mitzvoths are:

And the  Mitvots are: Put a Mezuzah at the door frame of your home,

Below a collector’s case in Silver and wood inlay  a small key for Parnassa is hidden inside

To recite a blessing for each enjoyment ,

This hand painted illustration on parchment is from the beautiful Book of Perek Shira ( The song of creation) by Rabbi Eliezer.

To ritually wash the hands before eating ,

I am holding a gorgeous embossed and engraved silver Mayyim Acharonim in my hand.

Very good to put in my suitcase on my travels throughout the world.

To prepare lights in advance of Shabbat

A portable gold prayer book, scribed with Kosher Ink and hand sown with 24 k gold thread

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7tLqMOXSPm8/Rf_wuENDL4I/AAAAAAAAAYo/6iTDDR1gFxA/s400/dubrov.jpeg

To recite the Hallel psalms on holy days,

To light the Hanukkah lights,

I have displayed on a table in front of an 18th century Venetian mirror in my bedroom two beautiful examples of Menoras.

The first is a collectible,  25 years old in pure Silver.

It carries a small doors with a silver tray for an incorporated driedel game, a small drawer for the extra candles , and containers for the oil.

The second is a replica of an old Moroccan tradition of inlay .

To read the Scroll of Esther on Purim

This 9 meters (27′ length and 2′ wide) Kosher Meguilhat Esther is entirely hand painted and scribed by expert artisans in Israel. It took more than three years to be crafted. At the left hand-side a scroll of Esther case in silver inlay and the shape of a Castle.  The silver inlay representation of the brave chevalier Mordechai  riding a horse lays on the left at the bottom of the castle’s door.

Observe Jewish Holidays: Rosh Hashana

A very rare serving plate made in silver and gold with  hand painted in porcelain plates  for the Simanim (symbolic foods) .

Blessings are engraved all around the pedestal

and two drawers on the side contain the instruments to work on the dishes

Keep  Shabbat ( Kiddush)

Sheva Brachot/Brit/ Bar-Mitzva /  7 Blessing Cup. First of it’s kind. It is all engraved by hand with a magnifying glass.

Pure Silver inlay with 24 karat Gold. Includes the engraving of all Seven blessings.

A flower ruby encrusted in gold wine leaves on a Spice container for Havdalah. Another silver Spice Box. Wood inlay. Both Collector’s items

Keep Shabbat ( Havdalah)

One of the richest works of MDM. a pyramid Havdalah set. Made of white and red Afghan onyx and or-moulu silver and enamel

A kiddush cup and a spice box are part of this magnificent set

Another spectacular, Havdalah Set.  It is completely hand made.

3-D engraving in silver gold plate. Unique enamel color. All stones are pure-quality rubies.

The or-moulu tray has  a beautiful representation of the Shabbat ceremony in a Jewish household, blessings engraved on the borders.

These seven rabbinical commandments are treated like Biblical commandments insofar as, prior to the performance of each, a benediction is recited.

“Blessed are You, O LORD our God, King of the universe, Who has commanded us …”

Joelle’s Tips:

Several pieces like the ” Flower of Mitzvots ” and the Piano of Mitzvots” have  all year round  Mitzvots incorporated. Some are pieces like  inspired in the Spanish Marranos where they are hidden like the telephone Havdallah set

All hand painted illustrations as well as the Judaica works of art are from the Jerusalem private collection of MDM.

They can be made to order if not available in stock, price is on demand and can be delivered personally to your home.

MDM : Original Judaica on Parchment and Silver

Contact Info in the US :  Eitan Nissanian eitan126@yahoo.com  / Tel +1( 718) 544-0180 / cell +1 ( 917) 582 57 51 /(646) 270-0680

Rabbis photo Copyrights : common  writes / Wikipedia

Photo wedding copyrights :

In 15 days is the Jewish holiday of Passover. ( Hebrew: Pessah)

The miracle of the Exodus of the Jews from Egypt is perpetuated in Jewish tradition of the holiday of Pessah.

The holiday symbolizes the release from slavery and the gift of freedom, the journey from Egypt to the land of Israel.

The core of the holiday is the “Seder night”, during which the story of the Exodus is told as it was written in the “Pessah Haggadah”.

During the eight days of the holiday, it is forbidden to eat leavened bread and most baked goods, for the Torah commanded Jews to eat only Matza, which is unleavened bread, during Pessah.

In Jewish communities the holiday was celebrated according to all the laws and several important folklore symbols were added to it, which made the holiday very special.

On my trip to Europe, a gentleman called Eitan with a strong Israeli accent calls me on the phone.  ” Miss Joelle? My name is Eitan and I would like to introduce you to MDM, we have one of a kind line of Judaica from Israel, the- kind of- things- I- assure -you will like.

” Busy with the Brussels edition at that time , my answer was ” And Mr Eitan, how exactly would you know about  the kind of ‘ stuff’ I’d like?”

Eitan who I was referred to by an  Israeli architect living in New York who happens to know me well and  my taste for luxury and impeccable craftsmanship,  promised to say no more words until I saw some pictures of the pieces and met personally his associate Moshe Mizrahi who lived in Jerusalem.

They would both come to New York before Pessah and I will be presented ” G-D willing to some pieces of the  valuable collection, mostly in 22k in silver, 24k gold and  semi precious stones ” Wow!

In the meantime, on my arrival to New York, the countdown is approaching and as the Jewish world bravely confronts the great holiday of Pessah myriad preparatory requirements. Among them is the pre-Pessah  ritual in Jewish households of house-cleaning frenzy overwhelming  families.

I too do my part, carefully cleaning and dusting inside out closets, kitchen shelves, cupboards,  fridge and freezer for the legendary eradication of the so called Chamez. This specific  eradication  (“leavening”) refers either to a grain product that is already fermented ( yeast breads, certain types of cake, and most alcoholic beverages), or to a substance that can cause fermentation (yeast, sourdough or high fructose corn syrup -

Believe it or not, no matter how many year have passed every Jew has never total certainty about what he should keep and what he should put away during this frenetic cleaning.

The consumption of Chametz is forbidden during Passover in most Jewish traditions. According to Halakha, the ownership of Chametz is also proscribed from the house. It is the symbolic drive to put everything in the house in its proper place, shiny, spotless and dusted. Mine is ready. I can now receive the  ” Jerusalem boys” .

Eitan, announces his arrival in the city on an e-mail.  Before we talk further I ask if he and his partner can bring along  some of the impressive Seder Plates I saw in the pictures as well a selection of their valuable hand written , and marvelously  hand-painted painted  leather Haggadots .

Since the holiday is approaching the traditional table full of symbols has to be set in place ; nothing better than  finding some inspiration from Jerusalem experts coming to the Big Apple just to be at my total service in my own house!

The two men dressed in dark, are at my do0rway with a bunch of dark suitcases, one of them is wearing a formal hat that goes perfectly well with his dark beard.

” Joel? This is a name of a man! ” – he says- Your name in Israel is Yael!  Shalom Miss Yael, my name is Moshe Mizrahi, nice to meet you I am Argentinian of origin, could you please tell me where my assistant Eitan can leave the content of these suitcases, as you see the Seder Plate I have brought for you to see weights 20 kilos.

The beautiful pieces come out from the suitcases  one after the other in a Houdini manner and then carefully mounted over a wooden table in my living room facing Central Park.

Six ormolu silver cups are placed on top of a tray placed over a box with  six small silver inlaid gate doors . Behind beautiful hand painted scenes of the Seder ritual and a three shelves container for the three Matzot kept for later blessings.

Semi precious stones and Hebrew letters engravings embellish the composition of the piece. A  majestic Kiddush silver and  24 k gold goblet, is reserved for  the prophet Eliahu Hannabi possible appearance at the family dinner .

You see Miss Yael, a Seder table must look precious..it is traditional of Jewish families to gather on the first night of Pessah (first two nights in communities outside the land of Israel) for the special dinner, called a Seder (derived from the Hebrew word for “order”, referring to the very specific order of the ritual).

The table must be set with the finest china and silverware to reflect the importance of the meal.

During this meal, the story of the Exodus from Egypt is retold using a special text called the Haggadah. Four cups of wine are consumed at various stages in the narrative.

The Haggadah divides the night’s procedure into 15 parts: Kadeish – recital of Kiddush blessing and drinking of the first cup of wine , Urchatz - the washing of the hands – without blessing, Karpas - dipping of the karpas in salt water, Yachatz - breaking the middle Matzo; the larger piece becomes the Afikoman which is eaten later during the ritual of Tzafun, Maggid - retelling the Passover story, including the recital of  “the four questions” and drinking of the second cup of wine,

Rachtzah - second washing of the hands – with blessing , Motzi - traditional blessing before eating bread products, Matzo – blessing before eating Matzo. Maror - eating of the maror, Koreich – eating of a sandwich made of matzo and maror,  Shulchan oreich – lit. “set table”—the serving of the holiday meal, Tzafun - eating of the afikoman, Bareich – blessing after the meal and drinking of the third cup of wine, Hallel - recital of the Hallel, traditionally recited on festivals; drinking of the fourth cup of wine, Nirtzah – conclusion

Passover begins on the 15th day of the month of Nissan (equivalent to March and April in Gregorian calendar), the first month of the Hebrew calendar’s festival year according to the Hebrew Bible. In the narrative of the Exodus, the Bible tells that YHWH inflicted ten plagues upon the Egyptians before Pharaoh would release his Hebrew slaves, with the tenth plague being the killing of all of the firstborn, from the Pharaoh’s son to the firstborn of the dungeon captive, to the firstborn of cattle.

The Hebrews were instructed to mark the doorposts of their homes with the blood of a spring lamb and, upon seeing this, the spirit of the Lord passed over these homes, hence the term “passover”. When Pharaoh freed the Hebrews, it is said that they left in such a hurry that they could not wait for bread to rise.

In commemoration, for the duration of Passover, no leavened bread is eaten, for which reason it is called “The Festival of the Unleavened Bread”. Matza (unleavened bread) is the primary symbol of the holiday. This bread that is flat and un-risen is called Matzo.

The Seder is replete with questions, answers, and unusual practices (the recital of Kiddush which is not immediately followed by the blessing over bread, which is the traditional procedure for all other holiday meals) to arouse the interest and curiosity of the children at the table.

The children are also rewarded with nuts and candies when they ask questions and participate in the discussion of the Exodus and its aftermath. Likewise, they are encouraged to search for the afikoman, the piece of matzo which is the last thing eaten at the Seder. Audience participation and interaction is the rule, and many families’ Seders last long into the night with animated discussions and much singing.

The Seder concludes with additional songs of praise and faith printed in the Haggadah, including Chad Gadya (“One Kid Goat”).

The Haggadah ( “telling”) is a Jewish religious text that sets out the order of the Passover Seder.  As Moshe explains the different stories I contemplate speechless the MDM Haggadots . Fully hand-painted, scribed with Kosher ink on carefully selected parchment  they are sown by pairs to another with blue silk thread and gold. Mostly, Eitan tells me, take up to 4 years to be completed.

Reading the Haggadah is a fulfillment of the scriptural commandment to each Jew to “tell your son” about the Jewish liberation from slavery in Egypt as described in the Book of Exodus in the Torah.

Beginning on the second night of Passover, the 16th day of Nissan Jews begin the practice of the Counting of the Omer, a nightly reminder of the approach of the holiday of Shavuot 50 days hence.

Each night after the evening prayer service, men and women recite a special blessing and then enumerate the day of the Omer. Moshe and Eitan very proudly showcase a spectacular piece in massive silver with a beautiful enamel clock and suggestive prayers describing the different stories related to the 49 days of the Omer counting.

When the Temple stood in Jerusalem, a sheaf of new-cut barley was presented before the altar on the second day of Unleavened Bread. Since the destruction of the Temple, this offering is brought in word rather than deed. One explanation for the Counting of the Omer is that it shows the connection between Passover and Shavuot.

The physical freedom that the Hebrews achieved at the Exodus from Egypt was only the beginning of a process that climaxed with the spiritual freedom they gained at the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai.

Another explanation is that the newborn nation which emerged after the Exodus needed time to learn their new responsibilities vis-a-vis Torah and mitzvot before accepting God’s law. The distinction between the Omer offering—a measure of barley, typically animal fodder—and the Shavuot offering—two loaves of wheat bread, human food—symbolizes the transition process.

Joelle’s Tips:

All hand painted illustrations as well as the Judaica object d’ art are from the Jeruslame private collection of MDM.

They can be made to order if not available in stock, price is on demand and can be delivered personally to your home.

MDM : Original Judaica on Parchment and Silver

Contact Info in the US :  Eitan Nissanian eitan126@yahoo.com  / Tel +1( 718) 544-0180 / cell +1 ( 917) 582 57 51 / (646) 270-0680

Desert photo Copyrights : common  writes / Wikipedia

“Its pillars he made of silver, its couch of gold, its curtain of purple, its interior inlaid with love, from the daughters of Jerusalem.”

Shir-Ha-Hashrim — Song of Songs Chapter 3

Once upon a time a young Jewish boy who lived in a modest neighborhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina with four sisters, four brothers and his parents  had a great dream.

At only seven years of age, in his nightly prayers Moshe Mizrahi — that was his name — only had one wish… to one day be offered the opportunity to “make beautiful things”.

He had no idea what these beautiful things would be, but he knew for a fact that they would be one of a kind in the whole world.

At the age  18 he flies to New York and attends a Yeshiva school in Brooklyn.

As a good scholar Moshe learns in depth the religious teachings of his ancestors, the Hebrew alphabet and calligraphy , the scriptures in which valuable Jewish laws and ancient traditions have been meticulously kept and perpetuated throughout generations since the Old Testament times.

After the Yeshiva studies in Brooklyn, the scholar’s first trip to the promised land offers a promising future and a promised wife who wisely invites the young graduate, now her fiancee, to “stay”  a while longer in Jerusalem and study some more Torah.

And it’s near the traditional neighborhood of Mea Shearim in the heart of the old city that Moshe’s  prolonged stay makes of him a great husband as well as one of the most renowned scribes in all Israel, and one of only an estimated 300 worldwide.

The day becomes busy as early as 6 AM, and like Moses the first scribe, with impeccable precision Moshe scribes sacred texts on Torahs, Tefillins, Mezuzahs, Haggadas and Megillahs, attends Shul three times a day and in the evening enjoys being a father to his three young children.

His responsibilities grow with age as it is important to acknowledge that Jewish law dictates every Torah, the holiest of all Jewish books, should be meticulously written out by hand rather than mechanically reproduced.

He understands that the writing of a single Torah can take up to one year and cost a synagogue very high sums. This is because, as with everything in Judaism, it must be created according to strict rules.

Moshe knows that a scribe can make no mistakes in a Torah or in any other holy scripture as they are carefully proofread after completion. Considered a living document, the Torah and other important scriptures must be made entirely of natural materials.

That means using kosher ink, made from the crushed outer bark of a wasp’s nest, a quill made from a turkey or goose feather, and cloth made from a calf killed for food.

With the years, slowly Moshe gets acquainted with those precious rules, along with writing letters out by hand in a calligraphic style identified as Spanish, sometimes a painstakingly long process. He also learns how to meticulously select individual parchment sheets by color,  density, texture and size for his different works.

He then cuts , collects and separates the sheets in groups depending on the  different manuscripts,  wears white gloves while working so that the oils of his skin don’t get on the parchment, and finally seals the completed and carefully revised work with  perfumed natural Israeli beeswax.

During the time of apprenticeship of the secular techniques, several Jewish artists who immigrated to Israel from different countries approach our scribe with beautiful illustrations and art works to be incorporated as per their suggestion into his sacred manuscripts.

Moshe agrees with the new experience proposal and after about 6 months, the first prototype comes out.  The content, very precious in Jewish faith, is called in Hebrew Shir ha-Shirim (Song of Songs) a book of the Hebrew Bible — one of the five Megillot (scrolls) also known as the Song of Solomon, or  Canticles.

The protagonists are a woman and a man, and the poem suggests movement from courtship to consummation. Additionally, the Song includes a chorus, the “Daughters of Jerusalem.” With no explicitly religious content, the Song is often interpreted as an allegorical representation of the relationship of God and Israel, as husband and wife.

According to Ashkenazi Jewish tradition, it is read on the Sabbath that falls during the intermediate days of Passover. In the Sephardi community it is recited every Friday night.

We are now in the 1970s, and a wealthy Jewish collector of Judaica calls Moshe on the phone to Jerusalem and flies him over to “check” upon a Torah he recently purchased. Very happy with the result, the collector and Moshe become good friends and apart from selling his first Shir Hashrim he comes back with a list of made-to-order commissions with the Jewish holidays as the theme.

Very quickly, encouraged by the unexpected endorsement from his wealthy new client, Moshe gathers a valuable community of devoted artists around himself in Israel, who anxiously waited for his return from the States.

Some of those were just starting their career; some others were famous, including Yuri Haissman — an extremely respected painter and sculptor of that time.

A large number of artistic creations are set in production as a result of a collaborative and integrated efforts among those artists and Moshe’s creative vision and initial capital.

In a few months,  top of the line Russian silversmiths, engravers from Poland, Armenian jewelers, and Moroccan painters become part of Moshe’s daily routine. Some of them live in the North near the Golan, others in the Neve Tzedek neighborhood of Tel Aviv, others in the Negev desert region.

Moshe is not afraid to enterprise long driving journeys across the stunning Israeli landscape to supervise the different stages of each of his “mission-impossible creations ” whose process will take 18 months to sometimes 4 years of devoted and persevering attention to detail.

And  from a distant passion of a young boy’s visionary dream in Argentina, a new brand was born in Israel that will reveal masterpieces of art and crafts for more than 40 years to present times, simply signed with three small initials :  MDM.

(To be continued)

Joelle’s Tips:

Photo credit Armenian Jewish Silversmith: Chayas. com / and Photo of Mr. Curtis courtesy Society of American Silversmiths

All hand painted illustrations as well as the Judaica objects d’ art are from the Jerusalem private collection of MDM.

They can be made to order if not available in stock, price is on demand and can be delivered personally to your home.

MDM: Original Judaica on Parchment and Silver

Contact Info in the US:  Eitan Nissanian eitan126@yahoo.com  / Tel +1( 718) 544-0180 / cell +1 ( 917) 582 57 51 / (646) 270-0680

Desert photo Copyrights: common rights / Wikipedia. The image has been released into the public domain by its author, Roybb95.

After the emotional, mystical experience, I like to have a Shawarma wrap of shaved lamb meat (sorry vegans!) with delicious warm and soft Pita bread and Hummus, and the typical Israeli salad which is made of finely diced tomatoes and cucumbers chopped into tiny bits and dipped in an olive oil and fresh lemon juice.

But the owner of my favorite small antique shop knows I am coming. I called him to make sure he has some new vintage Hamsas for my collection.

“Shalom Yael- come in!  I have been waiting for your visit, how have you been? Such a long time, you don’t like Israel anymore? Of course I ‘ve got what you need!- A whole new collection of old, very old favorites of yours…..have a look, don’t rush, would you like a Turkish coffee, or maybe you prefer a nana tea? Who is the handsome gentleman at your side? Your boyfriend? Maybe you will need an old Torah case. Would you like to have a look? It’s from Persia which was old Iran you know, right?”

He asks so many questions at once and I realize he needs none of the answers, he just wants me to take something home. The Torah case is absolutely magnificent, encrusted with semi-precious stones dating of the beginning of the century. It is also inlaid with beautiful  silver and gold representations of grapes with large Hebrew letters on top. The whole case is wrapped in a sort of intact turquoise stone finish — my favorite color — and other interesting ornaments.

Tikim

In antiquity, cloth mantles or bags (tikim) were used to protect the Torah scroll, the most sacred object in Judaism. By the eleventh century, rigid cases, also called tikim, were made from wood, copper and silver, according to an inventory in 1059 from the Jerusalemite Synagogue that was found in the Cairo Genizah, a repository for old and worn Hebrew texts dated from the eighth to the thirteenth century.

I look around, fascinated, and old stories from my grandfather in Aleppo, Syria come to mind. The vendors who made me promise not to reveal their names are closely watching each and every one of my moves while my friend from the army steadily returns their attentive gaze . Suddenly my hands come across a large group of antique, old and semi-new Mezzutotz cases. Wow! Such a nice feeling to be able to touch so many at the same time. Their materials and region of provenience vary: silver from Syria, enamel from Turkey, copper from Egypt…..

Mezuzah

The mezuzah is  small piece of parchment inscribed with the biblical passages Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 11:13-21 and marked with the word Shaddai, a name of the Almighty, that is rolled up in a container and affixed by many Jewish households to their door frames in conformity with Jewish law and as a sign of their faith.

The Talmud says that a mezuzah should be within “your gates”, as the Biblical phrase goes. In other words, it should be within the transition space between outside and inside. This seems to emphasize that we need G-d to be with the Jewish people when they go through transitions in their lives.

I carry on with my small expedition. This unique shop is tiny but it looks like the tavern of Ali Baba — nothing stolen obviously, only very rare treasures… among them, embroidered Passover pillowcases and textiles from the Ottoman empire, Seder plates , candelabra, wine holders, Matza Bags, enamel necklaces, Khallah knives, Tzedakka (charity) boxes, decanters, old ketubbot from Persia.

Ketubbah

Marriage is one of the most important mitzvot, or commandments, in Judaism, and Scriptures are replete with verses encouraging the union of man and woman. One of the essential elements of a Jewish wedding ceremony is the writing and transfer of a marriage contract, or ketubbah (plural, ketubbot). The ketubbah was originally formulated to protect a woman’s rights in marriage by establishing the financial obligations of the groom toward his bride in cases of divorce or death.

Ketubbot produced in the Near East are usually written on paper, and they are strongly influenced by Islamic art in their lack of figures and their decoration with aniconic motifs. Persia was the most important center of ketubbah illumination in the Islamic world. In fact, Muslim law requires a contract in order to legalize a marriage, and in Persia it was customary for Muslims to decorate marriage contracts. Since Jewish law also required a contract, Persian Jews seem to have modeled their marriage contracts on those of the Muslims.

But the most exotic of my findings  is a group of Shofarims from Yemen, displayed in a large shelf near the window overlooking an Old City small street. I had never seen one so close, only when I attended the synagogue for the celebrations of the Jewish holidays of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. Moreover we are told that we are not even allowed to look while the rabbi blows the sacred horns during those ritualistic ceremonies.

Shofar

The shofar is a ritual musical instrument, made from the horn of a ram or other animal, used on important Jewish public and religious occasions. In biblical times the shofar sounded the Sabbath, announced the New Moon, and proclaimed the anointing of a new king. This latter custom has been preserved in modern Israel at the swearing in of the president of the state.

My BlackBerry bubble vibrates with a cricket sound in the pocket of my Khaki vest. It’s my mum texting ”Where are you spending Shabbat?” –  “Oh my God, Shabbat! It’s soon Shabbat, I am going for dinner at my Israeli friend’s parents’ home and I would like to offer them something cute with a religious aspect. It’s the first time I am invited and would like to look good. …let me see….

Kiddush Cup

Kiddush, in Hebrew, literally, “sanctification” is a blessing recited over wine or grape juice to sanctify the Shabbat, Jewish holiday or a Bat/Barmitzvah. The Torah refers to two requirements concerning Shabbat - to “keep it” and to “remember it”.

Jewish law therefore requires that Shabbat be observed in two respects. One must “keep it” by refraining from thirty-nine forbidden activities, and one must “remember it” by making special arrangements for the day, and specifically through the kiddush ceremony. Reciting kiddush before the meal on the eve of Shabbat and Jewish holidays is thus regarded as a commandment from the Torah.  Some say it is also the inspiration for the Holy Grail.

It’s getting late. I pick one more Khamsa in copper with encrusted turquoise  for my collection, an 18 century berber necklace in Amber from Algeria, and I am planning to take to my host a cute silver box for matches with a Magen David motif on its cover for lighting the Shabbat Candles….But look at this magnificent silver Menorah right next to the Torah case.

Menorah

The menorah is a seven-branched candelabrum which has been a symbol of Judaism for almost 3,000 years and is the emblem of Israel. It was used in the ancient Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Lit by olive oil in the Tabernacle and the Temple, the menorah is one of the oldest symbols of the Jewish people. It is said to symbolize the burning bush as seen by Moses on Mount Horeb (Exodus 3).
(Parshat Terumah) Exodus 25:31-40 lists the instructions for the construction of the menorah used in the temple.

The vendors and my friend negotiate my bill in Hebrew — they are speaking loudly. One of them makes a phone call, the other makes a sign with his head as a ‘no, no, no, impossible too much discount.’ I really don’t care at the end I will want to take everything with or without a discount. My Israeli friend is disappointed that I don’t bargain enough. Without hesitating on silly numbers, I am in a hurry and will be late for Shabbat candle lighting. I reply, “Rush Avi,  It’s almost sunset!”

Joelle’s Tips:

The Antique Shop:

Believe it or not, as Italian and Brazilian I can be, being in a souk has always been part of my life.

A souk is by definition a commercial quarter in an Arab city. The term is often used to designate the market in any Arab-ized city. In a central market like a souk you may find textiles, jewelry, delicacies, spices, shoes or Bedouin artifacts. It is always a square of stone vaulted streets parallel to or crossing each other, or a tight mass of buildings too packed together for roads to intersect them. In a souk the final price is reached by bargaining with the shopkeeper. Traders of a given commodity will all sell in the same souk.

The commodities of my interest are amulets, necklaces and all kind of adornments that shine. All the women in my family — including my grandmother Sofia (may she rest in peace) and my niece Gabriella — are pure oriental princesses that would have Messalina envy us for our power of finding and acquiring objects of our desires in the markets at any, I say any, price.

The men of my family are considered good merchants; my grandfather Hodour was an expensive textiles merchant in Beirut, this is how he got to marry my grandmother Sofia who had a soul fit for luxury. The men of the family were experienced traders and excelled in the art of bargain. Women like us did not have to go through this useless and tiring ritual because we were always treated as princesses and we had just the important and meticulous task to select, pick up and send the bill to our men.

Not being my fault, this is how I managed to keep the bad habit of not really minding being cheated or trading my money for what is not worth — for me it is worth what I think it is and that’s it.

You can imagine the happy grin on the Arabic shopkeepers when the Jewish Yael girl (me, Joelle in Hebrew) strolls among their merchandise with a concentration that takes her directly to the target. In few minutes they obviously see how it will look appended in her ears or neck without her even listening to their Arabic accent saying in a victimized tone the absurdity of the price.

Mordechai begs me to go for a Jaffa orange juice after I decide to buy so he can bargain with the vendor for the sake of tradition and justice for what he says must be a fair price. I don’t listen. I am impatient that if I don’t hurry the pendant I saw in the Ali stall might be bought by another woman that will not look as nice as I by obviously wearing it the wrong way. Mordechai/Gene swears to me on all the Israeli army and also on his ancestors that he can find 200 better and cheaper pendants than Ali’s.

Mordechai understands that if I look at him in the eyes the way I am now, it’s like me telling him, “It’s my way or the highway,” and to make him feel better I try to explain to him that I had been all over the globe and pendants like this one do not exist elsewhere — only at Ali’s. As all geniuses, Mordechai knew that “highway” for him meant to go back to the magic lamp, and Mordechai did not want this to happen, he knew it would only happen after my departure from Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv.

With my collection of pendants, amulets, earrings, amardeens (apricot delicacy), Zaatar (spice) and a Bedouin lantern from the souk, my money was gone. As a devoted and thankful princess I was happily satisfied and ready to receive the light of the Shabbat Candles before the “City of Gold” sunset.

The energy was strong, the sunset beautiful and the prayer transcended at its best.

Shabbat Shalom from Yerushalaim.