Shabbat Items

       Below are the Shabbat candles, wine chalice, and spice holder. These are part of the weekly Shabbat ritual in which the candles are lit to mark the start of Shabbat. This is the Sabbath in Judaism, and is every Friday from sunset, to Saturday at sunset. There are many rituals and guidelines for the 24 hours that Shabbat lasts. The lighting of the candles, which has to be done no later than eighteen minutes before sunset, is known to symbolize multiple things, one being that God created light on the first day of creation, and on the seventh He rested. The Sabbath is the celebration of that rest God took on the seventh day, which is why it is the seventh day of the week on which the Sabbath is always observed. In order to honor and remember the rest, and continue that tradition, there are many stipulations on what can and cannot be done on the Sabbath, for instance; no work or labor of any kind is permitted on the Sabbath. The stipulations further define what should and should not be done. The physicality, or lack thereof, holds much importance to the day and what is being commemorated. Many objects are not to be used, such as anything using electric. What is interesting is the objects that are specifically designated for that day, such as the candles, wine chalice, bread plate, and spice holder. The objects in themselves are not holy but their purpose and meaning hold sacred value.  

The table is also set with the bread plate for the two loaves of Challah bread. The bread must be covered by a cloth or napkin. There is a special blessing said for the bread, as with the candles and wine. Synagogue services are attended between the candle lighting and the dinner. This particular bread plate, candles, and chalice, I found in my class specifically on Judaism, while learning about various Jewish holidays. While learning about the meaning behind the holidays and the traditional objects, it is evident that ritual and tradition are a huge part of all special days, as a way of continuing a religion and culture that was nearly exterminated many times in history.

These objects, and other related ritual objects, are representative of, and sacred to the Jewish faith.  Though any object could be considered profane, these items do not seem to be as mainstream as some religious paraphernalia. I cannot remember ever seeing things such as the candle holders, wine chalice, and spice holder in any common store. Even if they were more easily acquired, they would still be holy or meaningful to those that believe in the ritual, culture, and faith they represent. They are not common enough for most to recognize and know the purpose or meaning; speaking for myself, I am not even close to understanding and recognizing all that goes into the rituals. Even so, common place things still hold deeper meaning to those that come from a specific background of faith and culture.  

Often these items do hold significance not only for religious value, but for tradition, culture and family background. When looking at an article on Jewish homes and what they hold, the women claims that what is in the home really defines it. These objects do not always just maintain ritual purpose, but they show identity. She does not identify as "religious", yet it is very important to her what is in her house. She looks for those distinctions in other homes as well. By some, these objects are even looked at as "boundaries", defining their home from the majority, not in order to shut out the rest of the world, but to set their home apart from it. This woman says how she turned an ordinary wine chalice into a cup for ritual, because she thought it was beautiful. She goes on to say that the material works with the tradition and meaning for her, in order to create a "Jewish Home". She feels these objects clearly mark a Jewish home from a non Jewish home, whether that family is religious or not. Whether for religious reasons, family, culture, or both, objects connected to Judaism and its holidays and traditions are very physical markers of what they do and who they are. Judaism is a religion specifically built on culture and heritage, because it is one that was struggled and fought to maintain for centuries with much turmoil.  

Ochs, Vanessa L. "What Makes a Jewish Home Jewish." Cross Currents49.4 (1999/2000). Web. 16 Mar. 

 2016. <http://www.crosscurrents.org/ochsv.htm>. 

  

Jewish Children's Books

At first glance, these children's books look ordinary and typical. They instead are books specifically for Jewish holidays, containing blessings, prayers, and stories. They seek to simplify the rituals in order for children to begin to understand them, and some give background to the meaning of the ritual or holiday. The books also show how material things are utilized in celebrating the holidays, such as lighting the Menorah. Growing up, I frequently received picture books with some greater moral or lesson being taught in simple terms. These books take the many Jewish holidays and present them in a manner that children can comprehend and follow along with.  

The books talk about holidays such as Hanukkah, Tu B'Shevat, Sukkot, and Rosh Hashanah, by showing what can be done to celebrate those, as well as the prayers and blessings said during them. For instance, apple and honey are eaten as one of the traditions for Rosh Hashanah and in the book, they picture two children preparing the apples and honey for their family. Rosh Hashanah also marks the "birthday of the world", in which another books explains that concept in Jewish terms of the new year.  For Tu B'Shevat, the new year for the trees, the children are finding ways to honor the trees, some even do so by tying fruit to them. For Sukkot, they show the Sukkah, the tent structure, being put up. Hanukkah is the better known holiday among believers and non believers, and shows the Menorah and gifts, but does not go into great detail on the meaning behind it. All of this is done with pictures in order for children to visually take in the meanings and traditions, and in doing so, the children stay entertained.

Above is a Haggadah, that not only gives the lessons of the holiday, but keeps children entertained with coloring pages and pictures. By providing something visually and physically engaging, it helps keep children occupied, and even learn something. Everyone at the table has a Haggadah on Passover to follow along and say the Seder, but these children's Haggadahs provide more than just the prayers and blessings. They make the ritual easy to follow, and give entertainment for the time that is not spent reciting the prayers and blessings.  

The children's books, are not in themselves holy, but do simplify the holiness of the day for children. The books could be considered less sacred, as they are mass produced and not traditional, but their contents hold ritual, and the meaning behind the ritual. They are practical, and make it easy for kids to learn and have fun doing it. The books can also make the holidays more relatable to the children as they see pictures of other kids celebrating in the ways that their own family does. The books seem like a very practical way to entertain and educate. Most religions, especially Christianity, use this same avenue in order to engage children. There are children's books on almost any other topic imaginable, so why not make some with meaning and purpose?  

John Wesley

I was visiting a family friend in Lebanon one day and in her living room I noticed a John Wesley bobble head. I found this super funny because back in my home church we have the same bobble head on our pulpit. She was telling me that all women in her mom’s United Methodist Women group have these bobble heads. They were gifts from their new pastor when he joined the church.
John Wesley is the founder of the United Methodist Faith. He, along with his brother Charles Wesley, saw the church in a slightly different way from the churches they grew up knowing. So they set out to make a progressive church for all people. This bobble head is a joke for Methodists. It is something funny to have in their houses. It is something to talk about when visitors come to their house. It does not poke fun of the religion or belittle it. It is just a funny bobble head of a famous Methodist figure. It would be just like if you had a bobble head from your favorite baseball team. It is not making fun of your favorite player in a vindictive way it is just using humor to sell the product. These bobble heads are obviously massproduced to make a profit but at the same time someone could buy these bobble heads as a funny and gentle reminder of the doctrine of their church. A Methodist would not pay tribute to this bobble head and it would not replace their doctrine or God. To me this serves the same purpose that a statue of the Virgin Mary would in a Catholic household. 
This shows the commercialization of religion. This specific bobble head was bought at the United Methodist Church Annual Conference. Churches need to make money. They are businesses with pastors that need a salary and bills that need to be paid to keep their church afloat. Tithes are the donations or offerings that members of the church pay to their church to help in their ministries. This alone cannot help a church in a enormous time of need. The global Methodist church has funds to help churches in need and funds for many other important matters. Commercial objects are a good way to “spread the religion” and also help these funds grow so that the church can go out and help the world. 

Sacred Objects

It is small and worn. The cover was once a brilliant red, but it is now faded and dull. I keep it in an air tight bag to try to preserve it. The other object is also small but it is furry, grey and white, and hug-able. Both of these objects are sacred to me but only one could be considered sacred to someone else. The other object would just be considered a child’s toy to most but to me it means a lot. What makes something sacred: is it inherent religious value or the personal story that it tells?

The first object is a bible that my great grandmother received when she was confirmed. Her and my great grandfather were never very outwardly religious people. She gave me the bible a few years ago because she knows I love antique books. She did not give it to me for any sort of religious purpose. Does this make the book any less sacred? Just because I keep it for sentimental purposes rather than                                       religious adoration, does the object lose its religious value?

The second object is a little stuffed animal raccoon. My great grandpa was out shopping one day at least ten years ago, and he knew I was home sick. He thought it might brighten my day if he got it for me and brought it over to the house. This is the only gift he ever bought for me without the assistance of my great grandma. It is extremely special to me because of how close we are. I keep it on my bed to this very day. For me it is sacred because of the personal value that I have bestowed upon it. 

Both of these objects are very meaningful to me. In my mind they are sacred. Just because these object are not necessarily religious does not mean that they cannot hold meaning and value that to the owner equates them to something that is religiously sacred. Is it the religious connection to an object that makes it sacred or the personal value? I believe that any object can be sacred in a deeply personal way. I also believe that there are organizationally defined sacred objects, such as bibles, crosses, and holy water. Both types of these objects have value and meaning and can co-exist in the world without canceling the other one out. Some will probably say that I am devaluing the bible by equating its meaning to that of a stuffed animal. But for me it is the story behind the object that makes it meaningful.

The Mystery of a Catholic worship item in a book on Wicca

I am a self-proclaimed book hoarder. Saying that I collect books is a bit of an understatement. Most of the books that I pick up I will honestly probably never read in full or at all for that matter. Free book shelves just feed my addiction. I will always stop and go through a free book shelf. One day I stopped at one of my favorite spots for free books and I came upon a book on Wicca. I am currently in a Magic, Witchcraft, and Religion course so I thought this book could be helpful for a paper or the class in general. I have also always had an interest in Wicca. Upon return home from my excursion I excitedly began to flip through the pages and a little card fell out. I first assumed that it was just a book mark. Upon a closer look I discovered it was some sort of saint’s card or prayer card. I then thought: what is a Christian prayer card doing in a book on Wicca? I found this find extremely odd. The practices of Christianity and Wicca are not normally two things I would put together. The other piece of the puzzle that was interesting to me is that the card is in Spanish and the book is in English. The card is Catholic, the book Pagan, these objects are the complete opposite of each other yet they were found together.

A friend of mine who is very good at Spanish translated the card for me (thank you Tyler Crowley). From what he could gather the top part of the card says something along the lines of: oh Jesus the divine redeemer. He also told me that it tells the person using the card to repeat the prayer three times. The name of the prayer card is Kisses at the Feet of Jesus. The rest of the card says something like: It is not false devotion or crazy to bring kisses to the heart of the mouth. It is better to call on hum, at the time, one accepts a gift. Like that he gave Magdalena pain love in her stage. Like we give you, sir, prayer, affection, and pity in every kiss of love.  

This could mean that the person who owned the book simply came across the card somewhere and needed a book mark. It could mean that a devote Catholic happened to be researching Wicca. But it could also mean that the person who owned the book before me practiced or at least studied both Wicca and Catholicism. This conclusion is by far the most interesting, and it makes the mystery of the items even greater.