Sunday, December 7, 2008

What better month to buy a Tallit....

The Month of KISlev According to The Book of Formation (Sefer Yetzirah)

Each month of the Jewish year has a corresponding color

The Color for Kislev is Blue-Violet

Kislev is the ninth of the twelve months of the Jewish calendar.

Kislev is the month of Chanukah--the only holiday in the Jewish calender which spans, and hence connects, two months: Chanukah begins on the 25th day of the month of Kislev and concludes in the month of Tevet (either on the 2nd or 3rd, depending on the number of days in Kislev).
The name Kislev derives from the Hebrew word for "security" and "trust." There are two states of trust, one active and one passive, both of which are manifest in the month of Kislev (see Bitachon, confidence). The miracle of Chanukah reflects the active trust of the Chashmonaim (Maacabim) to stand up and fight against the Hellenistic empire (and its culture). Kislev's sense of sleep reflects the passive trust that G-d's providence always guards over Israel.

Galilee Silks creates countless Tallitot with shades and hints of this beautiful spiritual Blue Violet color.

Come have a look in our online Judaica shop....welcome...and you might decide to buy one in the month of Kislev...!

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Deals Deals!! Now Tallitot ON SALE!!

Galilee Silks offers now special Tallitot on sale!! Visit our online Judaica store by clicking the promo. Get your Tallit deal now, Limited amount of Tallitot available!Judaica SALE Tallitot from Israel

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Get Ready for Hanukkah with Dreidels!

Dreidelelach, dreidel dreidelach....

Recently we expanded our Judaica online store with laser woodcut Judaica gifts. Wonderful DIY kits for family fun in the holiday season. Our Hannukah additions are lovely Jewish themed dreidel sets: Twelve Tribes of Israel, Noah's Ark and Seven Species to name some.
Galilee Silks recommends to order now and beat the holiday shipping and receive your Hanukkah gifts in time!

Chag Sameach!

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Free Silk Gift!!


Judaica from Galilee Silks make great gifts for all occasions. We like to give too! On a purchase of $50 [or more] from our Galilee Silks Judaica store or our Judaica Etsy shop we add a hand painted pure silk scarf for FREE!!

Just follow one of the links and browse through the wonderful world of Galilee Silks. Not to forget our new additions: wood laser cut Judaica gifts. See you there!

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

New in our Judaica store



In Galilee Silks Judaica Store we are adding a new collection of products: wooden laser cut and engraved Judaica gifts with colorful crystals.


Choose from a selection of Hamsas with Jewish Home Blessings, which can be made in English, Hebrew of French.


We also bring a do-it-yourself- kit of a wood engraved Second Temple model. Constructing the high quality detailed wood engraved model of Beit HaMikdash will give enjoyment to both children and adults, with as result a beautiful display from the land of Israel.

Monday, August 25, 2008

Being Jewish - a lovely Tallit Poem


Tallis

by Roxanne Scher

I murmur the blessing
before flinging it on,
my silky, rippling tallis.

Like a whispering breath
on my shoulders, it reminds me
that I will now be praying.

The knotted fringes twine
around my fingers, like
ropes pulling me to safety.

Lilac and purple, blue and
turquoise, it catches the light and sunlight splashes on to me.

Waves of fabric roll on to my arms,
stroking my neck with
their flowing fingertips.

I touch the knot to
the torah as it goes by,
then kiss it with pride.

My silky, rippling tallis.

From the site: Being Jewish

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Celebrate the Days of Awe


Order now for the High Holy Days your Tallit from our new Galilee Silks Judaica Gift store with more than 150 Tallitot for Men and boys, women and girls!

Classic or modern Tallitot from the Land of Israel, a beautiful gift for family and loved ones.

Friday, August 8, 2008

Galilee Silks New Judaica Store updated


Our new Galilee Silks Judaica Gift store carries now more than 150 Tallitot for Men and boys, women and girls!
Our Tallitot follow the traditional classic tallit in wool with beautiful original designs, inspired by our natural environment: the Land of Israel.
Gallilee special designed Modern Tallis is very popular as Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah gift and make a beautiful present for Jewish weddings.
Bring a visit to our new Judaica store whith its user friendly display of our tallitot, make your choices and use the Paypal or Ccard checkout. We ship by expres and registered mail, and promise you a 100% friendly customer service! Soon we exand Galilee Silks Judaica with more Judaica gifts by Israeli artisans.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

New Judaica Gift Store


We are working very hard to get our new Galilee Silks Judaica Gift store online.
At the moment we are busy listing our more than 80 different woman's tallitot! Come have a sneak peek at our lovely Judaica textiles which are very popular as Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah gifts and make a beautiful present for Jewish weddings. In the coming days our new Judaica store will be linked from the home page, but if you like, you can buy right now!

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Practical Silk Information, for Judaica too!


Who said you cannot get a stain on your Tallit? No one right?
And the same counts for a challah cover as one of our customers emails us, when your friend puts the Shabbat candles on them accidently. You end up with big oily stains, what then?

Well, the good news is is some practical stain removal info on this nice informative community website.
Its all about corn starch, who would guess..
We cannot use the content of this article but are allowed a link to it, so just click the following link:
http://www.ehow.com/how_2305908_remove-grease-stains-from-silk.html

Good luck!

Thursday, June 12, 2008

New Judaica store

Dear readers, It has been a while on the Judaica blog but we are busy setting up a new store with the unique Tallitot and other Judaica textiles by Galilee Silks.

For now go to our existing Galilee Silks Judaica store. We keep you updated!

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Add a blog on Entrecard and get their E-book

About Entrecard.
Entrecard is a blossoming social network of bloggers centered around the concept of community, sharing, and helping each other out. We believe that Entrecard is one of the best ways to promote your blog.

You now can add multible blogs under one account! Read more here


On Entrecard free ebook has arrived for everyone to download! If you’re new to Entrecard, and wondering what to do first, this E-Book will guide you along the way. And if you’re an intermediate or advanced user, it’s packed full of strategies you can use to get the absolute most from our service. Download using this link

Galilee Silks News

Galilee Silks Very own Newsletter with recommendations about our Judaica Gifts for example out tallitot for Men and Women. Also New additions for our silk product lines. Check it out and Sign up for this brand new "What's new from Galilee Silks!

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Happy 60th Independance Day

Galilee Silks wishes all of Israel Happy Independance Day!
We hope to see you in one of our online stores for unique fashionable and religious authentic gifts from Galilee Israel.

Visit www.galileesilks.com for our Judaica Lines

Galilee Silks supplies to vendors at attractive prices and we are open for customized orders and ideas.

Monday, April 14, 2008

Galilee Silks Judaica on Etsy Treasury


Galilee Silks [ who else...] features the Jerusalem Silk Scarf in the Judaica Treasury on Etsy .com. Treasuries are a way to promote Etsians creations with for example: themed and color schemed treasury pages.

Its a great way to promote and actually leads to sales.
To catch one of the 333 available treasury spots is a real challenge though. Check it out!

Friday, April 11, 2008

Superior Tallit from Wool with Magen David Motif


A beautiful Classic Tallit was added today on Galileesilks Judaica on Etsy. We have the same Tallit in our main Galilee Silks store as new Judaica item for April.

This white and dark blue pure wool tallit has a Magen David motif as you can see in the image. The Atarah is embroidered.

This Tallit is something very special. A beautiful gift on the occassion of a Bar Mitzvah.

Have a look!
Shabbat Shalom!

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Tips For Buying Genuine Judaica


This nice article explains clearly the meaning of "Judaica". We at Galilee Silks are very proud to to produce our Judaica Tallitot [ Tallis ] and silk Judaica for jewish Holidays and events.
We canfully underline the following quote from the article and invite you to follow up!:)

Buy Judaica products that have been manufactured in Israel, and not only will you get real products but also support the craftsmen of the country.

Tips For Buying Genuine Judaica by Anita Satin Choudhary
Any literature, religious articles and icons pertaining to the Jewish religion comprises as Judaica. Jewish faith is one of the oldest religions in the world and other religions like Muslims, Christians and the Baha'i. Authorized websites have a more professional design, bigger and larger variety of Judaica artifacts. Buy Judaica products that have been manufactured in Israel, and not only will you get real products but also support the craftsmen of the country. Take experts guidance in case, you are buying antiques online. All genuine Judaica comes in high quality sterling silver which is priced very high. Judaism is one of the oldest religions in the world and originated with the Babylonians, Egyptians, and Assyrian empires. This religion stresses on the belief in the One God, Creator of the universe and believe that God himself handed down codes for living to Moses, which traditional Jews still practice. Any literature, religious articles and icons pertaining to the Jewish religion comprises as Judaica. Jewish faith is one of the oldest religions in the world and other religions like Muslims, Christians and the Baha'i. All written texts on its stories, holidays and traditions, old and new, which can also include prayer books, mezuzah, menorahs and even the new material like movie posters, recipes, Passover posters and anything that relates to the traditions and customs of the Jewish religion is considered Judaica. Some of the things relating to the religion are collected for its sacredness while others are fond of these connections as a hobby. However, the question arises as to how to judge whether the antiques and Judaica products that are available online are good buys or just cheap replicas? One should be careful about sites that do not have a return address or contact land address. Return and refund policies should be clear while the insurance offered should be clearly stated on the website. Go in for websites that have their own domain name and accept major credit cards and modes of payment. Authorized websites have a more professional design, bigger and larger variety of Judaica artifacts. Look out for websites which have a good customer response background. Buy Judaica products that have been manufactured in Israel, and not only will you get real products but also support the craftsmen of the country. Take experts guidance in case, you are buying antiques online. There are many sites that are selling cheaper replicas with antique finishes, so it's better to be aware about products that you are putting your money in. Do a detailed survey of the raw material that the product is created out of. All genuine Judaica comes in high quality sterling silver which is priced very high. The next on the rung are silver plated goods and porcelain items. Genuine products will always be higher priced than replicas, which make it easier for you to check, which one is original! However, there are many Judaica items that will not be found online - family recipes, heritage and traditions for those fond memories will always remain in your heart.
About the Author Anita Satin Choudhary writes for Ivory and Art Gallery. Browse the gallery for unique collection of artifacts ranging from Judaica to Netsuke.

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

A Thread of Blue

This is a wonderful in depth teaching about the Tallit by Rabbi Fred Davidow

Blue has been a distinctive color of Judaism since Biblical times. In the Torah God commands the Israelites to wear a garment with fringes at each corner and to attach a blue thread to the fringes (Numbers 15:37-38). The blue dye used to color the wool came from the gland of a snail that lived in shallow waters off the coast of northern Israel.
It was the world’s most costly dye, since it took 12,000 snails to yield 1.4 grams of dye. The high cost of this dye is the reason why this bluish-purplish color became associated with royalty. Eventually the secret process of manufacturing the dye was lost or the snails were driven close to extinction by human rapacity.




The blue thread disappeared from the fringes but the color remained on the tallit as blue stripes. Hence we see on the flag of the State of Israel two broad blue stripes.
The tallit is worn only at Shacharit, the morning service, because the Torah states at Numbers 15:39 that, “it shall be to you a tassel to look upon and remember all the commandments of the Eternal.” The verbal phrase in the Hebrew text is u-r’item oto, which literally means, “you shall see it”. At dusk and during the night in the poorly lit homes and synagogues of ancient times it was virtually impossible to discern the color of the blue thread. Thus the commandment to see the blue thread could only be fulfilled in sunlight.


In traditional Judaism the observance of many rituals is determined by a specific time. The time to recite the Shema section of the liturgy in the morning is determined by the break of dawn, when the natural light of the sun returns. The Torah paragraph containing the commandment of the fringes with the blue thread is included within this Shema section of the siddur. The Talmud records a discussion among rabbis who were debating the question: How do we know when the night ends and the new day begins so that we can recite the Shema for the morning service? In the Mishnah Berakhot 1:2, Rabbi Eliezer says: "The night ends and the new day begins when you can tell the difference between a blue thread and a purple thread.” Rabbi Eliezer is saying that the proper time for the performance of the ritual of putting on the tallit is when there is sufficient light to distinguish between two colors next to each other on the spectrum. Thus halakhah (Jewish law) rules that we wear the tallit only at Shacharit, the morning service. Halakhah is developed by the “left brain” through the use of logic and analysis.
Aggadah (legend, lore), which taps into the “right brain” for feelings, presents ideas that speak to our hearts and motivate us to fulfill the moral values of Judaism. Here is an aggadic treatment of the question of when is the proper time to recite the morning Shema. In the Talmud, Berakhot 9b, a question is asked, “How do we know when the night ends and the new day begins? The answer supplied is: The night ends and the day begins at the time when one can see his friend from four feet away and recognize him.” This is the “right-brain” solution. This means more than being able to discern the color in the eyes of your friend. It points to the need to recognize in the face of your friend another soul created in the image of God and to treat that soul in a godlike way.

When people get stuck in bad attitudes, they are figuratively living in darkness. When the bad attitude gets broken, only then can a person see clearly and move toward recognizing and affirming his/her friends. We all need to see the faces of our friends and treat them with respect.

Monday, March 24, 2008

Tallit


The Tallit - Jewish prayer shawl - is a commemoration of a kind of wrap that was worn by our forefathers. After the Exile, they adopted the custom of the neighboring Bedouins of wearing it as protection from the sun, and the Tallit became an everyday garment.

In the Book of Numbers (15:37-38) it is said:

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying: speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes on the borders of their garments throughout their generations and that they put with the fringe the borders a ribband of blue.

The fringes serve as a reminder of God’s commandments.

The Tallith is made of wool, cotton or silk, in which worshipers enwrap during prayer or when observing the Commandment of Tzitzith (fringes). Men wear a Tallith Katan (“small Tallith), which is also called Arba Kanfoth (four corners), during the day, but enwrap in a Tallith during Morning and Musaf Prayers. On Yom Kippur they enwrap in a Tallith during the entire day.

The custom of wearing a Talit varies from one ethnic community to another: Ashkenazi bar mitzvah boys wear a Talit when they are called up to read from the Torah in the synagogue, whereas in the Sephardi community only married men wear a Talit. In some communities the bridegroom wears a Talit during the chuppah marriage ceremony, and it is also customary to enshroud the deceased with a Tallit.

A Talis is made of white wool and strict observers ensure their Talis is made of the white wool of sheep from Eretz Israel. The atara (decoration) made of silver thread has been added for adornment to the upper part of the Talis. The stripes are possibly a symbol of royalty in ancient Egypt, and perhaps even a commemoration of Joseph’s coat of many colors.

When a man enwraps in a Tallis he recites the blessing:

…who has sanctified us by thy commandments, and hast commanded us to enwrap ourselves in the fringed garment.

Tallitot and the Tefillin (phylacteries) have unquestionably become the most important of Jewish symbols.

Nowadays, bat mitzvah girls who wish to be called up to read from the Torah in the synagogue, and learn the portion of the week from the Bible and the Haftarah portion of the Prophets, enwrap in a Tallit and cover their heads when they are called up to read from the Torah. Adult women returning to their roots, too, celebrate bat mitzvah and enwrap in a Tallit when they are called up to read from the Torah. Bat mitzvah girls choose a kosher bat mitzvah Tallit that has fringes in accordance with Jewish religious laws, and an atarah, and has some fashionable features as well. Adult women choose a Tallit that has been specially designed for women and are called Tallit Nashim or women’s Tallitot.

Galilee Silks Tallitot are very renowned and of high quality, com check out our online main store

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Whole Sale Judaica


Galilee Silks is actively expanding the markets. We seek vendors in the USA and Europe who will establish business relations with us and will obtain our Jewish Prayer Shawls - Tallitot [Tallis] at attractive whole sale pricing.

Our Judaica line includes:
Mens tallitot, classic and modern
Womens tallitot, stunning in beauty and fabrics
All Tallis come with a matching Kippah and Tallis bag
Jewish wedding canopies [ Chuppah]
Beautiful shofar bags

As for Passover:


Lovely table linens in beautiful arrangments which will give class and festivity to your Passover Seder table
Matzah covers and Afikomen Bags

Come see for yourself at www.galileesilks.com

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Shopping for a Ketubah

We like to give some attention to the Ketubah and indeed to some very special ketubot!
Dorit Jordan Dotan is a modern ketubah artist from Haifa, Israel.
She owns a very fine website with online Ketubah store where her hand drawn an beautiful printed ketubot are for sale.
The store name is Shop-Ketubah.com. The ketubot of Dorit are very colorful, lively and all have various symbols of the land of Israel andJewish motifs. Some are contemporary expressions of ancient ketubot found in Jewish kehilot in the Diaspora.

I warmly recommend to have a look and pass on the link to family and friends in need of a beautiful Jewish artwork and affirmation of love: the ketubah!

Also available in Shop-Ketubah.com: Blessings and Chamsot.

Check it out!

B'Shalom,
Silky

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Purim this week!

I found this Dr Seuss style Purim Shpiel on the web .
by Dana Baruch and Robbi Sherwin

Warning; loooooooong post

Sh’ma yeladim and hear us well
For now is the story of Purim to tell.
It took place in Shushan so long, long ago.
Now off to Persia we all will go.
In this beautiful kingdom ruled a king
A king with no brain, who’d think such a thing?
He spent all his days and his nights having fun
Parading his wealth in the warm Persian sun.
A queen named Vashti was his loyal wife
She promised to love him all of her life.
She promised, that is, until he did ask
For her to perform an unthinkable task.
At his grandest of parties the king did command
Queen Vashti dance for royal men of the land.
"I am Not your servant, and dance I will Not!"
Vashti refused the king’s sexist plot.
For Vashti, you see, was not known as a fibber
She was, in fact, history’s first women’s libber.
Vashti was banished - away she did go.
Where did she go? That we do not know.
In this fair kingdom lived also the Jews
Who could not practice the religion they choosed
No Torah, no Challah, no Matzah Ball soup
For a villain named Haman had started a coup.
"Bow down to me now", cruel Haman did say
"For I am an important man of the day."
"I’m the King’s right-hand man - I rule all that I see
If you don’t bow down now, you will cease to be!!!"
Meanwhile back at the palace grand
An announcement went out throughout the land
A new queen to be chosen in an unusual way
In a beauty contest held the very next day.

All the maidens of the land were forced to appear
From near and from far, from far and from near
Be them skinny or zaftig, quite brilliant or dumb
From near and far they were ordered to come.
One such maiden had brains and had grace
Esther was her name…Such a pretty face!
A Jewess of humble origins and needs
With the kind of bod that would make a heart bleed!
Encouraged by her Uncle (or was it cousin?) Mordechai
"I beg you dear Esther, this you MUST try"
"With your brains and your beauty YOU he would choose
"Go, go, go, go! "Comb your hair. Wear nice shoes!"
"Besides that my dear,
With your grace and your charm
You will blow them away.
You’ll be on King Achashverosh’s arm!"
Unsure of herself but willing to go
Because she loved her Morty so
She entered the contest
But said, "Uncle dear
Promise me that you’ll always stay near."
Mordy did promise and promise he did:
“You betcha – I’ll always be here, Kid.”
The contest was held - They came one and all
And Esther of course was the Queen of the ball.
Chosen for her beauty in a contest quite shallow
Esther learned to love this not-quite-clever fellow
Though Achashverosh chose her
And she was now queen
There was one rotten rule
She had not foreseen.
Under penalty of death she had to obey
The following rule in an unbending way:
Her new husband commanded she could only see him
When HE chose to see her - and on HIS whim
So now back to Haman, that cruel crusty fellow

At the top of his lungs he continued to bellow:
"Bow down, bow down NOW I command!
Or great harm will come to you in this land."
Mordechai, of course, refused to obey
"I bow only to G-D to my last dying day!"
Haman’s face turned red with anger and hate
"I’ll get you my pretty If it’s the last breath I take!!" (Cackle cackle cackle)
Mordechai turned his back, and the Jews they did follow
As for Haman, well, his pride he had to swallow
“That Jew, Mordechai has ruined my heinous plot
Because of this affront I will have to draw lots
The straw that I pick, the one that comes nigh
Is the day that the Jews of Persia shall die!”
Into his three-cornered hat - he did cast
All of the dates - the future, the past
The lot that he picked was the 13th of Adar
"Make ready the gallows! Adar is not far!"
Right after Haman he did pester
Went Mordechai to see Queen Esther.
‘Cos at the palace gate, two eunich guards he did broach
Bigthan and Teresh were to kill Achashverosh!
Brave Mordy protected his king and his land
By revealing the plot in the palace grand
His loyalty and his brains gave him the upper hand.
The king in his chamber that evening did read
Of Mordechai’s loyalty in the Book of Good Deeds
With the smallest of brains, the king thinked and he thinked
"Who is this Mordechai who saved me from the brink?
“Who, who, WHO is this man who foiled the guards’ plan?
I must reward him - send for Haman!"
A question to Haman, Achashverosh did pose:
"How should I honor a man who has been on his toes
Who has saved my kingdom through heroic deeds
Without a single thought to his own needs?"
Haman, thinking this hero was he
For saving the kingdom from the Jews for the king

Pompously swelled with excitement and greed
He knew the king would his words heed:
"I think my dear king no reward is too great
Give him diamonds and jewels—a house by the lake"
"Fabulous clothing and all of the best
Let him ride the king’s horse on your next birthday fest!"
"Make it so, dear Haman, loyal right hand man
Bring forth Mordechai the Jew…this is my command!"
"Instruct all my tailors, my jewelers my builders
To spare no sheckles, no rubles, or guilders
Call all the king’s horses and all the king’s men
To honor this Jew again and again!
Haman astounded, speechless at best
Felt his anger spread from his feet to his chest
Could it be that this man who refused to bow down
Must now be honored all through the town?
Seizing the moment, the opportunity here,
Mordechai to Esther did appear
Using his Wits and Oh, so clever Brain
Mordy made history, now Esther has fame.
"You must risk your life and go to the king
And tell him about this heinous thing
That Haman is planning the Jews will all die
You must go brave Esther…this you MUST try.
"But cousin (or Uncle)," she said - trembling with fear
“Without his permission, I cannot go near
It could be my life - I am so afraid.”
But Morty replied: "You can do this, BABE."
"Use your brains and your charm and your prettiest skirt
And your shaina punim…What could that hurt?"
So, Esther swallowed her fear,
And she calmed her nerves
She went after this task
With Vim and with Verve
At a party given that very same night
She walked into the banquet, trembling with fright.
Although shocked to see her, the King did beckon

"I’ll see her, I’ll see her…It’s fine, I reckon."
"Dear husband." she said, "I’ve gotten some news
So horribly horrible that I did choose
To come un-summoned to be by your side
You must listen to me - After all, I’m your bride!!"
Risking her life Esther told him the story
Of Haman’s dastardly plan—Evil and Hoary
Esther, still trembling explained to her mate:
"My lord, at the risk of sealing my fate
I must tell you something that to you may be news…
Someone is planning to kill all the Jews!"
“This includes Mordechai, And all of his kin
And in this category, you must put me in.
For you see, I am Jewish, but so loyal to you
Please don’t hurt my people…Please don’t hurt the Jews.
I fear my dear husband,
Unless you act with your heart
I too will die on the 13th of Adar.”
Thinking the thoughts a king would sure think
(That his loyal wife deserveth a mink)
He called for his henchman…His Number Two
To question again—what should he do
In order to save his wife and her kin
Haman of course, slunk right in.
"Esther, dear Esther, tell Haman your fear
Don’t be afraid—Tell him my dear."
"Okay, here goes nothing," said Esther inside.
She looked straight at Haman, and summoned her pride
"You wicked wicked man…How dare you pretend
That you are loyal to my king to the end?
You who did plot to destroy all the Jews
Also will kill ME Whom the king did choose!
For I too am Jewish, you hateful old coot!"
"Turn around," said the king…”I give you the boot!
I sentence you now to the gallows you built
Not a single drop of Jewish blood shall be spilt!
Pack up your belongings but don’t go far

On the gallows you’ll be swinging on the 13th of Adar!!!"
The moral of the story, Yeladim, you now know
Is to honor G-D and all people wherever you go.
To stand up and speak out for all that is right
And to you Chag Sameach…Laila Tov, and good night.

Friday, March 14, 2008

Funny Judaica


Say-A-Blessing Keychain from PopJudaica
This is pretty funny and ... handy..
Baruch ata adonoi...?
Perhaps you dropped out of Hebrew school a little too soon or are learning Hebrew for the very first time. With just a touch of the button, this pocket sized keychain recites one of 10 blessings of your choice including the blessings over challah, wine, and washing of the hands. Also included are the prayers of "Modeh Ani" and the "Shema." The blessing is first stated in Hebrew and then translated into English, leaving you enough time after each word to repeat the blessing.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Modern Tallit for a Women


Nowadays, Bat Mitzvah girls who wish to be called up to read from the Torah in the synagogue, and learn the portion of the week from the Bible and the Haftarah portion of the Prophets, enwrap in a Tallit and cover their heads when they are called up to read from the Torah.

Adult women returning to their roots, too, celebrate Bat Mitzvah and enwrap in a Tallit when they are called up to read from the Torah.

Bat mitzvah girls choose a kosher bat mitzvah Tallit that has fringes in accordance with Jewish religious laws, and an atarah, and has some fashionable features as well.

Adult women choose a Tallit that has been specially designed for women and are called Tallit Nashim or women’s Tallitot.

In our studio at Galilee Silks we create the most beautiful women's Tallis in a variety of the finest fabrics and color combinations, decorated with lovely trims and ribbons. The Atara - the neckpiece of the tallit is embroidered or printed with the Bracha. Each Tallit comes with a matching Tallis bag and Kippah.

Sunday, March 9, 2008

Silk & Honey Production on the Ancient Israeli Silk Road


On Gems in Israel
Spotlighting Israel's Lesser Known Tourist Attractions and Travel Sites, the Gems

we found this nice article which touches upon the doings in our studio Galilee Silks

Silk & Honey Production on the Ancient Israeli Silk Road

Dvorat Hatavor
Where in Israel did the ancient Silk Road pass? Answers to these and many other interesting questions will all be part of your visit to Dvorat Hatavor, a unique rural tourist attraction, just minutes away from Mt. Tabor and the Sea of Galilee.

The Ben Zeev family created this attraction, which focuses on the production of honey and silk, from, biblical to modern times. To put it in his own words, Jigal Ben Zeev is, “an educated farmer”. In fact – he is an agronomist with a specialty in sheep herding. In 1967- 1968 he worked in Iran. He says that while he taught the locals how to grow sheep – they taught him how to grow silkworms. Ten years ago, he and his wife Malka, established Dvorat Hatavor in Moshav Shadmot Devora.

A visit to Dvorat Hatavor entails a guided tour that lasts roughly an hour and a half. Visitors advance from one ‘station’ to the next – receiving detailed explanations at each stop. Your tour will include a demonstration of honey bread removal, an up close and personal look at bee hives (behind a well fenced-in area - to ensure that you won’t be stung by the bees) as well as a detailed explanation about silk making and the related mulberry trees.

In the silkworm building, you’ll see how silkworms are grown and find out all about making silk and other products (such as paper). Children will have the opportunity to make their own beeswax candle and prepare a small magnet in a special area that is set aside for these creative activities.

Dvorat Hatavor is located very close to Mt. Tabor, which was on the Israeli part of the ancient Silk Road.

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Tallit: To be Covered by a Unique Spirit

Tallit (talit, tallis), the Jewish prayer shawl, is a significant part in the lives of all Jewish men, and some Jewish women as well. During prayer a tallit bestows a sense of spirituality and elation on the person praying. The Tallit is a classic Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah gift. The Tallit is traditionally woven of wool — especially amongst Ashkenazim. Some Spanish and Portuguese Jews, however, have the tradition to use silk talletot, and cotton or linen are also traditional choices. In our days, other materials are also used — including synthetic materials like rayon, polyester and acrylic. Talletot may be of any colour, but are typically white, and usually with black, blue or white stripes along the lateral sides (see Historical Origins above for stripe explanation). Sizes of talletot vary greatly. The silk and synthetic ones vary in size. The woolen tallit is proportionately larger (sometimes reaching to the ankle), conforming to the Halakha that the tallit should be large enough to be full-body apparel and not just scarf-like. A ribbon, or a band artistically woven with silver or gold threads (called "spania") may be sewn on the side of the tallit that is nearest to the head, and is called the atarah, or ‘crown’. From the four corners of the tallit hang fringes called tzitzit, in compliance with the laws in the Torah (Book of Numbers 15:38).

All our tallitot come in a choice of pure wool and p
olyester . The Atara can be printed or embroidered. Each tallit comes with matching bag and kippa.

Spring Time is here!


Today we "enjoy" the chamsien, the hot dry desert wind from the South East. It brings flocks of storks and other migrating birds on their way from Africa to northern countries.

Flowers are blooming and this is a wonderful season, allthough we could do with some more rain.

In Galilee Silks studio we create inspired by the elements, the delicate wildflowers and lush foliage of spring time in Galilee.

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Welcome to Galilee Silks Judaica


Our love for the land and Galilee where we create and live, comes to expression in our unique collection of Judaica, the beautiful items related to Jewish holidays, customs and tradition.

Our Judaica line includes beautiful gift ideas for bar mitzvah or bat mitzvah, weddings and Jewish Holidays, such as Tallit for men, tallit for woman,tallis, Kippah, Yarmulke, Kipot, Challa covers, Afikoman bags and, more.

Please visit us at GalileeSilks.com