Galilee Silk Judaica Blog

A beautiful Shofar Bag for the High Holy Days!

2010-07-13T03:35:00.000-07:00

Yes we know its the height of summer. We at Galilee Silks are in preparation for the High Holy Days. We are busy making our known tallit.
Go figure, we want it to be cooler in our Galilee:)
Worship in Style!
Besides our large collection of unique Tallitot for men & Women we come out with

this lovely Shofar Bag for the High Holy Days! at a ridiculous low price: See you in one of our stores!

Moses, Korach, and Spirituality

2010-06-08T02:22:00.000-07:00

Korach, in this weeks Torah portion (Numbers 16-18) challenged Moses for leadership of the Jewish people. This was after Moses had received the ten commandments on Mt. Sinai, and had led his people through the desert.

Korach was envious of Aaron and Moses' accomplishments. The Five Books of Moses teaches us to concentrate on our personal spirituality rather than jealousy, envy, desire and pride.

GalileeSilksJudaica.com is proud of our silk talitot, yarmulkas, prayer shawls, silk holiday items, bat mitzvah, bas mitzvah, and Jewish wedding essentials -- for your spiritual needs.

Korach gathered 250 disciples to challenge Aaron and Moses for leadership of the Jewish people. Overnight, Aarons' staff miraculously changed into almonds -- securing Moses' leadership.

Yesterday, the Kadima party challenged the leadership of the Likud coalition by asking the Knesset (parliament) for a "no-confidence" motion. I am glad that today Israel is a democracy and challenges to leadership are done in the open (rather than in a seditious manner). GaleleeSilksJudaica.com supports Israel democracy in action.

Today the world is full of people and nations looking to do great things at the expense of others. GalileeSilksJudaica.com looks inward to spirituality for guidance with silk kippot, silk talitot, and other traditional Jewish shabbat, Jewish wedding, and Jewish holiday accessories. Please browse our catalogue of silk Jewish spiritual items for your needs.

Chag Shavuot Sameach!

2010-05-16T20:52:00.000-07:00

The day after tomorrow at sundown Am Israel, we at Galilee Silks and Jews around the world celebrate Chag Shavuot the last of the tree main holidays on the Jewish calendar.
On the 50th day after the Israelites left Egypt and were in the wilderness around Mount Sinai, God presented Moses with the Torah, or Ten Commandments. In accepting these, the Israelites became a nation committed to serving God and Shavuot marks the anniversary of this event.

Besides its significance as the day on which the Torah was revealed by God to the Jewish nation at Mount Sinai (which includes the Ten Commandments), Shavuot is also connected to the season of the grain harvest in Israel. In ancient times, the grain harvest lasted seven weeks and was a season of gladness (Jer. 5:24; Deut. 16:9-11; Isa. 9:2). It began with the harvesting of the barley during Passover and ended with the harvesting of the wheat at Shavuot. Shavuot was thus the concluding festival of the grain harvest, just as the eighth day of Sukkot (Tabernacles) was the concluding festival of the fruit harvest. During the existence of the Temple in Jerusalem, an offering of two loaves of bread from the wheat harvest was made on Shavuot.

Symbols

An important symbol of Shavuot is the Bikkurim, or first fruits. This was a basket of gold or silver that contained the first harvest of the Seven Species crops and was carried to the Temple in Jerusalem in a procession accompanied by music. These crops are: barley; dates; figs; grapes; olives; pomegranates; and wheat. Modern versions of the Bikkurim may include other crops now grown in Israel or other Jewish communities around the world. Images of the Ten Commandments inscribed on stones or scrolls representing the Torah are also symbolic of Shavuot.

On the websites of Galilee Silks you'll find many garments and items adorned whith these very same Shavuot symbols - which are naturally wearable all year round.

Have a look in our Fashion store for the T-shirt in the picture which can be obtained with a matching silk vest

2010-05-02T10:46:00.001-07:00

Galilee Silk. Judaica . Bat Mitzvah .Tallit

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Galilee Silks

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Galilee Silks Judaica

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Galilee Silks online store

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Galilee Silks online store Silk Galilee silk poncho

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Galilee silk fashion shop

ONLINE SILK FASHION STORE

glass handpainted jewelry

made in Israel.Tallitot

online silk fashion store

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online silk fashion storee

silk applique T-shirt

Question: What is a Bat Mitzvah?

2010-05-02T10:32:00.000-07:00

Source: www.about.com

Question: What is a Bat Mitzvah?

Answer: Bat Mitzvah literally translates to "daughter of commandment" and implies "responsible female."

According to Jewish Law, every Jewish girl becomes a bat mitzvah at age 12 - a year earlier than a Jewish boy becomes a bar mitzvah due to the fact that girls mature earlier than boys. As a bat mitzvah, she becomes obligated by God's commandments - as prescribed in the Torah and as interpreted by Moses, the Prophets, the Sages and the Rabbis.

A Jewish girl becomes a bat mitzvah automatically upon turning 12 years old. No ceremony is needed. The Reconstructionist Movement introduced the idea of celebrating a girl becoming a bat mitzvah in 1922. Since then, ceremonies to mark the occassion of a girl becoming a bat mitzvah have become more and more popular.

While the bat mitzvah girl can celebrate from her 12th birthday, some wait and celebrate on the girl's 13th birthday. In many Reform, Reconstructionist and Conservative synagogues, the bat mitzvah may be celebrated by the girl blessing and/or reading Torah and also leading part of the prayer service. Festive meals and lavish parties in honor of a girl becoming a bat mitzvah have also become common in non-orthodox communities.

In orthodox communities, the bat mitzvah is more often marked with a family celebration than a religious ritual. If an orthodox girl wants to celebrate her bat mitzvah by reading Torah or leading a prayer service, then this is generally done in the presence of women only.

The Invitation?!
Many people feel confused when invited to a bat mitzvah. They ask what present to buy, when to give the present, how to dress... It helps to think of the bat mitzvah as a special birthday - special in that it has religious significance. Any present that is appropriate for a 12 or 13 year old girl will also work for a bat mitzvah present (jewelry, books, gift certificates, music, clothes, picture frames, ....) Dress for the religious service like you are going to a religious service (modest, formal attire), and dress for the party according to whatever party is being held. It is best to bring the present to the party (rather than the religious ceremony). Mazel Tov or congratulations are appropriate greetings. You have been invited because the bat mitzvah girl wants you to join her in celebrating her "coming of age" - so, above all, enjoy the celebration!

Gililee Silks recommends the perfect gift: a Bat Mitzva tallit from our large and varied collection.

Come to one of our online store and make your pick.

www.galileesilkjudaica.com/shop

Tallitot ON SALE you find on Galileesilks.com

The colorful world of GalileeSilks

2010-02-15T02:52:00.000-08:00

SALES on Womens Tallit from $99

2010-02-06T09:18:00.000-08:00

Galilee Silks continues the ON SALE Tallitot campaign...Have a look at our Tallis for women and Bat Mitzvah girls.

More than 50% off from their original price now at $99, our high quality prayer shawls make great gifts.

Pray in style with a Galilee Silks Tallit!

Haiti prayers

2010-01-24T06:42:00.000-08:00

A few years ago, I was in a small earthquake. Afterwards, the newspapers said it was a 4.5 earthquake.

During the 4.5 earthquake (or was it 4.6?), I was terrified. The earth and floor swayed almost 90 degrees -- three times.

I felt helpless during the small earthquake. It felt like the worst amusement park ride I'd ever been in (and this time, the earthquake wasn't man-made).

Our earth is very big and powerful. You don't feel how powerful the earth is until you are in an earthquake.

The Haitian earthquake was twice and one half stronger than the earthquake I experience. I can't imagine, and don't want to imagine the feeling of helplessness during the Haitian earthquake.

Then after the Haitian earthquake -- to see your house, your street, and your town destroyed. I don't want to imagine what the Haitian earthquake and its aftermath was like.

After I saw pictures of the destroyed Haitian parliament building, I could barely watch television or view Internet pictures of the devastation (I'm sorry to report). After I saw the picture of the bulldozer shoveling nameless bodies into an empty truck, I couldn't look at pictures of the Haitian earthquake for days (the pictures reminded me of the Holocaust during World War II).

Only when miraculous rescues were reported on the radio was I able to look at pictures from Haiti. I like to see firemen, and rescue crews saving someone.

I wish I were a doctor or a nurse and could volunteer to help Haitians, and see first hand the destruction by the earthquake. My hands want to do something for people but I'm not medically trained.

I pray for everyone killed, or displaced by the Haitian earthquake. I hope they will be strong enough to rebuild their lives.

Turtleneck accents for winter

2010-01-12T22:03:00.000-08:00

Tutleneck or sweaters make sense during the cold winter months. As the winter continues, it becomes time to "jazz" up your sweater. How about a simple silk necklace to add some winter cheer to your wardrobe.

Galilee silks has more silk necklaces to choose from -- on our website:

http://www.galileesilks.com/index.php?cPath=30

Silk necklaces are different and can be part of your workday wardrobe. Thus, gold and silver jewelry can be used for special occasions.

Silk necklaces usually elicit comments from co-workers. Where did you get that? What a good idea -- a silk necklace. Silk is fancy but not ostentatious. A silk necklace is perfect for the work environment!

Silky smooth necklaces are appropriate for the winter season. Silk has the feel, and texture of snow and ice. Silk isn't cold like snow or ice. Silk makes me think of ice skating as I glide along the ice and the self-made wind blows. How about a matching silk scarf that we also sell at http://www.galileesilks.com/index.php?cPath=30

Last weeks torah portion...

2010-01-03T02:04:00.000-08:00

Last weeks torah portion or parasha was extremely important to me because of my aging mother. We had an argument over my direction. Why are we arguing now? It hurts that we argue, at all, nowadays. Why can't life always be sunny?

In this week’s parsha, we find the last of the three patriarchs, Jacob (who has already adopted the name of Israel), on his deathbed. As he readies himself for his passing, he calls upon his sons to ‘bless’ each of them in order to prepare them to carry on leading what is to become the holy nation of Israel.

Several of these ‘blessings’, however, can hardly be considered blessings at all. In fact, Jacob takes this opportunity to reproach some of his sons for their past wrongdoings (most notably, his rebuke of Shimon and Levi for their vengeful massacre of the city of Shechem (Gen. 49:7)). Others, that he does not rebuke directly, receive ‘blessings’ that merely state parts of their character – who they were or what they did. Are we to consider statements of character and criticism of past actions blessings at all? Furthermore, how do Jacob’s final words to his sons prepare them to lead and shape the nation?
Shprintza Herskovitz, through her use of the Ohr HaChaim commentary on this week’s parsha, gives insight to these questions:
“The commentary Ohr HaChaim (R. Chaim Atter) explains why Yaakov rebuked his sons for the negative things that they did. Ohr HaChaim says that by mentioning their deeds, Yaakov was telling his sons that had had to take responsibility for them. R. Attar goes even further to say that sometimes the rebuke itself is a blessing because it makes a person aware of his or her responsibility. Once a person is aware of his responsibility he can then correct or improve his actions, which can then result in increased blessing” (Rays of the Sun, p. 106).
This is to say that the blessing inherent in the criticism offered to each of his sons exists in that it gives each the ability to examine himself and choose to take responsibility for his actions. The ability to choose ‘good’ and to shape a better world that the awareness presents is held in such high regard that it is, in itself, considered the blessing and, therefore, divine.
Further, the blessing of the choice to create a more ideal world is in itself what helps to shape Israel as a holy nation. Through the classic literature, we do not find that our forefathers were inherently good people. Rather, we find that many of them were regular people with evil inclinations who were continuously presented with the choice to take responsibility for their actions and for the world around them.

The German-Jewish Sociologist Erich Fromm elaborated on this point in his own interpretation of the Old Testament:
“That the Bible does not refrain from acknowledging the evil in man becomes quite clear in its descriptions of even its most important personalities. Adam is a coward; Cain is irresponsible; Noah is a weakling; Abraham allows his wife to be violated because of his fear; Jacob participates in the fraud against his brother Esau; Joseph is an ambitious manipulator; and the greatest of Hebrew heroes, King David, commits unforgivable crimes.
Does all this not imply that the biblical view of man is that his essence is evil, that man is essentially corrupt? This interpretation cannot stand against the fact that, while the Bible acknowledges the fact of man’s ‘evil imaginings,’ it also believes in his inherent capacity for good… Man, in the biblical and post-biblical view, is given the choice between his ‘good and evil drives.’”

On his deathbed, Jacob attempts to give his sons the choice of responsibility towards good and thereby develop the foundation for Israel as a holy nation. The holiness is to stem from the ability to self-examine and self-criticize as a nation – and the subsequent choice to shape the world for the better.

Today, we must examine the extent to which the nation of Israel has lived up to its classification as a holy nation. Are we aware enough of the impact that our actions have on the world and people around us? We live in a world where the individualist mentality rules and only small minorities are brave and willing enough to pay attention to their affects on others – brave and willing enough to strive towards a better world. Is Israel a part of those few or are we merely another of the world’s nations acting in the interest of the elites without regard or even awareness of others? If we are, as a nation, to strive towards holiness and good, then we must examine these questions, self-criticize, and develop our ability to choose our responsibility in the world. Through this self-examination, we would be blessed.
Shabbat Shalom.

http://hechalutz.org/2.1/parashat-hashavua.html

Winter is a spiritual time of year for me.

2009-12-27T04:14:00.000-08:00

Winter is a spiritual time of year for me.

Indoors all the time with lots of time to think about the future.

To think well -- I need to stay warm especially around the neck area.

I don't want to catch the flu so I need a beautiful new scarf from http://www.galileesilkjudaica.com/ with Jerusalem hand painted on it.

We also have georgeous talitot, and other beautiful items for your prayers.

Hannukah miracle

2009-12-20T04:11:00.000-08:00

Do Hannukah miracles have to be spectacular? Or can Hannukah miracles be the simple things?

My Hannukah, this year, was a miracle of simple things -- a new Hannukiah (candelabra), family togetherness, continuity, and some simple new winter garments. Aren't those things miracles too?

Galilee Silks offers garments, and accessories that are not simple. Our garments are modern, fashionable, and stylish. An addition to anyones wardrobe.

From indoor winter scarves to indoor tableclothes to woolen talitot -- Galilee Silks offers Jewish silk fashion for your indoor winter life with your family and friends during the cold season. Each or our items in our catalog are indoor miracles!

As always, Galilee Silks continues to offer traditional Jewish -- wedding, bar mitvah, bat mitvah, shabbat, Pesach, and other holiday items used throughout the Jewish year. Please, browse our full catalog, here.

Miracles come in small packages. Galilee Silks is proud to present our miracle traditional and winter items for your family.

A Tallit to keep you [spiritually] warm

2009-12-16T23:49:00.000-08:00

We found a great blog which explains all about Galilee Silks most popular marketed garment:

The Talit. We especcialy liked the following post about blessing the Tallis

As read on http://mytalit.com/

The Jews do not believe in the blessing of their garments and ornaments by their Rabbi, or the Jew’s religious teacher or master. This is significantly different from other religions, particularly Catholicism, which practices the blessing of items, from those related to their religious practice (such as the Bible) to other items and material possessions. This applies to the use of their tallit or their prayer shawl. The tallitot are not blessed by the Rabbi, although Jews can get such prayer shawls at the synagogue before praying. Because of this, one can buy tallilot anywhere.
However, the Jews do believe that they themselves should bless their tallits. This is a form of their respect to this sacred garment. This practice is actually included in their mitzvah, hence the importance they place on the prayer shawl. Although it is the tzitzit (or the fringes on the prayer shawl) and not the tallit that the Jews are required to wear, it still plays a pivotal role in their religious practice. So it is not surprising that the Jews take the effort to say a prayer or a blessing before wearing the tallit or the prayer shawl.
The blessings are done every time one uses the tallit. First, one takes his or her tallit from the tallit bag, unfolds the prayer shawl carefully, and recites a blessing, which, in essence, acknowledges God who sanctifies His people with the commandments and commands them regarding the use of the tzitzit. After which, one puts the tallit or the tallis on and recites a prayer similar to the first one, although it cites the commandment of wrapping one’s selves in the tzitzit. The second prayer is written on the atarah of the tallit or tallis.
After the tallit has been worn and the prayer has been said, one should then kiss the atarah’s end (or where the last word of the said prayer is embroidered). He or she then kisses the beginning of the atarah (or where the first word of the prater is embroidered). The individual should then wrap the prayer shawl around his or her shoulders, holding the tallit over the head for a brief moment of meditation. At this point, praying a verse of the book of Psalms can be done, although this is not required.
There are a number of rules regarding the reciting of prayer after wearing the tallit. If the person removes a particular tallit and uses a new one, he is required to say the blessing again. The same applies when the person removes the tallit without the intention of praying and using the tallit again. However, if he or she removes it with the intention of putting it back on, this individual can wear the tallit without reciting the blessing.

Not to mention we warmly recommend you to visit our own online Galilee Silks stores and look at our beautiful Jewish prayer Shawls! Happy Hanukkah!!

Woman wearing talit at Kotel detained

2009-11-18T08:05:00.000-08:00

We do not think the woman in the picture is wearing a Galilee Silks Tallit, but still we thought this event of interest for our blog. If you are a woman who wants to wear a Tallit, we have a LARGE VARIETY of Womens Tallitot in our shop...
and now to the article

This article is from the Jerusalem Post

Nov. 18, 2009Matthew Wagner , THE JERUSALEM POST
Police and Western Wall officials expelled a female prayer group from the Kotel area and arrested one of the women after they attempted Wednesday morning to read from a Torah scroll.
"We debated amongst ourselves whether or not to read from the Torah at the Kotel itself or to take the Torah to the Robinson's Arch," said Nofrat Frenkel, who was arrested and later released by police.
"In the end we decided that because nobody seemed to mind we would go ahead and read the Torah at the Kotel."
According to a compromise reached two decades ago under Supreme Court mediation, it was agreed that women who wished to wear talitot [prayer shawls] and kippot and read from the Torah would be allowed to do so at the Robinson's Arch adjacent to the Kotel and not directly in front of the Kotel so as not to offend Orthodox visitors.
On every Rosh Hodesh (beginning of the Jewish month) the Women of the Wall conduct prayers at the Kotel and at the Robinson's Arch. On Wednesday's visit there was a contingent of women from North America who are in Israel to take part in a rabbinical ordination ceremony to take place at the Reform Movement's Hebrew Union College.
Frenkel said that as the women unrolled the Torah scroll and began to prepare to read, officials from the Kotel Foundation arrived and demanded that they leave the premises.
Frenkel said that the women agreed to roll up the Torah scroll and take it to the Robinson's Arch. But on their way out Frenkel, who was wearing a talit and was carrying the Torah, was seized by police.
"I was pushed into a nearby police station and transferred to the main police station at Yaffo Gate," she said.
About 40 women who attended the prayer formed a procession and followed the police and Frenkel through the Old City to the Yaffo Gate where they congregated and sang songs until Frenkel was released.
Rabbi Felicia Sol of the post-denominational Bnei Jeshrun Synagogue on Manhattan's Upper West Side, said that the attempt to read from the Torah was an experiment with "pushing the boundaries".
"It is ridiculous that in a Jewish state that is supposedly democratic women cannot pray the way they want to and only one definition of Judaism is accepted," said Sol.
"It is sad that many secular Israelis are distanced from Judaism because in Israel religion is seen as a negative, divisive force instead of being compelling and meaningful."
Anat Hoffman, Chair of the Women of the Wall, said that the two-decade-old compromise that prevents women from reading from the Torah at the Kotel was outdated.
"Times have changed and women should be allowed to have a more central role in Jewish expression," said Hoffman.
Kotel Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitz said in response that the women's actions were "a desecration of the sacred."
"They brought dissent and infighting to a place that is supposed to symbolize unity," said Rabinovitz. "And that is a desecration. They behaved like [biblical] Korah and his assembly."
Rabinovitz added that the women were motivated by a political agenda and did not want to simply pray.
However, Frenkel, who belongs to a Conservative congregation in Israel, said that her sole intention was to pray to God.
"We were not trying to cause a provocation," said Frenkel.
"I am not a political person. I come to pray and perform what is written in the Torah 'Speak to the Israelites and tell them to make tzitzit on the corners of their garments'", said Frenkel referring the biblical verse that teaches the commandment to wear a talit.
Jerusalem Police said that they arrested a woman from after she donned a talit, while praying at the Western Wall.
According to a police spokesman, the woman was approached by officers after putting the prayer shawl on, which police said caused an outcry from other worshippers.
"Police calmed the situation down, and took the woman in for questioning," a statement from the spokesman said.
Abe Selig contributed to this story
This article can also be read at http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1258489193200&pagename=JPArticle%2FShowFull[ Back to the Article ]

Is 13 an Adult? About Bar Mitzvah

2009-11-15T12:51:00.000-08:00

Galilee Silks found on the web this interesting part of an article on http://www.jewfaq.org/barmitz.htm

Quote:

"Many people mock the idea that a 12 or 13 year old child is an adult, claiming that it is an outdated notion based on the needs of an agricultural society. This criticism comes from a misunderstanding of the significance of becoming a bar mitzvah.

Bar mitzvah is not about being a full adult in every sense of the word, ready to marry, go out on your own, earn a living and raise children. The Talmud makes this abundantly clear. In Pirkei Avot, it is said that while 13 is the proper age for fulfillment of the Commandments, 18 is the proper age for marriage and 20 is the proper age for earning a livelihood. Elsewhere in the Talmud, the proper age for marriage is said to be 16-24.

Bar mitzvah is simply the age when a person is held responsible for his actions and minimally qualified to marry. If you compare this to secular law, you will find that it is not so very far from our modern notions of a child's maturity. In Anglo-American common law, a child of the age of 14 is old enough to assume many of the responsibilities of an adult, including minimal criminal liability. Under United States law, 14 is the minimum age of employment for most occupations (though working hours are limited so as not to interfere with school). In many states, a fourteen year old can marry with parental consent. Children of any age are permitted to testify in court, and children over the age of 14 are permitted to have significant input into custody decisions in cases of divorce. Certainly, a 13-year-old child is capable of knowing the difference between right and wrong and of being held responsible for his actions, and that is all it really means to become a bar mitzvah. "

Then the article goes on about giving Bar Mitzvah gifts...

There is where galilee Silks comes in, we have the perfect Br Motzvah or Bat Mitsva gift: a Tallit!

Galilee Silks Tallitot are appreciated greatly by the people who obtained one. We see this from the many enthousiastic response emails we receive from grandparents or parents who sometimes together with the br Mitzvah boy or the Bat Mitzvah girl, or without them make their choice from our online shops.

Do not forget our Tallitot on SALE! We invite you warmly!

About Tallitot

2009-11-09T23:20:00.000-08:00

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia says about the Tallit

A tallit (Hebrew: טַלִּית‎) (taleth or talet in Sephardic Hebrew and Ladino) (tallis in Ashkenazic Hebrew and Yiddish) is a Jewish prayer shawl worn in the synagogue on Shabbat and holidays, and while reciting morning prayers (Shacharit), as well as afternoon (Mincha) and evening prayers (Ma'ariv) by many Sephardi Jews.

The tallit has special twined and knotted fringes known as tzitzit attached to its four corners. The tallit can be made of any materials except a mixture of wool and linen interwoven which is strictly prohibited by the Torah. Most traditional tallitot (plural of tallit) (tallesim in Ashkenazic Hebrew) are made of wool.

Galilee Silks creates traditional classic wool tallits as well as modern tallitot in wool, silk and polyester decorated with other delicate fabrics to give the tallis extra allure.

Every tallit is made with the utmost attention and intention with eye for the smallest detail.

All of Galilee Silks prayer shawls come with a matching tallis bag and kippa.

Have a look on our website store and subscribe to our blog to keep updated!

Make sure to check out our Special Tallitot ON SALE at very attractive pricing!

Tallitot for Bat Mitzvah

2009-11-08T05:16:00.000-08:00

Galilee Silks creates beautiful Tallitot for Bat Mitzvah girls. Often a grandmother or mother buys the Tallit as her special gift for her granddaughter or daughter.

Galilee Silks Tallitot are made very skillful with care for the smallest detail. We can imagine that the Bat Mitzvah girl herself can show her Bat Mitzvah Tallit to her own granddaughter when time comes!

Order your Bat Mitzvah gifts now while our Tallitot ON SALE is ongoing! Also have a peek in the special Bat Mitzvah department in or online store.

Tallit Exploratory Quiz

2009-10-13T01:34:00.000-07:00

This is from the Rabbi Scheinerman website http://scheinerman.net/judaism/index.html

and really realy nice because there is no wrong answer:

Tallit Exploratory Quiz.
The questions below are designed to encourage you to explore the significance and religious meanings associated with the tallit. There are no right or wrong answers; rather, whatever answer you consider will lead you to new insights. Feel free to explore several answers to each question
The purpose of the Tzitzit is:
To feel closer to God.
To have something to play with during services.
To serve as a reminder of God's commandments.
Another Jewish ritual object with a similar purpose is:
Shabbat candlesticks.
Siddur.
Seder plate.
Mezuzah.
Which of the following appeals to you?
Wearing a tallit makes me feel wrapped in God's presence.
Wearing a tallit makes me feel "dressed and ready" to pray.
Wearing a tallit makes me feel connected to other Jews.
If you do not wear a tallit for prayer, is it because:
I'm not yet 13 years old.
Where I pray, no one wears a tallit.
I usually go to synagogue for evening services.
I would feel uncomfortable.

Galilee Silks has many nice Tallitot on SALE come have a look!

Tallit on Knol

2009-08-26T22:00:00.000-07:00

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 every day garment.
Read more on the Google Knol project

Unique Galilee Silks Judaica gifts and Tallitot ON SALE

2009-08-10T00:08:00.000-07:00

Galilee Silks added to the online Judaica store beaufitul Voile Womens Tallitot with lovely silk apllications price: $130.

We continue our Mens & Womens Tallitot ON SALE... and offcourse we recommend to view all our products in our Judiaca online store.

Come browse around & order now your beautiful unique gifts from Eretz Israel, in time for the High Holy Days!

Tallitot on SALE ongoing!!

2009-07-13T22:13:00.000-07:00

Tallitot in a variety of colors and patterns for Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah on SALE in Galilee Silks Judaica shops.

Galilee Silks beats the recession!

A variety of most beautiful Jewish gifts you can imagine, a unique hand created tallit with matching kippa and tallis bag at rock bottom prices.

Come check it out at Galilee Silks online.

Tallit, Tallis, Tallitot!

2009-03-14T03:31:00.000-07:00

Galilee Silks is currently adding new tallitot in the online Judaica shop, come have a look at our wonderful hand made mens and womens tallitot! The perfect present for Bar Mitzvah, Bat Mitzvah and other Jewish events!

Passover Guides

2009-03-09T23:48:00.000-07:00

A very good informative link for everything connected to Passover is on the website

of CHABAD

Visit Galilee Silks online Judaica store for beautiful table clothes, Matzo covers and Afikoman bags to complement your Passover Seder table!

Passover Matzo Covers Aficomen Bags

2009-03-01T11:29:00.000-08:00

Passover / Pesach in Galilee Silks Online Judaica Shop !!

We updated our product line with beautiful hand painted and hand decorated silk Judaica for your Passover Seder table.

Surprise the children with a lovely handpainted and hand decorated afikoman bag!

Cover the matzot with one of our lovely Matzah Covers. A variety of Pesach products can be found in our store ...the prices are very affordable for a unique Judaica item from Galilee Silks

More Galilee Silks Tallitot on Sale!

2009-02-11T00:24:00.000-08:00

Our Sale on limited quantity Galilee Silks Tallitot continues!! Obtain now a unique Bat Mitzvah or Bar Mitzvah present, or give a Tallis for the upcoming Jewish Holidays!

Please visit our Judaica Online Store to view our outstansing collection of Mens and Womens Tallitot.

Etsy Treasury with Jerusalem Scarf

2009-01-18T00:30:00.000-08:00

The handpainted silk Jerusalem Scarf has been featured in an Etsy treasury!

What better month to buy a Tallit....

2008-12-07T11:03:00.000-08:00

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...!

Deals Deals!! Now Tallitot ON SALE!!

2008-11-22T04:27:00.000-08:00

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!

Get Ready for Hanukkah with Dreidels!

2008-11-16T04:24:00.000-08:00

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!

Free Silk Gift!!

2008-11-11T02:27:00.000-08:00

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!

New in our Judaica store

2008-10-28T03:45:00.000-07:00

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.

Being Jewish - a lovely Tallit Poem

2008-08-25T00:56:00.000-07:00

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

Celebrate the Days of Awe

2008-08-10T21:22:00.000-07:00

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.

Galilee Silks New Judaica Store updated

2008-08-08T04:47:00.000-07:00

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.

New Judaica Gift Store

2008-06-24T02:08:00.000-07:00

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!

Practical Silk Information, for Judaica too!

2008-06-17T09:33:00.000-07:00

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!

New Judaica store

2008-06-12T06:18:00.000-07:00

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!

Add a blog on Entrecard and get their E-book

2008-05-25T21:05:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-25T06:47:00.000-07:00

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!

Happy 60th Independance Day

2008-05-06T06:10:00.000-07:00

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.

Galilee Silks Judaica on Etsy Treasury

2008-04-14T07:00:00.000-07:00

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!

Superior Tallit from Wool with Magen David Motif

2008-04-11T06:51:00.001-07:00

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!

Tips For Buying Genuine Judaica

2008-04-09T03:06:00.000-07:00

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.

A Thread of Blue

2008-04-01T04:27:00.000-07:00

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.

Tallit

2008-03-24T01:50:00.000-07:00

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

Whole Sale Judaica

2008-03-20T06:45:00.000-07:00

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

2008-03-18T09:02:00.000-07:00

Shopping for a Ketubah

2008-03-18T07:13:00.000-07:00

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

Purim this week!

2008-03-16T10:55:00.000-07:00

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.

Funny Judaica

2008-03-14T04:25:00.000-07:00

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.

Modern Tallit for a Women

2008-03-12T01:32:00.000-07:00

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.

Silk & Honey Production on the Ancient Israeli Silk Road

2008-03-09T07:23:00.001-07:00

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.

Tallit: To be Covered by a Unique Spirit

2008-03-06T03:44:00.000-08:00

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 polyester . The Atara can be printed or embroidered. Each tallit comes with matching bag and kippa.

Spring Time is here!

2008-03-06T01:09:00.000-08:00

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.

Welcome to Galilee Silks Judaica

2008-03-05T07:56:00.000-08:00

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