Hannukah miracle

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

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

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 ]

Tallitot for Bat Mitzvah

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

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!

Unique Galilee Silks Judaica gifts and Tallitot ON SALE

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!

Tallit, Tallis, Tallitot!

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!

More Galilee Silks Tallitot on Sale!

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.

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...!

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!

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.

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!

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!

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!

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.

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

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

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 polyester . 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.