Hebrew Jewelry

Hebrew jewelry - when current fashion and ancient language meet

Jewelry incorporates prominent Jewish motifs, such as the Star of David and Hamsa hand. In addition to symbols, Hebrew jewelry puts a strong emphasis on Hebrew as the sacred language of the people of Israel. These jewelry incorporates prominent Jewish motifs, such as the Star of David and Hamsa hand. In addition to symbols, have a strong appeal to Jewish people all around the world. jewelry accessories are often inscribed with Hebrew letters, words and sentences from the Bible, traditional blessings, prayers and other holy sources. Hebrew, the ancient and sacred language of the bible, continues to have a strong appeal to Jewish people all around the world.

The history of the Hebrew language
biblical Hebrew is filled with double meanings and puns often lost in translation to foreign language. Even people who speak modern Hebrew fluently find the biblical Hebrew complicated and hard to understand.

Since the Jewish people were expelled from the land of Israel two thousand years ago, Hebrew was not spoken in everyday life. The Jewish people that have been scattered all around the world, absorbed other cultures and languages. As part of these inevitable social processes, Hebrew has lost its practical use, and was used mostly in religious practice. By the end of the 19th century things started to change. It was then that the process known as the revival of the Hebrew language began in Europe and Israel. As a result of that process, Hebrew turned
from a liturgical to a spoken language and the official language of the state of Israel. A great Zionist, Eliezer Ben-Yehuda is mostly known as the "reviver of the Hebrew language. In the new born state of Israel established in 1948 Hebrew has regained its place as a communication tool.

The power of the Hebrew language
Many people, Jewish and non-Jewish, are attracted to the magical appeal of the Hebrew letters and history that comes along with it. There have been many discussions over the energetic power of the Hebrew letters. According to the teachings of Chassidut, each of the twenty two letters of the Hebrew alphabet possesses three distinct spiritual powers termed: energy, life, and light. According to Kabbalah, each of the Hebrew letters carries its own energy and significance since the Creation of the world.

Hebrew Jewelry in contemporary Judaica
Hebrew jewelry has become a center of gravitation for artists drawn to the fascinating and mysterious world of Hebrew language. Jewish jewelry puts a strong emphasis on Hebrew as the sacred language. Hebrew Jewelry refers to jewelry accessories inspired by the ancient culture of the Israelites. It also refers to the incorporation of the Hebrew language on jewelry pieces in a wide variety of styles. Contemporary Judaica artists treat the symbolism of the language with creativity and turn it into a piece of art. These artists successfully combine old traditions with modern art while adding elements from their own imagination. This unique mix of elements has
led to the growing popularity of Judaica jewelry in recent years.

Many of the Jewish jewelry accessories are decorated with Hebrew letters and
words taken from holy sources. These can be written in various styles - modern, hand-written, or ancient. You can find, for example, jewelry pieces inscribed with Rashi script (special script that was used by the great Rabbi and scholar, known as Rashi, when writing his commentaries on the bible and Talmud).

Hebrew inscriptions from the bible
One of the most common features in Hebrew jewelry is quotations from the bible which often pay a tribute to the poetic style of the bible. Theses verses are taken mostly from the book of Psalms and the Song of Songs. One of the best known songs is Shir Lamalot (Song of Accents), from the book of Psalms,"I will lift up mine eyes unto the mountains: from whence shall my help come?" (Book of Psalms, 121:1). In these verses, the speaker seeks for God's protection.

Famous prayers and Blessings
Popular inscriptions in Hebrew jewelry includes quotations from traditional prayers and blessings. One example would be Shema Yisrael, Hear O Israel, which is the best known prayer in Judaism. These psalms that comprise the Shema Yisrael prayer in the bible, we are commanded to affix mezuzah to every doorpost. Another prayer found on Jewish jewelry accessories is Tefilat HaDerch, the traveler's prayer, which is recited by the believer upon taking a long journey. Tefilat HaDerech jewelry accessories allow the bearer to carry his request for a safe journey wherever they go. Other jewelry accessories are designed for special occasions. Jewelry for Jewish weddings is inscribed with appropriate blessings" (Ani Le-Dodi Ve-Dodi Li): The bride and groom share a mutual and sacred promise as part of the Kiddushin by saying to each other: "I am my beloved and my beloved is mine:. and the seven blessings that are recited under the Huppa.

Chai jewelry
Another popular inscription is the Hebrew word Chai. In Gematria, the word Chai which means Life in Hebrew equals to the number 18. 18 is a spiritual number in Judaism. In Hebrew, the word chai spelled by the letters Heth and Bet," also appears in the slogan "Am Yisrael Chai!" - "The nation of Israel lives!".

Mystical Hebrew blessings
Other prayers which are inscribed on jewelry accessories in Hebrew are associated with mystical power and are derived by the power and sanctity pf of the Hebrew letters. Birkat Hakohanim from the book of Numbers is a blessing that can only be recited by Kohanim, the high priests of the Hebrews in the Sinai desert. Birkat Hakohanim is considered powerful because it acknowledges the explicit name of God. Aaron and his decedents, who have formed the holy order of Kohaim, were commanded by God to teach the Hebrews the explicit name of God through this powerful blessing. Inscription of this powerful prayer on jewelry is considered a virtue for blessing and protection. Ana Bekoh for example is a Kabbalist prayer that has entered mainstream Judaism and is found today in every Siddur, and is also believed to be a virtue for blessing and protection. In addition to Hebrew inscriptions, Jewish jewelry accessory often accompanied by other motifs from the Jewish tradition such as the Star of David, Hamsa Hand, and fish. These ancient symbols are traditionally believed to ward off the negative influences of the evil eye.

Hebrew in Kabbalah jewelry
Many of Kabbalah inspired jewelry accessories feature Hebrew letters sequences and words. The letters are initials of blessing and prayers or many kinds of Kabbalist codes, such as the 72 names of God. Kabbalah uses these Kabbalist codes to mediate material world and the spiritual world. According to the Kabbalah these spiritual keys release positive energies that bring us closer to finding life's joys, as happiness, love and prosperity. Many of you must have encountered jewelry pieces that are inscribed with the three letter sequence in Hebrew, Aleph-Lamed-Dalet. This sequence is one of the 72 names of God, a most important Kabbalist tool.
This Aleph-Lamed-Dalet combination is believed banish the Evil Eye by fighting negative energies and drawing positive ones instead. Kabbalah uses many motifs against the evil eye, and popular phrases against the evil eye - Ben Porat Yoseph.