Introduction:

I am a collector! I collect a bit of everything, but for everything I collect, there is a passion behind it. I began collecting Judaic Artifacts when I was a young girl. Growing up in Utah, as a Catholic, from a second generation Italian Immigrant family, you may find this a bit odd. I was fortunate enough to have a girlfriend in my neighborhood who was Jewish. I would go to Synagogue with her and she would attend Mass with me.

Jewish Culture

Jewish Traditions

I was enthralled with the ceremony, the Cantor, and the Rabbi; I loved the artistry in the Temple and was always asking questions about the rituals. I was invited over to my friend’s house for the Second night of Chanukah, and ate potato latkes and played my first game of Dreidel. I won a few gold wrapped chocolate coins, and received a wooden Dreidel from my friend as a gift. Thus, the start of the Judaic collection.

Dreidel

Over the years I have my collection has grown, due to friends that fed my interest, and of course to Ebay, where I have been able to obtain some of the most incredible 7 branched and 9 branched Menorahs. I love this collection and every year I add at least one item to it, during the Chanukah Season.

Description:

The Menorah is one of the oldest symbols of the Jewish faith. It is a seven-branched candelabrum used in the Temple. The Menorah has been known to be a symbol of the nation of Israel and the mission to be "a light unto the nations." (Isaiah 42:6). The lamp in the First and Second Temples had seven branches. After the Temples were destroyed, a tradition developed not to duplicate anything from the Temple and therefore menorahs no longer had seven branches. The use of the six-branched menorahs became popular, but, in modern times, some rabbis have gone back to the seven-branched menorahs, arguing that they are not the same as those used in the Temples because todays are electrified. (Information from the Jewish Book of Why)

Menorah

Jewish Book of Why

The nine-branched menorah used on Chanukah is commonly patterned after the seven-branched menorah. The Chanukah Menorah is used to commemorate the the miracle that a day's worth of oil lasted eight days. Chanukah is the festival of lights. It is a celebration of the Victory of the Maccabees and the re-dedication of the Jerusalem Temple.

Chanukah

Conclusion:

Collections are a statement of who we are, what we believe in, or what we yearn to know more about. Collectors have their own agenda, whether it is re-sale, or displaying their treasures. I have come to love my collections, although they are vast and eclectic. That may be a statement of my personality.