Lucky Charms and Judaica Store

By: Marcia Henin
Submitted: 2008-04-10 17:20:28
Print this article | Tell a friend | For publisher | Social Bookmarking
Rating:
 

The Hamsa Hand (Arabic) or Hamesh Hand (Hebrew) is an ancient and a renowned lucky amulet for magical protection from the resentful or evil eyes. The term “Hamsa” or “Hamesh” means “five” and denotes the fingers of the hand.

Another Islamic name for this lucky charm is the Hand of Fatima, in reference to the daughter of Mohammed. Another Jewish name for it is the Hand of Miriam, referring to the sister of Moses and Aaron.

The Hamsa hand appears in a two-thumbed fixture of joint symmetrical form, or in a more creative form containing only one thumb. A good archaeological proof implies that the downward-pointing protective Hamsa/Hamesh hand predates both Islam and Judaism.

However, many Hamsa Hands are lucky charms. There are certain recent Israeli Hamesh Hands made of ceramics, wherein a hand-lettered Hebrew prayer resides in the center of the palm.

Hamsa Hands, generally made of turquoise-covered ceramics are famous in modern Egypt. They represent anti-evil-eyes from Egypt.

Menorah:

The Menorah is the oldest symbols of the Jewish belief. This seven-branched candelabrum originated as a version of the Babylonian world tree. It is the oldest symbol of the Jewish people used in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.

The seven arms represent the seven days of formation and the seven apparent planets. Strangely, the middle light is called as “Shamash”, which is the name of the Babylonian Sun God. It is the most significant ritual object in the Temple of Jerusalem.

At the time of rededication of the temple, in second century BC, after a Greek invasion and violation, the lamps of the Menorah burned for eight continuous days on one day's oil.

This is the base of the nine-branched symbol or Hanukiyah with one branch for each of those eight days, along with one middle light to light the others during the Hannukah festival.

Judaica Store

A Judaica store specializes in fine Judaica artificial items. The store provides a huge range of Jewish Jewelry, Hamsas, Judaica items, Menorahs, Candlesticks, and Mezuzahs. Certain online Judaica stores offer a wide range of all kinds of Judaica, Jewish books, Jewish ritual items, and Jewish gifts.

Submitted by Content Editor at Inter-Dev - Internet Marketing Company, on behalf of Mir-El Antiques, provider of rare antique Hamsa hand.

Article source: Expert Articles

Most Recent Articles in Judaism category

  • Messianic Community - By: Ajay Shringi
    Unlike most religious expressions, Messianic Judaism cannot be traced to any other person except Yeshua. When more and more gentiles became Believers and with the destruction of Jerusalem, the Church became decreasingly Jewish and increasingly Gentile. There has been a small amount of Jews who have believed in Yeshua, but due to pressure and persecution, most severed the connection with their Jewish heritage and converted to Gentile ways of life.
  • Kabbalah Items - By: Marcia Henin
    Kabbalah items, such as Jewelry or amulets, have become popular around the world and not only among Jewish people. This is an overview about some of the most popular items
  • Kabbalah - Jewish Mysticism - By: Marcia Henin
    What is Kabbalah? The Jewish Mystic book and way of life - a short explanation about the meaning of Kabbalah
  • Lucky Charms and Judaica Store - By: Marcia Henin
    The Lucky charms and amulets in the Jewish world - Read about the Jewish symbolic items and their meanings
  • Who Changes, Us or the Creator? - By: Bnei Baruch
    Kabbalah explains that the Creator is an unchanging force of love and bestowal, and all the changes we feel are ours.