Midrash in Metal

Zahava Designs

Table of Contents

Miriam Bowls Mezuzot The Salt Box

Honeyspoons Had Gadya Cups Wine Cups

Wedding Cups Cups and Chalices Handwashing

Havdala Jewelry Candles

Miriam Cup 3 waysThis Miriam Bowl is designed as a tribute to both the Timbrel of Miriam and her Well. The rabbis say that the Well, created on the first eve of Shabbat, rolled along the ground and followed the wandering nation. This spherical bowl only rests upon the wavy base, ready to roll along through the desert if needed. Its outer surface is the colour of the earth on which Miriam’s Well rolled. But the inside is polished as the copper mirrors the women of Israel donated in the making of the great purifying basin that traveled with the Mishkan.

The rim of this Miriam Bowl is constructed like a timbrel, ready to shake in a song of joy sung by the daughters of Israel, led by a worthy successor of our foremothers. We should have many occasions to raise our voices and be heard, singing songs of celebration.

This libation bowl is designed to sit in the palm of the hand . Its shape and supporting base offer an invitation to pick it up and cradle it in the hand. The spiral is an old de-sign element found even in Neolithic times as is the “horned” shape of the cra-dle. The use of these design elements complement the ceremonial feel of the bowl.

To honour the role of Miriam and all the women in the exodus, new pesach rituals have been adopted.

The cup portion of this Miriam bowled is passed from hand to hand as a little water is poured in from everyone’s glass.

to remind us of Miriam’s well, which was formed during the first week of creation, and rolled along with the children of Israel during the exodus as long as Miriam lived.

Meditations on the dove: Mezuzot

The image of a dove with an olive branch in its beak has been used for centuries to convey the idea of peace. However, the message that Noah’s dove brought with the leafing branch was not just Peace but also Home. It was a sign that the inhabitants of the ark, thrown together to weather the flood, could now leave . And leave they did, two by two, to find their very own spot of dry land and leafy tree to create their very own homes.

This mezuzah bayit in the image of Noah’s dove signifies both home and peace.

A requirement of a mezuzah bayit is that it show at least the shin of the acronym shaddai.Shin for shomer- guardianDaled for delatot- the doors.Yud for yisrael - IsraelGuardian of the doors of Israel

The tail contains the letter shin, the wing is the daled the head of the bird contains the yud

The body of the mezuzah bayit is made out of brass and copper. The surface is covered with glass beads set in epoxy.

There is a hanging mechanism on the back but the case should also be affixed to the door with double-sided tape.A tarnish preventative has been applied to the metal surface. If the metal darkens with time, it may be safely polished with a metal cream such as Flitz.

a new object : the saltbox

Salt plays an important role in Jewish life, ritual and symbolism.

The first mention of salt in the Torah is in reference to Lot’s wife-but this is not the only reference.

Salt was an essential ingredient in all the sacrifices. In Leviticus 2:13, the Torah states that “with all thy sacrifices thou shalt offer salt.” And so, no matter what else was offered up, salt made up part of the offering to heaven. Salt was so necessary to the ongoing Temple service that there was a Salt Chamber in the Temple. (Mid.5:3)

Salt, as a symbol of what is both essential and permanent, was used as a binding commitment. In Numbers 18:19, the priests are given their share of offerings in perpetuity- and that perpetuity is described as “an everlasting covenant of salt”. In the same way, King David’s House is given the kingship forever by “A covenant of salt” in Second Chronicles 13:5.

Salt is an important part of the Jewish table. As the Jewish table stands in for the Temple, being “an altar before the Lord” (Avot 3:4), it is customary to put salt on the bread before making the blessing over the bread which precedes the meal.The ability of salt to draw blood is the practical basis of the preparation of kosher meat.

Salt is also the symbol of plenty and hospitality. Joseph invited his brothers to a meal of “bread and salt” (Genesis 43:16,31). It is a custom to bring bread and salt as the first items in the kitchen of a new home. In modern Israel, the custom was developed for the Mayor of Jerusalem to greet distinguished visitors with an offering of bread and salt at the entrance of the city.

This Salt Box is a symbol of all of the above. On the occasion of making a lasting covenant, and as a sign that your table will be a Jewish table; and as a wish that you always enjoy plenty and hospitality.

a new object: Honeyspoons for a sweet newyear

something new for the seder

This set of wine cups and saucers each show one of the verses of the beloved song Had Gadya, pictured on the following pages.

Father bought the kid,

The wild cat ate the kid,

The dog bit the wild cat

The Had Gadya Story

The stick beat the dog,

The fire burned the stick,

The water quenched

the fire,

The ox drank the water,

The shoichet killed the ox,

The angel of death killed the shoichet

The Holy One, slew the

angel of death,

Elija’s Chariot,

for Elijah’s cup.

Under the chuppah, the cups fit into one another and are used together in the wedding blessing. Thereafter, the cups and saucers are used seperately by the husband and wife.

Wedding Cups

Marriage cups, Different, but equal.

Hand washing

havdala

Besamim Boxes

putting the jew in jewelry

Oil or Candle Menorah Pick-up Sticks Menorah

Etrog Holder

Mezuzot

ZAHAVA LAMBERTZahava was born in Israel and came to Canada at the age of three. As a child of parents who both survived the Holocaust and fought to establish the State of Israel, she has always been keenly attuned to her heritage.

Zahava is a graduate of the University of Toronto and the Sheridan College School of Crafts and Design. She has continued to study her craft both in Canada and abroad and has taught goldsmithing and silversmithing in Ontario and Quebec since the 1980’s.

Her work has been illustrated and mentioned in such publications as US News and World Report, Gold and Zilber Uhren and Schmuk, Handmade in Ontario, Ornament and Object: Canadian Metalwork and Jewellery, New Directions in Precious Metal Clay, Fusion 2008, Metal Arts Guild magazine .

Her work has been exhibited in public and private galleries such as the Royal Ontario Museum and can be found in private collections and synagogues throughout Canada and the United States.

Selected list of Institutions:

Abraham Geiger College Berlin Darchei Noam Toronto Beth Tzedec Toronto Toronto Jewish Federation Temple Emmanuel TorontoShaar Shalom MarkhamUJA Federation Women’s Campaign and Advocacy Beth Tikvah Toronto B’Nai Shalom Westborough Massachusetts

www.zahava.ca