Jewish Art Today

If you’ve ever been invited to a Bar Mitzvah you would probably know that this is a very significant event. In Hebrew, Bar Mitzvah literally means Son of commandment. When a boy turns 13, according to the Jewish law, he becomes a responsible man. Given the significance of the event in the life of a Jewish family, it is common to give the celebrant a gift to commemorate the special day. What would be appropriate Bar Mitzvah gifts? Judaica art has become a great source of uniquely designed Bar Mitzvah gifts. Here we bring you a few suggestions for original and affordable gifts for a Bar Mitzvah celebration. The gifts shown the images below can be found at Most Original – .Handmade Bar Mitzvah Gifts Online!

Bar Mitzvah is a coming of age event. According to the Jewish law, the 13 year old boy is now ready to observe God’s commandments. At this age, the boy has developed moral consciousness and social awareness and is ready to take an active part in religious and social life. A few weeks prior the Bar Mitzvah, the Jewish boy starts to learn how to read from the Torah and wears Tefillin.

Bar Mitzvah is generally associated with the service during which the young Jewish person is called to read from the Torah. At the service, the whole family gathers in the synagogue (in Israel, the service can take place at the Wailing Wall) to mark this festive event, the Bar Mitzvah celebrant is performing what is called in Hebrew Aliya laTora  – rising to the Torah.  In many Jewish families, when the Jewish young man concludes his service, the excited family and friends shower him with candies and sweets.

According to the custom, after this ceremony, a big party is thrown by the family and friends. Bar mitzvah gifts are usually given at the Bar Mitzvah celebration, after the synagogue ceremony.

The immediate family usually gives  the boy religious objects such as Tefilin, prayer books and other books with religious content. Judaica designers, such as Jack Jaget,  have created many artistic editions of the Bible, Siddur, Book of Psalms and other books that are sacred in Judaism and will come in handy to the person for years to come. It is also customary that the father gives his son his first Jewish prayer shawl (Tallit).

Illustrated bible by Jewish artist Jack Jaget

For friends and acquaintances, regular birthday gifts will do like CDs, iPODs mobile phone accessories and books.  Others would prefer to give the celebrant savings bonds, usually given in multiples of 18. This number is significant in Jewish tradition: In Gematria, the word Chai which means Life in Hebrew equals to the number 18. However, many people prefer gifts that are connected to the religious significance of the event. Most popular Bar Mitzvah gifts are items of religious nature such as Torah pointer,  Tzedakah box, Teffilin bag or a decorative Hanukkah Menorah.

Other popular Bar Mitzvah gifts are jewelry accessories with religious or cultural significance. In this group, the most popular items are Star of David pendants. The Star of David (Magen David in Hebrew) is one of the most significant emblems in the Jewish tradition and thought to protect the ones who wear it around their necks.  You can also find unique Jewelry designs with Hebrew inscriptions of famous blessings and prayers, such as Shema Yisrael which is the most famous and significant Jewish prayer, or quotations from the book of Psalms. Another famous prayer inscribed on many jewelry accessories is Tefillat HaDerch (Traveler’s Prayer), which is believed to draw divine protection to its bearer. Finally, you can find pendants which include a micro copy of the Book of Psalms, one of the most sacred and poetic Jewish texts, which the bearer can keep close to his heart anywhere he goes.
Handmade Shema Yisrael bracelet