This is my Photo Inventory Project

1. Inside a Jewish Home
Sheron Gershelis
November 20, 2013
Anthropology 102
Dr. LeannaWolfe

2. Mezuzah
A mezuzah is a daily reminder and a public statement of Jewish identity and faith
Its referred to a scroll of parchment containing biblical verses, placed on the doorpost
The mezuzah recalls the Exodus from Egypt, when the lamb's blood smeared on the doorpost "identified" the Jewish homes
that God passed over during the plague of the first born
From that day forward, the mezuzah has always identified a home as being Jewish
This is placed on every doorpost inside the entire household

3. The Star of David

5. The Yamakah (Kippah)
Depending on how religious one is, a kippah is worn on
every holiday, shabbat, and at the temple (some people wear
it 24 hours of the day unless they are sleeping)
The kippot are kept in different places of the house
depending on where the family finds it convenient (such as a
kitchen, a prayer room, bedroom)
An average family will have about 20-30 kippot because at
bar mitzvahs it is usually given out as a party favor
When a family is having guests over they usually will provide
the guests with the kippot worn for the night

6. The Yamakah (Kippah)

7. Hamsa
Palm-shaped amulet depicting the right open hand
Used as a sign of protection and defense against the evil eye
It is mainly used on walls for the protection of the home, or
worn on a person for their protection
The Hamsa represents the hand of G-d
The five fingers stand for the five books of the Torah

8. Kiddush Cup
The Kiddush cup is a decorated
wine vessel into which the
blessings comes
Kiddush is the prayer recited
over a cup of wine in the home
and synagogue on the eve of
the Sabbath, festivals,
weddings, Bar/Bat Mitzvah,
Bris and baby namings before
the start of the meal
Kiddush cups are elaborately
decorated and might display
one's family emblem,
Jerusalem, Shabbat prayers, or
an engraved name and date
Elijah’s cup, a special kiddush
cup, is used at the Passover
seder - the cup is filled but no
one drinks from it

9. Tefillin
Tefillin are two small leather
boxes that contain verses
from the Torah
One box is placed on the
head and the other on the
arm, both held down by
leather straps
Observant men and boys,
who have had their Bar
Mitzvahs, usually wear the
teffilin during morning
prayers
Women do not take part in
this prayer routine

10. Haggadah
This book is read
throughout the seven
days of Passover
It is primarily referred to
the Exodus from Egypt
after many years of
slavery
It refers to the fact that
G-d “passed over” the
houses when he was
slaying the first born of
Egypt
It also has to do with a
lamb, the offering giving
at temple on Passover
It contains songs,
different prayer rituals,
and prayers all pertaining
to each day of the
holiday