Home, Sweet Jewish Home

(continued from page 47)

a new collection from Vifferoy Boch with
many exciting pieces. Also, come see the new
"Switch') dishes. Ancf remember, our gift to the
Bride . . . oneftee place setting with the purchase
of twelve.

29721 Northwestern Highway
Southfield

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"II Creative Wedding Photography

29655 W.1 4 Mile Rd. - Just West of Middlebelt
In the historic Ward Eagle Home"

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and matzah cover are two items that are not
required for the mitzvah, but are meaningful
additions to any Jewish home.
Building a sukkah, the thatched-roof booth
that celebrates Sukkot, is another powerful
home rituallt requires participation and, with
either a kit (available in many Judaica shops
and catalogues) or a book of directions, any-
one can do it. It remains in place throughout
the eight-day festival and many people invite
family and friends to eat with them inside.
Some Rabbis say that, even before these rit-
ual objects, ajewish home needs multiple sets
of kitchenware— for meat and milk and for
Passover. Keeping Kosher is an important
way to create the Jewish character of a home.
It is an acknowledgement of the Jewish val-
ues of humaneness, sanctity of life, and disci-
pline over man's base instincts.
Most rabbis recommend that the newly
wed couple begin a Jewish library. A Siddur
(prayer book), a Bible, Haggadah, cookbooks,
and books on Jewish thought, history and hol-
iday observance are all essential parts of a Jew-
ish home library.
Jewish magazines and newspapers, says
Rabbi Groner, are practical elements of a Jew-
ish library, too. "Jews need to be in touch with
developments of Jewish life in their commu-
nity and around the world" he says. Add to
that a Jewish calendar. 'To be a Jew is to live
within the dimensions of sacred time," says
Rabbi Groner. "Jews need to recognize the
patterns of time as defined by a Jewish calen-
dar."
The character and atmosphere of the Jew-
ish home is enhanced by Jewish art, many rab-
bis point out. Sculpture, calligraphy,
photography and paintings by Israeli and
American Jewish artists make a visible state-
ment about the Jewishness of the home. A
mizrach, which is hung on the eastern wall of
the home to remind one to face Jerusalem for
prayer, can be a beautiful work of art, says Rab-
bi Loeb.
One of the most significant pieces of art a
couple can own is their ketubah. "It is a re-
minder of their pledge to one another and a
symbol of the holiness of their relationship,"
Rabbi Loeb says.
"People should remember," adds Rabbi
Groner, "that they don't have to observe every-
thing to observe something. They should be-
gin at the level of their personal comfort and
endeavor to ascend the ladder of Jewish ob-
servance."