Every home is different, but if you are a member of the Jewish faith, there will be some key similarities between households. This is especially true in the dining space. Throughout the Jewish calendar, there are a number of holidays such as Passover, Hanukkah and the Sabbath, all of which involve celebrations that usually revolve around… you guessed it. The dining room!
Food is an integral part of the Jewish faith. There aren’t many adults who are not immediately drawn back to several childhood memories whenever they smell a challah bread or matzo soup. Every year, members of the family and community come together to celebrate their ancestors with a delicious feast in the dining room.
So what are those key similarities? Well, every Jewish home should have at least five specific kitchen ornaments and silverware:
Shabbat Candlestick
Candlesticks are important for the Jewish religion as they symbolise the fight against darkness and the growing strength of the Jewish people. In this way, it is important to own Shabbat candlesticks that are lit every Friday evening. Of course, menorahs are also essential when it comes to Hannukah, but you are going to be using a Shabbat candlestick weekly, so it’s a good idea to get one which really makes a statement in the dining room.
Seder Plate
A seder plate is used during Passover, and it is designed to hold five traditional foods – zeroa, beitzah, maror, karpas and haroset. Although there are many different seder plate designs out there, you can’t go wrong with a beautiful silver seder plate to set in on the table to become its own centrepiece.
Kiddush Cup
Kiddush cups are also essential when it comes to acknowledging the Sabbath. These are cups that are used when a family recites a prayer and drinks wine to commemorate their ancestors. Although any cup can technically suffice, it’s a good idea to acquire several traditional silver goblets to utilise when the whole family comes over.
Honey Dish
When it comes to Jewish food, there’s often an awful lot of honey involved! Rather than sticking a honey jar on the table during meals, however, silver honey dishes always make a great and sleek addition to a dining room. At least three will be perfect to spread out along the table and ensure there isn’t a single – slightly sticky – jar being passed around.
Silver Etrog
An etrog – or erthrog – is a fruit that plays a big part during the Sukkot holiday. Together with a hadass, aravah and lulav, Jewish people learn to wave an etrog during the holiday prayers, and an etrog box is used to house it ready for the big day. Although this doesn’t necessarily have to belong in the dining room, the boxes themselves are often beautifully crafted and will fit in well with the silver goblets and dishes that are already placed upon the table. Whatsmore, an etrog is extremely fragrant, so it is sure to cast alluring scents in the dining room before guests come to sit down!
