Housewarming Gifts in the Jewish Tradition

Challah bread is a traditional addition to a kosher food basket.

The Jewish religion is rich in history and tradition offering a variety of sentimental gift ideas for housewarming wishes. Jewish tradition states a food gift should contain "bread that you shall never know hunger; salt, so your life shall always have flavor; sugar and so your life shall always have sweetness." Other custom gifts include household charms, Jewish art and blessings.

Kosher Foods

Challah, herring, halvah and a bottle of wine are thoughtful and appropriate items for a housewarming food basket. Challah is a traditional Jewish egg-heavy bread eaten on Shabbat and other Jewish holidays. Herring is eaten during the Jewish new year Rosh Hashana, and halvah is a sesame candy.

Mezuzah

A mezuzah should be placed outside the entrance of a Jewish home.

A mezuzah is a charm traditionally hung on the door frame outside the front door. It is customarily placed on the right side. The mezuzah is rectangular and has a small paper or cloth with part of the Torah or Old Testament inside.

Tzedakah Box

Tzedakah, or charity, is an important act in the Jewish religion. Money collected for charity, whether personal funds or contributions from others, is placed in a tzedakah box until it can be given to those in need. Each home should possess a tzedakah box, similar to a coin bank.

Birkat HaBayit

Birkat HaBayit is a blessing meant to bring peace to a Jewish home that can be inscribed on a variety of Judaic art. The blessing states, "Let no sadness come through this gate. Let no trouble come to this dwelling. Let no fear come through this door. Let no conflict be in this place. Let this home be filled with the blessing of joy." The plaque, painting or tapestry is typically placed at the home's entrance.

References

• Jewish Recipes: What is Challah?
• The Jewish Federations of North America: "The Mezuzah: So Why Isn't It Straight?" by JoaAnn Abraham
• The Jewish Federations of North America: "Home is Where the Tzedakah Box Is" by Sue Fendrick
• Jewish-Art.org: The tzedakah box-the joy of giving
• Challah Connection: Housewarming Gift Giving and Jewish Tradition
• Gans Fits and Judaica From Israel: What is Judaic Art

Resources

• AllJewishLinks