What is needed to set up a Jewish household?

[trippingbillies]

I am referring to material objects....anyone wish to chime in?

[imnottelling]

Originally Posted by trippingbillies

I am referring to material objects....anyone wish to chime in?

To start with...mezuzos for the doorways. I'd venture to say this is the most important thing (you have 30 days leeway though). Everything else can be improvised.
Candlesticks for Friday night can be tea lights, for example.

[smeisnotapirate]

Not sure how detailed you are and what you're planning on observing. Levels of observance have a lot to do with what you need. I'll give you a list of what we have.

candlesticks
candles
(matches, of course )
challah cover
seder plate
hanukkiah
mezuzot for all doorways (except bathroom)
sukkah (ours comes apart and stores well in the basement)
a copy of the Torah
pesach dishes/cooking stuff
milchig dishes/cooking stuff
fleishig dishes/cooking stuff
parve plates
an extra mattress or a pull-out couch (if you are married and practice taharat hamishpacha)

I guess the list could go on, but it would start getting really specific. What are you looking for? A beginner's observance and the bare minimum? imnottelling is right - mezuzot are the big "time limit" ones. I'd venture to say that if you're planning on keeping kosher, the foodstuff is next. And of course, Shabbat things - though it's just as easy to do Shabbat at a friend's place.

A lot of this stuff is accumulated over years. I've given you a big list, but it's something that's been accumulated over time.

ETA: Is your username a reference to DMB? Because I LOVE them. If not, ignore the geekiness.

[lilyka]

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thanks smeisnotapirate
I was thinking this looked like an interesting thread. after reading the original post I was thinking along the lines of "stuff one would put in their hope chest..." or give as a wedding gift. but that is just the sort of place my mind goes your list was great.

[trippingbillies]

Well my situation is a bit unique. I am not Jewish...yet. I feel spiritually Jewish and have spoken with a Rabbi about conversion. However, an ex husband and two children whom I promised to raise as Catholics before they were even born complicate the situtation.
The Rabbi and some online friends on various Jewish sites have encouraged me to start practicing Judaism in small ways....to become comfortable with it. Since much of Judaism is practiced in the home, I want to start small. I have participated in Shabbat IRL with others and want to start here....I was even thinking of hitting the local pottery studio to make a challah plate and candlesticks.

[LookMommy!]

Stuff.

That's one of the best parts of Judaism - the stuff! I love browsing the Judaica stores... Although Jewish children's books defintely tie with stuff.

Not necessarily in a materialistic way - our favorite ritual objects are pretty much homemade by the kids in kindergarten. But we do have many beautiful items from our wedding and gifts we give ourselves for our anniversary.

It is considered positive to use the most beautiful items you can to "beautify the mitzvah" (hiddur mitzvah) although it is not absolutely necessary to have anything beyond the functional (i.e. tea lights for candles).

Your idea for candlesticks and a challah board sounds great. I think I would go for a kiddush cup and mezzuzah over the challah board though. Especially because a mezuza is a religious object, and challah and a pretty plate is just tradition (any 2 loaves of bread will do, even 2 pita breads). But a mezuza is pretty public, and you might not want that right now.

Rosh haShana is coming - a good excuse for a new honey bowl, at least. (my kids like the plastic honey bear - but I can't get it in Israel).

There are many on-line Judaica stores, to buy from or to copy from, if you want ideas.

have fun! Lisa

[trippingbillies]

Originally Posted by smeisnotapirate

. .

ETA: Is your username a reference to DMB? Because I LOVE them. If not, ignore the geekiness.

Yes. Fun fact-I briefly attended college with his wife.

[trippingbillies]

I think at this point I am going to forgo the mezuzah. As I mentioned, this is a sensitive subject when it comes to my children who do live with me fulltime. I like the idea of Shabbat and feel ok about practicing that. So I will get the challah board and cover, knife and candlesticks for now. I also have one piece of Jewish art-not an original, just a print-and might get more as I go along.
One question-with the Jewish New Year coming, how do rabbis feel about outsiders attending services on High Holy Days?

[smeisnotapirate]

Anyone is welcome to High Holiday services. They're LONG, though, so be prepared. Yom Kippur is a total fast, as well, so make sure you don't make a little "taboo" like bringing a water bottle to service or asking people to lunch.

Shabbat is a wonderful place to start. What congregation have you been attending? Reform? Orthodox? The Chabad has a great How-to Wizard for Shabbat. They come at Shabbat from an orthodox perspective. For a Reform perspective, here's the URJ's Shabbat page. Remember, just do a little at a time. A nice dinner and lighting candles is totally fine for your first time.

I'm a Jewish convert from Catholicism. If you want to PM me about anything, let me know.

That's so cool about Dave Matthews' wife! I fell in love with him in 8th grade, and over a decade later.......... still a geek.

[imnottelling]

If you're planning on making kiddush, a nice cup would also be good to have (And some grape juice or wine)...after the Sabbath, many Jews light a candle and smell spices (or something else pleasant smelling) for Havdalah...

Hitting a pottery studio and making something special to you sounds like a wonderful idea.

From smeis's list:
Honestly, I'm Orthodox (have been my entire life), married 5 years, and don't have a seder plate (we just put the items in little cups on a regular dinner plate)
Sukkah we did haphazardly by going to Home Depot and getting some metal poles, some 2x4s, some tarp, some twine, etc...I don't advise it unless you're into making things like this from scratch :P
We don't have a copy of the Torah in scroll form. We have a set of it in book form -- just as a clarification.
No Pesach dishes, but pesach cooking stuff (paper always works )
As I said, many things can be improvised.

Re: High Holiday Services
I think if you're looking to convert and are tasting a bit of Judaism at your own pace, the rabbi would be more than happy to have you participate in services. My family has been involved with a number of people who converted, and we were always happy to have them come to synagogue, our home for Shabbat meals, even the Seder...

[smeisnotapirate]

Originally Posted by imnottelling

Honestly, I'm Orthodox (have been my entire life), married 5 years, and don't have a seder plate (we just put the items in little cups on a regular dinner plate)

That's cute. That's the first piece of Judaica I ever made - have been carrying it around since high school. It totally agree about improvising, though - lots of our stuff is.... like our.....

Originally Posted by imnottelling

Sukkah we did haphazardly by going to Home Depot and getting some metal poles, some 2x4s, some tarp, some twine, etc...I don't advise it unless you're into making things like this from scratch :P

........... which is EXACTLY the same as yours. I like that we can easily take it apart and store it - it goes up and comes down in about 15 minutes.

Originally Posted by imnottelling

We don't have a copy of the Torah in scroll form. We have a set of it in book form -- just as a clarification.

I didn't even think to clarify that. Yeah, book form.

Originally Posted by imnottelling

My family has been involved with a number of people who converted, and we were always happy to have them come to synagogue, our home for Shabbat meals, even the Seder...

Exactly. I think for my first two years, I didn't do a holiday by myself, and spent most Shabbats celebrating with friends.

[Magelet]

not a ritual object, but I'd say jewish books of all sorts are a big part of a jewish home.

myself I don't have many things, really just a few books, and special shabbat candlesticks. slowly as it goes.

some things I'm wanting to get in the near future: a mezzuzah (only one door anyways. I don't have one yet because I need to save up for it, I haven't asked the landlord, and as a patrilineal "jew" who plans to convert, I'm ambiguous about whether I want one now or later.), some benchers (little books with songs and prayers for various things, including shabbat and other festivals, grace after meals, and more.), a torah, and a challah cover (which I'm thinking about making instead of buying.

I'd say, if you want to start shabbat observance, get some really nice candlesticks you like (they don't have to be expensive, I got mine at goodwill, but pretty, something you will enjoy taking out for shabbat), and maybe a challah cover or plate, or kiddush cup. (these things don't have to be from a judaica store of course). Making a plate and challah cup sounds great.

I might hold off on the mezzuzah, since it might complicate things with ex, children, and family, and it is not a requirement for you as a non/not yet jew.

good luck!!

[lilyka]

I would think a mezusah would be fairly discreet even though it is in plain view. at least people who weren't aware of what they were would never know. they are fairly tiny too. and if your xh asks you can just say it something beautiful you love.

I am Orthodox Christian and we have "stuff". i love the stuff. not in a materialistic way but in a way that connects me to God in very tactile beautiful way. and not all of it is spectacular from an artistic stand point but special...especially the things my children made. I can totally understand your desire to have some of the "stuff" that ties the everyday into the holy. I think your idea to make a couple of things is lovely and those items will certainly be cherished

[doubledutch]

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[AngelBee]

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