Zahava Designs

Midrash in Metal
Table of Contents

Miriam Bowls Mezuzot The Salt Box

Honeyspoons Had Gadya Cups Wine Cups

Wedding Cups Cups and Chalices Handwashing

Havdala Jewelry Candles

Miriam Cup 3 ways
This Miriam Bowl is designed
as a tribute to both the
Timbrel of Miriam and her
Well. The rabbis say that the
Well, created on the first
eve of Shabbat, rolled along
the ground and followed
the wandering nation. This
spherical bowl only rests
upon the wavy base, ready to
roll along through the desert
if needed. Its outer surface
is the colour of the earth on
which Miriam’s Well rolled.
But the inside is polished as the
copper mirrors the women of
Israel donated in the making of
the great purifying basin that
traveled with the Mishkan.

The rim of this Miriam Bowl

is constructed like a timbrel,
ready to shake in a song of joy
sung by the daughters of Israel,
led by a worthy successor of
our foremothers. We should
have many occasions to raise
our voices and be heard,
singing songs of celebration.
This libation bowl is
designed to sit in the palm
of the hand . Its shape and
supporting base offer an
invitation to pick it up and
cradle it in the hand.

The spiral is an old de-

sign element found even
in Neolithic times as is the
“horned” shape of the cra-
dle. The use of these design
elements complement the
ceremonial feel of the bowl.

To honour the role of Miriam

and all the women in the exodus,
new pesach rituals have been
adopted.

The cup portion of this Miriam

bowled is passed from hand to
hand as a little water is poured in
from everyone’s glass.

to remind us of Miriam’s well,

which was formed during the
first week of creation, and rolled
along with the children of Israel
during the exodus as long as
Miriam lived.
 The image of a dove with
Meditations on an olive branch in its beak
has been used for centuries
the dove: Mezuzot to convey the idea of
peace. However, the
message that Noah’s dove
brought with the leafing
branch was not just Peace
but also Home. It was a
sign that the inhabitants of
the ark, thrown together to
weather the flood, could
now leave . And leave
they did, two by two, to
find their very own spot
of dry land and leafy tree
to create their very own
homes.

This mezuzah bayit in

the image of Noah’s dove
signifies both home and
peace.

A requirement of a
mezuzah bayit is that it
show at least the shin of
the acronym shaddai.
Shin for shomer- guardian
Daled for delatot- the
doors.
Yud for yisrael - Israel
Guardian of the doors of
Israel
The tail contains the
letter shin, the wing is the
daled the head of the bird
contains the yud

The body of the mezuzah

bayit is made out of brass
and copper. The surface is
covered with glass beads
set in epoxy.

There is a hanging
mechanism on the back
but the case should also
be affixed to the door with
double-sided tape.
A tarnish preventative
has been applied to the
metal surface. If the metal
darkens with time, it may
be safely polished with a
metal cream such as Flitz.
a new object : the saltbox
Salt plays an important
role in Jewish life, ritual
and symbolism.

The first mention of

salt in the Torah is in
reference to Lot’s wife-
but this is not the only
reference.

Salt was an essential

ingredient in all the
sacrifices. In Leviticus
2:13, the Torah states that
“with all thy sacrifices
thou shalt offer salt.” And
so, no matter what else
was offered up, salt made
up part of the offering
to heaven. Salt was so
necessary to the ongoing
Temple service that there
was a Salt Chamber in the
Temple. (Mid.5:3)

Salt, as a symbol of what

is both essential and
permanent, was used as
a binding commitment.
In Numbers 18:19, the
priests are given their
share of offerings in
perpetuity- and that
perpetuity is described as
“an everlasting covenant
of salt”. In the same way,
King David’s House is
given the kingship forever
by “A covenant of salt” in
Second Chronicles 13:5.
Salt is an important part
of the Jewish table. As the
Jewish table stands in for
the Temple, being “an altar
before the Lord” (Avot 3:4),
it is customary to put salt
on the bread before making
the blessing over the bread
which precedes the meal.
The ability of salt to draw
blood is the practical
basis of the preparation of
kosher meat.

Salt is also the symbol of

plenty and hospitality.
Joseph invited his brothers
to a meal of “bread and
salt” (Genesis 43:16,31). It
is a custom to bring bread
and salt as the first items in
the kitchen of a new home.
In modern Israel, the
custom was developed for
the Mayor of Jerusalem to
greet distinguished visitors
with an offering of bread
and salt at the entrance of
the city.

This Salt Box is a symbol

of all of the above. On
the occasion of making a
lasting covenant, and as
a sign that your table will
be a Jewish table; and as a
wish that you always enjoy
plenty and hospitality.
a new object:
Honeyspoons for a sweet newyear
something new for the
seder

This set of wine

cups and saucers
each show one of
the verses of the
beloved song Had
Gadya, pictured
on the following
pages.
The Had Gadya Story

Father bought the kid,

The wild cat ate the kid,
The dog bit the wild cat
 The stick beat the dog,
The fire burned the stick,
The water quenched
the fire,
 The ox drank the water,
The shoichet killed the ox,
The angel of death killed the shoichet
The Holy One, slew the
angel of death,
Elija’s Chariot,
for Elijah’s cup.
Wedding Cups

Under the chuppah, the

cups fit into one another
and are used together
in the wedding blessing.
Thereafter, the cups and
saucers are used seperately
by the husband and wife.
Marriage cups,
Different, but equal.
Hand washing
havdala
Besamim Boxes
putting the jew in jewelry
Oil or Candle Menorah Pick-up Sticks Menorah

Etrog Holder
Mezuzot
ZAHAVA LAMBERT
Zahava was born in Israel and came to Canada at the age of
three. As a child of parents who both survived the Holocaust and
fought to establish the State of Israel, she has always been keenly
attuned to her heritage.

Zahava is a graduate of the University of Toronto and the Sheridan

College School of Crafts and Design. She has continued to study
her craft both in Canada and abroad and has taught goldsmithing
and silversmithing in Ontario and Quebec since the 1980’s.

Her work has been illustrated and mentioned in such publications

as US News and World Report, Gold and Zilber Uhren and
Schmuk, Handmade in Ontario, Ornament and Object: Canadian
Metalwork and Jewellery, New Directions in Precious Metal Clay,
Fusion 2008, Metal Arts Guild magazine .

Her work has been exhibited in public and private galleries

such as the Royal Ontario Museum and can be found in private
collections and synagogues throughout Canada and the United
States.

Selected list of Institutions:

Abraham Geiger College Berlin

Darchei Noam Toronto
Beth Tzedec Toronto
Toronto Jewish Federation
Temple Emmanuel Toronto
Shaar Shalom Markham
UJA Federation Women’s Campaign and
Advocacy
Beth Tikvah Toronto
B’Nai Shalom Westborough Massachusetts
www.zahava.ca