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Obj. ID: 35868
Sacred and Ritual Objects
  Kiddush cup made of Shekel ha-Kodesh, Ukraine, 1850

© Gross Family Collection, Photographer: Bar Hama, Ardon, -

The following description was prepared by William Gross:

Among some Hassidic courts, it was a practice for the Rabbi to give a blessed silver coin to his Hassidim as an amulet. Such protection might be given for all manner of life events, from healing from an illness to success in travel. This custom was particularly popular among the Ryzhiner Hassidim. These coins were called "Shmirot".

After the specific event for which they had originally be given, such a coin or coins were used in the making of other objects, which maintained the special aura of the Rabbi. Such a coin would be melted in other silver with the amuletic valued being spread evenly to all the silver. Then a ritual object would be fashioned by a silversmith and the special nature of the item would be inscribed on it, indicating in one of several ways that this object had been made from "Shmirot". Such objects in the Gross Family Collection include Kiddish cups, a Havdalah tray, a Shabbat salt holder, a Chanukkah Menorah, a Torah crown, and a fork and spoon.

This object is a Kiddish cup fashioned from such silver and it has been inscribed as "Made from the Holy Shekel". Such cups were used for blessings so that each use renewed the power of protection granted by the Rabbi.

This is a small version of such a cup, usually in a larger size for the Erev Shabbat blessing over the wine. Such smaller cups were used for a drink of "Schnaps" after the Havdalah ceremony ending the Sabbath, also preceded by a blessing.

Inscription: Made from the Holy Shekel (abbreviated: נ.מ.ה.)

Summary and Remarks
Remarks

2 image(s)

sub-set tree:

Name/Title
Kiddush cup made of Shekel ha-Kodesh | Unknown
Object Detail
Monument Setting
Unknown
Date
1850
Synagogue active dates
Reconstruction dates
Artist/ Maker
Unknown
Origin
Historical Origin
Unknown
Community type
Congregation
Unknown
Location
Unknown |
Site
Unknown
School/Style
Unknown|
Period
Unknown
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Collection
Documentation / Research project
Unknown
Textual Content
Unknown |
Languages of inscription
Unknown
Shape / Form
Unknown
Material / Technique
Silver, Chased, Engraved
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Measurements
Height: 4.4 cm, Diameter: 4.4 cm, Weight: 34 g
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Historical significance: Collective Memory/Folklore
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0
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Custom
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The following information on this monument will be completed:
Unknown |