Obj. ID: 35766  Kiddush cup made of Shekel ha-Kodesh, Ukraine, 1860

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 been 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