What Is Judaica? A Guide to Jewish Ritual Objects

Judaica is the general term for objects used in Jewish religious life and in the Jewish home. It covers ritual items, ceremonial vessels, books and art. The word is Latin in form and modern in use, and it functions as a category rather than a religious term: no one in the Talmud refers to buying Judaica.

What Counts as Judaica

Broadly, three overlapping groups.

Ritual Objects

• Mezuzah — a small case on the doorpost containing a handwritten parchment scroll with verses from Deuteronomy. The scroll is the obligation; the case is decoration.
• Tefillin — two black leather boxes with parchment inside, bound to the arm and head during weekday morning prayer.
• Tallit — the fringed prayer shawl. See our guide to the tallit.
• Kippah — the head covering. See our guide to the kippah.
• Shofar — the ram's horn sounded on the High Holidays. See our guide to the shofar.

Shabbat and Festival Items

• Candlesticks for the Shabbat candles lit before sunset on Friday.
• Kiddush cup for the blessing over wine.
• Challah board and cover for the braided Shabbat loaves.
• Havdalah set — a braided candle, spice box and cup, used to mark the end of Shabbat.
• Chanukiah for Hanukkah. See our guide to the menorah and chanukiah.
• Seder plate for Passover. See our guide to the seder.

Books and Art

Siddurim (prayer books), machzorim (festival prayer books), Haggadot for Passover, Torah scrolls and their ornaments, papercuts, ketubot (marriage contracts) and calligraphy.

The Idea Behind Beautiful Objects

There is a principle called hiddur mitzvah, beautifying the commandment. The obligation is fulfilled with a plain object, but tradition encourages doing it with a beautiful one: a finer kiddush cup, a more carefully made chanukiah.

This is why Judaica is a craft tradition at all. Without it, a paper cup would do. With it, there is a reason for silversmiths, ceramicists and calligraphers to have spent centuries on these objects.

What Is Not Judaica

Clothing with Jewish designs, jewellery with a Star of David, books about Jewish history, food. These are Jewish goods but not Judaica in the strict sense, because they are not used in ritual.

The line is blurry in practice, and shops selling Judaica typically sell all of it together. But the distinction is worth knowing: a mezuzah case is Judaica, a Star of David t-shirt is not.

Buying and Keeping Judaica

• Mezuzah scrolls must be handwritten by a trained scribe on parchment. Printed versions are not valid, and they are sold. Check before buying.
• Tefillin require the same and should be checked periodically by a scribe.
• Silver items used with wine need care; kiddush cups tarnish.
• Worn-out ritual objects containing God's name are not thrown away. They are buried, or placed in a genizah for that purpose.

That last rule catches people out. A damaged siddur or a retired mezuzah scroll goes to the synagogue, not the bin.

Common Questions

What does the word Judaica mean?

It comes from Latin and simply means things Jewish. In current use it means objects of Jewish religious or cultural life, particularly those made for ritual use.

Where should a mezuzah be placed?

On the right doorpost as you enter, in the upper third, angled inward in Ashkenazi practice and vertical in Sephardi practice. Most rooms in a Jewish home have one; bathrooms do not.

Can a non-Jew own Judaica?

Yes. Museums hold major collections and many items are bought as gifts or art. Ritual objects that require specific handling, such as tefillin, are a different matter and are not really usable outside Jewish practice.

Is Judaica expensive?

It ranges enormously. A simple mezuzah case costs very little; a silver one by a known artist costs a great deal. The scroll inside is usually the larger cost, because it is handwritten.

From the MoT Shop

We do not make Judaica. We print Jewish and pro-Israel designs onto apparel, made to order and shipped worldwide. If you are looking for something to wear rather than something for the home, browse our Star of David and Jewish symbols collection, our Israel flag apparel or our funny Jewish shirts.