Etz-Ron Wooden Judaica Gift Items

Etz-Ron Newsletter
Tishri, 2007

Happy New Year and G'mar Hatimah Tovah!

Etz-Ron Mosaic Tzedakkah Box

A Time for Giving

Check out the Etz-Ron Tzedakah Box Gallery to see a wide variety of Tzedakah Boxes, each adorned with rich multiwood mosaics. You'll find a wide variety of sizes and shapes.

Levels of Tzedakkah

Certain kinds of tzedakah are considered more meritorious than others. The Talmud describes these different levels of tzedakah and Rambam organized them into a list. The levels of charity, from the least to the most meritorious are as follows:

1. Giving begrudgingly.
2. Giving less than you should, but offering it cheerfully.
3. Giving after being asked.
4. Giving before being asked.
5. Giving when you don’t know the identity of the recipient, but the recipient knows you.
6. Giving when you know the identity of the recipient, but the recipient doesn’t know you.
7. Giving when neither party knows the identity of each other.
8. Enabling the recipient to become self-reliant.

Etz-Ron Temple Style Mosaic Etrog Box

Etrog Boxes for Sukkot

Etz-Ron has two different styles of Etrog Boxes, each are decorated with rich multi wood mosaics and pretty enough to display even after Sukkot!

Choose the Temple Style Etrog Box with the integral handle and you can transport your etrog safely in style. Or if you prefer an Etrog Box without a handle check out the Octagonal Mosaic Etrog Box .

Two Explanations on the Four Species

On Succoth we are commanded to take four plants or species and combine them in prayer to rejoice before the Lord. What is the significance of these different species? Two explanations are suggested:

The first refers to parts of the human body.

The palm is long and straight and represents the spine.
The myrtle is small oval shaped similar to the eye.
The willow is large oval shaped like the mouth.
The etrog fruit represents the heart.

All these body parts have the potential to be used for sinful purposes, but should be joined together on the occasion of Succoth for the performance of Mitzvot.

The second explanation refers to different kinds of Jews.

The etrog, with its pleasing taste and scent represents Jews who have achieved knowledge of Torah and performance of Mitzvot.
The palm branch produces tasty fruit but has no scent. This represents Jews who have knowledge of Torah but are lacking in Mitzvot.
The myrtle has strong scent but no taste. Jews who perform Mitzvot, but have little knowledge of Torah.
The willow has no taste or scent and relates to Jews with no knowledge of Torah and who do not perform Mitzvot.

By combining all these different elements the effect is to bring together all kinds of Jewish people to rejoice and celebrate Succoth in unity.

Sukkah Walls

The walls of the Sukkah must contain not less than two and half walls. Why this odd number?

Take a look at the Hebrew spelling of the word SUKKAH. One letter has four sides, one three sides and the other two and half sides.

As we all know, the Succah is built with loosely assembled walls and with overhead coverings sufficiently sparse to permit the stars to be visible from within to remind us that the Israelites built their Sukkot hastily, purely as temporary abodes during their exodus from Egypt.

Etz-Ron Diamond Top Mosaic Jewelry Box

Great Savings on Unique Items

More products have been added to our Sale Gallery to make way for many new lines and designs. Remember, quantities are limited, and it’s first come, first served!

Wishing you the best, and a New Year filled with peace, patience, contentment, and good health,

Amy Gilron