When chai tea first became popular in the United States, I was living in Kuwait (and we only got a Starbucks the last year I was there). So when I came back to New York one summer for a visit and ordered a cup of chai tea off a menu board, the look on the … Continue reading
Tag Archives: Jewish good luck symbols
Hamsa: A Handful of Good Luck
Probably the most popular Jewish good luck symbol today is the hamsa. It’s been around a long time–thousands of years. Here’s some background from the introduction to the hamsa project in the Sew Jewish book: Hamsa Your hand is strong. Your right hand, exalted. (Psalms 89:14) A tiny falafel shop I used to frequent in … Continue reading
Surprise! Signs of the Zodiac Are Jewish Symbols
If you’ve ever wished someone “Mazel tov!” you’ve invoked Judaism’s mystical tradition, specifically its association with astrology. “Mazel tov” means “a good constellation.” This probably surprises a lot of people, since there’s a general understanding that Judaism avoids astrology. After all, a Biblical commandment states “There should not be found among you…one who calculates times” … Continue reading