What is a Spice Besamin and How is it Crafted?

The Jewish religion and culture is rich with manyMessiah.
traditions, ritual practices and celebratory items thatThe few antique Spice Besamim that have existed
directly express the uniqueness of the yearly rituals.even today after surviving Jewish peoples' turbulent
One of the many ritual acts of the Jewish religioushistory were made of silver, gold and brass. While
practice of Havdalah. Havdalah is accompanied by thethey come in variations of different designs made of
Spice Besamim or spice box. Inside the Synagogue,Faberge, filigree and precious jewels. Although most
the Spice Besamim contains sweet-smelling herbs andof the antique Spice Besamim are preserved
spices of cinnamon sticks, cloves and anise, all mixedthroughout museums around the world, there are
for passing around during the ceremony. The aromasome still accessible for purchasing in today's market.
is a reminder of the sweetness of Shabbat that is toThe well known world auctions of Christi's and
be remembered throughout that week of Havdalah.Sotheby's are two of several ways for purchasing
Spice Besamim have always been in various forms ofantique Spice Besamim.
sizes and shapes. The original materials for craftingThe price of rare antique Spice Besamim can vary
spice boxes varies from wood, to glass, brass, goldgreatly in the asking price. The ranges can be from a
and silver. The many designs have ranged fromfew hundred to several thousands of dollars, all
flowers to miniature trains and onto one of the mostdepending on the specific materials the spice box is
popular that began around the 16th century, whichmade of and the antique rarity and age of each
was the representation of a tower.individual item offered.
There are several variations of tower formations, butIf desiring a less rare, but yet just as uniquely
they all were of the same representation anddesigned Spice Besamim, there are many websites
purpose. The tower-shaped Spice Besamim of thisthat sell very beautifully crafted and high in quality
time period originated for the representation ofSpice Besamim items. For new authentic spice boxes,
showing the strength, security, military force and wasit is best to search for those sites that deal only in
of religious honors by the Jewish people. Thesespice boxes made in Israel. The prices will be
original Spice Besamim towers carried directly strongreasonably priced with the high quality of the
associations between the tower representing thecraftsmanship, which will make the few extra dollars
Holy Temple, remembrance of salvation and theworth letting go of in the end.