‘Tis the season to be jolly, if you are a Christian. But a number of holidays for people of all faiths intersect around this time. It’s more noticeable if you live in the Middle East. Over here in Jaffa a couple of weeks ago, Muslims everywhere were celebrating Eid al-Adha; and Jewish people start lighting candles and gorging on jelly-filled doughnuts for Hanukah starting next week.
But whatever the season, or holiday, unique gift-giving is always something on our minds. When it comes to choosing gifts that are “green” the options are limited even more. One nice way to “say I love you” to someone in a way that is soft on the environment, is to give something handmade. Trendy, with no official religious affiliation is the good old hamsa, one of our faves, which means “five” in Arabic.
According to Wikipedia, an alternative Islamic name for this charm is the Hand of Fatima or Eye of Fatima, in reference to Fatima Zahra, the daughter of Muhammad. An alternative Jewish name is the Hand of Miriam, in reference to Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron. It is a kind of “protecting hand” or “hand of God.”
Some associate the significance of the five fingers to the five books of the Torah for Jews, the Five Pillars of Islam for Sunnis, or the five People of the Cloak for Shi’ites.
In recent years some activists for Middle East peace have chosen to wear the hamsa as a symbol of the similarities of origins and tradition between the Islamic and Jewish faiths. The fingers can point up or down.
Among Jews in Israel, it’s considered a Jewish gift, but one appropriate for Muslims, Christians, pagans and the unaffiliated. When I went to see my Catholic cousins in Scotland last year, it was hamsas for everyone.
While the gifts might not be certified green, there are some wonderful gift items in stock on MostOriginal.com, an online jewelry and gifts store that sells handmade artwork by Israeli artists.
Selling Israeli jewelry and Jewish gifts, their hamsas (like Laly Cohen’s Hamsa Hands pictured above), or Kabbalah bracelets, would satisfy even the choosiest friend.
Of course you can always check out the crafty folk at Etsy, too, or local craft markets and fairs in your nearest town.
What I like about handmade gifts is that they are usually one-of-a-kind. When I buy them I know I am supporting someone’s dream, and not just a factory somewhere in China.
Handmade goods are usually things you hold onto; they stay around and are less likely to hit the curb on trash day.
And if you are lucky, they will also keep the evil eyes away!
[…] you might think so (and your grandmother certainly does): it’s the pseudoscience of the “evil eye”. In Turkey, people with Frida Kahlo unibrows or pale color eyes are considered prime candidates […]
[…] to major aspects of life in the Arab world, including greeting behavior, the influence of the evil eye, wedding and funeral traditions, and even the practice of pigeon-keeping! An impending second […]
Thank you for hand made, but there is no right, I don’t beleive that is hand of God Ebrahem and Isaic and Jocab, God big being in your thought don’t put HIM in the box, Look sky how much is big. Think about! That art is paigan Your God say don’t worship pagan, Hand, eyes of Saitan.Only to make money.
You need Yashua Massaiha.He loves you everlasting love. He is life and He will come again. But Mohamid is dead. they don’t told his people how to be save because he is lie. BUT YASHUA he Save us by His obediness to die on the cross and ross again to recansile us with Father and give us the minsitry of recansalition. Hallelujah amen
We are the light kingdom in the earth, to love, serve, and help
Are you save? When you exceept Yashua as Saver in your heart and confess in your mouth He is my LORD AND SAVER shall be save. read in Book Joel 2:4-10 and also read Roman 10:8-13 . LORD JESUS CHRIST IS THE WAY AND THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE HE SAID NO MAN COME TO FATHER EXCEEPT THROUGH ME JOHN 14:6. IT IS TIME TO Choose which way darck or light, Truth or lie. YAshua or Devil. Haven or Hell. that your chose?
I am save by faith and grace of God, I am born again by the HOLY SPIRT.
If you want to be born again, must confess your sin when bow your nes to the LORD AND Pray this prayer say LORD I believe you I confess from my bottem heart I am sinner cleans my heart by blood of JESUS shed on the cross for me and I believe He rose again and He will come again. Thank you Haveanly Father to send your Son to die for me to give me eternal life in JESUS Holy Name amen and amen. if you exceept Him, you must go to the church to help you to grow spiritaul life and read Holy Bible. may God bless you and keep you in His love and shalom
with Love
Selma Read Psalm 33. 27. 23. 46. see how God speak to your heart amen.
Amazing. I havent seen this kind of jewelry design earlier. Thanks for sharing.