judaica

Judaica refers to objects related to Judaism, Jewish culture, religion, and daily life. The term encompasses liturgical items used in worship, ceremonial objects tied to life-cycle events, domestic articles that carry Jewish symbolic meaning, and works of art and study associated with Jewish heritage. Judaica can be found in synagogues, homes, museums, and markets, and it ranges from ancient artifacts to contemporary design.

Major categories include liturgical and ritual implements such as Torah scrolls, Torah mantles, tefillin and tefillin boxes, mezuzah cases, tallitot (prayer shawls), kippot, Shabbat candles, menorahs, kiddush cups, spice boxes, and challah boards. Domestic and ritual objects include mezuzah plates, salt cellars, etrogs, and seasonal ceremonial items used for holidays. Artistic and ceremonial silver, ceramics, glass, and wood works—often engraved or inscribed with Hebrew texts or symbols—are widely collected. Educational materials such as prayer books, Bibles, chumashim, siddurim, and ketubot also fall under Judaica.

Production and design reflect diverse Jewish communities, including Ashkenazi, Sephardi, Mizrahi, and Ethiopian traditions. Materials range from precious metals to wood, ceramic, textiles, and glass. In modern times, Judaica also denotes contemporary objects designed for ritual use or decorative purposes and sold by specialty shops and online retailers. Museums, libraries, and private collectors curate Judaica to study religious practices, cultural exchange, and Jewish identity.