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#396321 03/21/08 09:07 AM
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Hello:

I bought a beautiful gold Chai pendant online a few months ago - how many others wear Chai pendants?

I know Chai means "life" but it is also taken to mean "good luck" - isn't that true?

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BillieCat #397022 03/22/08 10:09 PM
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I believe it is looked upon as good luck because the two letters that spell Chai add up to 18. For this reason, the number 18 is seen as good luck.

My rabbi just recently shared something. He doesn't like to use the word "luck". He tries to use fortunate instead. For him, the word "luck" implies that it was coincidental and he believes the Hand of G-d is involved in everything.

I like four leaf clovers, rabbits feet and the chai symbol. My husband used to wear one. My oldest son just recently asked for one. I wear a necklace with my four children on it - that's all I wear now. But, I used to wear a star.


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My family has always said the same thing about "luck".

I have an assortment of Jewish stars; my aunt gave me my name spelled in Hebrew when she went to Israel - and also, a G-d's hand (Hamsa?).
I believe that the Hamsa is not a Jewish thing but it is something from the Middle East? I have seen it in Greek restaurants. What do you know about it?

There are also Shema pendants - I don't know about that, do you?


BillieCat #397823 03/24/08 06:37 PM
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A chamsa, I've heard, is like g- d's hand in yours.
I see them in many Jewish homes, often with a blessing for the home.
That's what ours has.

I also have a pendant with the Shema. It is inscribed on a m�bius strip.
it is the never ending circle - a symbol of eternity.


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My daughter usually wears a very large star of David which belonged to her great grandmother. Recently, a boy in her school (from Egypt) has been giving her trouble. I noticed she is no longer wearing the larger star. She owns a few stars and a symbolic charm of the wall.

I used to wear a star or a mazuzah all the time until I went to work "out of the house". I felt it wasn't professional to wear a religious ornament to work. But every so often I feel like wearing something. I don't know if it's the charm's religious meaning or historical meaning, since most religious jewelry is filled with memories, but sometimes it just feels good to wear one of these charms.

I love mobius stip jewelry. The idea of a never ending circle with something important seems like a great idea.

The chamsa are so pretty-- I've seen them in a lot of homes also. I thought they fit into the more mystical part (Kabbalah?) of Judaism?

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Carol... How lovely for your daughter to be wearing something from her great grandmother. I'm sorry she's having trouble at school. I hope it passes and that she can be comfortable wearing whatever she wants again! The charm of the wall sounds very interesting.


Here's a quick read from Wiipedia about the Hamsa: (I think it's interesting that its presence is in several religions)

The Hamsa (Arabic: خمسة, Khamsa‎, literally "five", Hebrew: חמסה, Khamsa‎) is a symbol used in amulets, charms and jewelry to protect against the "evil eye." [1]

An alternative Islamic name for this charm is the Hand of Fatima or Eye of Fatima, in reference to Fatima Zahra, the daughter of Muhammed. 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. This symbolism may have evolved at a later stage, in view of the fact that archaeological evidence suggests the hamsa predates both religions.

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.

Hamsas are popular as charms and decorations in Israel and are not considered to have any Islamic connection other than the Arabic name. Among Jews, fish are considered to be a symbol of good luck, so many hamsas are also decorated with fish images. Hamsas are incorporated in wall plaques, mobiles, keychains and necklaces. Sometimes they are inscribed with Hebrew prayers, such as the Sh'ma, the Birkat HaBayit (Blessing for the Home), or the Tefilat HaDerech (Traveler's Prayer).


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I didn't realize that fish were considered a good luck symbol. I see so many fish with WWJD in the middle that I never associated it with anything Jewish.


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I was surprised when I first saw that too...

Have you seen the fish with "gefilte" on the inside? I've seen it on cars. smile


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no, I haven't seen it, but that's cute. I have seen the car mazuzahs though....


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