Objects

Lead printing plate with text in Hebrew. The plate probably dates from the first half of the 20th century. It was found in a field near the village of Olmonty near Białystok. The plate contains the text of the Hebrew blessing Kiddush levana (Sanctification of the Moon). This prayer is said once a month, starting on the third night after the appearance of the moon (in Hebrew: Rosh Chodesh), i.e. at the beginning of the month according to the Jewish calendar. This should be done outside, after dark, when the Moon is visible in the sky. The ritual is accompanied by dancing and singing, for this is the moment when the faithful trust that the Divine presence will soon fill the entire earth. The tradition of reciting Kiddush levana is contained in the Mishnah (in Sanhedrin10b treatise).