Objects

Shabbat, according to the Jewish calendar, is the seventh day of the week and is observed as a day of rest. It begins on Friday evening and, according to the teachings of the Talmud, requires a complete detachment from the concerns of everyday life. The strict rules that apply to followers of Judaism can only be broken in situations involving a threat to life or the care of the sick (Judaica in the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw, edited by E. Martyna, Warsaw 1993, p. 156).

Shabbat in the Jewish home begins with the lighting of candles a few minutes before sunset. The candles should be tall enough to burn for the entire Shabbat evening. The person lighting the candles – usually the lady of the house – spreads her hands over the flames and, in a circular motion, draws her hands together three times, hereby embracing the sanctity of the Sabbath. She then cover her eyes and pronounces a blessing over the candles.

The Shabbat candlestick from the collection of the Przypkowski Museum in Jędrzejów is supported by a circular base with a baluster-shaped stem. It belongs to a set consisting of two identical items (both of which are in the possession of the museum).

It was purchased for the collection from Adolf Olszewski of Jędrzejów.