Top Judaica Items found in the Supermarket

It seems that nearly everywhere, even in the most remote part of Appalachia or the most remote areas of North Dakota, it is possible to find Judaica items.  In addition, Manischewitz – those famous (or infamous, depending on your taste) kosher food manufacturers – seem to even have reached these areas and it is possible to find them anywhere.  Regardless, there are Judaica that can be found all over the globe.  Below is a list of the Top 10 items, which in this case also includes some really common foods like chicken soup, borscht and gefilte fish.

Yahrzeit Candles.  These candles can literally be found all over the place, made by all kinds of manufacturers, with the most common ones being Manischewitz, Rokeach and other Jewish-owned food manufacturers.  "Yahrzeit" is the Yiddish word that means "the anniversary of the day that one dies".  This item is perhaps the most perplexing piece of Judaica because it is disposable and is used for a rather melancholy purpose that is not directly linked to any Torah commandment.  Regardless, this Judaica item is lit in memory of the person who died on that day; usually by a spouse or child.

Hanukkah Menorahs and candles.  It is practically impossible to walk into a store during the months of November or December and not see countless Hanukkah decorations as well a Hanukkah Menorahs and candles.  This is mainly because Hanukkah is the most well-known Jewish holidays, because of the story involved but also because of a mistaken perception that Hanukkah is a Jewish form of Christmas.  Regardless, these Judaica items come in all different shapes and sizes.

Dreidels.  This piece of Judaica is also linked to Hanukkah and is famous because it was allegedly used as a ruse when the Greeks where checking whether gatherings of children were actually Torah study classes.  Dreidels are basically tops, with one of two different sets of Hebrew letters on them and like menorahs, they can be in numerous different forms, can be fancy or simple.  Some dreidels make noise when they are spun or they play Hanukkah songs.

Shabbat Candles.  Most people do not think of candles as being a Judaica item.  However, because they are being used for a purpose that is considered under Jewish Law to be associated with holiness, specifically that they are used to escort in the Sabbath with their lighting, they are in fact considered to be Judaica items.  The candles are basically your simple sun of the mill white candles, usually mad by the same companies that produce Yahrzeit and Hanukkah candles, although those that are made in Israel have become much more popular.  However, in areas where there are no large Jewish communities, the candles made by Manischewitz, Rokeach and the like appear in supermarkets.

Anything made by Manischewitz.  The Manischewitz Company was one of the first companies to mass produce, distribute and sell kosher food and Judaica en masse.  This is the reason why even the most remote areas of the US and Canada.  However, in many circles they are rather infamous and out of fashion because there are other companies that make similar products that are generally healthier.  Since most people identify anything made by Manischewitz as being Jewish, anything they make can be considered Judaica.

Matzah.  Matzah is the bread eaten on Passover.  It basically has the consistency of cardboard, but actually this varies based on tradition.  It is considered to be a piece of Judaica because it is used for a Mitzvah (commandment) – that of eating Matzah on the first night of Passover at the Seder meal.

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Shalom Goldfarb is the editor of Judaica Worldwide, a portal of educational material on Judaism, Judaica, and Jewish holidays. There's also some Jewish humor on the blogroll, so check it out!