Spice Boxes

Jewish Spice Boxes

A Jewish spice box is traditionally made from silver, although nowadays wood or ceramic spiceboxes can also be found. They are almost always ornately decorated to beautify the ritual in which they are used.  Artistic spice boxes make great gifts for almost any occaision.

Although a Jewish spice box may be box-shaped, it is more likely to take some other shape.  In medieval times, spices were dried in towers, so spiceboxes often take the form of a tower.   Other shapes and artistic themes may include an esrog (a distinctive fruit used on the holiday of Sukkot), a dreidel (a toy used on Chanukah), a windmill (after the 19th Century one that Rothschild built in Jerusalem, now symbol of Jerusalem), a flower (a symbol from The Song of Songs), a musical instrument (such as were played by the Levites in the Temple), and so on.

Most tower spice boxes have a bulbous knop and a stem. The lid might open from the top or a side, and usually has a little clasp or hook. Antique examples are mostly silver, but sometimes other, poorer quality, materials (e.g., gilt copper) are encountered.

The spicebox is used in a weekly ritual, called Havdalah, marking the departure of the Sabbath (about an hour after sunset each Saturday evening).  The ritual includes a special, multiple-wicked, braided candle and wine, and blessings as well.  The role of the spice box is to contain the pleasant, fragrant spices that are sniffed to console and invigorate our souls, as we feel the loss of that extra measure of spirit enjoyed during the holiday,.

There are Jewish traditions that specify which spices may be used. Cloves are a widespread favorite.  They are strongly fragrant and last a very long time.  Some families even have their own traditional recipe for a spice mixture, passed down through the generations, to use in their spice box.

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