What are the top Jewish innovations? Binyomin Swerdlik and Yaakov Langer sit down to discuss the best of the best.
15) Tefillin – What are Tefillin?
See here: https://bit.ly/3tB4wKl
The cover of the tefillin prevents it from rubbing out the corners of the tefillin which needs to be completely square and not rounded.
Buy here: https://amzn.to/3uxPx3j
14) Oven – shabbos mode
One of the ways a jew rests on Shabbos is by not baking and not activating any electricity. In order to allow the use of warming on Shabbos, food must be completely cooked and left in the oven before Shabbos begins. Turning on shabbos mode will also deactivate lights and fans from operating when the oven door is opened. On holidays which can range between 1-3 days, turning on shabbos mode will allow the oven to remain on so the oven’s standard 12-hour shutoff will be disabled.
13) Shayne coat
Many orthodox Jewish men wear wide brim and tall fur hats, and these coats include a hood which is suited to cover the head while wearing their hats.
12) Yamaka Clips
Jewish boys starting from the age of 3 wear a head covering called a “Yarmulke” or “Kippah”. Wind is not your best friend here. The Yarmulke is a sign of our recognition that there is Someone “above” us who watches our every act. (c. Chabad.org)
11) Undershirt tzitzis
Jewish people have a biblical command to affix fringes to the corners of their clothing so that they would constantly remember Hashem and His 613 instructions for the jewish people. Since style has evolved and clothing doesn’t always have corners, Jews will wear a little poncho called a tzitzit or tzitzis. For most, it fits neatly under a shirt.
More info here – https://bit.ly/3qBbw8m
This innovation has the tzitzis on the corners of an undershirt, making it more comfortable since you only need 1 underlayer as opposed to 2.
10) Kiddush Fountain
Kiddush, literally, “sanctification”, is a blessing recited over wine or grape juice to sanctify the Shabbos and Jewish holidays. (c. Wikipedia). Everyone likes to get a taste of the Kiddush so with large families or meals with many guests, this is a great time saver.
This is a link to the amazon search “kiddush fountain”: https://amzn.to/3IDTxnB
9) Wig Grip
It is customary for married Orthodox Jewish women to cover their hair and many prefer to wear wigs (aka “Sheitels”).
Why? Find out here – https://bit.ly/35ci1XF
8) Shabbos Lamp/Shabulb
Shabbos observant jews cannot turn on or off lights on Shabbos and these devices allow one to simply hide and reveal the light by moving an outer casing.
Bulb: https://amzn.to/36squqc
Lamp: https://amzn.to/3wJ9zKV
7) Hat Box
6) Hot plates
This is an electric warming tray that plugs in and stays hot the entire Sabbath. Be sure to find one that is UL listed.
5) Shabbos elevator
Stops on every floor automatically.
4) Sukkah
During the 8 days of the Festival of Sukkot, Jews celebrate, eat all of their meals and sleep in a temporary dwelling called a sukkah. Exceptions include snacks or if it’s raining. It will typically have 3-4 walls of varying materials and a roof made from bamboo.
3) Kugelach
Childhood game consisting of 5 small metal cubes.
2) Shtender
1) Fridge shabbos keeper
Shabbos observant jews may not activate any electrical devices on Shabbos or festivals. This device prevents any unintended lights or bells from turning on when the fridge is opened or closed. How? With the entire Jewish calendar built inside this pocket-sized device, it will automatically set your fridge to Shabbos mode each week and every Festival, and also set it back to weekday mode after Shabbos.
Buy here: https://bit.ly/3iDCFCV
