The Percelay Museum of Temple Emanu-El, established in the early 1950s at the behest of Rabbi Eli A. Bohnen, z’’l, with the support of Emanu-El member Natalie Percelay, z’’l, houses a treasure trove of Jewish ritual objects.

A museum is not simply a venue to display interesting or visually pleasing objects. Ritual objects and artwork tell us about our history, our people, our collective past, dor l’dor. The synagogue is a Beit Knesset, a house of assembly; a Beit Midrash, a house of study; and a Beit T’fillah, a house of prayer. Our museum is a vital part in helping our synagogue to bring these visions into reality. In addition, the concept of hiddur mitzvah, “to glorify the mitzvah,” is achieved by enabling us to use the objects in the museum to “beautify the commandment,” and thus enhances our performance of the mitzvah. As a communal resource, our synagogue uses many of these ritual objects in our Jewish daily, monthly or annual observances, and in rituals of the Jewish life cycle. Contemporary, as well as more traditional examples of Judaica are scattered throughout the synagogue, as well as within the four walls of our museum. The Percelay Museum is a living entity, and its precious holdings are not mere artifacts, but vital, vibrant reminders of what was then, what is now, and what can be—as we grow from strength to strength. To schedule a visit to this jewel in Temple Emanu-El’s crown, contact the Museum Director at: museum@teprov.org.

Museum Musings

Hanukkah 5785

Hanukkiah, Brass, Holland, Circa 1801 The middle stem of this unique hanukkiah is fashioned to look like the bark of a tree. The ornaments on the branches are fashioned as leaves. Each branch is held by a loving clasped fist. The base is perched on three dolphin feet.  This exquisite hanukkiah was donated to the Percelay Museum on the 70th birthday of Jacob Berkelhammer by his children.

Why so many Beautiful Objects? Hiddur Mitzvah and Hanukkah

The Abraham and Natalie Percelay Museum of Temple Emanu-El is home to magnificent pieces of Jewish ritual art. The extraordinarily beautiful and diverse collection contains objects that span Jewish calendar and life cycle events. Have you ever wondered why so many of the ritual objects we use throughout the year, and our lives, are so artistically elegant? There is a concept in Jewish life entitled "Hiddur Mitzvah," the adornment of the mitzvah. And how does Hiddur Mitzvah relate to our ritual objects? Hiddur Mitzvah is the visual glorification of God. Its roots are found in Exodus 15:2 which exclaims: "This is my God, and I will glorify God." Our ancient rabbis questioned what this meant. Their interpretation was that we should glorify God through visual beauty. Over time, this developed into the adornment of our sacred objects to remind us, that in the process of observing festivals, Shabbat and life cycle events, we are doing things not only important, but holy as well. It is a most sacred task, an obligation, to take a ritual object, a special object, and make it beautiful.

Examine the ornate and decorative hanukkiah, pictured here. Hanukkiah design has evolved over the centuries: from a straight row of oil lamps or candleholders with a back plate for hanging it on a wall or door, to 13 century Spanish and French ones with rose windows and other influences of Gothic architecture as backplates. In the Middle Ages, synagogue replicas of the seven branched Temple menorah, usually found at the right of the ark, were lit for the benefit of the poor and the stranger who could not afford their own Hanukkah menorah. Eventually this design, modeled on the Temple menorah, but supplemented with two additional arms, found its way into Jewish homes for the festival of Hanukkah. Throughout the years, until the present day, they have reflected the continuing creativity of the Jewish artistic imagination.

This menorah, (which can be transformed into a hanukkiah) is from the collection of the Abraham and Natalie Percelay Museum of Temple Emanu-El. Created in brass, it is from Holland, circa 1800. The middle stem is like the bark of a tree, and the branches like leaves. Note the hands holding the branches and the three fish at the base of the pedestal. Each viewer can interpret the artistic vision of the hanukkiah's creator in his /her own way. The branches rotate, so the user can create a variety of shapes. In addition, each branch is removable, so that this nine branched candelabrum can be reconfigured and used as Shabbat lights. In order to fulfill the commandment to light the hanukkiah, one need only recite the blessing and light the candles. However, to show additional honor to God, the artist has "adorned the mitzvah" (hiddur mitzvah), and created a beautiful hanukkiah, ostensibly saying" We don't want to just light the candles; we want the entire act of lighting to be surrounded by beauty." Rejoice in viewing the extraordinary variety of hanukkiah designs throughout the centuries that are in our museum, and in doing so, may you be inspired to enhance your Jewish life with holiness.

This beautiful hanukkiah was donated to the museum by the children of Jacob Berkelhammer, in 1958, in honor of their father's 70th birthday.

--Ruth Page, Museum Director

Contributions to the museum are a special way to remember those you wish to honor on memorialize. Send your donations to the synagogue, Attention: Museum

Past Musings: