Peeling a Pomegranate

I realized that I’ve never shared a photo of my altar, and since I recently found what I think is just a great addition — I thought I’d take a picture.

The new addition is the Jewish Wheel of the Year plaque. I was just blown away when I saw it. It’s shockingly heavy, too.

The item on the left is an antique candy dish that was a gift from my great aunt, and has been in the family for years. In it are the two stones we used the first week of Kohenet (my Urim & Thummim, if you will). On the stones is a necklace I call the “Magen D’vorah.” It looks a lot like a stylized version of the Kohenet symbol, which is a stylized Magen David. I also have some cinnamon stick and a couple of other items that have meaning for me.

The tree of life item in the center I actually purchased on my honeymoon, so it’s doubly symbolic for me. I keep the amphora on the top filled with sweet orange oil and the replica oil lamp filled with cinnamon oil. The lamp is a replica of an ancient Jerusalem oil lamp, and was a gift from a friend.

The bowl on the right is used as an offering bowl. The offerings are burnt or buried each Rosh Chodesh. The bowl was made by my sister when she, briefly, was playing with making pottery. I faked in the flowers because it was empty when I took the picture. But — now it’s filled with daffodils, peach tree blossoms, and cherry blossoms.

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