Top Judaica Items found in the Supermarket

It seems that nearly everywhere, even in theTorah study classes.  Dreidels are basically tops,
most remote part of Appalachia or the mostwith one of two different sets of Hebrew letters
remote areas of North Dakota, it is possible toon them and like menorahs, they can be in
find Judaica items.  In addition, Manischewitz –numerous different forms, can be fancy or
those famous (or infamous, depending on yoursimple.  Some dreidels make noise when they
taste) kosher food manufacturers – seem toare spun or they play Hanukkah songs.
even have reached these areas and it is possibleShabbat Candles.  Most people do not think of
to find them anywhere.  Regardless, there arecandles as being a Judaica item.  However,
Judaica that can be found all over the globe. because they are being used for a purpose that is
Below is a list of the Top 10 items, which in thisconsidered under Jewish Law to be associated
case also includes some really common foods likewith holiness, specifically that they are used to
chicken soup, borscht and gefilte fish.escort in the Sabbath with their lighting, they are
Yahrzeit Candles.  These candles can literally bein fact considered to be Judaica items.  The
found all over the place, made by all kinds ofcandles are basically your simple sun of the mill
manufacturers, with the most common oneswhite candles, usually mad by the same
being Manischewitz, Rokeach and othercompanies that produce Yahrzeit and Hanukkah
Jewish-owned food manufacturers.  "Yahrzeit" iscandles, although those that are made in Israel
the Yiddish word that means "the anniversary ofhave become much more popular.  However, in
the day that one dies".  This item is perhaps theareas where there are no large Jewish
most perplexing piece of Judaica because it iscommunities, the candles made by Manischewitz,
disposable and is used for a rather melancholyRokeach and the like appear in supermarkets.
purpose that is not directly linked to any TorahAnything made by Manischewitz.  The
commandment.  Regardless, this Judaica item is litManischewitz Company was one of the first
in memory of the person who died on that day;companies to mass produce, distribute and sell
usually by a spouse or child.kosher food and Judaica en masse.  This is the
Hanukkah Menorahs and candles.  It is practicallyreason why even the most remote areas of the
impossible to walk into a store during the monthsUS and Canada.  However, in many circles they
of November or December and not see countlessare rather infamous and out of fashion because
Hanukkah decorations as well a Hanukkahthere are other companies that make similar
Menorahs and candles.  This is mainly becauseproducts that are generally healthier.  Since most
Hanukkah is the most well-known Jewish holidays,people identify anything made by Manischewitz as
because of the story involved but also becausebeing Jewish, anything they make can be
of a mistaken perception that Hanukkah is aconsidered Judaica.
Jewish form of Christmas.  Regardless, theseMatzah.  Matzah is the bread eaten on
Judaica items come in all different shapes andPassover.  It basically has the consistency of
sizes.cardboard, but actually this varies based on
Dreidels.  This piece of Judaica is also linked totradition.  It is considered to be a piece of Judaica
Hanukkah and is famous because it was allegedlybecause it is used for a Mitzvah (commandment)
used as a ruse when the Greeks where checking– that of eating Matzah on the first night of
whether gatherings of children were actuallyPassover at the Seder meal.