Josh Burde, Silversmith

Beautifying a Commandment

In Judaism there exists an unusual concept, "Hiddur Mitzva". A Mitzva is "a commandment of God", and a "Hiddur Mitzva" means to enhance the commandment - to put extra effort into fulfilling the commandment, or to do it in such a way as to beautify it.

The concept of Hiddur Mitzva is probably how Judaica art developed. Instead of lighting Friday night candles in simple cups, Jewish families have, for hundreds of years, taken pride in the lovely silver candlesticks by which the candles are kindled for a "Hiddur Mitzva". The blessing over the wine is said with a silver goblet, Chanukah candles are lit in intricate candelabras, Sabbath and festive meals are served on one's best china, and so forth.

Throughout the years, silversmiths such as Josh Burde have made it possible to acquire Judaica which is not only beautiful, but also useful in a Jewish household. Many Jewish rituals have strict laws governing how the mitzvah is to be fulfilled, and a knowledgeable Jewish silversmith is able to craft the items in such a manner as to allow them to be functional according to Jewish law. (For example, the Chanukah menorah, candelabra, must have eight stems for lighting candles or oil, all of which must be of the same height and at the same level. Only the ninth, the server candle, may be a bit higher than the rest and stand out a bit more).

Silverwork Judaica

Josh Burde, originally from South Africa, came to Israel in 1996 to study in an advanced Jewish seminar, a yeshiva. He had an extensive background in jewelry design, and in 2004 he opened his gallery on Alsheich Street in the Old City of Tzfat.

In addition to works of Judaica, crafted in gold and silver and sometimes utilizing precious stones, Josh has begun to delve into creating jewelry with Hebrew letters. He notes that the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet Alef-Bet are the instruments of creation. "The letters are also called paths of Wisdom because through these letters, every person can develop his or her own way of understanding" Josh writes. ".... within Jewish and Kabbalistic Meditation History, there is continuously proposed the tremendous significance in contemplation of the Hebrew letters."

Josh's rings and bracelets each hold one letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The Kabbalistic principle of meditating on the letters becomes easy as one looks at the letter on one's bracelet or ring, concentrating on each curve and line, on the pronunciation of the letter's sound, or on the meanings that the letter evokes.

Josh's talents and ability to combine his art with his deep knowledge of Judaism and Kabbalah have made his gallery a favorite stop for visitors who wish to draw closer to Jewish rituals, traditions and spirituality.

Josh can be contacted at 972-54-626-9593 or at his gallery in Tzfat's Old City at #2 Alsheich Street, where his work is on permanent display.