CCAR RESPONSA
New American Reform Responsa
64. Shape of the Havdalah Spice Box
QUESTION: An artisan has asked whether a spice box needs to take a special form. He remembers spice boxes in a shape of a tower as well as animals. What limits are there for this object? (John Rosen, Syracuse NY)ANSWER: The spice box in the form of a tower has been discussed in the previous responsum. However, the form was not limited to towers. There are also spice boxes in the shape of a hand (Landsberger Op cit p 189), or a round container with an Islamic crescent at the top (A. Kanof Ceremonial Art in Judaic Tradition p 109), as a tree with birds, or a ship with some sailors (Ibid 64). In addition, spice containers in the form of flowers, fruit, buildings, a model synagogue, a Faberge egg, statues of Adam and Eve leaving Paradise, a windmill (A. Kanof Jewish Ceremonial Art; Journal of Jewish Art; Judith C. E. Belinfante Joods Historisch Museum; Isaiah Shachar Jewish Tradition in Art; Beverly R. Cohen The Cofeld Judaic Museum; and auction catalogs). I have also seen besamin boxes in the form of a miniature railway engine and a small airplane. In other words, it is possible to be playful and there are no restrictions. The artist in question may design a besamim box in any shape as long as it is not related to the object of another religion.May 1990
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