Shoshana Oliva has created beautiful Judaica pieces based on the 12 stones of the Hoshen, the breastplate, first worn the High Priest Aaron, brother of Moshe, in the Tabernacle in the desert, and subsequently worn by every high priest since while performing his holy duties.

The Hoshen served as an intermediary between the twelve tribes and God. The gemstones represented the link between the perfection of nature and the aspirations of man.

There were 12 precious stones in the Hoshen. Various Jewish sources teach us that in addition to representing the twelve tribes of the Children of Israel, and each stone has served as an expression of faith and optimism throughout the generations.

The twelve stones symbolise the unity of the Jewish people and their equal status before the Almighty. As precious and nonprecious stones were set together in the Hoshen, so too are the nobleborn and the commoner all equal before God.

The Judaica pieces based on the Hoshen are the Kiddush Cup, two mezzuzot cases and a set of pendants.

The creation of these pieces has received support from many rabbis and Kabbalist in Israel, including the Head of Kabbalists, Rabbi Kadourie.

Rabbi Kadourie, on seeing the pendants with the twelves stones, wrote:

Congratulations on producing this jewellery.

May you be rewarded with all good things and success in both the physical and spiritual realms as a result of this work.

Amen. And It Should Come to Pass.

Y. Kadourie

In addition to the Judaica based on the twelve stones, Shoshana has created an elegant handcrafted silver container for the Yahrzeit (memorial) candle.

The twelve stones of the Hoshen are:

You can view and purchase Shoshana's Judaica pieces.

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