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So, you've met a mensch and you're finally getting married—Mazel Tov! Now you get the excitement of putting together a gift registry that includes everything you and your beloved will need to establish a home together.
If you and your partner are Jewish, and you plan to honor Jewish traditions in your new life together, you'll want to add a few items to your gift registry in addition to the usual inclusions.
Here are five items every Jewish couple needs for their first home:
1. A mezuzah for the front doorpost
Your new home deserves a beautiful mezuzah.
Affixed at an angle to the right side of the doorframe, a mezuzah contains a piece of parchment inscribed with a section of Hebrew verse from the Torah. While it may seem odd to have a bit of Bible verse attached to your doorframe, the mezuzah is meant to fulfill the Biblical commandment to "write the words of God on the gates and doorposts of your house."
It used to be that many of the mezuzot available were, well, ugly, but these days there are plenty of options available for all styles of homes. I'm partial to the selection available at Modern Tribe, for its variety of modern and more traditional choices.
Keep in mind that most mezuzot don't include the scroll (or Klaf), so you'll have to purchase that separately.
2. A menorah you'll enjoy for years
Choose a menorah that you'll enjoy for years to come.
If you don't put a menorah on your registry, chances are that someone will give you one anyway. Why not avoid having to spend a lifetime of Hanukkahs using the hideous menorah your Aunt Rachel picked out, and select one that's your style instead?
You can't go wrong with the whimsical Jonathan Adler elephant, especially if you're a lover of mid-century modern style.
Get the Jonathan Adler Elephant Menorah at Jonathan Adler for $132
3. A beautiful seder plate
A beautiful seder plate for your Passover table.
Hosting a Passover seder is probably in your future, and you'll need a seder plate to do it properly. This is another gift that you'll likely receive anyway, but having something that reflects your taste or matches your dishes is far preferable to something that a random relative may select for you.
There are plenty of different styles out there, but I love this gorgeous ceramic set from West Elm. It's just the right combination of rustic and chic, and would look great with a variety of table décor.
Get the Via Maris Seder Plate at West Elm for $345
4. A set of candlesticks for shabbat
A set of shabbat candlesticks are good to have on hand.
Even if you don't plan to celebrate shabbat every Friday (we don't), it's a good idea to have a set of candlesticks tucked in your cupboard for when you need them for various occasions or holidays.
Get the Modern Candleholders, set of 2, at Food52 for $74
5. A challah cover and a kiddush cup
There are challah cover and kiddush cups for every kind of decor taste.
A challah cover and a kiddush cup are also items you may not use all that often if you're not observant, but they're good to have nonetheless. There are a wide variety of challah covers to choose from, and you can even embroider one yourself if you're craftier than I am.
I had to borrow a kiddush cup for my son's bris, so learn from my mistake and get one before you need it.
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