Albums » Etz-Hyyim Synagogue (Chania, Crete) » IMG_1553.JPG

IMG_1553.JPG

"This blue glazed container has a text that reads “and Joseph is a vine’. This text was widely used to ward off the Evil Eye and is often found on Jewish kameoth. The Serena Cup is a tradition amongst many Sephardi Jews in the Balkans. On the night of the New Moon the cup is filled with water and usually covered with a piece of muslin (to keep away thirsty insects). This is set so that it collects the rays of the New Moon. This water is used during the coming month to ward off evil and illness – bottled, it is added to other drinks! Dimensions: approx. 8x5 cm." (From the synagogue shop: http://www.etz-hayyim-hania.org/_synag/items.html)