Need a going to Israel/Hanukkah present.?

Question

My boyfriend (who is 18) is going to Israel for the first time this winter break. I wanted to get him a special gift and send it before he leaves (he's away at college). Is there a jewish charm or gift that one would get for safety during a trip or visiting Israel?

Answer 1

A Jewish charm for protection? Sure...

We attribute the "Magen David" (Star of David, the Jewish symbol) a great power and treat is as a lucky charm in case of danger.
"Hamsah" (a hand) and "Ayin" (an eye) charms protect the bearer from the evil eye, according to the Middle Eastern belief. These charms are very common in the culture Sephardic Jews, Mizrahi Jews and the Jews who live in Israel.

We have a special prayer for the travelers, called "Tfilat HaDerech" ("prayer of the road"):
יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְפָנֶיךָ יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ, שֶתּוֹלִיכֵנוּ לְשָלוֹם וְתַצְעִידֵנוּ לְשָלוֹם. וְתִסְמְכֵנוּ לְשָלוֹם. וְתַדְרִיכֵנוּ לְשָלוֹם. וְתַגִיעֵנוּ לִמְחוֹז חֶפְצֵנוּ לְחַיִּים וּלְשִמְחָה וּלְשָלוֹם (ואם דעתו לחזור מיד אומר וְתַחְזִירֵנוּ לְשָלוֹם) וְתַצִּילֵנוּ מִכַּף כָּל אוֹיֵב וְאוֹרֵב וְלִסְטִים וְחַיּוֹת רָעוֹת בַדֶּרֶךְ וּמִכָּל מִינֵי פּוּרְעָנִיּוֹת הַמִתְרַגְּשוֹת לָבוֹא לָעוֹלָם וְתִשְלַח בְּרָכָה בְּכל מַעֲשֵה יָדֵינוּ, וְתִתְּנֵנוּ לְחֵן וּלְחֶסֶד וּלְרַחֲמִים בְעֵינֶיךָ וּבְעֵינֵי כָל רוֹאֵינוּ וְתִשְמַע קוֹל תַּחֲנוּנֵינוּ. כִּי אֵל שוֹמֵעַ תְּפִלָּה וְתַחֲנוּן אתה: בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, שוֹמֵעַ תְּפִלָּה:

Translation:
May it be Your will, Eternal One, our God and the God of our ancestors, that You lead us toward peace, emplace our footsteps towards peace, guide us toward peace, and make us reach our desired destination for life, gladness, and peace. May You rescue us from the hand of every foe, ambush, bandits and wild animals along the way, and from all manner of punishments that assemble to come to Earth. May You send blessing in our every handiwork, and grant us peace, kindness, and mercy in your eyes and in the eyes of all who see us. May You hear the sound of our supplication, because You are the God who hears prayer and supplications. Blessed are You, Eternal One, who hears prayer.

Answer 2

I live in Israel so I guess I would know get him a mezzuzah it is a lovely pendant worn by either sexes which houses the main prayer that the lord is God Have a great time and stay out of the Old city Arab section

Answer 3

Why not a nice hamsa with the tefilat haderekh (prayer for the way) ona key chain so he won't lose it? I know its a bit banal and there's plenty of hamsot in Israel so you don't really need to bring one. But you giving it to him makes it.. hmm.. more special.

Answer 4

I don't know where you are but if you can find a "Hamsa" (hand shape lucky charm) then you've got a winner!!!
"Hamsas" are huge in Israel and they actually originally form ancient Egypt but the Jews love them and they are used as a lucky charm.

Try these for help:
www.luckymojo.com/hamsahand.html
www.hamsaweb.org
www.hamsa.com
www.hamsalila.com

or just google up the word to find something in your country...
Good Luck!!!
.

Answer 5

I suggest to do a "Travel Judaica" search on Google.
You'll probably find something useful and spiritual for him.

On the other hand, you can make a charitable (tzedakah) offering in his name to his favorite non-profit group.

Answer 6

Maybe get him a large knit kippah (head covering). He'll look cool over there with it on, and it will keep his head warm (it gets cold in Jerusalem that time of year).
Good luck.