Judaism.com Reclaims Sacred Red String as Authentically Jewish Article

Judaism.com Reclaims Sacred Red String as Authentically Jewish Article

Mass-Market Selling of Red String Bracelets Trivializes True Meaning of the 'Bendel'

PITTSBURGH, Jan. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Judaism.com, a leading online retailer of Jewish books and Judaica, today announced that it has begun running a video segment on its web site (www.judaism.com) to document the Jewish authenticity of the Red String that it sells, and to show how the string is properly prepared and wrapped around the Tomb of Rachel.

For centuries, Jews have tied a red string around their wrist for a variety of perceived benefits, among them -- relief from pain, easy childbirth, and protection from the so-called "evil eye," the unkind glances of others. The string's special meaning for Jews is based on its connection to Rachel, one of the four Matriarchs of the Jewish people, revered for her sterling character and ability to overcome adversity.

Unfortunately, the Red String, also known as a "Bendel" in Yiddish, has been skillfully co-opted by mass marketers of Kabbalah and pop-culture Hollywood celebrities, leading to confusion about its true symbolism, and trivializing -- and usually ignoring -- its place in Jewish tradition.

"The Red String is neither new nor New Age," said Shlomo Perelman, founder and president of Judaism.com, noting that the string been an important part of Jewish culture for hundreds of years. "Most Jews and non-Jews alike have no idea of how the Red String connects to Judaism," Perelman adds, "and Kabbalah mass marketers have only added to the confusion."

By running the video segment, Judasim.com seeks to reclaim the Red String as a deep-rooted Jewish tradition and help Jews and others fully understand its true meaning. Furthermore, Judaism.com guarantees that its Authentic Red String is prepared by knowledgeable Jews, living and studying in Israel, according to age-old Jewish customs and ceremonies.

Rachel is known as the "Mother of Mercy" who pleads for the return of her descendents to Jerusalem. The Torah explains that Rachel silently suffered the deceit and marital manipulation of her father, Laban, without being angry or thinking ill of her sister Leah. For most commentators it is this quality that is connected to the Red String's protection from the "evil eye."

With every order(s) of the Authentic Red String (or bracelet) Judaism.com will include, free of charge, a CD of the video segment. In addition, Judaism.com will donate 5% of all profits from sales of The Authentic Red String to The Committee for Rachel's Tomb, a non-profit organization that supports the Yeshiva of Rachel's Tomb and provides for the maintenance and upkeep of this most holy site in Israel.

For more information, log onto http://www.judaism.com/redstring or call 1-800-Judaism (583.2476).


Source: Judaism.com

CONTACT: Jeff Siegel of Monarch Communications, +1-516-569-4271,
jeffs@monarchcomminc.com, for Judaism.com

Web site: http://www.judaism.com/
http://www.judaism.com/redstring


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