Fair Trade Judaica (FTJ)

Fair Trade Judaica promotes fair trade as a Jewish value through educating the Jewish community, and expanding the production, distribution, and sale of fair trade Judaica products. We envision a world in which Jewish consumers recognize fair trade as an expression of core Jewish values, seek out fair trade Judaica products, and use their purchasing power to support thriving communities of artisans around the world.
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You are here: Learn > Behind the Jewish Blessing Flags > Behind the Jewish Blessing Flags

Behind the Jewish Blessing Flags

Blessing Flag Set

Blessed to have traveled and trekked in the Himalayas several times between 2003-09, FTJ founder, Ilana Schatz, was repeatedly moved by the image of Tibetan prayer flags flying over homes and mountain passes, carrying their message of compassion, joy, long life, and prosperity.

  • Blessing Flags 14
  • Blessing Flags 01
  • Blessing Flags 13
  • Blessing Flags 02
  • Blessing Flags 12
  • Blessing Flags 03
  • Sukkot Flags 16
  • Blessing Flags 15
  • Blessing Flags 04
  • Blessing Flags 05
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  • Blessing Flags 08
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These experiences inspired the development of FTJ’s set of Jewish Blessing Flags. “Blessing” flags because the first word of traditional Jewish prayers is “Baruch“, meaning “Blessed”. In the Torah, G-d urges Abraham and all who followed him, “V’heyeh bracha/You shall be a blessing.” (Genesis 12:2). Today, each of us can strive to live our lives so that we are a blessing in the world around us.

In the Tibetan tradition, prayers are carried on the wind. The Hebrew word for “wind” is “ruach”, which is also translated as “spirit” or “breath”, as if the blessings of our spirit are carried in the wind.

This set of Jewish Blessing Flags celebrates seven key values in the Jewish tradition:

Peace Blessing Flag
  • Ahavah (Love)
  • Rachamim (Compassion)
  • Chesed (Lovingkindness)
  • Shalom (Peace, Wholeness)
  • Refuah (Healing)
  • Kavod (Respect)
  • Tzedek (Justice)

The colors and imagery of the Blessing Flags are based on ancient Jewish tradition (Exodus 28:1-8, 33-34). The High Priest’s garments were primarily blue, purple, and scarlet, and the tunic hem was adorned with embroidered bells and pomegranates. The hamsa (hand image) is a symbol of blessing and protection in many Near and Middle Eastern traditions, including Judaism. Also known as the “Hand of Miriam”, it is often used for protection in amulets and other ritual items. Five (hamesh in Hebrew) represents the five books of the Torah.

The blessing flags were produced by Mahaguthi, a fair trade organization in Nepal, according to fair trade standards, which reflect Jewish values of economic justice, fair treatment of workers, environmental sustainability, and consumer responsibility.

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Copyright © 2007-2019 Ilana Schatz and David Lingren. All rights reserved. | Website by Springthistle Design

Fair Trade Judaica's website would never have happened without three extraordinary people:
Lisa K. Chanoff, whose generous donation made the project possible,
Dean MacDonald who captured our essence with his brilliant logo and artistic influence, and
Aaron Hodge Silver who took our ideas and built a website we can grow into for a long time to come.

THANK YOU!