Discover Artza Boxes, a monthly subscription service delivering handcrafted treasures from local artisans in the Holy Land straight to your door. Each quarter, you’ll receive a thoughtfully curated box with a unique theme, featuring an array of items such as gourmet foods, home décor, artisanal crafts, and educational materials. Dive deeper into the experience with included insights about the talented artisans behind these creations, fostering a meaningful connection to the Holy Land. Perfect as a gift or a special treat for you and your loved ones, Artza Boxes bring joy and inspiration with every delivery!

This quarter’s Artza Box, themed around Genesis, celebrates creation and new beginnings. One thing you may find interesting is that some of the items included are on the subject of Shabbat, the Sabbath. The connection is what’s celebrated on the Sabbath – creation. Each Sabbath, we say the Kiddush, Genesis 2:1-3, “

Every item in the box is thoughtfully selected to reflect the essence of Genesis – creation and new beginnings. Here’s what you’ll find inside.

The included booklet features Banias, a breathtaking region of verdant landscapes and flowing waters, also known as Caesarea Philippi. This historic site holds profound biblical significance as the place where Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do you say I am?” prompting Peter’s powerful confession that Jesus is the Messiah (Matthew 16:13-20).

Today, Banias is a vibrant destination within the Banias Nature Reserve, drawing visitors to its stunning natural beauty and rich history. Explore the serene Banias Spring, marvel at the majestic waterfall, and wander through archaeological treasures, including the ancient Cave of Pan and Roman-era ruins. Perfect for pilgrims, history enthusiasts, and nature lovers, Banias offers a captivating blend of spiritual reflection and scenic wonder.

Yair Emanuel Hand-Painted Candle Holder Set

This lovely painted metal candle holder is my standout favorite from the box! Crafted by artist Yair Emanuel, celebrated for his vibrant and meaningful Judaica designs, it’s an ideal piece for an Erev Shabbat service, designed to hold two candles and adorned with the poignant Bible verse, “God saw that the light was good and He separated the light from the darkness” (Genesis 1:4) from the creation narrative. It elevates our Shabbat table with its beauty and pairs flawlessly with the Seven Days of Creation tray below. Emanuel’s other works, featured in past Artza Boxes, consistently bring such meaningful and stunning artistry to our collection.

Yair Emanuel Seven Days of Creation Serving Tray

This exquisite tray is also created by renowned artist Yair Emanuel. Perfectly suited for placement beneath the candle holder set in this box on your dining or display table, this painted metal tray serves as both a functional piece and a work of art. It vividly depicts the Seven Days of Creation, each panel illustrating a day of creation from the Genesis narrative with Emanuel’s signature blend of bold colors and intricate patterns. Ideal for Shabbat, holidays, or as a thoughtful gift, this Yair Emanuel creation brings spiritual depth and aesthetic elegance to any table.

Halva-Coated Peanuts

Halva, a Middle Eastern confection, offers a delightful, subtly sweet complement to crunchy peanuts, making these Halva Coated Peanuts an ideal snack. This treat celebrates the Holy Land’s heritage, with its packaging featuring Genesis 1:11: “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it…” A perfect blend of flavor and tradition, it’s a meaningful addition to any snack collection.

DeKarina Milk Chocolate Treats

Mixture for Challah Coating

This challah coating is a stellar addition to my family’s collection of challah recipes. We’ve tried numerous variations! This coating blends Za’atar, a vibrant Middle Eastern spice mix, with other Israeli herbs, creating a flavorful and visually stunning topping for challah or any bread loaf. Sourced from Derech HaTavlinim (The Spice Road Farm) in Bethlehem of Galilee, Israel, these spices are expertly crafted. Packaged by “In the Box,” a company empowering individuals recovering from addiction through employment and training, this coating delivers rich taste and meaningful impact.

Blessing for Israel Hand-Cut Paper Artwork

This framed artwork by Noa Attias captures the Holy Land’s splendor, depicting a native Israeli tree and bird that celebrate creation’s beauty. A lifelong artist, Attias infuses her work with the essence of meaningful traditions and events. The piece features a hand-cut tree shaped like Israel, enclosing a Hebrew prayer, translated in English as: “Our Father in Heaven, Rock and Redeemer of the people Israel: Bless the State of Israel, with its promise of redemption. Shield it with Your love; spread over it the shelter of Your peace. Guide its leaders and advisors with Your light and Your truth. Help them with Your good counsel. Strengthen the hands of those who defend out Holy Land. Deliver them; crown their efforts with triumph. Bless the land with peace, and its inhabitants with lasting joy”. A stunning and soulful addition to any home, this artwork radiates spiritual and cultural significance.

Genesis Journal

This exquisite journal celebrates the creation story in Genesis, adorned with Hebrew words, their meanings, and selected verses. Its hand-pressed paper pages, accented by simple illustrations, offer ample space for reflections on creation, Bible study, or personal thoughts. The cover, graced with a gold olive branch, features “In the Beginning” in both Hebrew and English. The Hebrew word Beresheet (בראשית), meaning “In the beginning” and the first word of the Bible, also names the Book of Genesis, the Torah’s opening book. Learn more about the Torah here.

This quarter’s Artza Box is a radiant celebration of the Holy Land’s rich heritage, encapsulating the spirit of Israel through artisan-crafted treasures. Each item, from Hebrew-inscribed journals to Galilee-grown spice blends, weaves a story of faith, resilience, and tradition, inviting you to connect deeply with the land and its people. More than a subscription, it’s a meaningful journey that transforms unboxing into a moment of spiritual discovery. Perfect for enriching your own connection to Israel or gifting to someone who holds the Holy Land dear, this box brings the region’s timeless beauty and inspiration into your home. With every carefully curated piece, the Artza Box fosters reflection, gratitude, and a lasting bond with Israel’s sacred legacy.

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Caution: spoilers ahead!

Episode two of Season Three gives more insight into the characters of some of the disciples, depicts what the commission of the 12 apostles may have been like, and reveals Thomas and Remah’s plan for the future.  

To see my previous articles Explaining The Chosen, find them here.

Olive Oil

When Thomas, James, and John were visiting James and John’s parents, Zebedee offered them (Thomas first) a taste of the olive oil he made. He said that it could be used for ceremonial purposes. People in the ancient Near East used olive oil for many purposes. The lowest quality oil was used to fuel lamps, and the finest was used for ceremonial purposes such as anointing Temple items, priests for Temple service, or lighting the Temple menorah. 

When the women discuss Zebedee’s olive oil a few scenes later, Mary says, “I wonder if it can be sold as anointing oil?” Ramah responds, “Holy anointing oil is very specific. It’s laid out in the Books of Moses”. Ramah refers to Exodus 30, verses 22 through 33, where God gives Moses instructions on preparing oil to anoint the Tabernacle items. 

Do your fathers know each other?

When Thomas nervously announced that he was thinking of asking Ramah to marry him, Zebedee’s first question was, “Do your fathers know each other?” When Thomas explained that his father was deceased, Zebedee followed with questions about many others who may have the authority to make wedding arrangements. Thomas’s father, older brother,    

Times were different then, and it wasn’t up to two people who fell in love to get married. The families were highly involved in the decision to marry and the wedding plans for the bride and groom. There were few exceptions, but as Zebedee points out, Samson and David chose wives on their own – but those marriages led to some problems, so maybe that’s part of why the tradition of the family’s involvement in selecting a spouse carried on for so long!

Erev Shabbat

Mary, Ramah, and Tamar discussed their low food supply, and Mary said they would be in Matthew’s old house by Erev Shabbat. I’ve discussed Shabbat when I’ve covered other episodes of The Chosen. 

On our Gregorian calendar, days start at midnight, but on the Biblical calendar, they start the evening before. This timing is from Genesis 1:4, “and it was evening, and it was morning, the first day…” It’s not just day one that starts in the evening in Genesis 1 – each day does (Gen. 1:5-31). 

Where I’m from

Tamar said she’d rather not discuss where she’s from. She’s from Ethiopia, and her reasons for keeping that under wraps are probably due to the vivid history between the Ethiopian people and Israel. 

In 2 Chronicles 14, Ethiopia fought Israel. That story didn’t end well for the Ethiopians. God was on Israel’s side, and the Ethiopians met a devastating defeat. 

Ethiopia is also called Cush in the Bible because Noah’s grandson, Cush, was chief over the Ethiopians. In addition to being enemies of Israel for geographic reasons, Cush himself fathered Nimrod, the man who founded the ungodly societies of both Babylon and Ninevah. These cities caused much heartache for Israel and God. 

Apostles

In Luke 6:13, Jesus told the disciples that twelve of them were now his apostles. These twelve had now moved from a student role to that of teachers themselves. 

In the Greek Biblical text, disciples are μαθητής (mathetes), which means “students” or “ones who learn.” The word “apostle” is ἀπόστολος (apostolos), meaning “messengers” or, more literally, “ones who are sent off.” 

Apostles weren’t always sent out for the same reasons. For example, when Jewish leadership sent people out to collect taxes, they were also referred to as “apostles .” Apostles were also representatives or agents sent out from a congregation or authority. Jesus was giving them authority, under him, to go out and teach, heal, and cast out demons in his name. 

In ancient times, there were various stages of training for a rabbi’s disciples. The first was service to the rabbi, catering to his needs while he taught. The next step was for that disciple to begin his own ministry. To start this ministry, there would be a ceremony, like the one in 1 Timothy 5:22, to mark the point when the teacher’s ministry began. The lack of a ceremony is why the writers of The Chosen had Thaddaeus ask, “Was there a ceremony I missed?”. 

The Lost Sheep of the House of Israel

In Romans 1:16, Paul explains that salvation was first for the Jew, then the Greek. Why would salvation first be for Jews?

When Biblical prophecy promised a messiah, those promises were given to the people of Israel, not to all the peoples on earth at that time. Now, we know that those promises were extended to people outside of the nation of Israel in some cases in the Bible. Ruth, Rahab, and even Abraham came from a people considered “the nations,” which included the non-Israel groups that surrounded God’s people. 

We can access God’s promises to Israel by acknowledging God as the one true God, with Jesus as His Son. Romans 9-11 explains that the Messiah was sent to the Jews, fulfilling God’s promise to Abraham. However, through their faith in God, the Gentiles can benefit from that promise and participate in the blessings brought by the Messiah. Paul compares this concept to a wild olive branch grafted onto a cultivated tree. The wild branch then receives the nutrients from the root, just as the natural branches do. This metaphor shows that Gentiles receive blessings through the root of God’s promises that were originally just meant for the Jewish people because of their faith.     

“The Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand”

Jesus repeats this phrase as the message the apostles should take as they go out. What does he mean by the “kingdom of heaven,” and how was it “at hand”?

Jesus wasn’t talking about a physical kingdom but a spiritual one. When the apostles were supposed to go out and tell people that the kingdom was at hand, they were bringing a message that the Messiah had arrived and that they could be part of God’s Kingdom by recognizing that miraculous event. God has always had a heavenly kingdom. When Jesus, God’s Son, walked on earth, that kingdom became accessible! That’s the Gospel message and the same one the apostles were supposed to carry throughout the land on their missions. 

Shake the dust off of your feet

Matt 10:14, Mark 6:11, and Luke 9:5 all quote Jesus when he tells the disciples (now the apostles) to “shake the dust off of the soles of your feet” when a house or city doesn’t accept them and their message. Of course, Jesus didn’t mean for them to literally shake dust off their feet. This phrase is an idiom meant to teach the disciples that they shouldn’t waste their time and effort on people who openly rejected the disciples and the good news they brought. 

A Zealot and a tax collector 

Although the situation where Jesus pairs Matthew and Simon the Zealot together on their missionary journey isn’t in the Bible, the fact that they both followed under the same teacher is strange! The Jewish tax collectors were on the side of Rome, which was occupying Jerusalem and ruling the Jewish people. Tax collectors were considered traitors because of their allegiance to the Roman government. Zealots were on the opposite side. They were rigorously trained to oppose the Romans and dedicated their lives to this cause. A tax collector and a zealot would be a strange pair indeed!

Tel Dor

Thomas told Remah he would be headed Southwest, and she asked if he would be near Tel Dor. Tel Dor was a coastal city in Israel Southwest of Capernaum and is now an archaeological site. “Tel” means “mound” or “ruin,” and “dor” means generation, so this city’s name is literally “mound of a generation.” Biblically, this city is called “Dor” and is mentioned many times. 

Thomas then says he will see Remah in Joppa, another Biblical city mentioned mostly in Acts but elsewhere in the Bible. It’s South of Dor, also on the Mediterranean coast, and is the site of many well-known events in the Bible. Today it’s called Yafo, but in its Joppa days, it was known as the place where Peter received his vision (Acts 10), the place Jonah fled to hop on a ship to Tarshish (Jonah 1:3), the site of the miracle where Tabitha was brought back to life (Acts 9:32-42), and more. 

Little James 

James the Less in the Bible is not the same John as James’s brother. Some think he may have been related to Jesus—either his brother or cousin. He’s the son of Alphaeus, and we don’t know as much about him as some of Jesus’s other followers. 

Some believe that James the Less in the Bible was in some way disabled, so he’s portrayed in The Chosen as having a handicap. It’s unique to note that the actor portraying Little James actually has some real-life disabilities, so this scene must have some deeper meaning for him! 

A Psalm of David

When the twelve gather outside Matthew’s house, they recite Psalm 3, a good reminder for all of us!

O LORD, how many are my foes!

Many are rising against me;

many are saying of my soul,

“There is no salvation for him in God.” Selah

But you, O LORD, are a shield about me,

my glory, and the lifter of my head.

I cried aloud to the LORD,

and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah

I lay down and slept;

I woke again, for the LORD sustained me.

I will not be afraid of many thousands of people

who have set themselves against me all around.

Arise, O LORD!

Save me, O my God!

For you strike all my enemies on the cheek;

you break the teeth of the wicked.

Salvation belongs to the LORD;

your blessing be on your people! Selah

Ps. 3:1-8 (ESV)

That brings us to the end of another beautiful episode of The Chosen. I can’t wait to see what Episode 3 brings!

Wondering why this site is changing? Here’s the answer.

In summary, I intend to reflect more clearly what I believe and practice to help my audience find the Biblically solid resources they need to grow in their faith. 

Believers arrive at the Hebrew Roots Movement because they are honestly seeking what God desires, but the Movement is a catch-all for Hebraic Believers with varying beliefs. It consists of a wide range of ideologies, from Christians who merely want to apply the whole Bible to how they practice their faith to Gentiles who practice or follow the teaching of Messianic Judaism. 

From the beginning of my family’s walk on the Hebraic path, we have leaned heavily toward a Messianic Jewish faith. I’ve found the Messianic Jews to be the most Biblically solid group I’ve encountered. They have thousands of years of Jewish wisdom based on the Hebrew Bible, combined with a solid understanding of the New Testament. My family has grown spiritually by leaps and bounds by being a part of a Messianic Jewish synagogue and community, open to teaching and leading us on our journey. 

As I change the website from Hebrew Roots Mom to Holy Branches, the information will mostly remain the same, with less emphasis on the Hebrew Roots Movement. While the concept of Hebrew Roots is valuable in understanding where we belong as Gentiles in God’s Kingdom, there are some specific reasons I’ve chosen to distance myself from the Hebrew Roots Movement itself. I would like to make it very clear that most in the HRM are honestly seeking and are in a place of valuable spiritual growth. However, I’ve occasionally seen beliefs or practices I find unbiblical and concerning in the HRM.

If you are a Believer seeking a deeper Biblical faith, I encourage you to be highly discerning in your search. I highly recommend you find a solid Messianic Jewish source as a starting point and grow from there. As I always advise, seek God in everything when making changes to your faith. Pray about all you hear regarding your faith, and use the Bible as the standard of truth.  

I wish you shalom and blessings on your journey,

Holly

Here’s another Artza box filled with unique items from the Holy Land! Each box has a different theme and contains items surrounding that theme made by artisans in the featured area. This quarter’s “Land of Promise” box is filled with items from and representative of the Land of Israel.

Would you like to know what was in previous Artza boxes? Click here to read my other Artza box reviews.

Read more about the items included in the Land of Promise box below.

Cacao Bean & Hazelnut Crunch Chocolate

This chocolate is my family’s favorite item in this quarter’s box! I have a house full of coffee lovers, so coffee and chocolate are the perfect combination! This chocolate is flavorful but not too sweet, with crunchy coffee beans and hazelnuts on top.

The artisan who created this delightful concoction is Yaara, an Israeli chocolatier who uses only the finest chocolate in her creations. She incorporates the flavors of nature and Israeli farmers into her chocolate and experiments with new chocolate flavors.

HolyBrew Coffee

Another favorite of my coffee-loving family is the ground coffee. This coffee tastes fresh and smells just heavenly! It’s a medium-dark blend and tastes wonderful! There was also a coupon in the box for some free coffee from HolyBrew!

Dead Sea Mud Cream

Mud from the Dead Sea in Israel has long been known for its healing and beautifying properties. This luxurious cream combines the beneficial Dead Sea mud with floral and herbal extracts for a cream that leaves your skin feeling silky, smooth, and not at all greasy.

It has an earthy floral fragrance and is a thick cream that absorbs quickly. It’s a refreshing way to moisturize after a shower or anytime! Even the impressive container this cream comes in makes it a wonderful gift.

Golden Israel Candle Holder

Sized perfectly for a votive or tea candle, this candle holder is a beautiful reminder of Israel for those far away. Use it to create a peaceful mood in your home, and maybe add a scented candle to create the atmosphere you want.

Created by artist Hagar Tirosch, this attractive brass candle holder with a cutout of the shape of the land of Israel will be a welcome addition to any home.

“You Shall Be Blessed” Israeli Dove Art

Each Artza box subscription has a premium option. Premium subscribers receive a unique item not included in the regular subscription box. This box’s premium item is this gorgeous art piece created by Asaf Kornfein.

The quote “You shall be blessed” accompanies the shape of the country of Israel, along with two doves, representing peace. What a beautiful reminder of God’s promise to His people!

Dead Sea Salt Set

These gourmet flavored salts are a great way to upgrade any recipe. Dead sea salt is delicious, but these salts are uniquely flavored. The flavors included in this set are Smoked, Black Course, Hot Chili Pepper, Mint, and Sun-dried Tomato. We love them all, but my family’s favorite is the Smoked flavor. My boys really like the Hot Chili Pepper salt because they’re all about the spicy stuff.

Each Artza box includes a recipe using an item from the box. This box’s recipe is for Spinach & Cheese Bourekas, which use the salt from this flavored salt set. I haven’t tried this one yet. If you do, comment below and let me know how they turned out!

Jerusalem Wall Tapestry

This beautiful decoration features the verse from Psalms 122:6, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; may those who love you enjoy tranquility.” Its creator is the famous Israeli artist Yair Emanuel. His delightful and brightly colored work has been featured in previous Artza boxes.

Jerusalem Five Stones Game

Made by Eran at Gems of Jerusalem, this ancient game consists of five Jerusalem stone cubes. The cubes are new, but the game is old! Thousands of years ago, children played this game in the streets of Jerusalem, and now, you can play that game in your home! What a unique opportunity to get a glimpse into ancient life!

Artza boxes make excellent gifts! Each box directly supports artisans in the Holy Land and brings meaningful items from the Land to your door. Order for yourself or a loved one and get a 20% discount on your first order with my coupon code: HEBREW20