CCAR RESPONSA
New American Reform Responsa
63. The Tower as a Havdalah Spice Box
QUESTION: What is the origin of the spice box in the form of a tower? Is this connected with the tower of David in Jerusalem? (Mitchell Davids, Albany, NY)ANSWER: In the earliest discussions of havdalah the spice was held simply in the hand rather than in a container; for example a bunch of myrtle (Shab 33b; Jacob Moelln Sefer Maharil 19d). When a variety of spices rather than a single spice was used for havdalah, then a container became necessary (Isaac of Vienna Or Zarua II #92). Early illustrations show a round container (Sefer Minhagim Venice 1590). In some German illustrations from 1553, it appeared like a tower and the accompanying text indicated that this followed a traditional form (Franz Landsberger “Ritual Implements for the Sabbath” in Joseph Guttmann Beauty in Holiness p 186). Two suggestions about this form have been made: Kayser felt that the tower was reminiscent of the medieval fortified towers in which spices and other valuables were kept. Landsberger rejected this as the towers were too open for fortifications. He accepted the suggestion of Rachel Wischnitzer-Bernstein which related the tower to the Biblical verse: “His cheeks are as a bed of spices as towers of perfumes” (Song of Songs 5.13) and added that such towers were often among the gifts presented to the infant Jesus by the Three Kings along with myrrh and other spices. Towers became a favorite form of the besamim box and were fabricated by Jews and non-Jews as the markings indicate. There is no connection with ancient Jerusalem.September 1987
If needed, please consult Abbreviations used in CCAR Responsa.