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ב"ה
Jewish Art for the Soul

Nachshon Ben Aminadav

March 29, 2013
(Art by David Brook)
(Art by David Brook)

Artist's Statement: This is a painting of Nachshon Ben Aminadav who walked into the sea when the Egyptians where chasing the Jews. He continued walking until the water reached his nostrils, then it parted and the nation was able to cross on dry land.

Darkness Dancing Into Light

By Yitzchok Moully

March 28, 2013
Acrylic and Ink on Canvas
Acrylic and Ink on Canvas

Artist's Statement: A little light dispels darkness. Joy and dancing create inner light. Grab a friend and dance, and watch your darkness melt away.

Splitting of Sea

By Natalia Kadish

March 25, 2013

Artist’s Statement: The splitting of the Reed Sea as the Jews left Egypt.

Ain Od Milvado (There is None Other than G-d)

March 21, 2013

Artist's Statement: “Ain od milvado,” literally, “There is none other than He,” is the affirmation of G‑d's sovereignty. The elements of water, fire, earth and air represent various paths towards recognizing His sovereignty.

The Baal Teshuva (The Returnee to Judaism)

By Yehoshua Engelson

March 20, 2013
Oil on Canvas
Oil on Canvas

Artist's Statement: This is a person in the process of teshuva—returning to Torah Judaism—with all of his might, using the very things which held him down, as stepping stones to propel forward into the redemptive world that he creates in the process.

The Story of Isaac Ben Yakil

March 19, 2013 12:56 PM
Charcoal on Paper
Charcoal on Paper

Artist's Statement: Reb Bunim used to tell this story to his followers the first time they visited him:

There was once an impoverished man by the name of Reb Isaac ben Yakil of Krakow. He lived in poverty for many years, not knowing where his next crust of bread would come from. Still, Reb Isaac had implicit faith that G‑d would not let him starve, and that one day his suffering would end.

One night, he dreamed that there was highly valuable buried treasure under a specific bridge in Prague. At first, he paid the dream no attention, assuming it was mere wishful thinking. After all, who doesn’t dream of riches? But when the dream repeated itself night after night after night, he began to reconsider. Perhaps there was something to it? Could it possibly be true?

So, he set off to Prague—a long and tiring journey, only to discover that the bridge was right near the royal palace and thus heavily guarded at all hours. Soldiers marched up and down, alert and ready, looking for any signs of danger or unusual activity. Digging under the bridge was clearly out of the question. Oh, how disappointing.

But Reb Isaac was not going to give up that easily. He returned to the bridge day after day until the guards began to recognize him. Soon they became curious. “Why do you come to the bridge every day?” one of the guards asked him. “Are you waiting for someone?”

Reb Isaac knew they wouldn’t believe some half-hearted excuse, so he told them about his dream. The guard listened, threw back his head, and laughed heartily. “You can all this way because of a silly dream? You fool! I had a dream that a certain Jew, Reb Isaac Ben Yakil, has buried treasure under his stove, but do you see me going on a wild good chase? Of course not!” and he laughed uproariously.

Meanwhile, Reb Isaac hurried off to buy a ticket for the first train back to Krakow. Now he knew where to look. Sure enough, when he arrived he immediately shoved the iron stove out of the way and began digging at the hard dirt floor. And, to his great joy and astonishment, after some effort he uncovered a chest of gold coins!

He used the money to build a magnificent synagogue which bore his name, and with the rest of the money he built himself a comfortable home and furnished it well.

When Reb Bunim told this tale to followers who had travelled from far and wide to visit him, what was the message? The followers understood. You don’t always find what you’re looking for by travelling to a distant chassidic court. True spiritual treasure can be acquired right near home, with intense effort and devout prayer.

The Treasure Has Been Given, Now Go and Learn

By Reuven Meir Herrera

March 18, 2013
Prisma Color Pencils and Pen on Paper
Prisma Color Pencils and Pen on Paper

Artist's Statement: Jewish, chassidic, mystical art.

Gam Zu Tova (This, too, is good)

By Sarah Chaya Elisha

March 15, 2013
Acrylic on Stretched Canvas
Acrylic on Stretched Canvas

Artist's Statement: Obstacles and distractions can surround an individual in various shapes and guises. A thread of optimism and hope can help a person break free and transcend.

Master storyteller the Rebbe Yosef Yitzhak of Lubavitch, an endless source of uncompromising inspiration, is depicted as a catalyst for personal change and transformation. His teachings of the inner and hidden aspects of Torah reveal and unmask the hidden hand of G‑d through life’s journey, shattering the illusions of limitations in one’s life.

Nachum Ish Gam Zu, a noted sage from the Talmudic times, is famous for always accepting all situations with the saying, “Gam Zu L’tova,” – “This too is for the good.” This painting takes that idea a step further by suggesting that whatever situation a person finds themselves in is not just for the good but is in itself good.

Hands

By Annita Soble

March 14, 2013
Mixed Media
Mixed Media

Artist's Statement: Hand gestures in everyday chassidic discourse.

Exodus

By Odi Kletski

March 13, 2013
Digital
Digital

Artist’s Statement: Exodus depicts the triumphant events of the splitting of the sea. The colors, movement and expression of the piece capture the emotional impact of a nation exiting slavery. Hope, passion and unity are feelings included in Exodus.

On the Day Moshiach Comes

By Davora Lilian

March 12, 2013
Acrylic on Canvas
Acrylic on Canvas

Artist's Statement: For thousands of years our sages have been telling us about the coming of Moshiach.

We consider our world real and vivid, but when Moshiach arrives we will realize that the World to Come is the real one, and this world is only an illusion. It will be like the brightness of sun and the most colorful dreams!

The Rambam (Maimonides)

By Anshie Kagan

March 11, 2013 10:41 AM
Silkscreen
Silkscreen

Artist's Statement: The Rambam (Maimonides), inspired by Andy Warhol's style of art. One of several in a series of great rabbinic leaders in pop art style.

Shabbat Shalom

By Aiden Kashi

March 8, 2013
Calligraphic Paper Enhanced Via Computer
Calligraphic Paper Enhanced Via Computer

Artist's Statement: Everyone loves Shabbat and that is why I chose these two words. It is a day of peace and happiness and getting closer to our Creator. It is important to be constantly reminded of it. In this piece I was able to combine the beauty or Shabbat with the beauty of Hebrew letters.

Star of David

By Odi Kletski

March 6, 2013
Digital
Digital

Artist's Statement: Star of David is glowing with love and dedication of the Jewish soul. The spirituality of this piece is spoken through emotional impact it leaves on it’s viewers.

Wedding Under a Green Sky

March 5, 2013
Oil on Canvas
Oil on Canvas

Artist’s Statement: Jewish wedding painted after seeing a quote from Hitler, “Anyone who sees and paints a sky green and fields blue ought to be sterilized.”

Pull

By Sarah Stone

March 4, 2013
Ink on Paper
Ink on Paper

Artist's Statement: Sometimes logic pulls us in one direction whereas intuition and emotion tug us in another. While not meant to be narrative, this can be interpreted as that kind of an inner conflict. There are straight lines and abstract, organic shapes.

The Flying Chassid

By Bella Tonini

March 1, 2013
Acrylic
Acrylic

Artist’s Statement: Happiness and levity go hand in hand when one meditates about the beauty of nature and all we have to be grateful for.

Creative works exploring life and Judaism composed by a spectrum of Jewish artists.

"The primary talent of an artist is his ability to step away from the externalities of the thing and, disregarding its outer form, gaze into its innerness and perceive its essence, and to be able to convey this in his painting.This is how an artist can serve his Creator." — The Rebbe


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