Ruth was so dedicated to her mother-in-law, Naomi, and to G‑d, that she did not want to go back to Moab, rather to go with Naomi to Bethlehem, as shown in this famous passage (which is the inspiration for my painting).

I have depicted Ruth clinging to Naomi, her mother-in-law, in the desert, on the way to Bethlehem. Ruth says to Naomi, ‘Do not urge me to leave you. Wherever you go, I will go; where you lodge, I will lodge; your people are my people, and your G‑d is my G‑d’. (Ruth 1:16)

Ruth is collecting left-over barley at harvest time in order to provide for herself and Naomi, her mother-in-law, with whom she lived in Bethlehem.

Gleaning is the act of collecting leftover crops from farmers’ fields after they have been harvested.

According to the of the Torah, farmers should leave the corners of their fields unharvested, and they should not attempt to pick up that which was dropped or harvest any left-overs that had been forgotten when they had harvested the majority of a field. These things should be left for the poor, for strangers, widows, and orphans.

“This time my husband will be attached to me.” (Genesis 29:34)

The attachment that Leah describes in naming her third son, Levi, is embodied in the tribe’s quality of service. The tribe of Levi is dedicated to G‑d in their service in the Sanctuary, working together for the good of all to express devotion to the One Above. The painting invites us to step down into the courtyard of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem—to join in the service. Our eye is drawn to the menorah in the center, which was cast from one solid piece of gold. The flames of the menorah were said to point towards the middle flame. At the center of our service of G‑d is our unity as a nation. Together, as one, we are dedicated to our higher purpose: the holy task of lighting up the world.

The green hues of the painting reflect the gemstone of the tribe of Levi, green agate.

The moment of candle lighting is one of deep reflection. An expressive exploration of the mood of this special time.

Inspired by the Parsha Bereshit. In the beginning there was the Tree of life rooting itself around Torah surrounded by vessels of light to transform us.

Text of Samuel Chapter 1.

I painted this when my mom passed as I thought about her soul’s journey I thought about the shin emanating rays of golden light as her soul rose on high like the wings of a dove.