Lesley Friedmann

“This time I will thank G‑d.” (Genesis 29:35) Judah, Leah’s fourth son, was named for her gratitude. The tribe of Judah, which is the tribe of royalty, embodies the quality of gratitude and humility—the ability to acknowledge one’s wrongdoings, as well as...

“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, workin...

“Because G-d heard.” (Genesis 29:33) Leah’s second son, Simeon, embodies the quality of hearing. The tribe of Simeon did not receive its own portion in the Land of Israel because of their aggressive role in destroying the city of Shechem (see Genesis 34),...

“Because G-d saw my affliction.” (Genesis 29:32) Named by his mother, Leah, the firstborn of the twelve tribes embodies the quality of vision. Illuminated by the sun rising over the hills around the Dead Sea, this painting asks us to gaze past the dark fo...

[Editor's note: Over the coming months we will be featuring each of these 12 paintings separately, with their individual explanations, so that you can enjoy the detail and meaning hidden built into each painting.] The 12 Tribes of Israel series has been a...