Narrative Series
Each of these series of paintings creates a distinct narrative; i.e. a story with a beginning, middle and end. They are meant to be seen as a complete group in a specific order, and unfold episodically just like the stories in the Bible.
Inspired by the illuminated medieval haggadot, these 8 paintings are a pictorial preface to the text of the Passover Haggadah. Each episode concerns God’s connection with his creation in which He directly acts in the world.
The Sotah and the Jealous Husband Numbers 5:11-31 11 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 12 Speak to the people of Israel, and say to them, If any man’s wife goes astray, and commits a trespass against him, 13 And a man lies with…
In the daily morning prayers the Shema, the essential declaration of Jewish faith, appears twice. The first, immediately following the morning blessings, is the truncated “Shema of Fear.” It is preceded by the Sacrifice of Isaac (Genesis 22:1-19) and followed by the blessing “Atah hu”…
Multiple Paintings with the Same Theme
Many of the diverse incidents in the Bible have fascinated me over the years. I have treated the same specific subject over the course of my career from different perspectives and in many different styles, each hopefully lending a new insight into the event.
Book of Esther 6:11-14 11 Then took Haman the clothing and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor.…
Individual Paintings
Some Jewish and Biblical subjects are explored but once…at least up to now.
Book of Esther 9:5-10 5 Thus the Jews struck all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and slaughter, and destruction, and did what they would to those who hated them. 6 And in Shushan the capital the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred…
Book of Esther 7:8-10 8 Then the king returned from the palace garden to the place of the wine drinking; and Haman was falling upon the couch where Esther was. Then said the king, Will he also force the queen with me present in the…
Tzitzit and the Harlot Talmud Menachos: 44a It was taught: R. Nathan said, There is not a single precept in the Torah, even the lightest, whose reward is not enjoyed in this world; and as to its reward in the future world I know not…
