Visages of the Rebbe

One of the few inherently sacred "forms"

within the Jewish context

is the holy visage of the Zaddik or righteous saint,

whose enlightening countenance brings

to many solace and strength of faith.

The following mixed material interpretive paintings

made over 30 years ago

are from a series

on the renowned leader, the Lubavitcher Rebbe,

Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson.

One of the most remarkable examples
of the Rebbe's personality was his total 
devotion and love to his father-in-law,
Rabbi Joseph Schneerson, the previous 
Rebbe of the Lubavitcher movement.
So much so that the Rebbe regarded himself 
as only a temporary replacement
until his father-in-law would return resurrected.





The Rebbe as a Fiery Angel

This painting was inspired by the injunction of the Rabbis
that one should only learn Torah
from a teacher whose face is like a fiery angel.









From Gola to Geula

mixed material on canvas 25" x 39"

Our obligation now, according to the Rebbe,
is to bring the Hebrew letter Alef א
(representing Alefo shel Olam, the Master of the World)
into the degraded existence of the Gola גולה (the Exile)
thus transforming it into
the Geula גאולה (the Redemption).

The Rebbe as Light

mixed material on canvas 25" x 39"

Mamash!

mixed material on canvas 25" x 39"

The Hebrew initials of the Rebbe's name,
Menachem Mendel Schneerson,
spell out the Hebrew word: MaMiSh, ממש
which means true reality.

The Secret

mixed material on canvas 25" x 39"

The secret of the coming of the Messiah.

Farbrengen - Video Art

.

A video art interpretation of a festive gathering
of the renowned Chabad-Lubavitcher Rebbe,
Rabbi Menachem Schneersohn,
with his chassidic followers.
The supernal special effects
and evocative narrative track
attempt to render the vast excitement
and spiritual energy that was generated
during this typical gathering,
called Farbrengen,
that occurred over thirty years ago.

In three parts:

Part One

The relationship of chassid to the Rebbe
and the efficacy of Blessing.
http://youtu.be/Yxl27tcqOCc 

Part Two

A short discourse by the Rebbe
on the Previous Rebbe's teachings.
http://youtu.be/a4mpb-w7bJo

Part Three

 A finale of chassidic nigun or songs
with the Rebbe's active participation.
http://youtu.be/-qzNwx49diQ  

The Day the Sun Stood Still - Gimmel Tammuz



Reflections on Gimmel Tammuz
This is the day of the histalkus - passing away
of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, OBM. It is also
an extraordinary day in the annals of the Tanach,
for on this day Joshua in the midst of his battle
with the Amorites ordered the Sun to stop in its track
24 hours to facilitate the victory. (Joshua 10:13-14)
וַיַּעֲמֹד הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ בַּחֲצִי הַשָּׁמַיִם, וְלֹא-אָץ לָבוֹא כְּיוֹם תָּמִים.
וְלֹא הָיָה כַּיּוֹם הַהוּא, לְפָנָיו וְאַחֲרָיו, לִשְׁמֹעַ יְהוָה, בְּקוֹל אִישׁ
There was never a day before or after,
that G-d (or the Sun) would listen to the voice
of a mere mortal (at least to the extent
of changing the immutable laws of astronomy)!
We know the miraculous efficacy
of any Zaddik's prayer and blessing
for health and other needs of his followers
and as attested by the countless encounters
people have had with the Rebbe.
But apparently for this to occur again
on a cosmic scale, like it did with Joshua,
we will have to wait until
the revealed coming of the Moshiach,
who will control the climate and the world with
the utterance of his mouth.
However, since each of us
is a "world in miniature" - עולם קטן,
the private miracles we have experienced
with the Rebbe can be a hint as to the future.

Link to Portraits of the Rebbe

by my deceased wife, Yael Avi-Yonah OBM

rebbe2.htm

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Telephone in Israel:
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Email address: dovlederberg@gmail.com

      
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