The Sacred Letters


Dov Lederberg has been deeply involved
in using new art media and techniques

to express the subtle ideas
of Kabbalistic teachings and meditation.

Many of his original paintings and prints
have been inspired
by the "ktav stam"
or the Hebrew scribal style,
including individual letters
of the aleph bais,
as well as the words:
achad, mizrach, shalom, braysheesh,
the names of the 12 Tribes.


The Twelve Tribes
 
12 tribes



12 tribes

An assemblage of twelve original paintings
representing the names of the Tribes of Israel
as they were incised in the gemstones of
the golden Kho-shen חושן
or breastplate of the High Priest.

Each painting reveals a unique style and
color palette, inspired by teaching
s
from the Midrash and Kabbalah.


Airbrush/acrylic on canvas on 12 mounted canvases: 
62" x 48" (158 x 122 cm) 
Other sizes and versions on special order
as well as paintings of individual names in Hebrew.


The Twelve Tribes


For information in Hebrew  עברית
 



 
  Close-up of section: The Tribe of Dan

closeup Dan

DAN was inscribed on the Leshem,
which some commentators
believe
was a topaz.
The stone (and the painting) have
"inverted" faces, hinting
that from this tribe would come
many judges, who had to show
 impartiality in judging
rich and poor and examine
every side of the issue.
So you can see
one set of judges on the left
and if you stand on your head
you can perceive another set on the right.
The banner of Dan also contained 
a snake image,
hence the suggestion
of reptilian scales.




 

  Close-up of section: The Tribe of Judah

closeup Dan

JUDAH was inscribed on the Nofech,
which some
commentators
believe was a bluish-green carbuncle.

The gem is said to have an efficacy in
achieving victory over one's enemies,
internal and external,
which is a primary attribute

of Kingdom, as well as the Baal Tsuvah,
the Repenter, both of which
are associated with Judah.

The desert banner of Judah
contained a picture

of a crouching lion
and a gestalt of its profile

may be discerned in the painting.


 


 

Efrayim and Menashe

efrayim&menashe

airbrush / acrylic on canvas
diptych 16” x 32” (40 x 80 cm)
 






Achad - the Primordial Light - version #1

achad

שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל ה’ אֱלֹהֵינוּ יְהוָה אֶחָד

“Hear Oh Israel HaShem is
Our G-d HaShem is One”
(Deut 6: 4)
אחד Achad or One
is the essence of both
the Shma Yisroel prayer –
“Hear Oh Israel” —
and the First Day of Creation,
Yom Achad,
 יום אחד
the creation of the Primordial Light
which was afterwards concealed
so that the wicked
of future generations

would not be able to enjoy it,
this being the most profound
“punishment”
for sinning,
the denial of the Light.

In reciting this prayer
it is the custom
to cover our eyes

in order to see and reveal
within ourselves

this Light and unite with the One.

This revelation also applies
to those (actually all of us)
who are not an exactly
a full-time 24/7 Zaddik,
a Righteous One,
since during
this existential second
when we recite the prayer,
we become a Zaddik, irregardless
of what we have done in the past
or will do in the future.
airbrush/acrylic on canvas
30” x 40”  (76 x 102 cm)
 


Achad - the Primordial Light - version #2

achad#2

airbrush/acrylic on canvas
30” x 40”  (76 x 102 cm)  





Mizrach - the Messianic Dawn


mizrach

The approaching sunrise
over the walls of the Old City
in Jerusalem -
its turrets, stairs and gates -
is not just the anticipation
of another day
and another beginning,
but because it is in Jerusalem,
the center of the World's Soul,
the dawn must express
the ultimate faith
that the Night of the Exile
has ended
and this new day
will usher in the coming
of the Mashiach - Messiah.

 

 


Shalom and The Priestly Blessing


shalom

 

  The Priestly Blessing concludes
with the word “Shalom”,
transmitted to the ears
of the congregation
in ever-expanding waves or ripples,
to open our hearts and minds
to receive G-d’s Blessing.

airbrush/acrylic on canvas
30” x 40”  (76 x 102 cm)





The Entrance to the Garden of Eden


gardenofeden
 
 The entrance to the Garden of Eden
is guarded by angels

wielding revolving swords
and who allow passage

only to those souls
who in their lives were connected

to the Aleph,
the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet

and the Ten Commandments
and hints as well

to the "Alupho shel Olam",
The Master of the Universe.

 
airbrush/acrylic on canvas
30” x 40”  (76 x 102 cm)





Bris Aish - Genesis - The Convenant of Fire


brayshees

 

  According to Jewish philosophy
the world was created

ex nihilo by the Hebrew letters
and the words

of the Ten Divine Utterances
in the first chapter of Genesis
and in particular

the first word – Braysheesh בראשית
which is the subject

of the entire book of the Tikunei Zohar.
There the various permutations
of its letters
are examined
and explicated and one of them –

Brees Aish - ברית אש -The Covenant of Fire -  
is the source of inspiration for this work
.

airbrush/acrylic on canvas
30” x 40”  (76 x 102 cm)







Barah Sheesh - Genesis - He Created Six

barah sheesh

Here the permutation of the letters
 of Braysheesh בראשית
forms the words:
Barah Sheesh ברא שית
He created Six (or Foundation)

airbrush/acrylic on canvas
17" x 20”  (19 x 50 cm)




Poster on the Sacred Letters

Sacred Letters
Image size 18" x 12 1/2" (46 x 32 cm)


Many of the paintings may be available as prints and giclees,
 please inquire:

http://dov-lederberg.artistwebsites.com/

107 Alorzorov Street
Tzfat (Safed) Israel 1322480
Telephone in Israel:
  mobile: 052-662-7620
(972-52-662-7620)


Email address: dovlederberg@gmail.com


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