Mordechai Vayechi

Hebrew names, custom art by Judaic artist Marlene Burns. Mordecai Aaron: Vayechi... more

by Marlene Burns

Original - Sold

Price

$1,200

Dimensions

18.000 x 24.000 x 1.500 inches

Title

Mordechai Vayechi

Artist

Marlene Burns

Medium

Painting - Mixed Media On Canvas

Description

Hebrew names, custom art by Judaic artist Marlene Burns. Mordecai Aaron: Vayechi
This painting is a visual expression of the connection between Marcus and the portion of Torah
from which he chanted on the occasion of him becoming a Bar Mitzvah, a son of the commandments.
This section takes place in Egypt and spans from the end of Jacob’s life to the end of his son Joseph’s life.
At the end of Jacob’s life (also named Israel), he blesses his grandsons from Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh)
as if they were his own sons. He wishes for them to “multiply abundantly like fish…”
The grandsons receive the same blessings as Jacob’s other sons and become the progenitors
of the twelve tribes of Israel.
These brothers were the first in our history to get along. For that reason, we acknowledge Jacob’s gesture
by blessing our sons on the Sabbath, saying, “May you be like Ephraim and Manasseh.”
The Priestly Benediction is then said to complete the Shabbat prayer.
“May G d bless you and keep you.
May G d shine His countenance upon you and be gracious to you.
May G d turn His countenance toward you and grant you peace.”

In the painting, Marcus’ first name in Hebrew (Mordecai) is intertwined with the name of the
portion of Torah (Vayechi) from which he chanted. Both are shown in the traditional Torah script.
These names are anchored in a sea of green and blue to emphasize Marcus’ strong connection to water.

During Temple times, the High Priest wore a breastplate with 12 stones signifying each of Jacob’s sons.
In our temples and synagogues today, the breastplate is worn by the Torah.
Green is the color of the Beryl stone that represented the House of Joseph.

Other symbols include the lifted hands of a High Priest (Kohane) as he delivers the Priestly Benediction.
The two fish reference Jacob’s blessing and emphasize the close relationship between the brothers.
Marcus chanted the last several verses of the first book of Moses, Genesis. There are several references
to the number three in those lines. The artist has painted 3 circles in the painting to remind us.
Torah tells us that Joseph lived to see three generations of his children.
Jacob reminds his family that G-d will remember His people by keeping the promise He made
to our three Patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) and bring them out of the land of Egypt.
The Priestly Benediction (Birkat Kohanim) is a three threefold blessing.
Each book of Moses ends with the traditional trio of
“Chazak, Chazak V’nitzachek!”
Be strong, be strong and may we be strengthened.

This painting is a gift to Marcus from his grandmother, Judith.
Just as Jacob blessed his grandsons in Biblical times, Marcus’ grandmother blesses him today.

Uploaded

January 12th, 2018