Judy Rey Wasserman's Art & Scripture Blog

Fall Tree Aleph is created of the original letters of Deuteronomy 6. These include the famous Shema, which all observant Jews, since the time of Moses (thus including John the Baptist, Jesus and the disciples) pray every morning and evening.

“Hear Oh Israel, the LORD your God, the LORD is one” – the Shema, Deut. 6:4

Deuteronomy 6 also includes another daily prayer, also said since the time of Moses, called the Vahavta.

The Deuteronomy 6:5 instructs, “And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.”

 

The art is Fall Tree Aleph (Strokes = Deuteronomy 6) By Judy Rey Wasserman.

Christian scholars believe that Jesus was born either during the fall celebrations or the ones in the spring as that was when Jews headed to Israel, plus there were astronomical events that are believed to have possibly been the Star of Bethlehem. The majority of these scholars believe that Joseph and Mary were on there way to Jerusalem for the festivals of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot.  This means Jesus was born in the fall.

The Rosh Hashanah New Year holiday commemorates the beginning or birth of Man, specifically Genesis’ Adam.

As the Son of Man the birth of Jesus on the eve of Rosh Hashanah makes theological sense from a Jewish-Christian perspective. Being born at that time would have been meaningful to Herod, who was a Jew and would have understood the possible ramifications for such a time of birth for the real heir of David’s throne. Frankly, if one were doing PR for the baby Jesus such a birthday could not be beat for Jews who awaited a messiah and also a resurrection of the kingship of David’s lineage, overturning Roman rule, and also Herod.

The most sacred and solemn day of the Jewish calendar is Yom Kippur, a day of fast and communal repentance. It follows after Rosh Hashanah by a ten days.

A week later is Sukkot, also known as the feast and festival of Booths. It recalls the time the Tribes of Israel dwelt in tents (booths) in the desert. Since the time of Moses, Jews erect temporary tents called sukkahs, where families and communities enjoy festive meals.

Thanksgiving is similar in many ways to Sukkot. Both are about the gathering of families in communal festive meals that celebrate the harvest but also an successful ending to a difficult period. While American Thanksgiving illustrations depict Pilgrims and Algonquin people sharing a meal, I have often wondered if the Pilgrims had erected temporary tents when they originally landed using skins or clothes as the weather was probably cooler and could turn inclement.

Thus the fall festivals are communal occasions according to both Jewish and the New World Christian traditions.

The text of the Vahavta points strongly to family and community as it instructs followers, “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be upon thy heart; and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy house, and when thou walkest by the way …”

Then it goes on to personalize one’s relationship to the commandments, “…and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.”

In other words, ponder and communicate, in thought, word and deed our love of the Lord with all love the LORD with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might., everywhere and always, thus influencing others by example while gaining personal growth.

*  *  *

Judy Rey Wasserman is an artist and the founder of Post Conceptual Art theory and also the branch known as UnGraven Image Art at ungravenimage.com.

Post Conceptual UnGraven Image Art theory is based at the intersection of ancient spiritual wisdom and cutting-edge contemporary science. It shows us a new and enhanced spiritual and science-based way to see the world. It is a life changing vision that can even become an actual new way of seeing that is a fulfillment of biblical prophecy. Can this be true? See for yourself.

Check out the Fine Art Limited Edition prints, decorative prints, books, and printables that are currently available to you through Judy Rey’s Art of Seeing The Divine Shop. You don’t have to buy to avail yourself of the art and inspiration available there. However, if you select to collect investment quality archival art, or decorate your home with images created with strokes that are original letters from Bible texts, or buy a gift for someone special, there is a secure shopping cart that accepts most credit cards so your purchase is easy to accomplish. https://artofseeingthedivine.com.