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Hello friends! I haven't updated my blog in a while as 2020 was special for all of us! However, i have created a new beautiful series using my elements you know from my Hamsa Hand artworks and it's truly a colorful 'Ensemble' of doves, fish & eyes. The series is now available as large posters size 50 x 70 cm! :) They are printed on thick 250 grams glossy paper, and they arrive rolled up. There is FREE SHIPPING! worldwide on the posters - and currently i only printed a few of each! So if you want to secure a poster, head on over to my shop! :) The posters fit standard size frames so no need to get them to a framer (unless you are out for a unique custom matting and frame). If you have any questions about the posters, feel free to get in touch through my contact-form on my website.  Ensemble no. 1, 2021 Poster 50x70 cm
 If you love these posters - look out for my next Blog post - as I will be offering to order posters on demand from some of my other designs! More info on that, in my next post :) Website: www.maybellbareket.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/maybellbareketartist Facebook: www.facebook.com/maybellbareketart
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In Israel where i've been very influenced from all the Hamsa Hand objects, Judaica and Jewish jewelry and art, a common element that is often part of the Hamsa Hand is a written text with different types of blessings. It can be a blessing for the home, a blessing for traveling & blessing for a business. If you're not familiar with the Hamsa Hand symbol, it is a symbol in the shape of a hand / palm believed to protect from negative energies, the evil eye, and is associated with good luck, prosperity and success! You can read about the Hamsa Hand in my articles on my blog and explore my Hamsa Hand artworks on my website and in my shop. This article will deal with the Hamsa Hand prayer for the home - also know as 'Birkat HaBayit' in Hebrew.  WHAT IS BIRKAT HABAYIT? Birkat HaBayit (Hebrew: ברכת הבית, literally meaning blessing of the home) is a prayer that can often be found inscribed on wall plaques as well as on Hamsa Hand amulets. The blessings origins is debated however it's become very common place in many Jewish homes as well as non-jewish homes in Israel and around the world. WHERE IS THE BLESSING FOR THE HOME PLACED? The Hamsa's or plaques with the blessings are usually featured at the entrance of Jewish homes or next to windows, yet it's also found on key-chains holding the keys to the home. Birkat HaBayit plaques or Hamsa's are often adorned in creative ways and given as housewarming gifts. There are different versions of the prayer and the text is commonly written in either Hebrew or in English and increasingly in other languages as well!.  BIRKAT HA BAYIT - BLESSING FOR THE HOME ENGLISH: Let no sadness come through this gate. Let no trouble come to this dwelling. Let no fear come through this door. Let no conflict be in this place. Let this home be filled with the blessing of joy and peace. The Hamsa Hand world is fascinating :) You can read more about the symbols i use in my art on on my website blog such as articles about the Hamsa Hand, The Eye, The Fish, The Dove, The Eagle, The Double-Headed Eagle, The Tree of Life, The Chai, The Pomegranate, The Hebrew Letters and more! WHERE CAN I BUY YOUR HAMSA HAND ARTWORKS? You can browse my unique Hamsa Hand art prints and Hamsa Hand greetings cards that are based on my ink drawings of on the Hamsa Hand symbol in my Etsy shop! Feel free to write to me through my website if you have any questions! To stay updated about my next articles, new artwork, offers or just to follow my world of HAAMSA, please sign up for my newsletter below or LIKE my Facebook page or Instagram account! Thank you! May-Bell In my artworks i am very much inspired by the Hamsa Hand symbol - and so, if you've reached my website and you're wondering what a Hamsa Hand is, then i've gathered some of the most common questions that i'm asked, in this blog post to give a quick and easy overview! If you'd like to read more about the origins and history of the Hamsa Hand symbol you can do so in my Hamsa Hand article here on my blog, where i've also written about the symbolic elements that are often seen within the Hamsa Hand!  HAMSA HAND, INK ON PAPER, MAY-BELL BAREKET www.maybellbareket.com 1. WHAT IS A HAMSA HAND? The Hamsa Hand is a symbol in the shape of an open hand with five fingers. The Hamsa Hand shows the palm of the hand toward the viewer, and it is thought to be an amulet for good luck & protection from negative forces, such as the evil eye. The Hamsa Hand amulet is worn as jewelry, hung on walls in the home, in businesses, on front doors and is often given as a gift! 2. WHAT DOES THE WORD 'HAMSA' MEAN? 'Hamsa' comes from Arabic and means 'five' - it represents the 5 fingers of the hand. In Hebrew the word for 'five' is Hamesh, however the symbol is most commonly referred to using the Arabic term, yet kan also be spelled in different ways i.e. Khamsa. 3. WHAT DOES THE HAMSA HAND REPRESENT? The Hamsa Hand has many different cultural variations, but overall it's a positive symbol that represents protection from negative energies, promotes health, happiness, good luck, abundance, fruitfulness and good fortune. There is usually an eye in the palm as this eye is thought to protect against the evil eye (in hebrew it's called 'Ayin HaRa'). 4. DOES THE NUMBER 5 REPRESENT ANYTHING IN THE HAMSA? The five fingers have been connected in various ways in different cultures and religions. In Islam the Hamsa Hand represents the five pillars of Islam. In Judaism the Hamsa Hand represents the five books of Moses. It's also associated with the five fingers that are connected to the five mudras, the five Buddhist teachings & the five human senses. 5. WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT NAMES OF THE HAMSA HAND SYMBOL? Because of the Hamsa's different meanings and interpretations in different religions and cultures it is also called The Hand of Fatima (Islam), The Hand of Miriam (Judaism) & The Hand of Mary (Christianity). It is also sometimes known as 'The Healing Hand'. 6. DOES IT MATTER IF THE HAMSA HAND FACES UP OR DOWN? As you've probably noticed, sometimes the Hamsa Hand is pointing the palm upwards and sometimes it's facing downwards. Since it's not an exact science it's of course left to interpretations and different assigned meanings, but in general there is no difference and the symbol can be used in both ways!
7. WHERE DOES THE HAMSA HAND COME FROM? The Hamsa Hand can trace it's origins back to ancient times, to Egypt, various mythologies, religions and regions. The Hamsa Hand as we know it today is most commonly known in it's shape and form as a symbol originating in Mesopotamia (modern day Iraq) and North Africa & The Middle East. You can read more about it's origins and entrance in to the Jewish culture in my article about the Hamsa Hand.
8. WHY DO I SEE THE HAMSA HAND IN MANY YOGA STUDIOS? The Hamsa Hand symbol has been increasingly adopted in the Western World where it's positive qualities and symbolisms of protection from negativity and evil forces resonates well with the modern day yoga practitioners. The Hamsa hand in Buddhism and Hinduism represents the chakras, the five senses and their different mudras- special hand gestures. These mudras are believed to re-direct energy flow throughout the body and the Hamsa Hand is therefore a natural fit in the Yoga practitioners world. 9. DO YOU NEED TO BE RELIGIOUS TO USE OR WEAR A HAMSA HAND? Not at all! The Hamsa Hand speaks to many people who enjoy it either for it's positive qualities as a good luck charm or as part of their own culture or because they like the different meanings and artistic expressions of the Hamsa Hand. 10. WHY DO YOU THINK THAT THE HAMSA HAND HAS BECOME POPULAR IN THE WESTERN WORLD? In the Western World the Hamsa Hands presence is increasingly felt as it can be worn or shown off in the home, also by non-religious people. Religious, spiritual or not, the Hamsa Hand seems to satisfy a human need to protect one-self and loved-ones from bad energies and jealousy and it speaks to people's inner wishes to connect with the positive aspects such as good luck, prosperity, health and protection. It has become a popular symbol within fashion and popular culture too because many celebrities and people who - with the rise of social media- are very much in the eye of the public. This may increase the need to connect with the protective aspects of the Hamsa Hand symbol. Meghan Markle, the duchess of Sussex, has even been spotted wearing Hamsa Hand jewelry.  You can read more about the symbols i use in my art on on my website blog such as articles about the Hamsa Hand, The Eye, The Fish, The Dove, The Eagle, The Double-Headed Eagle, The Tree of Life, The Chai, The Pomegranate, The Hebrew Letters and more! WHERE CAN I BUY YOUR HAMSA HAND ARTWORKS? You can browse unique Hamsa Hand art prints and Hamsa Hand greetings cards that are based on my ink drawings of on the Hamsa Hand symbol in my Etsy shop! Feel free to write to me through my website if you have any questions you're curious about. To stay updated about my next articles, new artwork, offers or just to follow my world of HAAMSA, please sign up for my newsletter below or LIKE my Facebook page or Instagram account! Thank you! May-Bell  Hamsa Hand greeting cards by May-Bell Bareket
These Seven Species are considered special and holy and there are unique blessings for each species! Just as the vine and the olive, the fig is regarded as one of the staples of life and it is considered to be symbol of abundance and prosperity.
WHEN ARE THE SEVEN SPECIES EATEN? The species are most traditionally consumed on Tu Bishvat - the Jewish "New Year for Trees" which is usually taking place on the 15th of the Hebrew month of Shevat that often takes place in January or February. In modern Israel trees are planted in celebration on this day. The species are also eaten on Sukkot, the "Feast of Tabernacles, an agricultural festival that originally was considered a thanksgiving for the fruit harvest, and on Shavuot, the "Festival of Weeks" that is associated with the grain harvest.
THE FIG IN THE BIBLE The fig is mentioned in Genesis in the story of Adam and Eve. After eating fruit from the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden, which they had been commanded not to do by God.... 'the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked and they sewed fig-leaves together..' thereby clothing themselves with fig leaves. In most Western art the forbidden fruit is depicted as an apple hanging on an apple tree, however the religious scholars debate that the fruit was rather a fig from a fig tree. In the Michaelangelo painting from the Sixtine Chapel in Rome, the tree is depicted as a fig tree.  Adam and Eve eating from the fig tree in the Garden of Eden, Michaelangelo THE FIG SYMBOL IN MYTHOLOGY & ART In Greek & Roman mythology figs have been associated with Dionysus (Bacchus/god of wine & song) and Priapusin (a satyr) symbolizing sexual desire. The figs connection with sexuality is closely connected to its featuring in creation stories and its symbolism to fertility & fruitfulness. The Romans used the fig-symbol to express a sign of fruitfulness-blessing and as a symbol to ward off curses and to protect from the evil eye by showing a 'mano fico' (fig-hand). Because they associated the fig with female fertility and eroticism they used the gesture against the evil eye. The Hamsa Hand is also an amulet that is believed to wards off negative and evil spirits as well as to protect against the evil eye, you can read more about these on my blog. The Romans believed that the obscenity of the sexually related hand gesture would be a distraction to evil, and that demons would flee or be repelled by the sight of the gesture reflecting sex and reproduction. This hand gesture is however highly offensive today in many cultures.  Roman, Circa 2nd to 3rd century AD. THE FIG - AN HONORABLE PRIZE WITH HEALTH BENEFITS! The early Greeks valued the figs, and used figs (the leafs/foliage and the actual fruits of the fig tree) as an honourable prize to present winners with, of different competitions. The fig was prized and thought of as a rich, delicious food, as well as a medicine. Dioscorides, The Greek herbalist devoted 3 chapters of Book I of the De Materia Medica solely to figs (I. 183–186.) The fig had a good reputation among herbalists in medieval times. Consuming the fig fruit was thought beneficial to the throat and lungs, it removed toxins from the kidney and could counteract poisons and reduce inflammations and much more.  THE FIG LEAF CAMPAIGN AND MODESTY IN ART Greek and roman classical statues that depicted heroic nudes and naked bodies continued to be appreciated during the late empire, yet with the rise of Christianity and the influence of the church, the nudes of the classical antiquity began to symbolize a "pagan" past and idolatry, within medieval Europe and the Byzantine Empire. Nudity began to play a lesser role than before. Centuries later during the Renaissance, artists were again captivated by the ideal ancient forms and they began to revive classical values, restoring the nude figure as a symbol of beauty and ideal. The artists began to fill palazzi with frescoes and nude statues. As the Italian catholic church grew stronger, religious forces began to resist the freedoms taken by artists. And the 'fig-leaf campaign' was born. The Vatican began ordering reforms which included censorship of nudity in art.   Tullio Lombardo, Adam, ca. 1490–95. Courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. To deal with 'the problem', statues were covered with fig leaves and paintings had leafs or cloths added on the nude parts of the bodies. The great Renaissance artist Michaelangelo's painting in the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican 'The Last Judgement' (1533-41) was not spared and was nude areas were painted over with loincloths, twice in the 1500s, and then again in the 1700s. The last many years much restoration work has been made in an attempt to restore paintings and sculptures, including on the Last Judgement were many loincloths have been removed.  Michaelangelo, The Last Judgement, 1536–1541, Fresco, The Sistine Chapel  Close up You can read more about the symbols i use in my art on on my website blog such as articles about the Hamsa Hand, The Eye, The Fish, The Dove, The Eagle, The Double-Headed Eagle, The Tree of Life, The Chai, The Pomegranate, The Hebrew Letters and more! Feel free to write to me through my website if you have any questions or elements you're curious about. To stay updated about my next articles, new artwork, offers or just to follow my world of HAAMSA, please sign up for my newsletter below or LIKE my Facebook page or Instagram account! Thank you! May-Bell  MY JUDAICA IN THE SPOTLIGHT Today an interview with me was published on a lovely website called Judaica In The Spotlight. Their website helps showcase Jewish artists and Judaica art, and i recommend visiting their website! :) The interview is about my Hamsa Hand artworks and some of my inspiration and judaica / symbolic influences. Enjoy! :) TAKE ME TO THE INTERVIEW! 
The Hebrew letters are fascinating and interesting to learn about because each letter in the Aleph-Bet contain different meanings and symbolisms. Perhaps therefore it is not a coincidence that the Hebrew word for “letter” is "ot" (אוֹת). This word also means “sign” or “symbol” or “cue”! BRIEF INFO ABOUT THE HEBREW SCRIPT Hebrew is an ancient script and it is different from other scriptures in that:
 The 22 Hebrew Letters. Some of the Hebrew letters have other versions when used in the ending of a word, these are known as 'Soffit', and are not part of the HAMSA 22 Hebrew letters series. WHAT IS GEMATRIA ? In Hebrew the letters and words all have numerical value, providing a deeper meaning as well as connecting different words, providing even further meanings and inter-connections between them. Even the sequence of the letters can have meanings which makes the deciphering of these codes and different meanings and interpretations an interesting area of exploration or study. From an Etymological perspective, the word Gematria itself is thought to derive from the Greek γεωμετρία geōmetriā, "geometry", which was used as a translation of gēmaṭriyā, though some scholars believe it to derive from Greek γραμματεια grammateia "knowledge of writing". In relation to biblical texts, Gematria has been used by Jewish scholars and Kabbalists who believe that in these hidden 'codes' within the religious texts such as the Torah, the letters and words and even sounds are clues to gaining deeper insight about life and events. It comes also in part from the mathematical idea that numbers and interconnections/ relationships between them help to explain phenomenons in nature and our universe. Within the religious belief, the world was created through God’s “speech,” and therefore each letter represents a different creative force. This is also the assumption behind the use of Gematria - that the different numerical equivalences are not coincidental.
THE NUMBER 18 IN JUDAISM - the chai. A well-known example of Hebrew gematria is the word chai ("alive"). The word adds up to the number 18 - and therefore the Chai word is often worn as a jewelry as 18 is considered a lucky number among Jewish people. It is composed of two letters - Chet ( ח) and Yod ( י).  In my Hamsa 22 Artwork with the CHET letter, that represents the word 'Chai' meaning 'alive' or 'life' and representing also the number 8 in Gematria, - i've used the Tree of Life from the Kabbalah to illustrate these different hidden meanings of the letter. The Kabbalah is a school of thought in Jewish mysticism. Read more about The Tree of Life from the artwork below. 13 IS A GOOD NUMBER Another example is the word AHAVA which means 'LOVE'. The letters Aleph Hei Bet Aleph add up to 13 in Gematria. If you're interested in viewing or buying art prints from the Hamsa 22 Hebrew Letters series, you can find them in here in my online shop!  HAMSA 22 - HEBREW LETTER SERIES 'CHET'. Ink on paper, A4 May-Bell Bareket www.maybellbareket.com WHAT DOES EACH HEBREW LETTER MEAN? Many scholars have studied the letters and meanings and there is a vast amount of literature and commentaries to be found with varying levels of complexities! Naturally i am not a biblical scholar or a Jewish kabbalist and my own interests and exploration of the Hebrew letters has been through different books, online materials and videos, as part of my research in creating the Hamsa 22 series! To learn about each Hebrew letter - check out my online exhibition on Instagram. HAMSA 22 ONLINE EXHIBITION OF THE HEBREW LETTERS - NOW SHOWING! Many people seek to understand the individual letters & drawings more, beyond their visual aesthetics. My art (and any art) can of course be enjoyed as it is without the extra dimension or provided meaning, however to those that may seek this further understanding about my the letters and my inspiration for each drawing, i'm currently having a very basic introductory online 'mini-exhibition' in my Instagram stories, of each Hamsa 22-drawing!  Follow my Instagram account @maybellbareketartist #HAAMSA If you head on over to my Instagram account, you will already discover some of the individual Hebrew letters that i've featured - they are located in their own unique folders on my Instagram account. There, I provide easy and introductory information about the hidden meanings of each Hebrew letter in relation to my own Hamsa 22 artworks. You are also welcome to explore my BLOG as i update my articles or check out an overview of the symbolic elements on my website!
The 72 Names of God are not “names” in the usual sense but rather they are thought to be a kind of metaphysical keys - or powerful spiritual tools to achieving an abundance of blessing, fortune, prosperity, wholeness and happiness. It's believed one need not even know Hebrew, merely scanning the letters visually or thinking about them / meditating on them, helps this connection. In the online Instagram stories exhibition, i explain each 3-letter unit i've used in the corresponding drawing.  The 72 Names of God chart
You can read more about the symbols on on my website blog or feel free to write to me through my website if you have any questions or elements you're curious about. To stay updated about my next articles, new artwork, offers or just to follow my world of HAAMSA, please sign up for my newsletter below or LIKE my Facebook page or Instagram account! Thank you! May-Bell
But if you've ever pronounced the word Challah (the braided bread prepared for Friday's Sabbath dinner), then that should give you a better idea of how the Chai is pronounced. The Chai is often given as a gift in the form of a necklace, and can be seen alone or in combination or embedded within the Hamsa Hand or Star of David.
In my own drawings I have embedded the Chai within my Hamsa Hand artworks from my Hamsa 2013 series and my Hamsa 22 - Hebrew letters series (CHET) letter which also has the Tree of Life from the Kabbalah.
SYMBOLIC & NUMERICAL MEANINGS OF THE CHAI The word 'CHAI' is made up of two Hebrew letters, Chet & Yud and it possesses both a symbolic and numerical meaning. Symbolically Chai represents life - and life is traditionally an emphasis in the Jewish religion. Perhaps you've already heard the common Jewish toast 'L'Chaim' (to life)! There is also a common expression ' Am Israel Chai' which means 'the people of Israel live' - a phrase used both in joyous times but also as a kind of prayer or statement emphasizing the survival of the Jewish people despite many historical attempts of annihilation. The Number 18 Numerically the two letters make out the number 18 in what is known as Gematria , which is a mystical jewish tradition of assigning numerical value to the Hebrew letters. The Chet equals 8 and the Yud equals 10 (8+10 = 18). The Chai therefore also represents good luck and it is common to give gifts resembling in some way the number 18 or even double 18 (36) 'Double Chai'.
 To read more about the symbols i use in my Hamsa Hand artwork, check out the Symbolic Elements where you can read about The Hamsa Hand, The Eye symbol, The Dove , The Fish, The Eagle, The double headed eagle, The Tree of Life , The Pomegranate Fruit & The Hamsa Hand in a Danish Tv Show - and more! Check out my website www.maybellbareket.com for more about me & my Hamsa Hand artwork and connect on Instagram and Facebook!
THE HAMSA HAND IN DANISH POPULAR CULTURE! One of the ways you can get a sense of the increased presence and use of the Hamsa is in a new (2017-2018) Danish Tv-series that I have been watching called "Herrens Veje" (literal translation: The ways of the Lord). In English it's called "Ride Upon the Storm" and it stars the great Lars Mikkelsen (you might recognize him from House of Cards where he plays the Russian president Petrov). The series revolves around a Christian pastor and his family - i won't write much about the actual series - but it is great to watch not just for the drama but for all the symbolism and especially the Hamsa hand!  Still of Hamsa Hand from ' Herrens Veje' Danish TV series, DR GOD MOVES IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS The Hamsa hand is used as an extra narrative element in the series and can also be seen in the intro-clip accompanied by the theme song by Claus Hempler, which is quite beautiful (attached at the end of the post below). The song uses lyrics from a poem by William Cowper (1731–1800) and uses it's first stanza: God moves in a mysterious way, THE STORM & THE POWER OF GOD - PSALM 29 The name of the TV-show is clearly inspired by the poem and it brings also to mind the Psalm of David, Psalm 29 which is a one of the loveliest psalms written, it's a poem in itself. In Judaism the Psalm 29 is usually interpreted to be about the advent of God in a the strength of a storm, where the voice and power of God is expressed through thunder, lightning, and earthquakes. It is a psalm that gives praise to the God of creation who is the omnipotent Lord over all things and is above the storm. In the psalm the name Yahweh (יהוָה) is also found 18 times which in Jewish gematria is the equivalent to the Hebrew word 'Chai' ( חֹי ) meaning 'Life'. In life, no matter how powerful & in control we humans think we are, anyone who has ever witnessed or experienced the powers of nature, our human powers tend to pale in comparison next to the unleashed powers by nature! A storm is therefore also a very humbling experience. At some point we all experience personal storms in life and struggle to get through it or wait for the storms to pass - and sometimes one must surrender control, trust that things will be ok and ride the storm! The last word of the psalm is peace (Shalom). The psalm thus begins with a storm, but ends with peace - God brings his people peace even in the midst of storms. There is hope! I will write more about the חֹי in a future blog post as I also used it in my Hamsa Hand art here & in my blog post about the Tree of Life ! There is an extensive analysis of the Psalm 29 here. IN DANISH IT'S CALLED A HAMSA HÅND The Hamsa Hand appears in a few of the episodes of the first season, but especially in episode 7! It is known as the Hand of God, a symbol of protection and visually it's represented by the pastor's son August who holds up the Hamsa hand - as well as his own hands. (I won't say more about why - you just have to watch the series!)  Still photo of Hamsa Hand from ' Herrens Veje ' ( Ride upon the storm) Danish TV-series  Still photo of Hamsa Hand from ' Herrens Veje ' ( Ride upon the storm) Danish TV-series  Still photo of Hamsa Hand from ' Herrens Veje ' ( Ride upon the storm) Danish TV-series If you want to read more about the Hamsa hand symbol and the other symbolic elements that I use in my HAAMSA art you can check out my blog. MORE SYMBOLIC ELEMENTS IN 'HERRENS VEJE' Two other still photos from the series intro shows grapes, wine, pumpkins and the pomegranate. You can check out more about the pomegranate symbol which i have written about , and also used in my Hamsa Hand artwork! In Judaism it is a symbol for fertility and success - and much more!  Still photo from ' Herrens Veje ' ( Ride upon the storm) Danish TV-series  Still photo from 'Herrens Veje' Danish TV show  HAMSA HAND with Pomegranate by May-Bell Bareket / HAAMSA , Ink on paper The bird is also represented in the series - there's a lovebird belonging to one of the characters and the intro shows birds flying high and also some that have sadly fallen to the ground. It can look like sparrows and here it may allude to the Christian theme of the Fallen sparrow: “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father” (Matt. 10:29) and "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God's sight" (Luke 12:6). The Sparrow as a Christian symbol thus represents the concern of God for the least among all people and they are always under God's protection. The sparrows are also symbols of pious families (such as is a theme in the Pastor's family heritage) who live (or try to) live humble, lowly lives in obedience of God's will. In the series intro-clip the birds are not doves which are often used in the bible but birds in general are central nevertheless in Christian & Jewish tale. You can read more about symbolism of the dove and the eagle - bird elements i use in my Hamsa hand artwork!  Still from Danish Tv Series 'Herrens Veje'  Fallen sparrows / birds from Danish Tv Series - Herrens Veje / Ride upon the storm NOW ENJOY THE MUSIC! I recommend to end this blog reading by listening to the mentioned song - linked below, and of course to watch the series :) The soundtrack is also quite nice (Look for " Sange fra Herrens Veje " on Spotify). Danish speakers can watch it here for free on DR where it is currently streaming. To view some of my unique Hamsa Hand art prints go to my shop or contact me for more information!   Detail from Hamsa Hand artwork, May-Bell Bareket, A4, Ink on paper THE POMEGRANATE The red fruit is a classic symbol which is highlighted even more so as the Jewish new year (Rosh HaShana) approaches. The pomegranate which in Hebrew is called Rimon is considered to be one of seven agricultural species or special products of Israel known as שבעת המינים, Shiv'at HaMinim, the others being wheat, barley, grapes, figs, olives, and dates. There are many references to these foods in the Bible and they are listed in the Torah in Parashat Eikev (Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25) "For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land, a land with streams and springs and fountains issuing from plain and hill; a land of wheat and barley, of vines, figs, and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey; a land where you may eat food without stint, where you will lack nothing; a land whose rocks are iron and from whose hills you can mine copper." In the ancient days, pomegranates were often eaten fresh or turned into juice. The symbol of the pomegranate was used on decorations on the hem of the robe of the high priest as depicted in the photo, and on the Temple pillars, and embossed on coinage.
A SIGN OF BLESSING What is it that makes the Pomegranate such a strong symbol and why is it considered a Biblical sign of blessing? Some suggest that it is because the pomegranate is different from fruits that are made up of pulp and seeds as the pomegranate is made up mostly of its seeds and it doesn't have much pulp. Usually, the pulp of the fruit is used by the fruit to "feed" and maintain itself, and it is the seeds of the fruit that are used to grow and bring more fruit into the world. The seeds themselves naturally therefore symbolize the granting of more fruit and being blessed with more fruit. The pomegranate - being mostly seeds- has therefore come to symbolize blessing. THE TORAH SCROLLS With its symbolism as well as its royal crown on the top of the fruit, many Torah scrolls have pomegranates as decorations, and the fruit has also come to symbolize or become associated with the 613 Mitzvot (commandments) of the Bible. The pomegranate, which is originally associated with the Torah, is today an integral part of the Torah scroll throughout Jewish congregations. Originating from the Middle Ages, the two wooden rollers that holds the Torah scroll were decorated with ornaments in various shapes of fruits but very often in the shape of pomegranates. The caps of the Torah rollers are called Rimmonim (the plural form of Rimon which in Hebrew means Pomegranate). The Rimmonim are usually made out of silver and they often reflect the creativity and artistic traditions as well as the size of the pocketbooks of their different communities (Abram, 2009). In a recent find of a 200 year old Torah scroll from Iraq, a microscopic sample of the scroll's ink revealed that it was made out of pomegranate juice concentrate! The examination also revealed that the scroll was likely written in the Kurdish region in northern Iraq.
A SYMBOL OF LOVE AND FERTILITY In Judaism the pomegranates are also considered to be symbol of love as well as fertility (much like the fish). Therefore the pomegranates are often mentioned in many biblical texts such as for example the beautiful Song of Songs (Song of Solomon). In The Song of Solomon the lovers create an association or a link to the pomegranate and its juice with romantic encounters (Abram, 2009). “Let us get up early to the vineyards; let us see if the vine flourish, whether the tender grape appear, and the pomegranates bud forth: there will I give thee my loves” (Song 7:12) “Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet, and thy speech is comely: thy temples are like a piece of pomegranate within thy locks” (Song 4:3). The pomegranate’s many seeds, and with its sensuous red color reminding us of the blood of life, and its connection with the land’s productiveness—all suggest this fruit is a symbol of human fertility. I use the fish symbol which symbolizes fertility and success in my Hamsa Hand artwork, as well as other symbolic elements such as the dove , the eye, the eagle , the double-headed eagle and more!
If you want to read about the Hamsa Hand symbol itself you can check out my article about it in my blog as well. For Hamsa Hand art prints you can find them in my online shop! POMEGRANATES FOR ROSH HASHANA The Jewish new year is celebrated with a New years dinner also called a seder. Different symbolic foods are part of blessings , such as apples dipped in honey to symbolize a sweet new year. Before eating each symbolic food, it is held and the blessing is recited. Before eating the pomegranate the blessing is therefore said: יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ ה' אֱלֹהינוּ וֵאלֵֹהי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ, שֶׁנִּהְיֶה מְלֵאִים מִצְוֹת כָּרִמּוֹן May it be Your will, Lord our God and the God of our fathers, that we be filled with mitzvot like a pomegranate [is filled with seeds]. If you enjoyed this article, check out my other articles in my blog! Below are photos from last years table-setting that i did (2017). The symbolic fish , pomegranates , apples and honey are all represented.  Table setting that I did for Rosh Hashana with Pomegranates and Pomegranate bread rools :)  Rosh Hashana table setting by me (2017) Shana Tova! Reference: Abram, M. (2009). The Pomegranate: Sacred, Secular, and Sensuous Symbol of Ancient Israel
The Meaning of the Ten Sephirot (Spheres) The ten spheres represent the ten archetypal numbers, and overall there are 32 paths on the Tree of Life, whereof the first 10 are the Sephirot (spheres). The remaining 22 paths correspond to the lines or channels of energy that join the Sephirot together. Each of these paths corresponds to one of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet as depicted in the image of the tree of life. The Hebrew alphabet is considered to be of great importance as a celestial code or blueprint for the cosmos. The 13th-century Zohar (Book of Splendor) is filled with references to the Hebrew alphabets importance, and many Jewish visionaries have highlighted that in mastering the Hebrew alphabet, an individual can gain supreme knowledge about the realm of matter. The tree of life however represents a series of divine emanations of God's creation itself out of nothingness (ex nihilo), the nature of revealed divinity, the human soul, and man's spiritual path of ascent. In this way, Kabbalists developed the symbol into a full model of reality, using the tree to depict a map of Creation. In my Hamsa Hand artwork from my Hebrew letters series, i have depicted the Tree of Life with the 10 sephirot in the Hamsa Hand with the letter Chet, the eighth number in the Hebrew alphabet, which also represents Chai - Life.  Hamsa Hand Art work available as Hamsa Hand art print. Hamsa Hand with Hebrew Letter 'Chet' and Kabbalah Tree of Life, Ink on paper, A4, May-Bell Bareket What Are The 10 Sephirot? The Sephirot are believed to be ten forces or attributes through which God manifests Himself, as such the sephirot are not God, but they serve as a kind of medium in which these specific attributes may be ascribed to God. In Hebrew, the word Sephirah is related to the verb lesaper, which means to "tell", “express” or “communicate", and therefore the function of the sepfirah is also to communicate an attribute. The word is also connected to the word 'saphire' (in Hebrew 'sapir') which is a gemstone known for it's brilliant and illuminating qualities that give light. Hence another function of the sephirot, apart from the expression of the attributes, is to serve as vessels that bring or give Light.  THE PLACEMENT OF THE SEPHIROT The different placements of the spheres on the Tree of Life serves to give us an idea of the nature of the sephira. For example, Keter - the Crown - is on the top of the chart whereas Malchut - Kingdom - is placed in the bottom of the chart. The reason is that Keter is considered to be the initial or primary connection between God and the world , and symbolically this is represented by placing Keter at the top. In contrast, Malchut which is the final Sephira is thought to be a summation of all the others, to be the connection between humans and the world, and to symbolize that it is the goal of creation with the physical universe and all that it contains (Kurzweil). Each sephira (sphere) of the 10 sephirot represents a force or attribute and this is a brief overview adopted from the Chabad.org source and other sources on the web: Crown ('Keter'): The word Keter means “crown” and stands above all the other Sefirot, like the crown stands above the head. Keter is the Sefirah that stands above all the Sefirot. Wisdom ('Chokhmah'): The first of the Sefirot is called Chochmah. Chochmah is made of the words koach mah, meaning the potential of 'what is'. It represents the original idea, and is often referred to as the likings of the first flash of intellect, where all the details of the idea is contained, however it is not yet defined. It is everything in its potential, and this potential has been equated to a dot, in which everything is contained, but nothing is yet actualized or given definition. In the Tetragrammaton (the four-letter biblical name of the God of Israel 'יהוה in Hebrew and YHWH in Latin script), this is represented in the first letter, yud, י, which resembles a dot.  Hamsa Hand artwork and Hamsa Hand print, Hebrew letters series, Ink on paper, A4, May-Bell Bareket Understanding ('Binah'): The second Sefirah is Binah. Binah means, “to understand or derive one matter out of another matter.” We can understand Binah in the way that it takes the original idea and expands and develops it both in breadth and depth, and thus it makes the original idea more crystalized and clarified than it was in the Chochmah, where the idea was undefined. As such, the previous idea that was in a very concentrated form, is now revealed and understood and this is what Binah represents. In the name of God, Binah is the letter 'hey' ה. Its shape, which is more elongated and comprised of strokes, implies the expansion of the dot in both breadth and length. Chochmah and Binah can be understood as being equal, as two good friends who can never be separated and in the book of the Zohar, they are described as “a dot in the palace,” with the dot Chochmah being realized in the palace of Binah. The koach mah of Chochmah (potential of “what is”) is thus realized in Binah. Mercy ('Chessed'): Chessed which means loving-kindness, is the attribute which spreads kindness and benevolence to all without limit. It is thought that Creation itself is an act of Chessed, as it is stated, “The world was built with Chessed.” Chessed is also the total outpouring of what is known as Shefa שפע, abundance, and Chessed is the divine attribute which describes the function of expansion. Strength ('Gevurah'): Gevurah stands for strength, judgment, law, and power and Gevurah is the attribute of restraint as it has the power and ability to limit and contract. As Chessed causes an outpouring of energy, Gevurah on the other hand functions to control, contract, and limit the flow, providing an equilibrium between expansion and contraction. The patriarch Isaac is often thought to parallel with Gevurah In the biblical story of the binding of Isaac (known in Hebrew as the Akeda), where Abraham was commanded by God to sacrifice Isaac, Isaac restrained his emotions magnificently, because of the dominance of this Sefirah of Gevurah within him. Gevurah is also called “law” and “judgment” (Din). This is because judgment demands that Chessed should be distributed justly and in proportion to the recipient’s merit and not merely in a boundless, unwarranted way. I have created an artistic interpretation of the Binding of Isaac (Akeda) in one of my Hamsa Hand artworks and Hamsa Hand art prints, as depicted in the image below.  Hamsa Hand artwork, 'The binding of Isaac (Akeda)', ink on paper, A4, May-Bell Bareket Beauty ('Tipheret'): Tipheret is the central balancing sephirah of the whole Kabbalah Tree of Life, as every sephirah, except Malkhut, flows into it. As such, Tipheret creates a synthesis of both Chessed and Gevurah in order to reach its broader goal which is to aid in the development of the human being to his greatest potential. Tipheret blends Chessed and Gevurah with harmonious and beautiful results, and it is also referred to as Tipheret (beauty) for its harmonious blending of all the sephirot. On the tree of life, Tipheret is the midway point on the direct line extending down from Keter to Malchut and Tipheret is thus located on the central balancing column of the tree. Ideally, it leans a bit toward Chessed and therefore it is also called Rachamim, which in Hebrew means 'mercy' or 'compassion'. Tiferet is also equated with “truth” (אמת, Emet) in the sense that both Chessed and Gevurah agree to its flow.  Victory ('Netzach'): In Hebrew, the word Netzach generally translates to 'eternity', however in the context of Kabbalah it refers to 'perpetuity', 'victory', 'endurance', 'conquering' and to 'overcome'. Netzach is therefore thought to represent the idea of dominance. For example, by giving in an unlimited way, one is overwhelming the other, and in this respect Netzach is thought to be an extension of Chessed. Majesty ('Hod'): However, Hod is just the opposite from Netzach as it is thought to be an extension of Gevurah, as it denotes with strain to the point of submission. In Hebrew, Hod stems from the word Hodaah meaning to “thank,” “admit,” or “submit.” As such, a total dominance over another is considered a Netzach relationship, while on the other hand, a total submission is a Hod relationship. Yesod, the next sephirah, balances the Netzach and Hod as it facilitates communication, and is thought to represent the foundation of the world. Yesod ('Foundation'): The Hebrew word for 'foundation' is 'Yesod' ( יסוד ). Yesod is associated with the souls ability or power to contact, connect and communicate with outer reality (represented by the sephirah of malchut). It can be understood just as the foundation (yesod) of a building is in its “grounding,” - its union with the earth (malchut). The yesod is also thought to correspond with the procreative organ of man and yesod is thus the foundation of generations to come. The power to procreate is believed to be the manifestation of infinity within the finite context of the created human being. As such, the yesod is the “small” and “narrow” bridge between the infinite potential of procreation that flows into it and its actual manifestation in the descendants of man. It is also for this reason, that the sephirah of yesod is also identified in the Torah with the tzadik (righteous one), as is said: “and the tzadik is the foundation of the world.” Kingdom ('Malkuth'): The last Sephirah of the 10 Sephirot known as Malchut. In Hebrew the word Malchut means Kingdom. The Malchut sephira does not exert any influence of its own except that which the other Sephirot flow or channel into it, and it is a summation of all the other sephirots that has appeared above it - an ultimate gathering of all the resources and the fruits of one's labour. As such, on the one hand, malchut receives all that it has from the other sephirot and is described in the Kabbalah as "having nothing of her own". The book of Zohar compares malchut to the moon which has no light of her own. On the other hand, malchut is the final revelation in which the entire process began; it was for the purpose of malchut that all the sephirot emerged. Thus malchut is both the receiver and the consummation of giving. To Sum Up The 10 Sephirot Malchut is the completion of the Sephirot. The first group of 3 Sephirot dealt with an idea which manifests in the mind. The second group of 3 Sephirot are connected to those of the heart of the emotional realm where the idea is judged and evaluated. In the third triad group of the Sephirot the idea is not merely evaluated emotionally, but action comes in to play and the idea is brought into being in the world. At last, the Malchut represents the real manifestation of the idea in the world of reality. The teachings of the Kabbalah and the Jewish mysticism is a complex and fascinating field of study. This article only scratched the surface in order to give an idea of the symbol known as the Tree of Life that i have used in my Hamsa Hand art. If you are interested in more symbolism and if you wish to learn more about other symbols that i use in my Hamsa Hand art and Hamsa Hand art prints that i offer in my shop , you can discover more about all the symbolic elements that i use here. On my blog you can read about the meaning and origins of the Hamsa Hand symbol itself, as well as the meaning and origins of the Eye or Evil eye symbols, the dove symbol, the eagle and the double headed eagle symbol and the fish symbol.  Hamsa Hand artwork and Hamsa Hand print, 'Tzadik', Ink on paper, A4. Hamsa Hand Hebrew letter series, May-Bell Bareket References: http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/361885/jewish/The-Sefirot.htm http://www.walkingkabbalah.com/kabbalah-tree-of-life-sephirot/ http://www.inner.org/sefirot/sefyesod.htm Kurzweil, A. Kabbalah for dummies. |
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