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Mamilla Mall is having a wonderful free outdoor sculpture exhibit on the theme Bible Stories that will go until October.
There must be over a hundred works by 45 Israeli and international artists.
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It gives me a good opportunity to collect shadows for Shadow Shot Sunday.
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Helene Jacubowitz titled her work "Mah tovu."
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These Hebrew words are the opening of a prayer we sing in the synagogue, translated here:
How goodly are your tents, O Jacob, your dwelling places, O Israel!
And I, with Your great loving-kindness, shall enter Your House; I shall prostrate myself toward Your Holy Temple in the fear of You.
O Lord, I love the dwelling of Your house and the place of the residence of Your glory.
Come, let us prostrate ourselves and bow; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker.
But, as for me, may my prayer to You, O Lord, be in an acceptable time.
O God, with Your abundant kindness, answer me with the truth of Your salvation.
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Wikipedia explains
"Ma Tovu ... is a prayer in Judaism, expressing reverence and awe for synagogues and other places of worship. The prayer begins with Numbers 24:5, where Balaam, sent to curse the Israelites, is instead overcome with awe at God and the Israelites' houses of worship. Its first line of praise is a quote of Balaam's blessing and is thus the only prayer commonly used in Jewish services that was written by a non-Jew."
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I wonder if just by coincidence this Mah tovu sculpture was placed at the foot of a Catholic church . . . .
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The huge l'Hospice Francais St. Vincent de Paul was there first, like a century before Mamilla ever dreamed of becoming a fancy mall; so the mall was built to accommodate the hospice and its church.
That's how things are done in Jerusalem.
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(See also Art at the Mall and Mamilla Mall by night. )
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I had to look a long time at the Star. At first, I thought part of the coating of the star came off. then I looked at the shadow, looked like 2 men.
ReplyDeleteWhich is which?
A nicely star shaped pose, it seems that the sculptures blend perfectly with the preexisting church.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful message, dear Dinah! May the shadows of all religions become one in praise of God.
ReplyDeleteHm - what I want to say is that ... religion should unite people and make them feel as children of a loving God.
Have a nice weekend!
The shadow should be considered a part of the sculpture.
ReplyDeleteLucy
P.S. Sorry, as I pressed the button to post the comment, I realised how silly it was. I had only looked at the figures and hadn't looked at the star. The shadow IS part of the sculpture - and cleverly placed to make it so too.
ReplyDeleteLucy
Cool sculpture, and it casts a great shadow.
ReplyDeletebeautiful shadows Dina. my daughter's parasha for her Bat Mitzvah last spring was Balaak.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures. And you are a good story teller.
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful the piece of art and the way you capted its shades... Extraordinary!!!! Well done!!!!!
ReplyDeleteSuch an interesting use of the shapes, including the figures as part of the star.
ReplyDeletePurim Shalom & Warm Aloha to you
ReplyDeletefrom Honolulu!
Comfort Spiral
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The star does seem to encompass two men. Love the shadow it's thrown.
ReplyDeleteWow! That is a beautiful sculpture. It's such a thought provoking piece.
ReplyDeletethese shadows are delicate and oh so lovely. that second photo is beautifully composed too. very nice. happy SSS Dina.
ReplyDeleteGo see the moon at Atlantic Blue!!!
ReplyDelete:D
What a joy it must be to spend time walking through these pieces of art.
ReplyDeleteAn impressive work indeed. Great pictures ! Please have a good Sunday.
daily athens
Beautiful shots Dina!
ReplyDeleteMy Shadow Shot, have a lovely weekend!
impressive...
ReplyDeleteSo pretty!
ReplyDeleteMy shadows, please come and see.
Gorgeous shadow shot, and love the history that goes with it. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post. I love the pictures and the shadows. Thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteThe nocturnal view of the church is so beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteLovely sculpture!
ReplyDeleteIt's a beautiful sculpture, Dina. I wish one day i get to walk the places where Jesus walked thousands of years ago.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a peaceful and nice weekend!
Arlene
http://sunshineleneforlife.com/2011/03/20/shadow-shot-10/
I doubt the placement of the sculpture was coincidental at all. I believe in divine providence!
ReplyDeleteSHADOW SINGER
Of shadows an old man did sing;
He chanted in Guelph and Beijing;
The shade was his friend,
He loved it no end—
It made him feel rich as a king!
© 2011 by Magical Mystical Teacher
Some Shady Mangos
Congratulations to the artist, it's a very clever work.
ReplyDeleteFabulous shadow shot! My Favorite of the day!
ReplyDeleteRainey
http://theprojecttable.blogspot.com/2011/03/once-tree-shadow.html