The Nativity, Ethiopian style

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When I still lived near Jerusalem (sigh . . . ), I loved wandering alone in the Old City, getting lost, and seeing what I would discover off the beaten path.
Once I found a Churches Street, turned up al-Battikh Ascent, and then onto little Ethiopian Monastery Street.
Shyly I stepped into the empty courtyard of another world.
The building said "Ethiopian Orthodox Patriarchate."

A man saw me and invited me to see the monastery church and he graciously opened their 17th century book of gorgeous Bible illuminations  with text in Ge'ez.
Enlarge the photo twice to see Mary and child.
Later I realized this man must have been the head clergyman. 

Here is the beautiful old manuscript.

Up on the wall, a peeling but still touching scene of the Nativity.

Click to see "Ethiopia extends her hands to God."
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To all you Christians  who can't be physically present in Jerusalem or Bethlehem tonight, I wish a silent and holy night followed by a merry Christmas.
Shalom from your Jewish Israeli friend Dina.
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Justice and peace kiss

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Robert Geiss invites all to try their hand at illustrating the Psalms.
Every Sunday at PsalmChallenge, centered in Athens. 

The illuminations in the Stuttgart Psalter, made in 920-930 in Northern France,  are a feast for the eyes; they are, however, a Christian  interpretation.

For instance, the wonderful verse in today's Psalm 85,  "Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other," is illustrated by what is generally thought to be the Visitation (the visit of Mary to Elisabeth that I posted about yesterday).
The verse is so compact in Hebrew:
 חֶסֶד וֶאֱמֶת נִפְגָּשׁוּ צֶדֶק וְשָׁלוֹם נָשָׁקוּ:  Chesed and emet  meet; tsedek and shalom  kiss.

PSALM 85
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.

¹Lord, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
²You forgave the iniquity of your people; you pardoned all their sin. Selah
³You withdrew all your wrath; you turned from your hot anger.
⁴Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your indignation toward us.
⁵Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger to all generations?

⁶Will you not revive us again, so that your people may rejoice in you?
⁷Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation.
⁸Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.

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⁹Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.
¹⁰Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other.
¹¹Faithfulness will spring up from the ground, and righteousness will look down from the sky.
¹²The Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase.
¹³Righteousness will go before him, and will make a path for his steps.
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Translation: NRSV.
* PHOTO:  From the Stuttgarter Psalter.  
See also in a more enlargeable format at the DFG-Viewer of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.
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As always, Rabbi Benjamin Segal's commentary on the psalm is helpful.
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Even the bird finds a home

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For Sunday's PsalmChallenge, graciously hosted by Robert Geiss of daily athens photo.

(My photos below can be enlarged with a click and then another click.)

PSALM 84

1. For the leader; on the gittith. Of the Korahites. A Psalm.

2. How lovely Your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts!

3. My soul longs, even wastes away, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh sing with joy to the living Deity.

4. Even the bird has found a house, and the swallow a nest for itself in which to set its young—near Your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God.

5. Happy are those who abide in Your house; forever they praise You.  Selah.

6. Happy is the man whose refuge is in You. Roadways in their heart,

7. those who pass through the Valley of Baca, covered by the early rain, regard it as a spring, even as pools.

8. They go from rampart to rampart, each appearing before God in Zion.

9. LORD, God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob.  Selah.

10. Behold our shield, O God; look upon the face of Your anointed.

11. Truly, better one day in Your courts than any thousand [elsewhere]; I choose to be at the threshold of God’s house over residing in the tents of wickedness.

12. Truly, sun and shield is the LORD God; the LORD bestows favor and glory; He does not withhold His bounty from those who go with integrity.

13. O LORD of hosts, happy is the man who trusts in You.

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Translation: Rabbi Benjamin Segal.  See also his notes on the text.
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Photos:
1.  Psalm 84 from the early 9th century Stuttgart Psalter!!
2.  One of many springs in the Hills of Jerusalem.
3.  A "shield of David" (magen David) entitled "Mah tovu" by Helene Jacubowitz.  Mamilla mall.
4.   The Second Temple,  in the Holyland model which is now at the Israel Museum.
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(The Temple goes to Whimsical Windows, Delirious Doors meme.)
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