Sign-In
Cart
The Seven Days of Creation: Poetry and Art Inspired by the Torah and Other Holy Scriptures
Paperback
ISBN13: 9781530126712
Publisher: Createspace
Published: Dec 13 2015
Pages: 108
Weight: 0.81
Height: 0.28 Width: 8.50 Depth: 11.00
Language: English
Fans of the medieval Rabbinic sages Rashi and Ramban will enjoy how the author has used poetry to update and embody some of their brilliant Torah insights. One example is the poem Raven's Song which explores Rashi's explanation as to the real reason why the raven was set loose from Noah's ark and never returned. For parents looking for a closing to their perfect Bar or Bat Mitzvah speech, the poem Blessing expands on the traditional Shabbat blessing to enumerate the gifts of all of the tribes of Israel and wish them upon the child. For Rabbis and serious scholars of the Tanakh, Brother Sun and Sister Moon incorporates a wealth of Talmudic references in the course of a heated religious debate as to whether men or women are more blessed in God's eyes. All scriptural references in the poetry are annotated and explained in the second half of the book for those readers who are inspired by the poetry and related artwork to pursue deeper Torah study.
As is evident from the above, the poetry and art in this book is inspired by the Torah and other Jewish Holy Scriptures and is intended for a Jewish audience. However, non-Jewish readers can enjoy the poetry and artwork, although they may not understand some of the Talmudic references. The initial inspiration for this book was Psalm 104, which recounts the entire creation, where God's glory is seen as a garment of light as He begins his creation, the Moon is appointed for the seasons, the young lions retreat to their dens with the rising of the sun, the high hills are a refuge for the goats, Leviathan is seen playing among the ships in the sea and God's spirit goes forth across the earth to renew it. Edward Burne-Jones' Days of Creation painting is the visual illustration of Psalm 104, with the seventh angel playing a harp at the bottom of panel 6 representing the seventh day of creation.
Some of the poems in this book are didactic poems intended to explain cryptic scriptural passages or reveal the deeper meaning behind a Jewish prayer. For example, the poem It is Enough examines Proverbs 30:15-16, which speaks of four things that are never satisfied: the grave, the barren womb, the earth that is not filled with water and the fire. Drawing on Talmudic sources, the poem explores the underlying meaning of this cryptic passage. Also, the poem And to the Stranger was inspired by a passage from the Kol Nidre prayer, which asks that atonement be granted even to the stranger who lives among them, for all have transgressed unwittingly. The poem uses imagery and art to illuminate the hidden significance of the rituals of Yom Kippur. Although didactic poetry today is a forgotten art, the author believes that it still can serve an invaluable purpose when used to reveal the Tanakh as a true Tree of Life for those who hold on to it.
Other poems are simply inspired by Jewish Holy Scriptures and are not intended to serve any higher didactic purpose. For example, A Higher Song describes the passage of the seasons and was inspired by a passage from 1 Chronicles 16 describing the trees of the wood singing out at the presence of the Lord.
The second section of this book annotates each poem to show the scriptural underpinnings and allusions in each poem. Sandra Bowden's artwork and illuminated Hebrew text which accompanies the annotated poetry are intended to provide visual counterparts to the poetry, as well as an independent artistic exploration of the themes contained in this book.
Also in
Judaism
The Kabbalistic Mirror of Genesis: Commentary on the First Three Chapters
Smith, David Chaim
Paperback
Heart of a Stranger: An Unlikely Rabbi's Story of Faith, Identity, and Belonging
Buchdahl, Angela
Hardcover
The Books of Enoch: Complete edition: Including (1) The Ethiopian Book of Enoch, (2) The Slavonic Secrets and (3) The Hebrew Book of Enoch
Schnieders, Paul C.
Paperback
Conversations with My Rabbi: Timeless Teachings for a Fractured World
Goldstein, Nikki
Schlanger, Rabbi Eli
Hardcover
As a Jew: Reclaiming Our Story from Those Who Blame, Shame, and Try to Erase Us
Hurwitz, Sarah
Hardcover
El Poder de la Kabbalah: 13 principios para superar los desafíos y alcanzar la realización
Berg, Rav
Paperback
The Jew in the Lotus: A Poet's Rediscovery of Jewish Identity in Buddhist India
Kamenetz, Rodger
Paperback
The Complete Jewish Study Bible (Hardcover): Illuminating the Jewishness of God's Word
Rubin, Rabbi Barry
Hardcover
The Art of Jewish Joy: Crafts and Activities for Celebration and Connection
Ultman, Suzy
Kingloff, Amanda
Hardcover
The Talmud Unmasked: The Secret Rabbinical Teachings Concerning Christians
Pranaitis, I. B.
Paperback
This Is Real and You Are Completely Unprepared: The Days of Awe as a Journey of Transformation
Lew, Alan
Paperback
The Man in the White Sharkskin Suit: A Jewish Family's Exodus from Old Cairo to the New World
Lagnado, Lucette
Paperback
Passover Haggadah: A New English Translation and Instructions for the Seder
Rabbi Nathan Goldberg
Paperback
For Times Such as These: A Radical's Guide to the Jewish Year
Rosenberg, Jessica
Katz, Ariana
Paperback
Jews vs. Rome: Two Centuries of Rebellion Against the World's Mightiest Empire
Strauss, Barry
Hardcover
Eat Jewish: Over 100 Recipes That Blend Jewish Heritage, Modern Flavors, and Family Traditions
Strauss, Melinda
Hardcover
The Ancient Book Of Jubilees: A Comprehensive Guide to the Lost Secrets of the Bible, Including the History, Mysteries, and Hidden Teachings of Enoc
Johnson, William Robert
Paperback
The Holocaust Industry: Reflections on the Exploitation of Jewish Suffering
Finkelstein, Norman G.
Paperback
Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus: How the Jewishness of Jesus Can Transform Your Faith
Spangler, Ann
Tverberg, Lois
Paperback
The Little Encyclopedia of Jewish Culture: 101 People, Places, Things (and Foods) Every Jew Should Know
Klickstein, Mathew
Paperback
Art of Torah Cantillation, Vol. 1: A Step-By-Step Guide to Chanting Torah
Portnoy, Marshall
Wolff, Josee
Paperback
Moments That Matter: Marking Transitions in Midlife and Beyond
Geller, Rabbi Laura
Lieberman, Rabbi Beth
Paperback
Mind the Gap: How the Jewish Writings Between the Old and New Testament Help Us Understand Jesus
Henze, Matthais
Paperback
Separation and Its Discontents: Toward an Evolutionary Theory of Anti-Semitism
MacDonald, Kevin
Paperback
The Bible with and Without Jesus: How Jews and Christians Read the Same Stories Differently
Levine, Amy-Jill
Brettler, Marc Zvi
Paperback
Tough Questions Jews Ask 2/E: A Young Adult's Guide to Building a Jewish Life
Feinstein, Edward
Paperback
We Plan, God Laughs: 10 Steps to Finding Your Divine Path When Life Is Not Turning Out Like You Wanted
Hirsch, Sherre
Paperback
Complete Gospel of Mary Magdalene: Gnostic Gospel, Sacred Feminine Wisdom, and the Secrets of Early Christianity
Q. Publishing, Rubbles
Paperback
The Complete Books of Enoch: The Full Collection of These Sacred Texts (Large Print)
Publishing, Sefan
Paperback
Josephus the Complete Works: Encounter the World and Traditions That Jesus Knew
Whiston, William
Hardcover
Messianic Daily Devotional: Messianic Jewish Devotionals for a Deeper Walk with Yeshua
Geoffrey, Kevin
Paperback
Lost in Translation Vol 1: Rediscovering the Hebrew Roots of Our Faith
Klein, John
Spears, Adam
Paperback
A Rainbow Thread: An Anthology of Queer Jewish Texts from the First Century to 1969
Sienna, Noam
Paperback
An Anti-Zionist Path to Embodied Jewish Healing: Somatic Practices to Heal Historical Wounds, Unlearn Oppression, and Create a Liberated World to Come
Somerson, Wendy Elisheva
Paperback
The Antiquities of the Jews - A Classic History of Ancient Israel, the Jewish People, and the Biblical World
Flavius, Josephus
Hardcover
The Book of the W Atchers: Ancient Guardians, Forbidden Secrets, and the Battle for Humanity
Ashford, Selah
Paperback
A People That Shall Dwell Alone: Judaism as a Group Evolutionary Strategy, with Diaspora Peoples
MacDonald, Kevin B.
Paperback
The Chicken Qabalah of Rabbi Lamed Ben Clifford: Dilettante's Guide to What You Do and Do Not Know to Become a Qabalist
DuQuette, Lon Milo
Paperback
Opening Your Heart with Psalm 27: A Spiritual Practice for the Jewish New Year
Robbins, Debra J.
Paperback
The Radical Jewish Tradition: Revolutionaries, Resistance Fighters and Firebrands
Gluckstein, Donny
Stone, Janey
Paperback
Torah in English complete: Including: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy
Jps
Schwarz, Noah
Paperback
Disasters of Biblical Proportions: The Ten Plagues Then, Now, and at the End of the World
Weitzman, Steven
Hardcover
The Ethiopian Bible In English Complete [Large Print]: A Historical and Canonical Guide to the 88 Books of the Orthodox Church
Decker, Rebecca Norma
Paperback
God of Love: A Guide to the Heart of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam--Revised and Expanded Edition
Starr, Mirabai
Paperback