Deciphering the Tree of LifeMELISSA HIRSCHLAccording to the age-old mystical Jewish system of Scriptural interpretation, the Tree of Life is a symbol of creation that contains spheres or vessels, known as Sephiroth, through which the light of God shines down on mankind. It is a model of how God created the universe and may also be interpreted as a representation of the human psyche (our physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual aspects).The Tree of Life model includes: Daath (knowledge), Tifareth (balance), Hod (intelligence), Binah (understanding), Keter (radiance), Chesed (lovingkindness), Netsach (eternity), Yesod (foundations), Hokomah (wisdom) and Malkhut (kingdom). Those interested in the subject of Kabbalah and art can hear a talk by Matthew Baigell, art critic and professor of art history at Rutgers, at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 12, at the Sylvia Plotkin Judaica Museum. Baigell will discuss artists who have found inspiration in Kabbalah, their different approaches, and the different subjects they have found in it. The subject of his talk will be "Kabbalah in Contemporary Art: From Barnet Newman to Beth Ames Swartz." Swartz will also be giving a talk 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 2, at the museum, titled "In Tandem: Interweaving Art and Kabbalah." Recommended reading: "Kabbalah for the Layman, Volumes I, II and III," by Dr. Philip S. Berg, published by the Research Centre of Kabbalah. |
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