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THE ART OF SUKKOT Tishri 15-22, 5771

September 23-29, 2010Simchat Torah is the 7th day of Sukkot

Shemini Atzeret is the 8th day of Sukkot

Myrna Teck, Ph. D. Independent Scholar

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TORAH SCROLL

Sukkot is described in the Pentateuch or Five Books of Moses It is one of three pilgrim or harvest festivalsThose holidays are: Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot

Sukkot commemorates the Israelites wanderings in the wildernessThese wanderings followed the Exodus from Egypt

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Deuteronomy 16:16Three times a year--on the feast of unleavened bread, and on the feast of weeks, and on the feast of Booths-- all your males shall appear before the Lord thy God in the place which He shall choose: …Lieber, D. (Ed.) (2001). Etz Hayim. NY: JPS

SUKKOT is Hebrew for “TABERNACLES” or “BOOTHS”It is one of three PILGRIM or HARVEST festivalsIt is a 7 day festival beginning on the 15th of TishriIt is the happiest of biblical festivalsIt celebrates God’s bounty in nature and God’s protection

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THE FOUR SPECIESthe palm, etrog, willow, and myrtleThe Lulav (palm branch) has fruitetrog is both fruit and odorThe Myrtle is perfumedThe willow has no fruit or odorThey symbolize hope

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Rothschild Miscellany are Hebrew illuminated manuscripts

Moses ben Yekuthiel Hakohen commissioned

Them in 1479

It includes religious and secular worksThere also are 816 illuminations

They disappeared from Paris during WWII and resurfaced in NYC

This detail is from the HOSHANA (Please save) prayer

Vellum, ink, tempera, gold leaf21 x 16 cm

Man wears a tallit, holds an etrog, palm frond and myrtle branch

They are three of the Four Species used during the festival

Hoshana Rabba is the 7th day of Sukkot

It is “the great day of the call for help” Hoshana means “Save I pray!”

It is considered the last day for atonement and forgiveness from GodAfter Rosh Hashonah and Yom Kippur

The synagogue is circumambulated

The prayer implores God’s salvationIt is said during the 7 days of Sukkot It is said in its entirety on the 7th dayOn this day, the divine judgment of humans is concluded

Everyone’s fate for the next year is decided

It is like a mini-Yom Kippur

HOSHANA RABBA (detail)-Rothschild Miscellany, No. Italy, 1475Snyder, J. (2005). The Israel Museum. Jerusalem, Israel: Harry Abrams

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MAN WITH HEADLESS SHADOWKosofsky, S. M. (2004). Book of Customs. San Francisco: Harper Collins

There is a Jewish folk belief that seeing a headless shadow is bad It means that one will not survive until the next New Year festivalA headless shadow was a sign that the person would die that year

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Leviticus 23: 40On the first day you shall take the product of Hadar trees, branches of palm-trees, and boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the LORD your GOD seven days. Lieber, D. (Ed.) (2001). Etz Hayim. NY: JPS

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THE LULAV-Minhogimbukh, Venice 1593 Kosofsky, S. M. (2004). Book of Customs. San Francisco: Harper Collins.

Four species represent the agricultural worldThey are the palm, etrog, willow, and myrtleThe Lulav (palm branch) has fruitetrog is both fruit and perfumedThe Myrtle is perfumedThe willow has no fruit or perfumelulav and the Etrog are symbols on ancient Mosaic floorsThey symbolize hope for redemption They are also Jewish emblems

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THE SUKKAH-Minhogimbukh, 1723Kaniel, M. (1989). A Guide to Jewish Art. New York: Allied Books The word “SUKKAH” is Hebrew for “TABERNACLE” The Sukkah (booth) is a symbol of fragilityPeople eat in the SukkahSome Jews sleep there, too The Sukkah is a reminder that God protected the Israelites That was during their wanderings in the desert

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Leviticus 23: 41-42You shall observe it as a festival of the LORD for seven days in the year; you shall observe it in the seventh month as a law for all time, throughout the ages. You shall live in booths seven days; all citizens in Israel shall live in booths

Lieber, d. (Ed.) (2001). Etz Hayim. NY: JPS

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THE SUKKAHWigoder, G. (1972). Jewish Art & Civilization, Fribourg, Switz: Chartwell This is a Linoleum cut Each evening 7 biblical characters are invited to the SukkahThey are spiritual guests and are called “USHPIZIN”Their presence is a reminder to host others for the festival

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EATING IN THE SUKKAH-Picart, B., Amsterdam, 1723Korn, I. (1996). A Celebration of Judaism in Art. New York: Todtri

This is a Copperplate engravingIt is by Bernard PicartIt is From Ceremonies & Costumes of Religions of peoples of WorldThis image is in the Rijksmuseum in AmsterdamThis Sukkah is so heavily decorated that it looks permanentIn the background is a less ornate Sukkah

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HAKKAFOT-Picart, B. Amsterdam, 1723Snyder, J. (2004). the Jewish World 365 Days. NY: Harry N. Abrams

Hakkafot is the custom of circumambulating the bima 7 timesAll the Torah Scrolls are taken out of the ArkVarious piyyutim (religious songs) are sungOne explanation for the ritual is the 7 times Joshua circled JerichoThis is an etching on paperThe citation above the print is puzzlingIn the English edition of Picart’s book, the citation is from John 7:37It ends the reading of the TorahSimchat Torah (REJOICING OF THE LAW) begins the reading of GenesisIt begins on 23 Tishri and is celebrated for 2 daysShemini Atzeret is the last day

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SUKKOT POT-Gomez family, 18th c. Grunberger, M. (Ed.) (2004). From Haven to Home. Wash, D.C. Library of Congress

The Gomez family transformed this mustard potThey made it into an Etrog holderIt is made of SilverIt is in the collection of the American Jewish Historical Society

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CORNER OF PAINTED SUKKAH-Late 19th c.Keller, S. (Ed.) (1992). The Jews. NY: Hugh Lauter Levin Assoc., Inc

This painted Sukkah was put together by numbered panelsAn emphasis is placed on the abundance of fruits and flowersThere is also a REAL window in this SukkahThat may have been where the women handed in the food to the menThe anonymous painter included columns and an archHe/She also painted a panel of the 10 Commandments

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CORNER OF PAINTED SUKKAH-Southern Germany, ca. 1837Snyder, J. (2005). The Israel Museum. Jerusalem, Israel: Harry Abrams2 x 2.9 x 2.9 mm. Wood, oil paintGift of the Deller Family with the help of Dr. H. Feuchtwanger, 1961

The Deller Sukkah was discovered in 1933 It was in the village of Fishach near AugsburgThe artist used motifs from traditional German folk artOn the walls are a genre home scene and a view of the village It includes the Deller Family house and the synagogueFive vignettes relating to major Jewish festivals are also depictedThese may have been modeled on a Holiday Prayer book (MAHZOR)It was printed in 1826 in SalzbachA view of the holy sites of Jerusalem was copied from a 19th c. printThe Jerusalem artist Yehoseph Schwarz made itIt appears on the wall opposite the entrance The painted wooden boards were numbered for easy annual assembledIt was used until 1910, when it was too unstable for useIn 1938-secretly loaded onto a truck In parts and sent to JerusalemFamily donated it to the Bezalel MuseumNow on permanent exhibition in The Israel Museum

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PAINTED SUKKA (Detail)-Germany, e. 19th c.Snyder, J. (2005). The Israel Museum. Jerusalem, Israel: Harry Abrams.Collection of the Israel Museum

This is a detail from the previous imageIt is of Painted woodThe painted detail depicts hakafot (circuits) in the synagogueIt is done with lulav and etrog

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SUKKAH DECORATION-18th, c. Barnavi, E. (Ed.) (1992). Historical Atlas of the Jewish People. NY: Knopf

A man carries the symbols of the Festival of Tabernacles He is on his way to the synagogueThis image is from Bischwiller (Haut-Rhin)He looks like a colonial American in his flat-top hat

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SUKKAH DECORATION-Moravia, 18th c. Snyder, J. (2005). The Israel Museum. Jerusalem, Israel: Harry AbramsParchment cutout, painted. 31 x 21.2 cm. (17 3/4”)

A large oval is in the center of this intricate and delicate papercut Note Moses holding the Tablets of the Law on the leftThe tablets show Roman numerals, a Christian influenceThat is, instead of Hebrew alphabetical numberIt has the inscription: “This is the table that is before the Lord” It is from Ezekiel 41: 22A scene illustrated the central biblical commandment relating to the holiday: “You shall sit in the Sukkah seven days, all the people of Israel shall sit in Sukkot (Leviticus 23: 42)

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MENORAH SUKKAH DECORATION-Szeged, Hungary, l. 19th/ e. 20th cSnyder, J. (2004). the Jewish World 365 Days. NY: Harry N. AbramsOil on canvasCollection of Israel Museum

This SUKKAH panel is part of a setThey decorated the SUKKAH of Rabbi Loew Immanuel (1854-1945)He was from Szeged, HungaryHe was the head of the neological communityNeologians were a mainstream Hungarian group It loosely resembled Reform Judaism

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ASTROLABE SUKKAH DECORATION-Israel David Luzzatto, c. 1775Korn, I. (1996). A Celebration of Judaism in Art. NY: Todtri ProductionsInk and watercolor on paper. 20 x 15 1/2 in. (50.8 x 39.4 cmH. Ephraim and mordecai Benguit Family CollectionJewish Museum, New York

Micrography of the text of Ecclesiastes is shaped as an astrolabeThat was an instrument used to measure the sun’s altitudeEcclesiastes is the traditional text read in synagogue on SukkotThis is due to the references to the sun and its movement

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FESTIVAL OF SUKKOT-New Synagogue, London, 1850.Burman, R. etc (2006). Treasures of Jewish Heritage, London

This is an interior view of the New Synagogue in LondonIt shows the celebration of the festival of SukkotThe image is in paper-macheIt is on a round-topped table813 x 588 mm1851-Images of Windsor and Winchester castle were exhibited

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BUKHARAN SUKKAH-Central Asia, 19/20th c. Snyder, J. (2005). The Israel Museum. Jerusalem, Israel: Harry Abrams

Ikat panels of dyed silk, Suzani embroideriesThe Jewish communities of Uzbekistan were known as Bukharan JewryThey were much involved in the textile trade thereOf ten as silk and dye merchants and silk weaversThe floor was covered with rugs on which the family sat to dineA wide variety of fruit, mint, and basil decorated the SukkahLarge melons hung across the front

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SUKKAHS IN MEA SHEARIM

This is a photograph of sukkahs in Mea ShearimIt is the most orthodox Jewish neighborhood in jerusalem

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ETROG CONTAINER-Augsburg, 1670-80Grossman, G. (1995). Jewish Art, China: Hugh Lauter LevinSilver, gilt, hammered and chased7 1/2 x 9 in. (19.1 x 22.9 cm)Collection of The Jewish Museum, New York Gift of Dr. Harry G. Friedman

The shape of the fruit is echoed in this containerBoxes were used to protect the etrog (citron) during the festivalThe etrog was carried between home and synagogue

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SILVER ETROG CONTAINER-Germany or Austria, date unknownBurman, R. etc (2006). Treasures of Jewish Heritage: Jewish Museum LondonSilver277 MM long

Box formed as a citron with applied foliage and tendrilsStand formed as a leafCollection of Jewish Museum in London

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ETROG CONTAINER-Russia, e. 19th c. Collection of The Israel MuseumLength-7 1/2 inches, 19 CM.Notice the similarity and slight variations from the previous one

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ETROG CONTAINER-Ottoman Empire, 19th c.Grossman, G. (1995). Jewish Art, China: Hugh Lauter Levin Assoc., Inc. SilverCollection of The Israel MuseumThis duck form is quite unusual

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BEADED ETROG BOX-Germany, 1878Snyder, J. (2004). the Jewish World 365 Days. NY: Harry N. Abrams, Inc

Glass beads on cardboard8.3 x 8.8 x 13.9 cmGift of the E. Burstein Collection, Lugano

The Hebrew inscription included the biblical verse from Lev. 23:40It is in the collection of the Israel MuseumThe box is also inscribed:

“in honor of my forefather on behalf of Gershon Pieta.”

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ETROG BOX- United States, 1918Snyder, J. (2004). the Jewish World 365 Days. NY: Harry Abrams

Carved and painted woodPlated copper and Brass12.6 x 10.8 x 18.1 cmCollection of The Israel Museum

This ETROG container has a Hebrew dedicationIt indicates that the box was given as a wedding giftThe sides have scenes connected to Sukkot and to marriageIt was made in the U.S. and sent to Slovakia in 1918It eventually returned to the U.S. The groom, Rabbi Gelbman and his family came to NYC on 11/30/1937

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ETROG CONTAINER-Lorelei and Alex Gruss, New York, 1989

Ebony, purpleheart, silver, shell6 x 8 in. (15.2 x 20.3 cm)Courtesy of the artistsThe artists have worked in the U.S. since 1987Lorelei was born in New York and raised in JerusalemAlex was born in Argentina. They use forest woods chosen for their texture and colorThe inlays are original compositions of precious materialsIvory, abalone, mother-of-pearl, precious stones and metalsEach scene is an original compositionThe artists are concerned with Halacha and functionalityThis etrog container depicts images of the seven ushpizinThey are the ancestral guests who come to visit on SukkotEach one is identified by name in Hebrew

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ETROG BOX-Greibel, Mila Tanya-London, 2001 Burman, R. etc (2006). Treasures of Jewish Heritage: The Jewish Museum, London

Silver200 x 100 mmBox in a double-cone shape with cut-out lettersCollection of Jewish Museum, London

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ETROG CONTAINER-Meizei, Rabbi D., 1998 Morton, K. (1999). Judaic Artisans Today. Gaithersburg, Md: Flower Valley Press.Sterling silver4 1/2 x 7 x 4 1/2 inches

It is inscribed: “Fruit of the splendorous tree” The back of the container is hingedThe top tilts open easily giving access to the fruit lying within

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SUKKOT PLATE-England and U.S., 1910 Grossman, G. (1995). Jewish Art, China: Hugh Lauter Levin AssocPorcelain, hand-painteddiameter 9 in. (22.9 cm) National Museum of American History, Smithsonian

The plate was manufactured in England by John BrotherThe special Sukkot motif was designed by Katherine M. CohenThe Tatler Decorating company of Trenton, New Jersey added itThe plate was made to use for communal meals served in the SukkahThis took place at congregation Mikve Israel in Philadelphia

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THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES on Mount of Olives- Frazer, J.c. 1050 Barnavi, E.(Ed.)(1992). Historical Atlas of the Jewish People. NY: Knopf

Painting on Glass

On the right are the seven members of the SanhedrinThey are proclaiming

a. the dates of festivalsb. announcing new nominations to the Sanhedrin, and c. reiterating the excommunication of the Karaites

The Karaites were required to attend and stand on the far leftThey are behind Muslim soldier who interposes between the enemiesThis is a painting on glass based on literary sources

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SUKKAH PEEPSHOW-Place of origin unknown, 18th c. Burman, R. etc (2006). Treasures of Jewish Heritage: The Jewish Museum,

London

Paper and wood236 mm x 297 mm deepScene in a Sukkah with five movable frames

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PROCESSION OF THE LAW-Hart, Solomon, RA. England, 1845-50 Burman, R. etc (2006). Treasures of Jewish Heritage: Jewish Museum, London

Oil on canvas1.06 x .94 cm

Painting shows a synagogue scene at the festival of SIMCHAT TORAH. Simchat Torah (Happiness in the Torah) is the 7th day of SukkotIt is thought to be set in the Livorno synagogue, ItalyCollection of the Jewish Museum, London

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THE FOUR SPECIES-I. KauffmannUnterman, A. (1991). Dictionary of JEWISH Lore & Legend. London: Thames and Hudson.

Depicts a young Hasidic Jewish boy holding the four species

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PAINTING OF RABBI AND CONGREGANTS ON SUKKOT-19TH/E. 20TH C.The Jewish Museum. Oil on canvas. 42 1/2 x 53 in. Gift of Mr. And Mrs. Oscar Gruss. JM 89-56

This painting may have belonged to Isser and Freidl ReifferThey fled their home in Vienna in 1938

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THE RABBI WITH THE ETROG-Chagall, 1914Korn, I. (1996). A Celebration of Judaism in Art. NY: Todtri Prod

Collection of Kunstaamlung Nordhausen-Westphalen, DusseldorfIt is clear that the festival of Sukkot is being observedThe figure on the top of the rabbi’s head is open to interpretationSome say it is his soul from which he separated and turned away

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FEAST OF THE TABERNACLES, Chagall,1916Compton, S. (1985). Chagall. Philadelphia Museum of Art.Gouache. 13 x 16 1/8 in/33 x 41 cmPrivate Collection; courtesy of Galerie Rosengart, Lucerne

This theme comes from a 1917 commission Chagall receivedIt was for murals in a school attached to the Petrograd synagogueBella beautifully described the harvest thanksgivingA lean-to was built behind the houseA cart loaded with pine branches drove into the yardThe walls were solid, but the roof was open to the skyHer brothers climbed up ladders and stood on chairsThey passed the branches to one anotherThey were piled so think no star could shine throughA long table with benches was placed in the middleThe floor was bare earthHer father and brothers ate a ceremonial meal insideNo women could join inThe woman passing the meal in is stylized

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SCHOOLCHILDREN WITH PALM FRONDS-Ben-Dov, Yaacov, Israel, 1930sSnyder, J. (2004). the Jewish World 365 Days. NY: Harry N. Abrams

Gelatin Silver printCollection of The Israel Museum

Photograph shows a group of children standing outside a building They appear to be in the blinding sonThey hold palm fronds and are participating in a ceremonyThey hold fronds in preparation for placing them on a Sukkah roofPhotographer was Yaacov Ben-Dov

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FEAST OF TABERNACLES-Chaim Gross, 1967Soltes, A., Abrams, J. & Blecher, A. (1968). The Jewish Holidays,

Customs, and Traditions by Chaim Gross. NY: Associated American Artists

Chaim Gross incorporates many different vignettes of the holiday

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MENORAH, LULOV, AND ESROG-Menorah Park Jewish Home for Aged, Beachwood, Ohio, 1968

Laminated Stained Glass9’ X 20’ Executed by the Willet Stained Glass Studios, Philadelphia

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SUKKOT-Vicksburg, MississippiAron, B. (2002). Shalom Y’all. Chapel Hill: Algonquin books

This Sukkah is in the Mississippi DeltaIt is decorated with newly harvested cotton, soybeans & corn stalksAll are indigenous to that area

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SUKKAH-Arie Aroch, 1953 Snyder, J. (2004). the Jewish World 365 Days. NY: Harry N. Abrams, IncOil on canvas63.5 x 79 cm

Arie Aroch frequently depicts Jewish motifsHere he flattens the Sukkah features into two dimensionsThe feeling is that the objects are hovering and not secureThe composition creates a floating, temporary atmosphere The simple and naïve format reminds us of children’s drawings They often decorate family SukkahsAroch was born in Russia in 1908 and died in Israel in 1974

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INDOOR SUKKAH-Alan Wexler, 1991Kleeblatt, N. (1995). Too Jewish? Challenging Traditional Identities, The Jewish Museum, NY

What can anyone say about this?It’s such a creative response to the subject It just boggles the imaginationIt’s appropriate where it’s too cold for an outdoor SukkahThat might be in New York city

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PHOTOGRAPH AT THE WESTERN WALL ON SUKKOT

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POEM FOR SIMHAT TORAH-Rome, 1766Grossman, G. (1995). Jewish Art. China: Hugh Lauter Levin AssocGouache and ink on parchment23 1/2 x 18 in. (59.7 x 45.7 cm)Collection of the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC

Rabbi Abraham ben Jacob Anav (ANAU) wrote this poemThis poem is an original cantataIt was written in honor of Isaac Berakyah BaraffaelHe was the son of Mordecai BaraffaelIt was written on the occasion of Simhat TorahIn the register above the text of the poem is a historical noteIt praises the student Isaac’s family and the study of TorahIsaac was from a wealthy family of spice importers and merchantsThey came from Ancona to Rome at the beginning of the 18th c. The text is written for three singersThey represent Wealth, Honor, and lifeThree allegorical figures symbolize these themes

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SIMHAT TORAH SWEETS-Minhogimbukh, Venice, 1593Kosofsky, S. M. (2004). The Book of Customs. San Francisco: Harper Collins

An early image from a Book of customsThe images were used as patterns for later booksNote that this is a woodcut

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SIMCHAT TORAH SWEETS-Minhogimbukh, Amsterdam, 1713.Snyder, J. (2004). the Jewish World 365 Days. NY: Harry Abrams, Inc20.2 x 15.5 Collection of The Israel Museum

Middle Ages to the 19th c., books described customs and holidaysThey were intended as illustrated guides to Jewish practiceThey reflect Jewish life in different places in EuropeThis woodcut shows sweets traditionally given to childrenThis was on the Simchat Torah holiday

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THE FEAST OF THE REJOICING OF THE LAW AT THE SYNAGOGUE IN LEGHORN, ITALYSolomon Alexander Hart, R.A. 1850Korn, I. (1996). A Celebration of Judaism in Art. NY: Todtri ProductionsOil on canvas 55 5/8 x 68 3/4 in. (141.3 x 174. 6 cm)Gift of Mr. And Mrs. Oscar GrussCollection of The Jewish Museum, New York

This painting celebrates SIMHAT TORAHIt is also known as THE REJOICING OVER THE TORAHIt is thought of as the last, or 8th, day of SukkotShemini Atzeret is actually a minor biblical holiday It is observed one day in Israel, two days in the DiasporaYIZKOR (Prayer for the Dead) is recited It is considered the conclusion of Succot

Solomon Hart was the 1st Jew in the British Royal Academy He visited many Italian sitesPainting shows the lavish decoration of the Livorno synagogueIt also shows the varied cultural dress of Livornese Jews

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TORAH CROWN FOR SIMHAT TORAH-Alsace, mid. 19th c.Korn, I. (1996). A Celebration of Judaism in Art. NY: Todtri Productions

Paper Mache, silk ribbons, cardboard, paper 8 1/4 x 7 1/4 in. (21 x 18.5 cm). Judisches Museum der Schweiz, Basel

Some congregations highlight the importance of Simhat TorahThe yearly reading of the 5 Books of Moses finishes and begins Special Torah decorations were used

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CROWN FOR SIMHAT TORAH-Langensoultzbach, 19th c. Grossman, G. (1995). Jewish Art, China: Hugh Lauter Levin Assoc., IncPaper, tissue, wood, metal wire8 1/4 x 7 1/4 in. (21 x 18.4 cm)Les Musees de la Ville de StrasbourgCollection Societe d’histoire des Israelites d’Alsace et de Lorraine,

Alsatian Jews made elaborate flower-embellished crownsThese were for the Torah scrolls for Simhat TorahThey were made of very fragile materialsThis is one of the very few remaining crowns of this type

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THE RABBIS AND THE TORAHS-STEINHARDT, Jakob, woodcutKolb, L. (Ed). (1962) The Woodcuts of Jakob Steinhardt. Phila: JPS

Steinhardt was the leading printmaker of the mid-20th centuryHere the Rabbis carry the Torah Scrolls It is not clear where they are goingPerhaps it is a celebration of the Torah on Simchat Torah

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CELEBRATION ON SIMCHAT TORAH-Moshe Ryenicki

Backlight creates silhouettes of the rabbi carrying the TorahThe paint is applied in a painterly manner, a modernist approach

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SIMCHAT TORAH (REJOICING OF THE LAW)-Chaim Gross, 1967Soltes, A., Abrams, J. & Blecher, A. (1968). The Jewish Holidays, Customs and Traditions by Chaim Gross. NY: Assoc. American Artists

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SAMARITANS ON MT. GERIZIM During Sukkot Barnavi, E. (Ed.) (1992). Historical Atlas of the Jewish People. NY: Knopf

The priest holds a bible manuscript

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It is said that:

ART CANNOT BE TAUGHT…

IT CAN ONLY BE CAUGHT!

I hope this book has made

THE ART OF SUKKOT

CONTAGIOUS FOR YOU TODAY!Myrna Teck, Ph.D.Independent Scholar