For Jews, Life is Most Precious But Don't Diminish Art's Value
THE JEWISH CHRONICLE
By Rabbi David Katz Temple Ohav Shalom, Allison Park
Questions about the place of art in Jewish life swirled within me and only became clear when I read this week’s Torah portion, Vayakheil. Lo and behold, God actually commissions a work of art in this parshah. The artist is Bezalel, because he has been “endowed with a divine spirit of skill, ability and knowledge in every kind of craft.” His task is to design the Tabernacle — the place of worship that the children of Israel will use as they travel through the desert. Says Moses to the people, “Take from among you gifts to the Lord, everyone whose heart so moves him shall bring them –— gifts for the Lord: gold, silver and copper; blue, purple and crimson yarns, fine linen and goats’ hair.” We Jews are taught that rescuing a human soul takes precedence over rescuing a painting. God is invisible and God’s invisible image in every human being is to be cherished above all. But the value of art for the sake of beauty is not to be diminished for it gives us pleasure and joy and is the human reflection of God’s creative will. [link]
By Rabbi David Katz Temple Ohav Shalom, Allison Park
Questions about the place of art in Jewish life swirled within me and only became clear when I read this week’s Torah portion, Vayakheil. Lo and behold, God actually commissions a work of art in this parshah. The artist is Bezalel, because he has been “endowed with a divine spirit of skill, ability and knowledge in every kind of craft.” His task is to design the Tabernacle — the place of worship that the children of Israel will use as they travel through the desert. Says Moses to the people, “Take from among you gifts to the Lord, everyone whose heart so moves him shall bring them –— gifts for the Lord: gold, silver and copper; blue, purple and crimson yarns, fine linen and goats’ hair.” We Jews are taught that rescuing a human soul takes precedence over rescuing a painting. God is invisible and God’s invisible image in every human being is to be cherished above all. But the value of art for the sake of beauty is not to be diminished for it gives us pleasure and joy and is the human reflection of God’s creative will. [link]
