Parshat Bo – בא

polymer emulsions on canvas 27 1/2″ x 19 1/2″ (70 x 50 cm)

The Eighth Plague – Locusts – אַרְבֶּה – Bina

“And the locusts went up
over all the land of Egypt
and they chewed up all the plants”
(Exodus 10: 13-15)
Chewing and processing
our received phenomena
is a kabbalah analogy
to the sephira of Bina – בינה
This is the ability of intellectual inquiry:
the approach of the Talmud.
It allows us to explore the universe,
improve our lives and discover
the higher moral calling of the human family.
Yet the very same power may
serve as a tool to rationalize
every evil practiced under the face of the sun,
and to justify every destructive lifestyle or habit.
leaving in its wake a desolate society
“The Wasteland”
bereft of spiritual values and absolute principles.

The Ninth Plague – Darkness – חֹשֶׁךְ – Chachma

acrylics on canvas 37″ x 37″ (94 x 94 cm)

There was a thick darkness
in all the land of Egypt three days;
they saw not one another,
neither rose any from his place;
but all the children of Israel
had Light in their dwellings.
(Exodus 10: 21-24)
The Light in the Darkness (of the Mind)
is a kabbalah analogy
to the sephira of Chachma- חכמה

This can be understood as the ability
to accept new ideas and concepts that emerge
unexpectedly from the supra-conscious.
The arrogant Egyptians
(and with them many “assimilated” Jews)
with their fixed mindsets
could not change and accept a new input
and thus remained in the darkness.

The Tenth Plague – The First Born – בכורות – Keter

airbrushed acrylics on canvas 40″ x 30″ (102 x 76 cm)

This terrible plague can be understood
within the basic Biblical context of
“measure for measure” מידה כנגד מידה
(How you mistreat others, so will be the retribution.)
God declared that “Israel is My first-born”
(Exodus 4:22) בְּנִי בְכֹרִי יִשְׂרָאֵל

Yet Pharaoh wished to enslave them
for all eternity, thus it is fitting
that God would punish him by killing
all of Egypt’s first-born sons.

More information on the plagues:
http://art-kabbalah-mystic.net/Parsha.html#vaeira

After the Tenth Plague
the Israelites were commanded
to celebrate Passover – Pesach
eating the pascal lamb
and the matzas, the unleavened bread
to prepare for delivery from Egypt

וּשְׁמַרְתֶּם אֶת הַמַּצּוֹת כִּי בְּעֶצֶם הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה
הוֹצֵאתִי אֶת צִבְאוֹתֵיכֶם מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם

And you shall observe the feast
of the unleavened bread
for in this very day
I have brought your hosts
out of the land of Egypt.
(Exodus 12: 17)

Voyage into the Matza Interior

An extended comparison via video art of the
“round” hand-kneaded matza and the full moon.
Extreme close-ups of the matza texture
turn into a remarkable “lunar”
and even otherworldly landscape
replete with crevices and craggy mountains.
The micro becomes the macro and vice versa.
With a modern music (electronic & flute) track,
which gives it a special ambience.
It even has the sound effect of the artist
munching noisily on a matza.

Some low definition samples from the composition
(with a “stream of conciousness” sound track)
are available on YouTube:
Part One: https://youtu.be/nGJYaEvqr7k

Part Two: https://youtu.be/I8qtqroA-90

Part Three: https://youtu.be/PTkFUstBLtQQ

For more information on Matza:
http://art-kabbalah-mystic.net/Passover.html