The He(art) of the Matter

I’m a Judaica artist from Israel and I have an Etsy shop that I’m very proud of. Most of my work is inspired by Israel, the country I decided to make my home more than 30 years ago.I’m constantly inspired by the bounty that is around me, and I also take inspiration from the Torah – biblical quotes that inspire, bring comfort, or act as a beautiful reminder that we belong to this incredible land that God/Hashem gave us thousands of years ago.

This morning, I got a message on Etsy. Usually the messages I receive are from potential customers with questions or requests about a specific piece of art: can I customize it, can I adjust the size or color etc. I’m always eager to connect with my customers and create the kind of artwork that they are proud to hang in their home.

This message was the first of its kind in the more than 3 years that my shop has been open.

She sent a link to a piece of mine that is an agricultural and cultural celebration of Israel but all designed to fit into the shape of Israel’s borders. A map of Israel with details like the Tel Aviv coastline, the coral reef of Eilat, the mountains of the Hermon – and everything in between.

Her message was: “This is NOT the map of Israel and it will never be. This is PALESTINE.” Then she added the Palestinian flag – as if I haven’t seen enough of them in my life over the last 3 years.

My first reaction was to laugh. Honestly, it was funny. My first hate message and I felt like I finally made it to the big leagues. Then I thought of what to respond.

I borrowed from Hillel Fuld’s playbook and responded this: (thank you Hillel.)

“Thanks so much for your comment. I will be making a donation to the IDF in your name. Thanks!”

No response yet.

While this is hilarious to me, and I’m proud of my response, I started thinking about the actual art that she was referring to when she claimed that it’s not Israel. And then I wondered what would have happened if Israel did become Palestine (God forbid): what kind of imagery would they have created for their “version” of my artwork?

Certainly no greenery: no vineyards heavy with ripe grapes, no beets, carrots or cabbages. Israelis took this dry arid land and collectively put their brains together and came up with drip irrigation, and once they did, the land did what no one expected it to: it flourished.

There would be zero depictions of ancient ruins – Israel is super serious when it comes to preserving the antiquities that are discovered here. I remember all traffic in a town not far from me being rerouted because upon digging to create a new and more efficient road, they discovered an enormous mosaic that told a story of a rich merchant’s family and fortune, of his travels and the animals he saw for the very first time on those travels. The mosaic was lovingly restored and protected before it traveled all over the world in several exhibits so people from everywhere would learn more about our world. Furthermore Israel built an entire museum dedicated to keeping the Dead Sea Scrolls at the perfect temperature so we can see our ancient Aleph Bet as it once was from thousands of years ago. More irrefutable undeniable evidence of ancient Judeans living on Judean land. Every discovery, even a single solitary coin makes the news and we are hungry for as much knowledge as that single coin can tell us about our past.

I’m not sure there would be much of anything to be honest. It would be an empty image – or worse – one filled with images of children wielding weapons or just tunnels and tunnels and more tunnels.

Not much pride there to hang up on a living room wall.

With the BILLIONS of dollars that Gaza has received over the last several decades, they had ample opportunity to build, to create, and to progress. Instead, they used those funds to destroy and devastate. When all Jews were forcibly removed from Gaza in 2005, all the greenhouses were left there – on purpose. To give the Gazans a stepping stone into developing and furthering a flourishing flower export business. Within days all the greenhouses were looted and stripped of all equipment and ultimately were smashed and destroyed. All that potential, all that effort and infrastructure – gone never to be rebuilt.

So to this person I ask: what have Palestinians ever done that you could be proud of, proud enough to create a piece of art that tells a story of a dusty dry land that was transformed into what can only be called a miracle?

There’s a concept called Tikun Olam – repairing the world – and I think it’s an important concept for not just Jewish people, but for every person on Earth.

We are here on this Earth for a relatively short time, and it’s what we leave behind that determines whether we were worthy of the life we were given.

Did we make choices to build and to thrive? To add to the beauty of the world? To use our knowledge and creativity to bring bounty forth from the land? To use our brains to develop medications that cure diseases? Did we share those discoveries with the world or did we only keep them to ourselves? Did we try our best to do the right thing, to be kind, loving, tolerant, and charitable? Did we choose to be a light? Or did we squander that life by only bringing havoc, evil, death, darkness, and destruction to the world?

I think as rightful custodians of the land – as the Torah/Bible clearly states – I’d like to believe that we’ve made God proud. I imagine Him every day looking down and seeing His people settling in the land He promised – planting, harvesting, building, and – perhaps most important – protecting.

Protecting both the physical land, and protecting and preserving the Torah and the Jewish way of life which is evident in the way our country keeps the laws of Shmita, or celebrates the Chagim.

Our life here revolves around the Jewish calendar – not the Gregorian. School breaks are scheduled for Chanukah and Pesach – not Christmas and Spring Break. We are direct descendants of an ancient people that are STILL speaking the same language on the SAME land. Municipalities all over the country provide Schach – palm branches – for those building a Sukkah. Just a week ago, one of our news anchors recited the Psalm Mizmor LeTodah after the miraculous FlyDubai attempted terror attack.

On air.

Live.

Because faith is an integral part of being Jewish. We are a nation of believers and this country reflects that in its Jewish practice and desire to bring our faith into our daily lives.

Hearing the sounds of the shofar blasting throughout the entire country at the same time during the month of Elul is the sound of a nation that recognizes Hashem/God. And the protection and development of the land is OUR way of constantly expressing gratitude to Him for this gift He gave us.

I’m reminded of the ancient story of the two woman arguing over a baby that each said was her own. The conflict was brought before King Solomon who suggested that they cut the baby in half, and each mother receive a half. One woman agreed and the other woman said, no, and immediately relinquished her claim on the baby. King Solomon gave the baby to the woman who refused his “solution”. Because a true mother would never agree to the harm of the child.

In this scenario, we are refusing to divide this land. The only people allowed to reap the benefits of this land are those who wish to keep it whole, to give their all to it’s growth and security. To protect its history and its future. This land belongs to the people who truly cherish it, who would refuse to see it divided and destroyed. The second the Gazans were given their own territory, destruction and chaos followed. I think that says a lot.

So to the woman who sent me that message: no, this is not your land. And it never will be.

I think it’s abundantly clear who this land belongs to.