Zepat, Israel Aug 8

Yesterday we went to Zepat in Israel (pronounced Zephat). This is a major home for Jewish Kabbalah with fascinating synagogues dating back 500 years. Kabbalah is a combination of Judaism, mysticism with some roots stretching back to ideas in the early centuries post-Christ. Late Medieval Jewish works like the Zohar reflect these concepts.

Yesterday we went to Zepat in Israel (pronounced Zephat). This is a major home for Jewish Kabbalah with fascinating synagogues dating back 500 years. Kabbalah is a combination of Judaism, mysticism with some roots stretching back to ideas in the early centuries post-Christ. Late Medieval Jewish works like the Zohar reflect these concepts.

The art in particular is fascinating. Paintings are done with the Hebrew words of Scripture in micro-calligraphy forming the base of the shapes. In many cases entire books are placed into the paintings. There also is the interesting issue of how Judaism traditionally shuns images related to God, but there is an artistic elment to much of what is present. So this was a fascinating visit. Below is such a painting of the Wailing Wall (The Western Wall of the Temple Mount). The words cover the entire book of Ecclesiastes.