Sukkah or also known as the Feast of Tabernacles is a festival of great importance in the Jewish calendar, it is the third festival of the Hebrew month of Tishrei, and reminds its people of the pilgrimage of the Jewish people.
The tabernacles or temporary dwellings that are built for the celebration must follow a series of rules, some of them, to experience the feeling of their ancestors. Since its meaning transcends to previous decades when in the sacred temple wheat offerings and sacrifices of lambs, doves and calves were presented.
This great feast celebrates agricultural aspects, related to the harvest, and religious and commemorative aspects. Because the temporary dwellings are a representation of the tabernacles where the people of Israel dwelt in the desert, after leaving Egypt in search of the promised land.
The Sukkah must have, by regulation, a crown or roof of palm leaves, so that the immensity of the sky can be observed. The walls of the temporary dwelling should be made of cloth or wood.
Sukkah Art Banner, a perfect decoration
Now you can enjoy such an important celebration together with a painting emblematic of Jewish landscapes, buildings, and customs. Jewish art can be incorporated into the sukkah in a complementary and elegant way, showing idyllic scenes of Israel and Judaism.
The festival of the temporary tabernacles celebrates and gives thanks to God for the rain, the harvests, and commemorates the way of life of the Jews in time of pilgrimage. In the Hebrew traditions, this ceremony acquires ineffable importance, and the sukkahs must be kept in perfect condition.
Symbolic paintings with which you can decorate a Sukkah:
The Walls of Jerusalem; Sabbath Walk through the Tower of David in Jerusalem; The Center of the Earth, the apple of his eye; Jerusalem Market; The Soul of Jerusalem.
These and other emblematic works provide warmth and light and are accompanied by a sense of belonging, which is reflected in the delicate brushstrokes that the artist used for the sukkah art flag. The most representative places and customs of the Jewish people are reflected in these paintings. A unique and incomparable feeling that links the fervent feeling of a painter concerning the history and life of the Jews.
Jewish life paintings
Jewish art is intimately rooted in the beliefs and traditions that govern their way of life. It can be appreciated since time immemorial in the songs and writings of this population, however, arts such as sculpture and painting were not practiced among them until the eighteenth century.
One of the reasons for such an event is that the Jews, in a decisive way, govern their artistic manifestations liturgically, in the same way, that they practice aniconism. Therefore, Jewish paintings before the 18th century are scarce, if not almost non-existent.
When painting emerged among the Jews, it was enriched by the techniques, nuances, and forms acquired in foreign countries after the Jewish emigration and other events.
It is admirable that despite the suffering of their people, they found a way to express, in one way or another, Jewish nature: joyful and picturesque.
The Jewish life paintings are, in part, a gateway to discovering their most intimate customs and devout beliefs.
Jewish art today
The liturgical style of paintings of Jewish life is no longer relevant, indeed, their customs, festivities, beliefs, and more are still illustrated. The painter's passion for these things must be a fundamental aspect to illustrate his people and the environment in which they live their daily lives.
Despite this, modern works often depict various themes of Jewish life, not just the religious. Nowadays, the paintings lean more vehemently towards the artist's contexts. The beauty of the city is reflected by the first or last rays of the sun. The streets and their people, the diverse cultural ethnicities that live in harmony, and other themes enrich Jewish art and expressions.
Some examples of modern art in paintings of Jewish life are abstract works about Israel and the eternal city in the heavenly immensities. Also, heroes of Israel and symbolic paintings whose essence remains the same, but their colors and shapes have been modernized, conveying joyful and representative messages.
Jewish life and its traditions are a broad subject to cover, every aspect, no matter how small, has a background and a lively faith-based belief.