SYNAGOGUE STAINED GLASS, jEWISH STAINED GLASS, SYNAGOGUE ART, AND JUDAICA BY JEWISH ARTISTS DAVID AND MICHELLE PLACHTE-ZUIEBACK
"Shema"
Temple Valley Beth Shalom
Encino, California
CHRONOLOGICAL INDEX
"Shema" Temple Valley Beth Shalom, Encino, CA
Ecclesiastic
Stained Glass
and Judaica
David and Michelle
Plachte-Zuieback
 
 

 

 

The "Shema," the ultimate expression of one-ness, the call to witness the one-ness of God.  The enlarged "Ayin" and "Daled," spell the word, "aid," to witness.  The Shema is a call to witness the first commandment.  "Anochi Adonai," the acknowledgement of God.  The context of this window becomes one of "Hiddur Mitzvah," i.e. the artistic embellishment and glorification of the first commandment.  Also, in viewing this window, we are "witnessing" the scene at Sinai:  the Jews encamped before the mountain, experiencing God, first hand.

Six species of Biblical fruit frame the composition.   Pomegranate, symbol of Torah, by virtue of it's 613 seeds; Myrtle, symbol of marriage, joy, peace and tranquility; Grapes, symbol of blessing and the connection of man and God; Olives, symbol of peace and light; Figs, contender for the Tree of Life; Almonds, first tree to flower in Spring.

54 phases of the moon surround the composition.  The Shema is rendered in 36 languages on the border.

 

 

©Copyright Plachte-Zuieback Art Glass 2004