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Artist Notes:
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Central to this card for Rosh Hashanah is the shape of a Chamsa (hand) an ancient symbol that originated throughout the Middle East in the Jewish and Muslim faiths. Its presence symbolizes blessings and divine protection from harm to one's home and family. This version frames symbols of the Jewish New Year: A winged ram sent from Heaven to Abraham in the story of the Akedah, or the sacrifice of Isaac, the vine motif or thicket in which the ram is found, a Torah scroll representing the site of the sacrifice on Mt. Moriah where the first synagogue is said to have been established, the five eyes or apertures through which G-d sees us, and the sun, moon and stars representing the seasons. The Chamsa is accompanied by the Shehechianu blessing (in both Hebrew and English) which is recited at the beginning of a new season, the first day of each Jewish holiday and in celebration of a new lifecycle event.
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