(SHIVITHI).
AUCTION 42 |
Thursday, December 18th,
2008 at 1:00
Fine Judaica: Hebrew Printed Books, Manuscripts, Graphic & Ceremonial Art
Lot 317
(SHIVITHI).
(Germany): Early 19th century
Est: $1,500 - $2,000
PRICE REALIZED $1,200
The verse in Psalm 16, verse 8, reads: “I placed the Lord before me always.” Hence Kabbalists took this literally to mean that one should constantly meditate on the four-lettered name of God. Thus, it became customary to place a plaque with the Name in bold on the wall of the synagogue. In time, the “Shivithi” became a distinct genre of Jewish ceremonial art with various embellishments of a mystical and also artistic nature. Many of the devout carried their own personal “Shivithi” as a talisman for constant personal meditation