Large-scale work based on Ze’ev Raban’s ‘Tiberias’.

(RABAN, ZE’EV).

1945

Oil on canvas. Finely framed.

Depicting a coastal view of Tiberias - one of the four Holy Cities of Eretz Israel - along the western shore of the Sea of the Galilee. With Jugendstil design motifs throughout; vignettes below of a rabbinic figure teaching his disciples - a reference to the Torah scholarship and illustrious rabbis associated with Tiberias in life and in burial including: Rabbi Akiva and Rabbi Meir Ba’al HaNess (2nd century) and Maimonides (12th century). Upper register reads: “Tiveria” and adorned with shofars, pomegranates and grape clusters. Flanking central seascape are images of Jews and charity boxes with Hebrew captions: “Elaka D’Meir Aneni” [God of Meir, answer me!] - the oft-quoted phrase associated with Rabbi Meir Ba’al Haness, when giving charity and asking for the heavenly assistance of the Mishnaic sage. The source of this derives from a promise Rabbi Meir made to a Roman guard whereby employing this phrase would, and did, save his life. Provenance: Synagogue in Buenos Aires, Argentina.