Prayers and Blessings

The Hebrew word for prayer, "tefilah", is derived from the root Pe-Lamed-Lamed, which in most of its forms means to wish. The Yiddish word for prayer is "daven", coming from the same Latin root as the word "divine". Isn't it beautiful?

Praying is not just telling G-d what you need of him; praying is not just praising G-d and thanking him for what life has favored you with. Praying is the means of constant bond with G-d, on the personal level as well as that of the whole Jewish people. It is also a means of keeping the Jewish people together, as we all say the same prayers at the same time, and in the same language – Hebrew.

Most prayers have crystallized through many generations into their current form; few have been added after the founding of the state of Israel. In addition are the "Tehinahs", the meditations; more personal and less structured. These were composed through the ages by people who did not necessarily hold of religious authority, by women as well as men, and reflected their personal need to express themselves before The Almighty.

Blessings are short phrases that have a fixed structure, and are according to clear laws. They accompany the performance of every Mitzvah (commandment), for example, ritual washing of hands, candle lighting and many daily routine acts (eating, drinking).

Recitation of prayers and blessings is one of our primary obligations. Having some of them ornamented and beautifully framed on our walls serves as a reminder to us, and lights our home with splendor.

Traditional Jewish art has always been centered around the embellishment of religious texts. In this category we included papercuts that are based on texts derived from traditional Jewish prayers and blessings. The artist will be happy to answer to personal wishes, and create papercuts and calligraphic pieces for more of these revered texts.