|  Message from Pat Mercer Hutchens: While homebound for several days during the huge Storm of 2010 in Washington, DC, I prayed about painting an artwork for The Jerusalem Connection. It seemed appropriate to paint about Shabbat, the God-appointed time of rest, since we had been given a sort of forced time of rest. I re-read the Genesis passage in Hebrew and remembered that God not only instituted Shabbat, but “celebrated” it, resting after 6 days of Creation work!
“Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it: Because that in it He had rested from all his work which God created and made” (Genesis 2:1-3).
For this reason, some believe Shabbat (the Sabbath) is the most important holiday in the Bible, the one day of the week when believers stop their work, seek to honor God and meditate on spiritual issues, and, well, to shabbat, rest. This painting contains the following:
1. The beautiful kneaded Challah bread which is traditional for Shabbat. The prayer over the Challah is “Baruch Ata ADONAI, Eloheinu, Melech Ha Olam, Motzeh lechem min Haaretz" (Blessed are You, LORD, our God, King of the world, The One who brings bread from the earth).
2. A bottle of wine which is also traditional for Shabbat. This particular bottle of kosher wine from Spain is called Tikveh (Hope). And the blessing is “Baruch Ata Adonai, Eloheinu, Melech Ha Olam, Boreh pri ha gafen” (Blessed are you, LORD, our God, King of the world, Creator of the fruit of the vine).
3. A traditional white and blue tallit (prayer shawl) which has written on it in Hebrew, “Blessed be the One who gave us Shabbat.”
4. A menorah with two lions, signifying the lion of Judah and the lion of Ephraim.
The size of the artwork is 11” x 14”. The title on the artwork and accompanying explanation can also be provided in Spanish if indicated on the order.
We pray this artwork will be a joy and a blessing to you as you “remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.” Thank you for your prayers and support. 100 percent of your donation goes to support The Jerusalem Connection.
Go to our online store to make a $100 donation (or mail a check to the address below) and receive this brand new archival print! |
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