Menorah Maayan

In Hebrew a maayan is a natural spring of water. All the waters of the earth are said to have originated in the Garden of Eden. In the center of the Garden of Eden was the tree of life. Here in the painting a tree-like menorah emerges, as if rising from the waters, with golden flames.

Our sages tell us that the Garden of Eden was generated by the Creator in a spiral downwards from abstract to tactile reality. The painting captures the feeling of the spiritual becoming material, as patches of gold leaf arise out of the depths, forming themselves into this enticing form.  The elemental shapes seem to have a life of their own, ascending upwards within a unity.

A kinetic feeling of creation is implied in the variations of viridian greens mixed with blues, lighting up the luscious plant life, countered with red shades, flickering with gold emanations. The blue/green shades are calming and contemplative raising consciousness to the spiritual realm, while the shades of gold are dynamic, signifying the importance of the menorah/tree in sustaining life, holy and exalted.