Art gift for Rosh Hashana

This original piece of Jewish art would make a beautiful and very special Rosh Hashana gift, celebrating the seven species described in Parshat Ekev. Prominent among them, in my picture, is the pomegranate. The midrash describes this fruit as having 613 seeds, corresponding to the number of mitzvot in the Torah. This is a decorative […]

Child’s Bible; complete set published

  This brings this whole Child’s Bible project to a close, with all five volumes of the Torah series now published. It was a challenge and a privilege to be involved in this work! The whole series is available to buy here. (Available separately or as a boxed set). Prints of the illustrations are available […]

Miketz: Pharaoh’s Dream

Parshat Miketz; Joseph helps Pharaoh understand his dream (detail of artwork)

After interpreting that Pharaoh’s dream is foreshadowing seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine, Joseph, with what seems like improper chutzpah, offers Pharaoh unsolicited advice on how to prepare for these events. He says: “And now, Pharaoh should seek a resourceful and wise man and appoint him over the land of Egypt….” […]

Parshat Toldot

The deceptive way in which Jacob receives his father’s blessing is rather unsettling. There is an interesting discussion of it by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks on his website, here.