Ahavah Rabah (Great Love)
Ahavah Rabah, acrylic on canvas © 2024 D. Yael Bernhard
Loving and learning are inseparable in Judaism. This core concept is expressed in Ahavah Rabah, the Hebrew prayer that is recited every week during Sabbath services, after the blessings for Creation, to confer meaning upon our place in nature.
With its heavy emphasis on education, it’s no surprise that Jewish tradition envisions the relationship of God to the Jewish people as that of a parent to a child. Benevolence, patience, protection, and above all a desire to teach are paramount traits in the Creator who is perceived as caring deeply about humanity. The light of God shines on each individual through this birthright of understanding, insight, and love. In return, the imperative to fulfill the Commandments of the Torah is fundamental to Jewish identity. Loving parents provide food, shelter, and education; in return, their children must obey their rules and live according to their moral code of conduct, which runs like a river through the teachings of Torah.
During my childbearing years, I produced dozens of parenting images. In one particular painting, I depicted a child as a young sapling, with his mother as a surrounding garden in which he can safely grow. The Mother Garden became one of my most popular images, and two different versions of the original – one a study and one a larger painting – sold long ago.
Since the Torah is symbolically referred to as a “Tree of Life” (Etz Chaim), it seemed natural to build upon this visual theme. Once again, the child is a tree – a growing manifestation of Torah, which is born of God’s love and desire to care for the people. But instead of being held by an embodied mother, this new child is held by the firm and loving hands of learning itself. The child thrives, branching out in all directions, upholding the Torah scroll which contains the life-giving light of the sun.
As for the birds, I leave it to you to interpret them as you wish. They come and go, alighting on the branches of the growing child.
Ahavah Rabah is the image for March, 2025 in in The Jewish Eye 5785/2025 Calendar of Art, just published and available in my webstore, on Amazon, or if you’re local, directly from me. All the images may be viewed in my webstore.
The original painting of Ahavah Rabah is for sale. Please inquire for more information if you’re interested.
A good week to all!
D. Yael Bernhard
https://dyaelbernhard.com
Have you seen my other Substack, The Art of Health? In addition to being a visual artist, I’m also a certified integrative health & nutrition coach with a lifelong passion for natural food cooking and herbal medicine. Now in its second year, this illustrated newsletter explores cutting-edge concepts of nutrition. I strive to make relevant information clear and accessible, and to anchor essential health concepts in unique images. Check it out, and if you like it, please subscribe and help spread the word. Your support keeps my work going!