D'vekut (Cleaving)
D’vekut, acrylic on jute canvas, © D. Yael Bernhard 2024
D’vekut is the image for October in my newly-published calendar, The Jewish Eye 5785/2025 Calendar of Art. The painting grew out of a class by the same title that I attended online last winter at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem. Taught by Rabbi Mike Feuer, the class was deeply thought-provoking. Drawing upon teachings of both ancient and contemporary sages, R. Feuer presented a whole different view of the story of Adam and Eve, in which Eve emerges not from Adam’s rib, but from his side – as the Hebrew word צלע (tze-lah) may be interpreted as either word. This side-by-side construct equalizes Eve and Adam as counterparts. It builds on a previous passage from the story of Creation that simply states both man and woman are created in the image of God, without indicating how; and on a later passage which declares the oneness of the two sexes that cleave together in their bones and flesh.
The word “cleave” means to split apart, while “cleave to” means to cling together. This two-sided word is a perfect expression of “d’vekut,” which describes both our mortal humanity as distinct from the divine Creator, and our oneness with all Creation. We cling to the Source of Life and to each other as a response to being split apart. The quest for Oneness makes us human, an existence to be both embraced and transcended. In typical Jewish style, the paradox goes on and on, making the question juicier and juicier – and for me, yielding ideas for visual concepts.
The snow was falling here in the Catskills as I attended the class, typing notes on my computer and scribbling sketches on scrap paper. A two-faced figure quickly took shape. I played around with quite a few versions before I settled on this one. It seemed like the perfect image for one of the jute canvases I bought last summer. With its crude texture and earthy color, it felt like the right surface for depicting our primordial ancestors.
The geometric shapes that form a canopy-like arc over the two figures symbolize the generative energy that holds this two-faced creature in its embrace. Whereas the figure is darker than the background, this DNA-like structure has defining lines in white that stand out, and light colors that provide additional contrast. It was all a matter of bringing the composition into balance, until a “harmonious tension” was reached.
One might argue that this painting looks African, or that the concept it expresses is more Buddhist or Taoist than Jewish. That’s okay with me. It’s part of my mission as an artist to illustrate these connections, for Judaism is more universal than we often think. Duality, impermanence, the four directions, sacred language, transcendence of the Self, oneness with nature – all are typical of Eastern religion and native American belief systems, yet they emerge in Judaism as well. Judaism is an old, old tradition that has been evolving for five thousand years, and has spread to every continent but Antarctica, achieving a depth and breadth that encompasses enormous, almost unfathomable complexity. There is no end to the layers of this onion – no bottom to this well of inspiration from which an artist may draw.
I’ve always been drawn to ancient spiritual literature. By striving to illustrate the classic stories that have been depicted throughout the ages, I feel I’m walking in a stream of footsteps that form a river of time. It’s both a challenge and an honor. I’m grateful to the teachers and teachings that have deepened my understanding of the formative stories that reverberate through history, including this one. In that sense, my work as an artist is a collaborative effort, and I am but a servant and a translator.
The Jewish Eye 5785/2025 Calendar of Art is available in my webstore, on Amazon, or if you’re local, directly from me. All the images in the calendar may be viewed in my webstore.
The original painting of D’vekut is for sale. Please inquire for more information if you’re interested.
A good week to all!
D. Yael Bernhard
https://dyaelbernhard.com
