Kruvim/Cherubs: Menorah

2002 – 2003

“..And the cherubim shall spread out their wings on high..And thou shalt make a candelabrum of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candelabrum be made, even its base, and its shaft; its cups, its knops, and its flowers, shall be of one piece with it..And there shall be six branches going out of the sides thereof: three branches of the candlestick out of the one side thereof, and three branches of the candle&‘stick out of the other side thereof ..”

Exodus 25: 20, 31–33

In this interpretation of the winged celestial beings Yoram Raanan paints the Cherubim guarding the lamps of the candelabrum (the seven-branched menorah of the holy Temple). According to the Kabbalah the menorah is the physical manifestation of the partzuf (face) and the &‘Nukva of Zeir Anpin&’. In the canvas, the &‘Nukva of Zeir Anpin&’ appears as two partzufim (faces) of Leah and Rachel, whom are represented in the painting by the two Cherubs watching over the Menorah. The painting symbolizes Leah and Rachel, the mothers of the twelve tribes, in perpetual guard of the light of the creator which emanates for the menorah.

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