Inspired by Bamidbar(Numbers) 33:1: “These are the journeys of the descendants of Moses and Aaron,” the panorama represents the communal and personal journeys of the Jewish people throughout history. With Torah as a foundation and guide, an open scroll provides the literal and metaphoric underpinning throughout.
Lech L’cha - Abraham’s Journey
Our journey begins with Abraham, represented by his tent in the biblical landscape. In B’reisheet(Genesis) 12:1 God commands Abraham to leave his home and establish a new faith. As a consequence, Abraham’s descendants would become “as numerous as the stars in the sky and sand on the shore.” The scroll’s left-hand Etz Chaim (“Tree of Life” wooden handle) is prominent. A pyramid symbolizes our Egyptian enslavement.
Mi Chamocha - Our Journey Out of Egypt
Sh’mot(Exodus) 15:11 describes our historic journey from Egypt. We leave behind captivity and traverse the desert toward freedom. Celebratory song and dance, represented by the harp and jubilant figures, accompany our miraculous sea crossing. God’s gift of the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai and the tent community that surrounds the portable tabernacle containing our new laws are depicted.
V’shamru V’nai Yisrael - Our Journey Through the Year Inspired by Sh’mot(Exodus) 31:16, the annual cycle of festivals is illustrated, along with symbols of weekly Shabbat and Havdallah observances. Traditional ritual items used during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Simchat Torah, Chanukah, Purim, Pesach, and Shavuot, as well as foliage representing Tu B’Shvat, are included.
Kedoshim Teeh’yoo - Life Cycle Journey
Literally, “you shall be holy,”cited in Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:2, illustrates our communal life cycle events. A tallit surrounds the scene, symbol of God’s omnipresence as well as our obedience to mitzvot. Brit milah / simchat bat, bar/bat mitzvah, marriage, and shiva are depicted. An individual under a tree evokes the connection that Judaism has always had to nature as God’s creation.
Y’rushalayim Hab’niyah - Journey to Jerusalem Rebuilt
Our journey culminates with the return to Y’rushalayim and Eretz Yisrael. The unrolled Torah scroll is discernible beneath Jerusalem’s Old City Kotel and the Judean hills; its right-hand Etz Chaim is prominent. The previouspanel’s tallit flows into this scene, the design suggestive of the nearby Israeli flag. A yellow star, symbolic of the Shoah, serves as a cornerstone. Israel’s seven-branched menorah, revived from Solomon’s Holy Temple, and a dove symbolize Israel’s ancient origins and ultimate hope for peace.
