Mizrach Papercut

Often, Jews will have a plaque called a Mizrach (The Hebrew word for East) hanging on the eastern wall of their homes so they will know to face the direction of Jerusalem when praying. This Mizrach draws on designs from Pueblo Indian pottery, elements of Sephardic (Spanish) and "Santa Fe" style found throughout the southwest, and traditional Jewish symbols. It has a number of juvenile elements and was designed especially for children.

Across the heavens are the sun, moon and stars of the universe, held aloft by a rainbow arc, a powerful symbol for the covenant which spreads a canopy of peace over the earthly world below.  Beneath the rainbow, the sky is full of thunder clouds and lightning, which bring life-giving rains to the people of the desert. 

Below the arch is a pattern of seven sacred mountains, forming a symbolic boundary between earth and heaven and representing one of the resting places of the Holy Spirit. They rise up in the center from two different half-hidden symbols of the Star of David, enclosing squash blossoms/pomegranates, universal symbols of abundance and fertility.

The word “Mizrach”  מזרח   -- is in the center of the amulet, entwined in grapevines, a symbol of happiness, fruitfulness, and domestic joy. Rising up from the word is a seven branch menorah in a “tree of  life” design, representing the enduring continuity of the Jewish people, and it is framed by the spirit of animals from the earth, sea and sky. Fish, symbols of wisdom, swim below, while birds, which represent peace and hope, soar above and bears, bringing strength and protection, surround it.  Alluding to the book of Genesis, this amulet recalls the story of G-d’s creation of the entire world and everything which dwells therein.

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Southwest Shalom

In the center rests the Hebrew word Shalom, universal symbol for peace on earth among all peoples.   This designed is framed by spiral door posts of a typical pueblo porch carved in Southwestern style, which represents both the welcoming doorway into the home, and the mystical threshold that separates the earthly world from the divine.

Above are the symbols for the heavens spread across the sky -- the sun, moon and stars of the universe.  They are held aloft by a rainbow arc, a powerful symbol for the covenant which spreads a canopy of peace over the world below. Below the arch is a pattern of sacred mountains, forming a symbolic boundary between earth and heaven and representing one of the resting places of the Holy Spirit.  Rising up from the center is a half-hidden sunrise, which will bring warmth and life to all living creatures on the earth.  These are represented by a foundation of squash blossoms/pomegranates, symbols of the seasons, fertility and abundance, which are nourished by a border of flowing waters. 

 Together, these symbols bring us the warmth of family, thanksgiving for the earth’s bounties, awe for all of G-d’s creations, and the promise of everlasting Peace on Earth.

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