By When it comes to the creation of fine arts, I do not possess even the slightest shred of talent. I have absolutely no ability to draw, paint, sculpt, weave, or throw pottery. Nevertheless, I have a great admiration for those who possess artistic abilities in this arena, especially those who have been able to translate Jewish themes into their work.
Perhaps the most legendary of these artists is Marc Chagall (1887–1985). Born into a Chassidic Jewish family in Vitebsk, Belarus, Chagall became one of the most celebrated artists of the 20th century, weaving Jewish themes throughout his entire body of work.
The Second of our Ten Commandments has led to a historical misconception about the relationship between Judaism and art. Exodus 20:3-5 reads: “You shall have no other gods besides me. You shall not make for yourselves a sculptured image, or any likeness of what is in the heavens above, or on the earth below, or in the waters under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them…” Some have understood these verses to mean that the creation of visual images was prohibited entirely.
Throughout the centuries, the talents of skilled Jewish artists have been lauded, beginning in the Bible with the artist Bezalel, chosen by God to lead all artistic work on the Mishkan (Tabernacle). “I have endowed him with a divine spirit of skill, ability, and knowledge in every kind of craft.” (Exodus 31:3).
In 1932, the long-buried synagogue of Dura-Europas (in present-day Syria) was discovered by archaeologists, with an inscription dating back to 244 C.E., featuring extraordinary artwork — evidence that Jewish visual expression has flourished across the ages.
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