It’s not immediately obvious to pair these two texts together. The first is about every Jewish person’s obligation to every other Jewish person. The second is about the heavenly host of angels accepting their divine mission. But each line contains a phrase of interconnection centered on the word זה, “this.” The numerical value of this simple word is 12, which alludes to the totality of our people (the 12 tribes of Israel) and to the totality of time (the 12 months of the year, the 12 hours of night, the 12 hours of day). These lines combined into this symbol speak to our eternal collective, cosmic unity.
 
Maybe it’s only an aspiration. But I believe that wherever we are, near and far, we are together. You, me, and all the angels, too.
 
“כׇּל יִשְׂרָאֵל עֲרֵבִים זֶה בָּזֶה”
 
וְכֻלָּם מְקַבְּלִים עֲלֵיהֶם עֹל מַלְכוּת שָׁמַֽיִם זֶה מִזֶּה”
“וְנוֹתְנִים בְּאַהֲבָה רְשׁוּת זֶה לָזֶה
 
“...the entire Jewish people are responsible for one another...”
—Talmud Shevu’ot 39a
 
“...and they all take upon themselves the yoke of Divine sovereignty one from the other
and lovingly give permission to one another [to sanctify the One who formed them]”
—Morning Prayers, Blessings before the Shema
 
This piece is hand-written, and one of kind.
 
Materials: klaf (parchment) and diyo (ink)
Dimensions: 7.5in tall x 9.5in wide (roughly)