70 Names of Israel

Size: 10.25" x 9.45"
Limited edition of 450.

The “70 Names of Israel” limited edition papercut, by Jerusalem artist Archie Granot, was created from the original hand cut papercut cites all of the seventy names of the people of Israel as found in the Midrash Zuta Shir HaShirim - one of the Rabbinical interpretations on the Song of Songs. It is not surprising that the chosen people have received as many seventy evocative names, especially as this number appears so often in Jewish mystical thought and computations.

Midrash Zuta 1:1. "In parallel to the seventy (kinsfolk) who accompanied Jacob into Egypt and in parallel to the the seventy languages (spoken by the seventy nations of the world), seventy names were given (as protection) to the people of Israel; as well as to Jerusalem, the Torah and to the Almighty". They are:

The translated names are as follows: Israel, Jeshurun, First born, Youth, Gentle, Unique, Child, Brother, Friend, Beloved, Son, Slave, Nation (in Hebrew: Am), Nation (in Hebrew: Goy), Mother, Daughter, Spouse, Bride, A young wife, Jews, Hebrews, Lion, Leopard, Snake, Gazelle, Wolf, Ox, He-Goat, Vine, Plantation, Locked Garden, Orchard, Well spring, Friend, Redeemed, Sanctified, A Priestly Kingdom, Multitudes, Servants (of the Lord), Godly, Masters, Superior, United, Persons, Tribe, Convocation, Advocates of justice, Palm, Nut, Cluster of grapes, Fig, Pomegranate, Settlement, Amulet, Reed, Dove, Prickly, Sons of the living God, Pupil (of eye), Cow, Insect, Mother, Wise, Heroes, Righteous, Devout, Honest, Kinsman, Peoples, Innocent.

The work is shown here with paper backing but is meant to be framed with mirror backing. For then, when one looks at the work, one sees oneself as part of the People of Israel.