Wednesday 6 December 2023

Chai חי

It has taken me quite some time to feel like sharing a piece of my artwork here. Whilst I never totally stopped creating after my youngest son died, it somehow didn't feel right sharing the pieces here. I didn't want my readers to think that everything was back to normal. Nothing is back to normal in my life and, with Gadi gone, it never will be. However, Gadi was a creative soul. He was the one I went to when I needed an opinion about something or if I wanted to check a colour or face resemblance. I really feel that he would want me to carry on with my art and this piece, created for a customer in the US who kindly reached out to me because she wanted to support an Israeli artist in these difficult times, seems exactly the right piece to re-start my sharing here. Chai (חי), which is pronounced as if you were saying "hi" in English, is a Hebrew word and symbol that means "life".
Chai is spelt with the Hebrew letters Het (ח) and Yud (י). The Hebrew letters of the word are often used as a visual symbol, frequently appearing on pendants and other jewellery. Chai also refers to the number 18. According to the gematria, which is a mystical tradition that assigns a numerological value to Hebrew letters, the letters Het (ח) and Yud (י) add up to the number 18. The Het has a value of 8 and the Yud has a value of 10. As a result, 18 is a popular number that represents good luck. At weddings, bar mitzvahs and other events Jewish people often give gifts of money in multiples of 18, symbolically giving the recipient the gift of "life" or luck.
In Hebrew, chai is often referred to in the plural form, chaim (חיים), hence the boy's name Chaim and the toast l’chaim (לחיים), which, as anyone who has seen Fiddler on the Roof knows, means "to life." 
Chai is heard in a BBC recording from 20th April 1945 of Jewish survivors of the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp five days after their liberation. This was the first Sabbath ceremony openly conducted on German soil since the beginning of the war. With people still dying around them, the survivors sang what would become the Israeli national anthem, "Hatikvah", "The Hope". At the end of "Hatikvah", British Army Chaplain Leslie Hardman shouts out, Am Yisra'el Chai! ("The people of Israel live!").
In the 1983 Eurovision Song Contest, which was held in Germany four decades after the Holocaust, Israel was represented with the song "Chai", performed by the Israeli singer, songwriter and actress Ofra Haza. The lyrics "Alive, alive, alive. Yes, I'm still alive" sadly resonate to this day. 
Should you be interested in purchasing a Chai papercut, just leave me a comment or use the email me button on the right hand side, below my social media buttons. Please be sure to note which colour backing paper you would like.
This particular papercut fits into a standard 8" x 10" frame with a mat opening of 4.5" x 6.5", though the size can be adjusted. You will receive this papercut UNFRAMED. The Chai papercut costs $40 + postage and packing.

18 comments:

VeggieMummy said...

What a beautiful symbol, Lisa, and very apt and poignant for these current times. Gadi was creative because you are creative. Let a part of him live on through your wonderful artwork, and thank you for sharing it with us. xx

Hels said...

When getting a registration plate for a new car, we can take the next available one that falls of the the conveyor belt, or we can order a special one that reflects our name, town or anything else. My carefully chosen, personalised number plate is Name: 018 (for life)

Aritha V. said...

Lisa, so good to read. Just a quick response to let you know I've read it and that this is such a beautiful paper-cut art piece. Gadi would have appreciated the craftsmanship, right? It's so lovely with the little bird and the flowers. I once received a silver chai pendant, for its meaning. I still have it but rarely wear it because I don't have a suitable chain for it.

xxx
Aritha

Joanne said...

That is beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing and explaining the meaning behind it.

Karen, the next best thing to mummy said...

I wish I was as artistic as ,#pocolo

Anne said...

It's lovely to see you sharing your work again Lisa, thanks for telling us all about Chai and showing us your lovely papercut.

Kim Carberry said...

I can't imagine anything will be normal in your life after Gadi.
What a beautiful piece of work! x

Catherine said...

This is absolutely beautiful, such intricate details. Thank you for sharing it with us :)

#MMBC

Anonymous said...

A beautiful piece of art and beautiful words to go with it.

Anonymous said...

Lisa, you are such a sensitive and creative artist. I hope you will continue to create art that has both meaning and beauty . I love it!

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

This is such a beautiful, touching post Lisa. I pray for life and peace for all of us now and in 2024.

NCSue said...

Beautiful, Lisa. I'm glad you haven't abandoned your art after Gadi's death. You have too much talent to stop. And perhaps since he was the one you consulted when you needed input, you can create as though he were guiding you, offering support and encouragement, and you can create beautiful things in his honor and memory
.
No one who has lost a loved one can think that life returns to "normal". There's a new normal, but it is created around a wound that never completely heals. This is proof of a great love, and that will survive as long as you draw breath.

Wishing you a happy Hannukah, my friend.

Sue

PS - I thought "le chaim" was "life"? Like the song from Fiddler on the Roof? I wish I were fluent in Hebrew. And French. And Spanish. <>

Anonymous said...

מקסים, ליסה. גם היצירה המצוירת וגם זו הכתובה (למרות ואולי בגלל שכתבת אותה לא בגלל היצירה אלא מתוככי הלב). חג חנוכה שמח לך ולמשפחה והרבה אהבה מהדרום 💖🕎✡️

Jayne said...

I’m so happy to be seeing your art again Lisa. Seeing how creative Gadi was, he would definitely want you to carry on with your beautiful work.
Nobody thinks you are ‘back to normal’ and thank you for sharing this lovely papercut with us.
Sending so much love. Xxx

Ruth@playworkeatrepeat said...

Your artwork is so beautiful Lisa! Thank you for sharing what the word Chai and the symbol mean. I'm sure Gadi would have loved this beautiful creation xx
#mmbc

Ruth Kringle said...

It’s nice to see your lovely work, it’s beautiful. It’s a wonderful talent to be so creative and I’m sure Gadi enjoyed having that skill too.

Stephanie said...

This is very beautiful. Thank you for sharing your artwork. I learned a lot from your post.

handmade by amalia said...

All the best for the coming year, dear Lisa, I think of you often. Stay safe!
Amalia
xo