Thursday 9 May 2024

Blue and White

A customer in the US, who found me through the Facebook group Israeli shops to purchase from, ordered my Shalom papercut. In the centre of the piece is the word "Shalom" in English and below that, in Hebrew. Shalom, like many Hebrew words, has more than one meaning. Shalom means peace and is also used to both greet people and to say goodbye. But it means much more than peace, hello or goodbye. Shalom is rooted in the word שלם (shaleim) which means wholeness, completion, wellness, perfection. When we are "at peace" we feel a sense of "wholeness."
My papercut is embellished with pomegranates and flowers. In the Jewish faith, pomegranates are traditionally eaten on Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) because it has 613 seeds, which coincide with the 613 commandments of the Torah. Furthermore, the pomegranate represents fruitfulness. We use them in our Rosh Hashanah meals as a positive omen.
My papercut is drawn and cut entirely by hand. It can fit an American 10x8inch frame or an A4 frame (21x29.7cm) here in Israel or the UK. I backed the white papercut with a dark blue backing paper. The national colours of Israel are officially blue and white, as seen on the flag of Israel. An early Zionist poem explains that the colour white symbolises great faith; blue the appearance of the firmament.
The flag of the State of Israel was adopted on 28th October 1948, five months after the Israeli Declaration of Independence. It consists of a white background with a dark sky-blue Star of David, the widely acknowledged symbol of the Jewish people and of Judaism, in the centre. There are two horizontal blue stripes at the top and bottom. The blue stripes are intended to symbolize the stripes on a tallit, the traditional Jewish prayer shawl. The Book of Numbers, the fourth book of the Tanach, or Hebrew Bible, mentions in 15:38 that the Israelites were commanded to put fringes on the corners of their garments, and to put a cord of blue border upon these fringes.
My customer was very happy to receive the papercut. "It's gorgeous." she wrote. "Thank you."

On Sunday night we will mark Yom HaZikaron, Israel's Memorial Day, the day when we remember Israel's fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism. Since losing Gadi this day has become a personal day of remembrance for me and I no longer celebrate Yom Ha'atzmaut, Independence Day, which begins the the following evening, the minute Israel's Memorial Day ends. It seems so strange to have this heavy day of mourning followed by such a joyous holiday but the message of linking these two days is clear: Israelis owe their independence - the very existence of the state - to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for it.
Since the start of the war between Israel and the terror group Hamas, 615 soldiers and police officers have been killed. Over 800 civilians have become victims of terrorism, and 132 Israeli hostages are still being held in Gaza. Yom HaZikaron feels more important than ever.

PoCoLo

13 comments:

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

I love the word Shalom, and your paper cut of the word is gorgeous. I love the blue behind the cutting.

hels said...

The pomegranate is a wonderful symbol of fruitfulness on New Year holy days. But what is used in countries that don't have this exotic fruit? Or in southern hemisphere countries when the pomegranate season is in our summer, 6 months away from New Year.

Stephanie said...

This is beautiful. 😊

Joanne said...

That is beautiful! I learned a lot through this post too so thank you for that. I love learning about other cultures, religions, and regions.

VeggieMummy said...

Such a beautiful papercut. Not only do I want to eat a pomegranate now, I want to count the seeds too! xx

Kim Carberry said...

It's good that people can find you through FB groups. That is a really pretty papercut. x

chickenruby said...

What a lovely paper cut and I enjoyed reading about the origins of the word. Thanks for linking with #pocolo

Jayne said...

This is beautiful Lisa. I love that everything symbolises something. It makes it that little more special. x

Ruth said...

The papercut is absolutely beautiful Lisa!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Your card is so beautiful and so meaningful especially right now Lisa. Really just stopped by again to send virtual hugs and wishes that things improve soon.

Tamar SB said...

So beautiful. I hope you are doing ok after Yom HaZikaron.

Stephanie said...

I'm happy to feature your post tomorrow at The Crazy Little Lovebirds link party #38. :) We enjoyed your post.

Tony McGurk said...

That's an amazing craft. It all looks so delicate, nice work