The Shin of Fire The Hebrew letters Shin is a flame bound to coal.  Although the fire may appear to be extinguished, a small spark has the power to rekindle the light hidden within.
Size: 5" x 7" 
envelope included		 The Dance of the Tzadi - - It is taught, "In the world to come, the righteous (Tzadikim will dance a hold dance filled with faith in G-d and respect for one another."  (Talmud Ta'anit 31 a
 Size: 5" x 7"
envelope included

The Mother Letters
Alef Mem Shin  are primordial, giving birth to all the other Hebrew letters.  They symbolize the core spiritual concepts of Love (Alef), Trust (Mem) and transformation (shin)
 Size: 5" x 7"
envelope included

The Tree of Life -- The Hebrew letters that comprise the word for Tree Aitz are used to construct a tree that unites earth and sky.  The letter Alef symbolizing love, is the ground in which one realizes the connection between the physical and spiritual worlds.
 Size: 5" x 7"
envelope included

 

Martin Mendelsberg
 Graphic Art Black Fire on White Fire


For the past 10 years I have searched for origins and meanings in Judaism. I have been inspired by important texts such as: "The Bahir Illumination" attributed to Rabbi Nehunia ben haKana, master of the first century esoteric school and "The Sefer Yetzirah" (book of creation). Both of these works were translated into English by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan. I have also learned much from my friend and colleague, Dr. David Sanders.

In 1992, I began work on the design of digital Hebrew fonts. Years earlier, I had produced calligraphic lettering and designs by hand. I examined fonts already in the marketplace and soon realized they did not exhibit the grace and beauty of the classical letterforms found in the Torah (5 books of Moses). I decided to undertake a study of the Hebrew letters using available resources such as, "The Mishnas Sofrim" and a variety of other published documents. In 1994 I met Rabbi Yitzchak Ginsburgh the author of "The Alef-Beit, Jewish Thought Revealed through the Hebrew Letters". The Rabbi offered numerous insights and encouraged me to complete work on the alphabet.
With the completion of the letters, I have been able to produce a wide range of digital works for print media, web, and limited edition archival prints. Two of the works in the IDAA show comprise a series of "Meditations on the Holocaust". The third "Mystical Sphere" is a celebration of the Hebrew letter "Hei", fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet signifying: thought, speech, and action. -Martin Mendelsberg, December 2000

copyright Black Fire White Fire, Mystical Spheres NO 1 - 2 -3 - 4 illustration, Martin Mendelsberg - Dr David Sanders A project of Alef Beit House and Mizel Museum of Judaica, Denver, Colorado. 
Any other use of these images is strictly forbidden