This Birkat Habayit / Blessing for the Home features a lavender parchment, metallic silver bordered Chamsa which floats upon water colour washed layers. These expand over its surface, and echo softly into one another like the notes of a love song. The colour palette, selected in tandem with the couple is modern and contemporary, yet sophisticated and timeless, like a melody which transcends across time.
This colour palette draws upon, and from, the deep hues of grapes and plums (with the former being the derivative of wine, which is holy, sacred and appropriately used for blessings and anointing ceremony in the Jewish religion). The symphony of magentas, maroons and fuchsias which are painted into the carefully considered and crafted gradient of colours in the background further a palette that is romantic, mature and harmonious – analogous to the love between the couple.
Upon this background floats a lavender purple Chamsa which envelops and houses the text, foreshadowing the home that will be created through the union of these two souls – becoming into being. The watercolour stained linen interior of the Chamsa is a soft and muted contrast to the daring purples and charcoals that sweep throughout the background. The Chamsa itself, meaning five – signifies the five digits / fingers of the Chamsa hand, the five books of the Torah as well as the fifth letter of the Hebrew Alphabet “ה” (one of HaShem’s holy names).
Upon this background floats the lavender purple Chamsa which envelops and houses the Prayer, foreshadowing the home that will be created through the union of these two souls – becoming into being. The watercolour stained linen interior of the Chamsa is a soft and muted contrast to the daring purples and charcoals that sweep throughout the background. The Chamsa itself, meaning five – signifies the five digits / fingers of the Chamsa hand, the five books of the Torah as well as the fifth letter of the Hebrew Alphabet “ה” (one of HaShem’s holy names)
This Birkat Habayit was gifted to the couple alongside their Ketubah, as a matching accompaniment. The Blessing for the Home ushers in happiness, laughter, prosperity, good health and joy into the future home.
The added texture of parchment is reminiscent of the Torah and other sacred Jewish scrolls, bestowing a spirit of traditionalism and Jewish antiquity into this visually modern rendition. The hand painted metallic silver detailing of the initials, the Ani Ledodi and the Chamsa Border radiate with a shimmering fire, sparkling under the sun and glittering under the moon light. This iridescent property contributes to the magic and dynamism of the composition.
The hymn “אני לדודי ודודי לי – I am my Beloved’s and my Beloved is mine” (Song of Songs – Shir HaShirim 6:3), a romantic declaration between husband and wife written by King Solomon, wraps around the initials of the couple to create a dome – another reference to the home they will together co-create and forge. This psalm evokes the intrinsic commitment, care and responsibility mutually undertaken by husband and wife in their journey through life and beyond.
