The Elul Project 5783: Day 19

compiled by Kelly Whitehead

Today's Reflection

Here, Chagall portrays himself as the Creator on whose outstretched arms lay the miracle of human creation. According to the painting, it is a subject that he had seriously thought about it. Viewers can see a giant winged creature or angel at the center, and a white human's figure who's suspended above, so that he seems to hover. Chagall's work reveals a different sense of human creation than the biblical account. It is not exactly a portrait of human creation but, instead, the story of its essence…Chagall creates a new man in the image of God, not through divine inspiration but with the help of his own creative will. This Chagallian Adam turns his back on Creation; he seems lost in thought and mysteriously fascinated by his hand.


In Chagall's painting, God is a silent figure who acts rather than speaks, an apparition whose words issue from behind closed lips. His face is white and faceless, and his body seems to hover mid-air. When compared, he looks older than Adam but not as old as the biblical description, ‘wrinkles upon his brow.’


Creation of Man by Marc Chaggall, 1958; France

Today's Question

When do you allow yourself to be either carried or cared for?

We encourage you to share your thoughts in response to our daily question by emailing elul@templemicah.org as we will, once again, incorporate many of them in our Yom Kippur afternoon service.

Thank you for your participation!

Share My Answer

About this year's Elul Project

היום הרת עולם

Today the World Was Born

Throughout the month of Elul, we invite you to take part in Temple Micah’s daily reflection as we explore the symbols of birth, beginning, conception, manifestation, judgment, and creation in preparation of the coming year.

Learn More

**IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT UNSUBSCRIBING**

All Temple Micah members will automatically be opted into the Elul emails. If you do not wish to receive the daily Elul emails, please click on the "Update Profilelink in the footer of this email, then follow the instructions to update your profile and uncheck the "Elul Daily Email" list from your preferences. Please contact the office with questions.


DO NOT click the "unsubscribe" link. Clicking "unsubscribe" will remove you from ALL Temple Micah email lists, including the information to join us for Shabbat and High Holy Days.

Temple Micah | Contact Us

Facebook  Instagram  YouTube