Img. ID: 16667
Hebrew Illuminated Manuscripts  

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L Workshop B. Within the frame enclosing the beginning of the Ethics of the Fathers is a depiction of Moses receiving the Law. In the outer margin is the bearded Moses, wearing a IJA 0011993 DES L long blue robe and a turban, standing on the summit of Mount Sinai looking upwards. In his hands are two separate Tablets of the Covenant, inscribed with the IJA 0011993 DES L beginning of the Ten Commandments which are descending from a segment of blue sky. Inscribed next to Moses' hand is: IJA 0011993 DES H ויעל משה, IJA 0011993 DES L "And Moses went up". The tablets are surrounded by red, blue and golden flames descending from the sky. In the sky above the tablets are a >shofar> and a banderole inscribed with the verse (Ex. 19:9): IJA 0011993 DES H הנה אנכי בא אליך בעב הענן, IJA 0011993 DES L "Lo, I come to thee in a thick cloud". Above this is an angel emerging from heaven blowing a shofar, above which is inscribed (Ex. 19:19): IJA 0011993 DES H ויהי קול השופר הולך וחזק מאד, IJA 0011993 DES L "And when the voice of the horn waxed louder and louder". The burning green mountain is inscribed: IJA 0011993 DES H והר סיני עשן כלו, IJA 0011993 DES L (Ex. 19:18) "Now Mount Sinai was altogether in smoke". Mount Sinai is surrounded by a wooden fence above which is inscribed within a banderole (Ex. 19:23): IJA 0011993 DES H הגבל את ההר וקדשתו, IJA 0011993 DES L "Set bounds about the mountain and sanctify it". By the fence are the kneeling IJA 0011993 DES H יהשוע, IJA 0011993 DES L "Joshua" raising his head toward Moses, his hands joined in prayer, followed by a large group of the children of Israel, men (three of them kneeling), women and children, clasping hands. All are dressed in 15th century Italian clothing. IJA 0011993 DES L Inscribed above their heads, within a banderole: on the right, (Ex. 19:17): IJA 0011993 DES H ויתיצבו בתחתית ההר IJA 0011993 DES L "And they stood at the nether part of the mountain" and on the left (Ex. 19:12): IJA 0011993 DES H כל הנגע בהר מות )ימות( יומת, IJA 0011993 DES L "Whosoever toucheth the mountain shall surely be put to death". IJA 0011993 DES L A big vase of flowers standing on a pillar divides the initial word panel in half, IJA 0011993 DES H משה קבל, IJA 0011993 DES L "Moses received". IJA 0011993 DES L Similar flowers decorate the inner side of the margin, ending in a mask.