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© Gross Family Collection, Photographer: Unknown, -

The following description was prepared by William Gross:

A late, but very elaborate Shiviti, this plaque incorporates several techniques in its execution. Drawn, painted, written and applied with silver foil, it draws on the inspiration of a type originally printed in Budapest and copied several times afterward, including a printing by Sinai Publishing in Tel Aviv. But great artistic license was taken with the original scheme, creating an impressive presentation.

In memory of Niniah Arzi

In memory of Yehoshua Arzi

In memory of Yosef ben Gioia Ben Zur

In memory of Esther bat Fridah Ben Zur

Summary and Remarks
Remarks

3 image(s)

sub-set tree:

Name/Title
Shiviti plaque | Unknown
Object Detail
Monument Setting
Unknown
Date
1973
Active dates
Reconstruction dates
Artist/ Maker
Unknown
Historical Origin
Unknown
Community type
Unknown |
Congregation
Unknown
Location
Unknown |
Site
Unknown
School/Style
Unknown|
Period
Unknown
Period Detail
Collection
Documentation / Research project
Unknown
Textual Content
Unknown |
Languages of inscription
Unknown
Shape / Form
Unknown
Material / Technique
Paper, Ink, Paint, Cloth, Tape, Foil, Written, Painted
Material Stucture
Material Decoration
Material Bonding
Material Inscription
Material Additions
Material Cloth
Material Lining
Tesserae Arrangement
Density
Colors
Construction material
Measurements
Height: 85.3 cm, Width: 55 cm
Height
Length
Width
Depth
Circumference
Thickness
Diameter
Weight
Axis
Panel Measurements
Condition
Extant
Documented by CJA
Surveyed by CJA
Present Usage
Present Usage Details
Condition of Building Fabric
Architectural Significance type
Historical significance: Event/Period
Historical significance: Collective Memory/Folklore
Historical significance: Person
Architectural Significance: Style
Architectural Significance: Artistic Decoration
Urban significance
Significance Rating
0
Ornamentation
Custom
The Shiviti plaque takes its name from a phrase in the Psalms, "Shivit Adonai Lenegdi Tamid". "I will always hold the Lord before me." During morning prayers the 67th psalm is read as a part of the liturgy. The making of such visual pages to augment the reading started almost 500 years ago. It began because of a particular story or legend. The custom relates that if one gazes on the form of the Menorah while reciting the Psalm, or reads the psalm written in the form of a Menorah, the person is carried back to the Temple, standing before the golden Temple Menorah itself. To complete the illusion, some of the Temple implements were often illustrated. The mysticism of the idea is clear, and the Shiviti page is often filled with Kabbalistic abbreviations as well as the Menorah form. Sometimes, depending on the size and complexity of the image, other texts read during the time of prayer are also presented on the sheet.

Such pages appear as small sheets to be inserted into a prayer book and taken out when the psalm is recited or as large pages to be hung on the wall of the synagogue for viewing by the whole congregation. The sheet was also used on the wall of a home or Sukkah. Later still, the Shiviti could be printed in the prayer book or painted on the wall of the synagogue.
Contents
Codicology
Scribes
Script
Number of Lines
Ruling
Pricking
Quires
Catchwords
Hebrew Numeration
Blank Leaves
Direction/Location
Façade (main)
Endivances
Location of Torah Ark
Location of Apse
Location of Niche
Location of Reader's Desk
Location of Platform
Temp: Architecture Axis
Arrangement of Seats
Location of Women's Section
Direction Prayer
Direction Toward Jerusalem
Coin
Coin Series
Coin Ruler
Coin Year
Denomination
Signature
Colophon
Scribal Notes
Watermark
Hallmark
Group
Group
Group
Group
Group
Trade Mark
Binding
Decoration Program
Suggested Reconsdivuction
History/Provenance
Main Surveys & Excavations
Sources

Rodov, Ilia M., "Hallucination Depicted: God’s Name on Shiviti Plates" in Sanctifying Texts, Transforming Rituals: Encounters with Religion and Culture, eds. Paul van Geest, Marcel Poorthuis, Els Rose (Leuven, Peeters: 2017), 238-74., https://www.academia.edu/33738130/Ilia_M_Rodov_Hallucination_Depicted_God_s_Name_on_Shiviti_Plates_in_Sanctifying_Texts_Transforming_Rituals_Encounters_with_Religion_and_Culture_eds_Paul_van_Geest_Marcel_Poorthuis_Els_Rose_Leuven_Peeters_2017_238_74 (accessed October 8, 2024)
Type
Documenter
|
Author of description
William Gross |
Architectural Drawings
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Computer Reconstruction
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Section Head
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Language Editor
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Donor
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Negative/Photo. No.
The following information on this monument will be completed:
Unknown |