The 'Kotel HaMa'aravi,' Western Wall of Jerusalem's Temple Mount stands as a testimony to yesterday, today and tomorrow, bound by centuries of tears, fears, dreams and hopes absorbed into her ancient walls. Echoing timeless prayers, her sun drenched stones glitter with the golden hues of sunrise and sunset in this rendition of Ellen Miller Braun's 'Seventy Names of Jerusalem.'
Shining eternally gold, 'Jerusalem' glows warmly over this holy site. The 'Jerusalem' in this design is created using Jerusalem's 70 names, which so eloquently describe her many vibrant and spiritual qualities.*
The number 70 is significant in a number of ways in Judaism and it's teachings:
HaShem, G-d, has 70 Names.
70 Nations descended from Noah.
70 languages emerged after the Tower of Babel.
The Torah was translated into the 70 languages of the Nations.
The Torah has 70 names.
The Torah was transmitted to 70 elders.
The 70 sages of the Sanhedrin safeguarded the Torah.
The Torah was engraved on 70 stones after Joshua crossed the Jordan.
Israel has 70 names.
There were 70 people who went down to Egypt with Jacob.
The Jews celebrate 70 holy days per year, 52 Sabbaths and 18 festivals
(including all the days of Pesach and Succot)
During Succot, there were 70 sacrifices offered for the 70 nations.
The Temple was built with 70 pillars.
The Holy City of Jerusalem had 70 names.
(Midrash Zuta)
Seventy Names of Jerusalem is different from Ellen Miller Braun's other microcalligraphy pieces. Previous pieces by Ellen were created entirely from tiny writing patiently inscribed in full flowing color. Each beautiful scene created from scriptural text or prayers.
This piece was created from a combination of paint on fabric, embroidery, and finally the eternal Jerusalem written in microcalligraphy using Jerusalem's 70 names, embodying and reflecting Her centuries of religious significance, strength and beauty.
The original fabric piece is a 'tallit bag,' the special bag that holds and protects the prayer shawl while not in use, given as a gift to Ellen's second son-in-law. The choice of colors, matching sunrise and sunset at 'the Kotel,' came from the wedding invitation which Ellen also created for the new couple.
70 names:
Yerushalayim, Shalem, HaShem Yirah, Yivos, Gilad, Levanon, Tzion, Kiseh HaShem, Ir HaShem, Yaffe Nof, Har Tzion, Yirkhetei Tzafon, Kiryat Melech Rav, Meshosh Kol HaAretz, Chaftzi Ba, Efrata, Sadeh Ya'ar, Menucha, Ariel, Har Mo'ed, Ravti Eem, Ravti BaGoyim, Sharti BaMidinot, Ir Sh'chavrah La Yachdav, Ir Lo Na'azvah, Beit Tefillah, Migdal Eder, Mitzudah, Moriah, Gan HaShem, Har G'vohah, Ir HaYona, Kriyah Ne'emana, Ir HaTzedek, Gey Ch'zion, Givat HaLevona, Dlatot HaAmim, Har HaKodesh, Har Chemed, Nachalah, Ir David Yam, B'ulah, Even Ma'amasah, Yafeh, B'tulah, Kallah, Eishet N'urim, Yedidut, Drushah, Gilah, Eden, HaShem K'doshim, Akrah, Bamot, Ir HaNegev, Bashan, Chadrech, Ramah, Golah V'surah, Gan E-lokim, Har Darom, M'kudeshet, Morha, Carmel, Har Merom Yisrael, Klilat Yofie, HaShem Shamah, Armon, Tavor HaAretz, Rachel.
(Midrash HaGadol 46:7)
Ellen Miller Braun was born and educated in Chicago Illinois, U.S.A. She studied fine arts at Northeastern Illinois University. An ardent Zionist, Ellen immigrated to Israel with her husband and children in 1983. They live in Ginot Shomron, in the Biblical hills of Samaria. Ellen's traditionally observant Jewish background has guided and inspired her in the development of the Biblical themes of her artwork