Art- Part 5: From the Perspective of Torah and Chassidus

00:01 Behemsheh, in continuation to the earlier installments on the topic of art, we continue now with installment number five, discussing the Rebbe's views on art from the perspective of Torah and Chassidus. Art is the ability of a person to express what he sees and feels through various media. The artist's talent represents a blessing from above, and it should be used in positive ways. As with music, this talent can help introduce another person to Yiddishkeit and its values. A picture is actually worth more than a thousand words. For a person can gain spiritually by studying appropriate artwork, deriving lessons, and then implementing those lessons in their daily service to the Almighty. Indeed, the Rebbe Rashab once visit an art gallery and spend many hours studying its paintings, deriving lessons in the service of the Almighty. An artist, especially a sculptor, blessed with a special perception of the inner form of all things should also recognize and express the inner spiritual aspects as well, both in his artwork as well as in his own daily life and in his share of the world surrounding him. The Rebbe advanced several suggestions regarding imagery appearing in a periodical for young children. One should in general avoid images of non-kosher animals so that children are not led to form attachments with unholy influences. People should not be exclusively drawn in extreme ways, very fat or a big nose. Refrain from depicting Torah stories and events, for the viewer should have the option to picture for himself what the subject or event

02:16 looked like. Finally, it is preferable not to depict the faces of our patriarchs, since traditionally we don't have a clear image of them. Rather, they should be drawn as a profile. Regarding art in a shul, intense imagery on synagogue walls may distract a person's concentration. Similarly, art on the cantor's stand may disturb concentration during prayer. Imagery on the ark of the animals described in the heavenly chariot, or those that symbolize certain Jewish tribes can serve as lessons in serving the Almighty. One should, when possible, depict the two Luchos tablets in their proper square form as mentioned in the Talmud on the mantle of the Torah scroll. We will im yirtzeh Hashem continue in the next installment.