Simchat Torah

TWO RABBIS WITH THE SCROLLS OF THE LAW by Emmanuel Levy (1900-1985)
Oil on Canvas
Presented by Alexander Margulies 1987
(156K)
Simchat Torah is a very joyous festival, when Jews celebrate the fact that they have finished reading the Torah for the year, and start again. During the morning service, two portions from the Torah are read. The first is the final passage from Deuteronomy which deals with the death of Moses, and the first is the opening passage from Genesis which recounts the Creation. All the Torah scrolls in the synagogue are taken out of the ark where they are kept, and are paraded around the synagogue seven times. It is customary for children to wave flags, and everyone sings and dances. Emmanuel Levy was born in Manchester, and studied at Manchester School of Art. He taught for many years at the School of Architecture there, and became art critic for the Manchester City and Evening News. He painted several scenes of Jewish subjects, as well as illustrations of Biblical episodes.

In Two Rabbis with the Scrolls of the Law we see the rabbis dancing and singing (note how the Rabbi's mouth is open) as they process around the synagogue with the Torah scrolls. The bells, crowns and breastplates have been removed, which is unusual since the bells in particular are essential for the circuits as they add to the joyful noise. The Rabbis are obviously dancing. Note how the fringes of their tallitot seem to be swinging. The carpet is a bright red which adds to the brightness and gaiety of the painting.

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