Vail presents painting

This past Friday evening, at First Friday Shabbat, the monthly gathering of Lake Oconee Congregation Chai, a sister Jewish faith community of Lake Oconee Community Church, Gail Vail presented one of her creations to Rabbi Ron Gerson and those of Congregation Chai.

The three important symbols of Shabbat, which simply means “rest” or “Sabbath” in Hebrew are included in this painting. The two Shabbat candles are lit to help create peace in the home and in the temple and are symbolic of God’s relationship to the world and to us. They are lit in order, one to show observance and one to show remembrance. They also remind us that much of life exists in pairs as do our relationships; sound and silence; body and soul; darkness and light, etc.

Challah, which means “dough” is the traditional braided bread baked for Shabbat and other holidays to emphasize the feeling of unity, warmth and love for one another that the Sabbath and other holidays represent. It is a mitzvah (commandment) to separate a portion of the challah to be given to the priests to eat. Since the destruction of the Temple, we keep this tradition by removing a portion from the top braided dough before it is baked. The piece is then burnt in the oven to symbolize and commemorate our sacrifice as well as the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. On Friday night two loaves are on the dinner table. This reminds us of the double portion of manna that was received from God on Fridays by the people of Israel in the desert which provided them enough manna to celebrate Shabbat. A blessing is recited before the breaking and eating of the bread. It is not cut with a knife, because a knife is like a weapon of war. Instead, the challah is broken by hand and placed on a common plate for each participant to take a portion for themselves. This is a reminder that we do not receive our bread from man, but instead from God.

Wine is used to show the holiness of the Sabbath and to show that it is a special occasion and a day of relaxation. The cup is blessed with the words of the Kiddush, “Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine.” Then, usually at the end of Shabbat, everyone enjoys a small portion of wine together.

This painting, and others, may be viewed each Wednesday afternoon from 1 to 5 p.m. at The LOCC, 1001 Village Park Drive, Suite 107, Greensboro. The exhibit is one portion of an ongoing series “Art and Spirituality” with presentations each Wednesday of Lent (through March 25) at 6 p.m. by local and regional artists. Other works of art are included on Sunday mornings to inform the theme of worship for the day. This series is sponsored by Lake Oconee Community Church. Please visit www.locc.co for more information. All are welcome!