בס”ד
By Rabbi Moshe Goodman, Kollel Ohr Shlomo, Hebron
In this painting we see a man emerging from a rose, amidst verses that express the confidence in Hashem without fear. These verses are commonly mentioned in the context of Havdalah when a candle is also lit. Indeed, we see that the man is holding a candle as is done at Havdala. It seems that these verses of confidence in Hashem are mentioned at the beginning of a new week, when one may be afraid in regard to the out comings of the week. The rose in the Zohar is considered to be a symbol of Israel. The man emerging from this rose may hint that he arising through the merit of the general People of Israel.
Nevertheless, this is done over the City of Zion-Jerusalem to show how the righteous person has influence on Zion and the rebuilding of the Temple. On the way, there are also evil powers trhat try to hinder this influence as we see a dog, considered in sources to be a symbol of evil forces, and a weaponed man riding hinting to the enemies of Israel.
This parsha also describes a period in history similar to Havdalah, when Yakov passes away, thereby ending the spiritually illuminated period in which the Patriarchs lived and acted, similar to the period of Shabbat, and then entering a period when this illumination is lacking, similar to the weekdays. We may also say that Hebron, City of the Patriarch s is also the illuminated city. When we leave Hebron let us have in mind to continue its illumination to areas that are more dimmed spiritually, similar to the effect of Havdalah.