בס”ד
By Rabbi Moshe Goodman, Kollel Ohr Shlomo, Hebron
This parsha’s haftora discusses the enjoinment of the trees of Judah and Efraim together, signifying the unification of the kingdom of Israel after it was severed throughout history between the kingdom of Judah and the kingdom of Israel. This matter is hinted in the parsha as well in the form of the reunification of Yakov’s sons together, especially between Judah, who previously had been responsible for the sale of Yosef, and Yosef, from which Efraim descended. Of course, Hebron means unity and also stands for our common roots. This city can also be seen as crucial for our unity today as well.
Similar to the haftora, in this painting we see two Hasidim enjoined together by their hands turning into branches of the same tree. We see the word “simcha/happiness” at the bottom of the painting. This may hint to the idea that through mutual joy, unity is also achieved. One of the holidays that especially emphasizes this idea is the holiday of Sukkot, the “time of our joy.” This holiday also emphasizes unity of Israel as well, as can be seen in the form of the four species, where each species represents a different type of Jew, but yet all must be bound and united together for this mitzvah. The shofars seen here may also indicate Sukkot’s conjunction to Rosh Hashana when the shofar is sounded.
As is usual in R Nachshon’s painting we see the number seven theme. There are seven Hasidim, seven main branches of the tree, and seven leaves/”flames.” Kabbalistically the Hasidim are organized into three pairs, two sounding the shofar, two “just” dancing, two bound to the tree, and the seventh holding pomegranates. This matter seems to resemble the ordering of the seven sefirot from hesed to malchut into three pairs and malchut a unique sefira associated with attribute of judgment/kingship, to which the color red associated to judgment Kabbalistically and also pomegranates which resemble regal crowns may be attached.