Al Shlosha Devarim

The music teachers at the temple where I teach are truly wonderful.  As the year has progressed, they have taught many songs to my students, and I have learned bits and pieces along with them.  One, "Al Shlosha Devarim" was stuck in my head this morning.  Curious as to what it meant, I looked it up, and was pleased to have immediately recognized it from previous readings. My self-taught Jewish studies, an ongoing project that will not have an ending, roam all over the place. Fitting the jigsaw pieces together gives me great pleasure.

Al sh'losha d'varim

Ha'olam omed:

Al hatorah,

V'al ha'avoda,

V'al gemilut chasadim.

Translation: 

By three things the world is sustained:  by the Torah, by worship and by loving deeds. - Shimon HaTzadik (not to be confused with Rabban Shimon Ben Gamliel's version - truth, justice and peace)

Searches like this one sometimes turn up the most interesting things. I came across this handmade vase: 

A description from the site:

These Hebrew words are an exerpt from a beloved song. It translates to “The whole world stands on three things [on Torah, on deeds, and on acts of loving kindness].” The English translation is inscribed on the bottom of the piece. This piece is intended to be a visual reminder of these three things.

Other short passages can be custom ordered in this same technique, in either the white crackle or the turquoise luster glaze. Please contact me to discuss making your favorite quote into a treasured piece of art. You may also want to consider Hebrew names and dates to remember lifecycle events.

You can find a wonderful collection of this artist's Judaica here, as well as a description of how she makes it.