Mi Yodeah
Who Knows? 2017
Each print 13.5” x 9.5”, two editions
Book size 8" x 12", opens to 12” x 22”
“Who Knows?",Mi Yodeah in Hebrew, is one of the last song in a traditional Passover seder (a ritual meal of prayers, songs and discussion celebrating the freedom of the Jews from slavery). In this series of prints inspired by the song, I have assigned a botanical element to thirteen important tenets of Judaism each of which is a cumulative stanza in the song. The song is fun but still imparts important lessons for the children and adults at the table.
The lyrics are as follows:
Who knows one?
I know one.
One is our God, in heaven and on earth.
Who knows two?
I know two.
Two are the tablets of the covenant.
One is our God, in heaven and on earth.
...and so forth. The last verse is:
Who knows thirteen?
I know thirteen.
Thirteen are the attributes of Mercy
Twelve are the tribes of Israel
Eleven are the stars of Joseph’s dream
Ten are the Ten Commandments
Nine are the months of childbirth
Eight are the days before Brit Milah
Seven are the days of the Week
Six are the sections of the Mishnah
Five are the books of the Torah
Four are the Matriarchs
Three are the Patriarchs
Two are the Tablets
One is our God in heaven and on earth.