i can’t remember if i’ve posted this.
Naomi Lipsky, Hineni (Here I am)
Illustrating “Hineni” as a prism, transforming pure white light into visible colours.
I know I reblogged this already, but I wanted to do so again, with some commentary. Seeing this piece of work was astounding to me. It was one of those moments — I can’t even describe it without calling it a hineni moment.
“Hineni” (the word written in Hebrew in this painting) is one of the most powerful words in Hebrew and in the Tanakh (Hebrew bible) that I know. Several characters in the Tanakh say Hineni: Abraham, Moses, and God. Hineni, literally translated, means “here I am.” But it’s more than a statement of location. It’s revelation.
“Here” means spiritually present. “Here” means alive. “Here” means paying attention, full attention, eyes wide open, ready to see.
“I” is a statement of relationship. “I” is standing before God, recognizing another player in the conversation. “I” is a conversation.
“Am” is an affirmation. “Am” confirms relationships, “am” is identity, personal, spiritual, physical meaning.
“Hineni” means not afraid, not afraid of being afraid and not afraid of growing and asking, and engaging in a conversation, a multi-way, multi-dimensional conversation.
When I taught about the word “Hineni” to some of my students earlier this year, I told them I’d never had a “Hineni” moment. I think that has changed.
I reblogged this artwork silently the other day because I wasn’t ready to write out what I feel when I see this. I don’t want to tell you my interpretation of the piece, because it’s yours to interpret as you will, as well, and my “Hineni” moment isn’t for you, it’s for me. But I just wanted to express how this piece makes me feel.
(Source: sshmeer, via onlyygirlinthewrld)
(Source: acid-drinker, via riotgrrlcantfail)
