Reish (ר)

The letter Reish stands for the number 200.

1. Roach (רוח) - wind. The art represents at its core the four directions of the wind; east, south, west and north-- the compass rose.

2. Roach Se'ara (רוח סערה) - stormy winds; the compass rose is surrounded by the stormy waters of the ocean, rising as the winds touch the waters.

3. Re'ikanot and Re'vach (רייקנות ורווח) - emptiness and spaciousness; both forms of 'emptiness' and the nullification of one's self (the nullification of the ego), allow for our internal space of mind, body and soul to expand. This is represented by the white spaciousness of the art and within the letter itself. It is not only a nullification of all that we cling to, it is the very location that allows us to find peace and comfort even if we are in the eye of the storm.

4. Roah (ראש) -- head; the head in this drawing is the representation of the crown, a location of the choice to let go of rationality and hold on to our faith and awe of life and creation itself. Therefore, the head, here, is the crown, the golden roots that connect our being to the Divine. This crown of roots is represented as the bridges holding the stormy reality of our winds (our life) to the Divine experience which is beyond ourselves -- that which we cannot fully see, nor fully grasp.

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In this alphabet art series I explore biblical and Jewish-spiritual ideas, as they reflect through the shapes or associated meaning of each letter.

This project is based on my personal musing and not on any Jewish teachings. Any connection to other teachings is unintentional.

My hope is that through this art we get a deeper glimpse into our realities, our worlds illusions and the hope that can be found in the power of the Hebrew letters.