hebrew art
Tav
Illuminated Hebrew Letter
©2006 Adam Rhine
Watercolor and Colored Pencil on Paper
"May my mouth speak praises of G-d, and may all flesh bless the Name of the Holy One forever and ever. We will bless G-d now and forever, Halleluyah!" (Psalm 145:21)

The final letter of the Hebrew alphabet is tav, composed of the letters daled and nun, a “door” and “light.” Fittingly, tav starts both the words “Torah,” (the Five Books of Moses that reveals the light of G-d’s wisdom), and “Talmud” (the 63 volumes of the Oral Law brought down from Mt. Sinai with the written law.)

“Tikkun Olam” begins with a tav. It is the charge that we all have to repair and bring beauty to this world. We are not individually responsible for eradicating all evil and suffering, but we are mandated to use our G-d given talents and resources to do our part.