MENORAH OF SONG: This type of papercut is often referred to as a "shviti," a form of mizrach whose name comes from the verse,"Sh'viti Hashem l'negdi tamid," "I will keep God at the forefront of my mind at all times." The design comes from the tradition of writing Psalm 67 in the form of a menorah. In this case, the words are also cut into the menorah's shape. This design is often found at the front of synagogues.

Into the top arch the phrase, "Know before Whom you stand," is cut. Below that a crown, above the words,"Before the King, the King of kings, the Holy One, blessed be HE." The crown rests over Jerusalem, the direction toward which we pray. Below that, the menorah, inscised with the entire text of the Psalm 67 is surrounded by the shivat haminim,seven species of "fruit" associated with Eretz Yisroel, the Land of Israel. (19" x 25")M005

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