Josef Farhi
 
 "Kiddush & "Sabbath Prayers"
PAIR of Signed and Framed Artwork
 
 
This art is:
 
New
Framed in a gold frame
Double matted in white & black
Hand signed
Mixed Media Collage
Framed in the USA
Framed Size: 28" x 34" each
Image Size: 21" x 27" each
Interested in different framing?  Contact us!
Ready to hang hardware included
 
The Kiddush: The prominent manuscript fragment in the upper right features the opening verses of the Shabbat Kiddush (the sanctification prayer over wine recited on Friday night). The text originates from Genesis 2:1–3 in the Hebrew Bible, which describes the completion of Creation and the holiness of the seventh day.English Translation:
"The sixth day. And the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their host. And on the seventh day God finished His work which He had made... And God blessed the seventh day, and hallowed it; because that in it He rested from all His work..."
Traditional Jewish Iconography
Surrounding the text are layered, embossed fragments resembling archaeological stone tablets or ancient seals, containing key visual symbols:
The Menorah: Embedded multiple times across the darker raised panels, the seven-branched candelabrum represents divine light, wisdom, and the ancient Temple in Jerusalem.
The Star of David (Magen David): Visible on the purple-toned fragment on the right, serving as a universal symbol of Jewish identity and protection.
The Hamsa / Hand of Fatima: Stamped inside the soft pink circle at the top center, the stylized open palm is a traditional amulet representing protection against the evil eye, blessings, and strength.
Hebrew Lettering and Inscriptions: Scattered over the raised panels are micro-inscriptions of blessing formulas and standalone letters—such as the letter "ש" (Shin), which frequently stands for Shaddai (a divine name) or Shabbat (Sabbath).
SABBATH PRAYERS
The artwork features several stylized Hebrew letters and foundational liturgical phrases integrated directly into the design. Here is the breakdown of the specific Hebrew text visible in the different layers:
 
1. The Blessing Openers (Top Left & Center)
The Blue Plaque: Underneath the purple menorah cutout is a dark blue oblong shape that reads ברוך אתה (Baruch Ata), which translates to "Blessed are You...". This is the universal opening formula for almost all Jewish blessings and prayers.
The Bottom-Left Oval: The dark purple/blue medallion on the bottom left contains a heavily stylized acronym or abbreviation of the divine name formula often used in blessings, emphasizing letters like א (Aleph), י (Yod), and ה (Heh)
2. The Torah Scrolls (Center Frame)
Inside the arched frame, the mantles (covers) of the protective Torah scrolls feature classic scriptural symbols:
The Center Scroll: The white mantle is inscribed with the word תורה (Torah).
The Crown Symbols: The surrounding scrolls feature the Hebrew letters כ (Kaf) and ת (Tav), which stand for כתר תורה (Keter Torah), meaning the "Crown of the Torah.
 
Josef (Joseph) Farhi
Born in 1931, Farhi started to play the violin at the age of seven. In his eleventh year, he was strongly attracted to painting, which imposed on him his way of life. He won scholarships and prizes. Graduated from the Tel-Aviv Art Institute and the Art Teachers Institute in Tel-Aviv, he moved to Paris where he studied at Academie Colarosse, Academie De La Grande Chaumiere, Academie Ranson, Atelier Andre Lhote. After a twelve year course of studies, his first exhibition took place in the famous Benezit Gallery in Paris in 1957 with the preface written by Robert Vrinat, art critic of the Paris Journal Le Figaro. The critical response to this exhibition established Farhi’s place as one of the outstanding individual artists of our time.
The legendary Waldemar George, considered to be one of the most influential and important art critics of the twentieth century, did the preface for Farhi’s second one-man exhibition. Many more prefaces for  Farhi one-man shows were written in different countries by various art critics.  Farhi became the creator and the leader and the leader o the concrete Lyrical Art Movement in Paris. This movement has inspired many painters and quite a few have been influenced by him.The noble inspiration of his art burns before us in each of his works. Those works kindle us the deepest emotion, fill our souls with a truly mystical experience. Farhi has removed himself beyond space and time, his art is full of holiness of truly timeless character.
The next big Farhi influence in art was the creation of the Farhigraph in 1963. In it’s development, the Farhigraph passed through a metamorphosis of creations, from the Concrete Lyrical Farhigraph to the Kinetic Farhigraph.
Farhi did a very impressive number of one-man shows and many international group exhibitions. Farhi one-man shows in the United States have been under the patronage of the Israeli Embassy. In Israel, his one-man exhibitions have been under the patronage of the French Embassy. In Paris his exhibitions were under the patronage of Maison des Intellectuels. Farhi’s paintings have been exhibited in the Museum of Modern Art, (Paris), Museum Bezalel, (Jerusalem), Museum Tel—Aviv, (Tel-Aviv), Museum of Jewish Art, (Paris), Museum of Modern Art, (Haifa), The Monte Carlo Palace, (Monte Carlo), Museum of Modern Art, (Stockholm), Museum of Modern Art,( at-Yam), Maison Internationale des Intellectuels, (Nice), and in many other galleries. Retrospective of Farhi works took place in Switzerland and Israel.Farhi works are in many important public and private collections in the United States, France, England, Monaco, Israel, Canada, Belgium, Japan, West Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and South America.Farhi has been awarded the Paris Decoration of Honor.