PAPERCUTS > Choose Life
This original papercut illustrates one of the most famous verses from the Torah, found in the the portion Nitzavim in Book of Deuteronomy: “I have put before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore, chose life.” A detailed explanation of the symbols in the papecut is found below the image.
This original papercut by Diane Palley illustrates a verse found near the end of the Torah in Deuteronomy 30:11. The first line of this quotation appears in the panel across the center of the Tree of Life: "Surely, this instruction which I enjoin upon you this day is not too baffling for you, nor is it beyond reach." The next line is found around the top of the outside border: "It is not in the heavens, that you should say, "Who among us can go up to the heavens and get it for us and impart it to us, that we may observe it." The verse continue around the bottom of the outside border: "Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, Who among us can cross to the other side of the sea and get it for us and impart it to us, that we may observe it?" Finally, the last verse is found at the bottom of the tree: "The thing (instruction) is very close to you, in your mouth and in your heart, to do it." Following the above verses, in the same weekly portion Niztavim, is the famous quotation: "I have put before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore, chose life."
The central image of this papercut, The Tree of Life, refers to these words and emphasizes the Jewish tradition of valuing and celebrating life itself. The heavens mentioned in the quotation are pictured as the sun and clouds above; the sea is represented by waves and shells below.
Many other symbols from the "instruction" or Hebrew Bible, are also included. Four animals that are mentioned in the Talmud (Pirke Avot) appear on the branches of the Tree of Life: "In order to serve God, you must be brave as a lion, light as an eagle, swift as a deer and brave as a leopard.." A rooster, honored as the first creature to praise God in the morning, also appears in the branches, The dove and the olive tree are both symbols of peace and hope from the story of Noah. Other creatures find shelter in the Tree of life, including a wolf, symbol of the tribe of Benjamin, a parrot and even some bees carrying on their part in the circle of life.
Seven ancient species of plants mentioned in the Hebrew Bible are also found: olive, palm, grape, fig, pomegranate, wheat and barley. Roses, which refer to the Sephirah of Malchut in the Kabbalah, and stand for the world we all live in, grow around the base of the tree.
The outermost border contains fish, universal as well as Jewish symbols of fertility, survival and life. Finally, the four crowns that decorate the trunk and root of the tree refer to the verse, again from Pirke Avot, "There are three crowns- of God, of priesthood, and of kingship, and above all of these is the crown of a good name". This highest honor is not limited to priests, kings or even God, but is reserved for any human being who earns a good name. The Jewish tradition poetically voiced in the quotation from Deuteronomy empowers us all to strive for and achieve this highest goal of having a good name, of being a mensch - a real human being. This task can always be carried out since it is very close to us, "in our mouths and in our hearts to do". original papercut illustrates one of the most famous verses from the Torah, found in the the portion Nitzavim in Book of Deuteronomy.
