Last Song Before Shabbat: Yedid Nefesh -
The Last Song before Shabbat: Yedid Nefesh is the second of three in the Shabbat Series. It is painted in a Van Gogh style involving the brush strokes as they show the direction and energy of the piece.
The series depicts the transition moment between the six days of the work week and Shabbat where everything shifts from doing to being. Yedid Nefesh is a representation of the woman's perspective and her song as this beautiful transition takes place.
I grew up not knowing what Shabbat was. When I learned about Shabbat and tried it for the first time, I thought that the concept of taking a break, stopping and letting go of the working world for 25 hours was amazing. In addition, it made me more conscious of the other six days of the week during which I can work, make things, and create - and I love to work, make things, and create.
This made me think - What is the last special thing we do before Shabbat that sets in this incredible transition?
I thought it would be nice to play one last song. In this painting there is a woman playing a flute. Playing one last song as that special Shabbat energy exudes into the world.
The painting is celebrating that moment of transition, rejoicing with nature and the coming of Shabbat.