AYIN

The word AYIN means EYE, and the theme of the eye is used in the painting in many associations. Our most dominant sense for perceiving the outside world is seeing, so that even our intellectual understanding is often expressed by saying "I see". A large, wide-open eye near the top of the painting represents our openness to receive all knowledge available to us through the senses. The three primary colours of red, blue and yellow, and their combinations producing orange, green and purple as the secondary colours are shown in the eye, representing the colours of the natural, visible world, through which our perceptions come. The three eyes in the lower part of the painting represent the threefold aspects of Divine Providence. Firstly, an awareness that all our thoughts and deeds are known by God. Secondly, that God watches over each one of us like a loving mother or father, taking care of us at each moment, guarding and guiding us so that we are aware of choices between good and evil. Finally, each of us is directed by Divine Providence to fulfil our Divine Purpose in Creation, so that the whole Universe reflects God's infinite Beauty and is a complete harmony produced by the contribution of each individual throughout all time and space. The letter AYIN is centrally placed in the painting, and its form resembles the two eyes connected to the brain by the optic nerve. The two letters on either side of AYIN in the Aleph-Beit are shown: the right eye looks up at SAMECH, contemplating God's Transcendent Light and support for all creatures. The left eye looks down at PEI, at the Word of God. PEI, the open mouth, also represents the comfort, blessings and good words spoken by the just. The constancy of Divine Providence is represented by the ever-open eye of the fish (it has no eyelids and never closes its eyes) and the deer which is said to keep one eye open even while sleeping, watching out for predators. "Your eyes are as doves" says the Song of Songs, symbolizing the constancy and ever attentive, loving relationship between God and His people, Israel. The mutual faithfulness of God and His Bride is the image evoked by the cooing doves. The numerical value of AYIN is seventy, and this is the number of the members of the Sanhedrin, the assembly of Sages entrusted with safeguarding the Torah. These men were called to be the eyes of the community, to provide them with a leadership of intelligence and integrity. The men at the top of the painting represent the members of the Sanhedrin.

It is said that "When wine goes in, a secret comes out." This can be understood at the literal level of wine loosening the tongue, but also at a deeper level, when we look at the numerical value (gematria) of the two words. Both WINE and SECRET have a gematria of seventy. SECRET is a deep, inner meaning and quality which refers to the implied morality given by the Torah, revealing true Jewish identity. WINE also represents the inner quality or essence of the grape, brought out by the crushing, fermenting and transformation of the juice extracted from the grapes. Thus, the transformation and revelation of deepest inner Self is signified by the wine which is consumed from the chalice (at lower right of the painting) on religious occasions. The word AYIN can also mean FOUNTAIN. Drops of water flow from the fountain, just as tears flow from the eye. Minerals are brought up from the secret depths of the earth by the waters of the fountain, just as the waters of wisdom are brought up from the depths of the soul. The letter AYIN teaches us to perceive wisdom, an intimate, loving knowledge of all things through lovingly knowing God.