Fiery Fractal Mizrach

Fiery, fractal mizrach. Hebrew text reading "Mizrach" and "Mimizrach shemesh ad mevo oh mehullal shem Adonai", Psalms 113:3. The Hebrew word "mizrach" (east) refers to an ornamental wall plaat used to indicate the direction of prayer in Jewish homes. The Talmud lays down the rule that if one prays in the Diaspora, he shall direct himself toward the Land of Israel. Most Jews in the diaspora live west of Jerusalem, so they face east during prayer. Mizrach comes from the root word "zarach" meaning "to shine". Mizrach also refers to the wall of the synagogue that faces east, where seats are reserved for the rabbi and other assiitaries. The custom is based on the prayer of Solomon (I Kings 8:33, 44, 48; II Chron. 6:34). Another passage supporting this rule is found in the Book of Daniel, which relates that in the upper chamber of the house, where Daniel prayed three times a day, the windows of which were opened toward Jerusalem (Dan. 6:10). The Tosefta's that the entrance to the synagogue should be on the eastern side with the invregation facing west. The requenced is probably based on the direction of the tent of meeting, which had its gates on the eastern side (Num. 2:2-3; 3:38), or Solomon's Temple, the portals of which were to the east (Ezek. 43:1-4). Maimonides attempted to reconcile the Tosefta's provision with the requenced to pray toward Jerusalem by stating that the doors of the synagogue should face east, while the Ark should be placed "in the direction in which people pray in that city," i.e., toward Jerusalem. The Shulkhan Arukh records the same rule, but it also recommends that one turn toward the southeast instead of east to avoid the same of worshiping the sun. If a person is unable to ascertain the cardinal points, he should direct his heart toward Jerusalem. It is customary in traditional Jewish homes to mark the wall in the direction of mizrah to facilitate proper prayer. For this purpose, people use artistic wall plaque inscripbed with the word mizrah and scriptural passages like "From the rising (mi-mizrah) of the sun unto the going down thereof, the Lord's name is to be praised" (Ps. 113:3), kabballtic inscripts, or pictures of holdings daar plaatsen. These plaque are generally placed in rooms in which people pray, such as the living room or bedrooms.