Chagall Windows

Marie-Luise Skibbe, installation view of CHAGALL, Jewish Museum of Australia, 2023

1. Reuben: (Reuven—Hebrew), 1960

‘Reuben, you are my firstborn, my light, the first sign of my strength, excelling in honour, excelling in power. Turbulent as the waters, you will no longer excel.’ – Genesis 49

2. Simeon: (Shimon—Hebrew), 1960

‘Simeon, and Levi are brothers – their swords are weapons of violence. Cursed be their anger, so fierce, and their wrath so relentless.’ – Genesis 49

3. Levi: (Levi—Hebrew), 1960

‘Levi, watched over you and your word and guarded your covenant. He teaches your percepts to Jacob and your law to Israel’ – Deuteronomy 33

4. Judah: (Yehudah – Hebrew), 1960

‘Judah, your brothers will praise you; your hand will be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons will bow down to you. You are a lion’s cub.’ – Genesis 49

5. Zebulon: (Zevulun – Hebrew), 1960

‘Zebulon will live by the seashore and become a haven for ships.’ – Genesis 49

6. Issachar (Yisachar—Hebrew), 1960

‘Issachar is a rawboned donkey living down among the sheep pens. When he sees how good is his resting place and how pleasant is his land, he will bend his shoulder to the burden and submit to forced labor.’ – Genesis 49

7. Dan (Dan – Hebrew), 1960

‘Dan will provide justice for his people as one of the tribes of Israel. Dan will be a snake by the roadside, a viper along the path that bites the horse’s heels so that its rider tumbles backward.’ – Genesis 49

8. Gad (Gad—Hebrew), 1960

‘Gad will be attacked by a band of raiders, but he will attack them at their heels.’ – Genesis 49

9. Asher (Asher—Hebrew), 1960
Hebrew University, Jerusalem

‘Asher’s food will be rich; he will provide delicacies fit for a king.’ – Genesis 49

‘Most blessed of sons is Asher; Let him be favored by his brothers, and let him bathe his feet in oil.’ – Deuteronomy 33

10. Naphtali (Naphtali—Hebrew), 1960

‘Naphtali is doe set free that bears beautiful fawns.’ – Genesis 49
‘Naphtali is abound with the favor of the Lord and is full of his blessing.’ – Deuteronomy 33

11. Joseph (Yosef—Hebrew), 1960

‘Joseph is a fruitful vine near a spring, whose branches climb over a wall. (…) because of the Almighty, who blesses you with blessings of the skies above, blessings of the deep springs below.’ – Genesis 49

12. Benjamin (Binyamin – Hebrew), 1960

‘Benjamin is a ravenous wolf; in the morning he devours the prey, in the evening he divides the plunder.’ – Genesis 49