Description
The Chassidic Rebbe Aryeh Leib, known as the “Shpoler Zeide,” (the “Grandfather of Shpola”) was a descendant of the medieval Rabbi Aryeh Leib, the famous Maharal of Prague, a scholar who authored several works, but is maybe best known for creating a golem.
The Zeide lived and worked in the Ukraine (1724-1811). He became famous due to the many (folk-)stories which are told about him, like the Purim Angel, or the Bear dance. Rabbi Aryeh Leib was very beloved, because he always stood up for the poor and downtrodden Jews in the Ukraine, and even conducted a court case with HaShem on their behalf.
The Shpoler Zeide being saved from drowning after his horse-drawn wagon broke through the ice of the frozen River Roz.
18 X 24 inches, pastel and ink on paper, 2015
The Shpoler Zeide holds on to his wagon for dear life while his horse tries to pull both of them out of the hole in the ice. They are surrounded by blinding snow, glistening sharp pieces of broken ice, and dark deep deadly cold water. The letter shin represents the prayers of the Zeide.
The drawing will be shipped form Berlin in a mailing tube or taken to the USA when the artist visits.
