| The Tree of Life Shtender: Kiddush Set
“There is no joy except through wine.â€
– Pesachim 109B
In Jewish tradition, wine is consistently a symbol of joy (Babylonian Talmud, Pesachim 109A). Every joyous event, whether related to the calendar or to the life cycle, is consecrated with an overflowing cup of wine.
Just as the presence of wine is a symbol of joy, its absence is an indicator of sorrow. Wine (among other things) is not permitted for a mourner when he is within the seven days of mourning, nor is it allowed during the nine days leading up to the fast of Tisha B'Av.
The cup of wine presides over the weekly and annual Jewish cycle of joy and at each joyous or important occasion in our lives: from the brit where even the newborn baby gets his first taste of wine, to the wedding, the most joyous of all times, where double cups of wine are interwoven within the celebrations at every point.
The motif for this object was obvious – clearly the beautiful grapevine was to be the decorative theme. Unlike many of the other objects in the Shtender, the wooden part of this object is the container for the objects, not the ritual object itself. Our thought was that along with the Challah board and candelabrum, it would remain to beautify the Shabbat table even after the silver objects had been taken out. It was therefore essential that the piece function visually both when it contained the silver Kiddush Set, and also that it stand alone as a beautiful sculpture when the vessels were removed.
The result was a layered carving. The interior spaces that hold the silver cups and plates were also carved in the nearly inaccessible depths of the piece, creating an artistic surprise as the cups and plates are removed. The secret interior carving also hints at the well-known adage: Nichnas yayin, yotzi sod – when wine goes in, secrets come out – In vino veritas!
“Bread and wine, the pride of a table.â€
– Zohar Bamidbar 189
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