Issachar
Artist: Maria Stolz

“Issachar is a strong …indolent…ass couching down between the sheepfolds …he bowed his shoulder to bear and became a servant to tribute” Gen. 49:14-15

The descendants of Issachar, pronounced “Yisachar” in Hebrew, were inclined to sitting in the tent to learn Torah.  In partnership with brother Zebulun, the entrepreneur, they were dedicated to receiving the yoke of Torah study and learning becoming religious leaders of the land.  While there is no astrological significance in Judaism, their standard of the sun and moon symbolizes the gift they had for the inner timing of things or the wisdom of understanding the timing of events.

The indolent ass with the chain of slavery is symbolic of the dual burdens of having been a slave yet also a laborer.  The ass is also associated with peace and represents, strangely enough, royalty.

To illustrate the passing of day to night, that is the sun and the moon, I decided to dedicate this window to Shabbat, so I call it the Shabbat window.  You’ll note the shabbat candles, the braided challah, and wine decanter…(note Hebrew).

Finally, most of the members of the powerful Court of the Sanhedrin were reportedly from the tribe of Issachar.  The numerical equivalent of 71 (ayin and alef) symbolizes the number of elders required for the court.

©Maria Stolz

Reuben | Simeon | Levi | Judah | Dan | Naphtali | Gad | Asher | Issachar | Zebulun | Joseph | Benjamin

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