The Torah Windows

Commemorating The Five Books of Moses
for the Washington Hebrew Congregation

INTRODUCTION
The following will summarize many of the ideas that I have incorporated into the stained glass for Kreeger Lobby. The conceptual threads that I have used to unify and connect each of the five windows, in both a visual and thematic sense, are:

1. The origins and history of the Jewish People in the Books of Moses.
2. The omnipresence of God.
3. The special relationship of God with the Jewish People.
4. The Torah, itself, as the written record of these “threads”.

Each window represents one of the Books of Moses. Following this general introduction is a detailed description of each window.

Prior to the installation of the stained glass, the window framing of the five windows was replaced. The new framing includes a single, vertical mullion in each window that better echoes the strong verticality of the other elements comprising the exterior facade. Both halves of each window are unified with a border of blue-green glass. The arched top above each half-window is reminiscent of the tablets of the Ten Commandments. This cool color is an appropriate framework to contain the vital, active imagery that typifies the Books of Moses.

The diversity of the glass palette used to create the Torah Windows produces an ever-changing experience that varies with the time of day (or night) as well as with the seasons. Some of the glasses are visually transparent, allowing the morning sun to project color into the lobby’s interior. Some are milky or opalescent, and add a contrasting glow as light diffuses through them. With two exceptions, all of the glass is a German, mouthblown glass. Because it is mouthblown, this type of glass is characterized by a watercolor-like gradation of color from light to dark. Another variety of glass used in these windows is a very interesting one called Dichroic glass. This is a unique glass that changes color as it is viewed from various angles, and at night becomes reflective like mirror. In the Torah Windows three different color ranges of Dichroic glass are used. The third glass type is the lenses, which punctuate the overall design with a sparkling excitement. The Dichroic glass and lenses are used to signify the presence or action of God.

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click above image for a larger view

INTRODUCTION

THE GENESIS (BERESHIT) WINDOW

THE EXODUS (SHEMOT) WINDOW

THE LEVITICUS (VA-YIKRA) WINDOW

THE NUMBERS (BE-MIDBAR) WINDOW

THE DEUTERONOMY (DEVARIM) WINDOW