Arik Weiss (b. 1965)
Eliyahu chair, 2020
Plywood with veneer finish
Museum Collection
Must Know
The first ceremony in the Jewish life cycle for a boy is the Brit Milah (covenant of circumcision) which is performed by a Mohel ( circumciser) on the eighth day of the infant’s life.
A special chair is placed at the right of the Sandek (godfather) and is left unoccupied.
The chair is symbolically meant for Elijah the prophet who is called the angel of Covenant. There are many reasons that Elijah is “present” at all circumcisions.
According to the midrash Elijah in Sefer Melachim 1 complained that the Jewish people had forsaken the covenant to God whereupon God ordained that Elijah should attend every brit mila as a sign that Israel is still keeping the covenant. And this text is part of the ceremony.
This child sized chair is made up of the letters of the name of Elijah.
These letters are also the letters of God’s name.
The piece was done by the Israeli design artist Arik Weiss.
he uses different mediums of sculpture, photography, printing and design to express Jewish ideas,texts, and rituals using the language of marketing and branding. His works build awareness and “markets” Jewish concepts. In this piece we see immediately that the whole idea of the brit mila is the covenant between man and God. BANG.
More Info
1.המוהל: זֶה הַכִּסֵּא שֶׁל אֵלִיָּהוּ הַנָּבִיא זָכוּר לַטּוֹב.
לִישׁוּעָתְךָ קִוִּיתִי אֲדֹנָ-י, שִׂבַּרְתִּי לִישׁוּעָתְךָ אֲדֹנָ-י, וּמִצְוֹתֶיךָ עָשִׂיתִי. אֵלִיָּהוּ מַלְאַךְ הַבְּרִית, הִנֵּה שֶׁלְּךָ לְפָנֶיך, עֲמוֹד עַל יְמִינִי וְסָמְכֵנִי. שִׂבַּרְתִּי לִישׁוּעָתְךָ אֲדֹנָ-י, שָׂשׂ אָנֹכִי עַל אִמְרָתֶךָ כְּמוֹצֵא שָׁלָל רָב. שָׁלוֹם רָב לְאֹהֲבֵי תוֹרָתֶך וְאֵין לָמוֹ מִכְשׁוֹל. אַשְׁרֵי תִּבְחַר וּתְקָרֵב יִשְׁכֹּן חֲצֵרֶיךָ, נִשְׂבְּעָה בְּטוּב בֵּיתֶך, קְדשׁ הֵיכָלֶךָ (על פי בראשית מ”ט, תהלים קי”ט, תהלים ס”ה).
This is the Seat of Elijah the Prophet, may he be remembered for good. For Your deliverance I hope, O L-rd. I have hoped for Your deliverance, L-rd, and I have performed Your commandments. Elijah, angel of the Covenant, here is yours before you; stand at my right and support me. I rejoice in Your word, like one who finds great spoil. Those who love Your Torah have abounding peace, and there is no stumbling for them. Happy is the man You choose and bring near to dwell in Your courtyards; we will be satiated with the goodness of Your House, Your Holy Temple. The Brit Mila is the first stage in the child’s joining the community. It is the hope that one day this child will expand his role in the community through Torah study, good deeds, and marriage.
