Approbation: Rabbi Chaim Gutnick z"l

Historically, the prohibition on certain graven images and the strong secular currents which prevailed in the academies and environments of artistic culture may have inhibited the development of Jewish art in the spirit of Torah. There is, however, no necessary contradiction between Torah and artistic expression, where the latter is imbued with an understanding of the Torah and its commandments. To the contrary, where the power and beauty of art comes to enhance and heighten Torah and mitzvos, art has achieved a profound purpose.

Mr Victor Majzner, a Jew and one of Australia 's leading artists, has drawn closer to the study and practice of traditional Judaism. The set of ten "Images of Tanya" is the result of a period of study of the second book of the classic mystical Torah text, Tanya, namely the Sha'ar HaYichud v'Ho'emunah (Gate of Unity and Belief), in which he engaged with Rabbi Shimon Cowen. Having studied the work together, Mr Majzner painted ten images, which relate symbolically to summaries, written by Rabbi Cowen, of the chapters of this work. Based upon these paintings, Mr Majzner and Mr Shaike Snir have undertaken to produce limited edition prints of the ten images.

It is important that the images be viewed in conjunction with these texts, which are to be included in the folios of prints. Better still is to study in full the work itself, which has been translated with English commentary. I commend this project and wish it success with the hope that it will help to disseminate the knowledge of G-dliness not only among the Jewish people, but also throughout humanity at large.

Rabbi Chaim Gutnick