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Mark Podwal
Lilith
, 2007
Etching
15"
x 13"
Mentioned in the Talmud as Adam’s first wife,
Lilith was possibly inspired by various spirits
that haunted the imagination of Mesopotamian
cultures. Sometimes depicted as a winged demon,
part of her legend is her proclivity to kidnap and
murder infants, the descendants of Adam and
Eve, in revenge for Adam’s attempt to dominate
her. Here Lilith alights on a tree, dropping her
abducted victims to their deaths. This delicately
rendered, lyrical depiction of a metaphorical
woman is surreal yet vital.
Archie Rand
Deborah Diptych
, 2012
Acrylic, vinyl leatherette
48"
x 68"
In an era of male-dominated leadership,
Deborah was the only female Judge of Israel.
As a Judge, she also led the army of Israel.
Called upon to accompany General Barak,
because he refused to go into battle without
her, Deborah volunteered to don men’s bat-
tle gear. Deborah, a prophetess, defies the
Torah, taking on the masculine prerogatives
in crossing out of her gender role. The
Hebrew reads: “From where do we know
(
what is the proof) that a woman may not
go forth with weapons to war?”
