Photo: Mizrahi, 18th century, South Germany
Mizrach (Hebrew: מזרח “east”) is the Hebrew word for “east” and the direction in which Jews in the Diaspora stand during prayer. Jewish law prescribes that Jews should face the site of the Temple in Jerusalem when praying.
Multicoloured mizrach with two male figures flanking an architectural frame with two columns decorated with chevrons supporting an arch topped with garlands; Hebrew inscription with a large word written in elaborate red block letters in the centre, with texts above and below. Mizrachi depicting Moses (right) and Aaron (left). The Hebrew inscription reads: הפתח בכל יום דלתות שערי מזרח (“He who opens the doors of the gates of the East every day”), which is a reference to the liturgical verse, Hakol Yadun, the blessing of the Yotzer (or “blessing of creation”) of the Saturday morning prayer in the Ashkenazi liturgy; and מצד זה רוח חיים (“from this side [comes] the spirit of life”), the four words that make up the acronym מזרח (“mizrach”).
Author: Oleg Margolin
