Lithographs

Starting with the elephant's trunk at the bottom of the piece, an English shalom can be found woven into the animals coming from Noah's ark.

The menorah-shape of the burning bush is symbolic of the coming freedom from slavery.

The goals of following the instructions of the Ten Commandments and Torah are symbolically represented both by the depiction of Jerusalem at peace, along with the word shalom, found woven into lower bricks of the city.

Items of judaica, such as the Torah scroll, tablets of the ten commandments, Shabbat candlesticks, havdalah items (candle, wine cup, and spice box), tefillin, menorah, and mezuzah can be found throughout the piece.

Notice how the tail of the whale is also the body of Jonah.

To portray the concealed, mystical aspects of this parable, there is a large hidden face woven into the design of Jonah, as he sits beneath the leaves of the large gourd-tree on the left side of the composition. If you look closely, you will see how the pants of the small Jonah form actually compose the nose of the large face, while the rock Jonah is sitting on also becomes his beard.

The handles of a hidden Torah scroll may be found in each corner of the design. The lower handles are being held up by leaf-hands. This symbolism, along with the top Hebrew quote (Etz Chayim Hee), depicts the Torah as "a Tree of Life."

Within the inner Torah scroll, the beginning of the Priestly Blessing, "May the Lord bless and keep you," is found between the hands of the Cohen (priest). The final part of the blessing is located in the bottom of the piece, "...and give you peace."

The word 'LOVE' can be seen, starting with the 'L' at the top-left corner of the piece, continuing through to the 'E' found along the right side of the composition.

The word 'life', is denoted by the magenta colored Hebrew word, chai, found in the middle of the piece.

The word 'peace' is found in green Hebrew letters (shalom) as it begins in the top-right corner of the piece, and extends downward diagonally to the bottom-left corner of the composition.

Located in the upper and lower part of the picture are the Barchu prayer (in Hebrew) and its response. In the center of the picture, overlaid on the creation sequence, is the "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of Hosts" prayer. Written in both English and Hebrew calligraphy, this prayer is seen swirling out in opposite directions.

There is also a hidden seven days of creation sequence contained within the design.

More information, detailing these steps to creation, may be found in the full script.

This composition combines both biblical and contemporary understandings for advancing our goals of an Israel, and world, at peace. Our "Visions of Hope" are dependent on increasing our understandings in a way that will allow us to pursue the peace we all desire.

A few examples of David's unique symbolism may be found in the portrayal of Herzl, whose head may be seen as partially composed of an eagle. Within this majestic bird, Isaiah's prophecy, referencing the wolf, lamb and the little child leading them, may be found. Additionally, Herzl's sideburn is in the shape of Israel, while his mustache and beard include an individual with a lulav and esrog. The lower part of Herzl's profile is made up of a Torah and contains the biblical quote which is also written on the Liberty Bell: "You will proclaim liberty throughout the land." A depiction of people praying at the Western Wall, with a Hebrew "shalom" woven into their bodies, can be found between the two main figures. This is representative of all people who share our vision of peace.

In the forefront of the city, contained within the golden bricks of the buildings, a large English "shalom" may be found. A second large "shalom" (also in gold) is located in the sidewalk just beneath the buildings. Other representations of the word "peace" (in English, "peace" and "shalom," or in the Hebrew, ) may be found hidden in multitudes of places within the picture: in the birds in the sunset over the city, in the trees on either side of the drawing, in the walls surrounding and within the city, and in the plants, grass, people, and animals throughout the composition.

Representations of the ritual objects and traditional accompaniments to Judaism that help compose the city are: the Torah Scrolls, the tablets of the Ten Commandments, a mezuzah, menorah, tefillin, kiddush (wine) cup, Shabbat candles, havdalah candle and spice box, a shofar (ram's horn), and the Hebrew word for chai (life).

Throughout the composition, many people are seen joined together, celebrating the unity and harmony of all life at this time of peace.

In the brown area to the left of the Israeli flag (on the eagle's wings), smaller forms compose the larger face of Joshua, seen holding and blowing a shofar. This same brown area is also the base of a larger shofar seen swirling out from beneath and around the tablets of the Ten Commandments.

In the top-left corner of the piece, Abraham can be seen bringing his son, Isaac, to the sacrificial fire. Look again and the flames of the fire are made from the wings of the angels climbing the ladder, as in Jacob's vision.

The twelve tribes of Israel are situated along the bottom-left side of the picture. Additionally, the depiction of each tribe embodies the characteristics of Jacob's blessing for the twelve brothers. Look closer and the lion's face, representative of the tribe of Judah, is hidden within the design of Judah.

The right side of the picture includes events that occurred during the life of Moses, including the depiction of the Egyptians in the sea. Look within the blue waters of the sea (above the Israeli flag) and see the face of the Pharaoh with a crown on his head. Look again, and the crown of the Pharaoh is also a depiction of a chariot and its rider. Look once more and you will see that Pharaoh's face is also composed of a foot soldier holding a spear.

This piece has many more aspects of hidden symbolism woven throughout the piece, possibly more than any of David's other designs. For more information, including a contemporary interpretation of the relevance of the biblical Torah to modern times, please see the full script.

The Shabbat candlestick holders may be seen three different ways. Viewing them one way, they are shofars; a second way they are hands; and a third way, they are people greeting the Shabbat angels of peace, found just above them.

The two loaves of challah bread are comprised of people, symbolically representing the challah as the "bread of life."

This piece of art also contains a day-by-day creation sequence hidden within its design.