This 1983 image  was the front page of a glossy product brochure for Microsoft Word 3, a word processing program for the pre-windows personal computer platform, DOS. The use of the Hebrew text image of the “Ten Commandments” or more accurately the “Ten Statements” reflects the honor and respect the world has given to the Hebrew Scriptures. The implication of the advertisement is that with this word processing software one can create solid impressive presentations.

Interestingly enough, one of the commandments addresses ‘solid presentations’:

You shall not make for yourself a graven image, nor any manner of likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them, nor serve them. (The second commandment)

Table 1. 

The psalmist speaks to the negative impact of such graven images:

Psalm 115:14.-8   “Their idols are silver and gold,

The work of men’s hands.

They have mouths, but they speak not;

Eyes have they, but they see not;

They have ears, but they hear not;

Noses have they, but they smell not;

They have hands, but they handle not;

Feet have they, but they walk not;

Neither speak they with their throat.

They that make them shall be like unto them;

Yea, every one that trusteth in them.”

Volumes have been written about the 2nd commandment.What is important for us in this context are two considerations: 1. Contrary to the antisemitic characterizations that Jews lack artistic sensibility and despite the second commandment prohibition against graven images, artistic expression has been present within the Jewish people from biblical days onward in various degrees and formats. 2. With the insight from the psalmist, Visual Midrash and Visual representations need to spark creativity and our physical presence supporting the spiritual.

Here is  a midrash that highlights the creator’s ability to create each of us uniquely:

“man [was created singly] to show the greatness of the Holy One, Blessed be He, for if a man strikes many coins from one mold, they all resemble one another, but the King of Kings, the Holy One, Blessed be He, made each man in the image of Adam, and yet not one of them resembles his fellow.”

Unlike the Graven Image with its debilitating impact on human consciousness, Visual Midrash shares the life-affirming and physical consciousness of the Midrashic process.